Acupuncture combined with medication for postherpetic neuralgia affecting the head and face: a randomized controlled trial
- VernacularTitle:针药并用治疗头面部带状疱疹后神经痛:随机对照研究
- Author:
Chun-Tao ZHAI
;
Yu-E LÜ
;
Jue HONG
- Keywords:
Acupuncture Therapy;
Surrounding Needling;
Acupuncture Medication Combined;
Point,Xi (Cleft);
Neuralgia,Postherpetic;
Visual Analog Scale;
Quality of Life
- From:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
2021;19(5):398-402
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence, with 40 cases in each group. The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally, 75 mg each time, twice a day. The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance. The treatment lasted for 5 weeks. The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face, and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture, once every other day, for 5 weeks in total. Results: Prior to treatment, there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and QOL scores between the two groups (both P>0.05). After treatment, VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P<0.01), and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.01). The total effective rate was 67.5％ in the Western medication group, versus 92.5％ in the acupuncture-medication group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on oral administration of pregabalin, needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN, notably improve patients' QOL, and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone.
