OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy on intractable hiccup treated by acupuncture at the lower He-sea points mainly.

METHODSFifty-two cases were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a western medication group, 26 cases in each one. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). The mild moxibustion was applied to Zhongwan (CV 12) and Xiawan (CV 10). In the western medication group, the intravenous drop with lidocaine was administered. The efficacy and the score changes of the main associated symptoms were compared in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.1% (25/26) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, which was better than 69.3% (18/26) in the western medication group (P.<0.01). After treatment, for the patients in both groups, the scores of the main associated symptoms such as anxiety, tension, insomnia, respiratory symptoms and the restlessness in conversation were all improved (all P<0.05). The improvements in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were much obvious than those in the western medication group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the lower He-sea points mainly relieves effectively the symptoms of hiccup and the efficacy is better than that with lidocaine.