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Objective To observe the clinical effect of combining extracorporeal shock waves with pulsed radiofrequency irradiation of the dorsal root ganglia in the treatment of spinal cord-derived abdominal pain. Methods A total of 88 patients were randomly divided into a control group, a shock wave group, a pulsed irradiation group and a combination group, each of 22. All of the patients were given etocoxib and pregabalin medication for 3 weeks. In ad-dition to the drugs, the shock wave group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and the irradiation group re-ceived pulsed radio frequency irradiation of the dorsal root ganglia. The combination group received both. A visual an-alogue scale was used to assess perceived pain. The quality of life short form 36 ( QOL-SF36) , Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were administered to all 4 groups before the treatments and after 1, 4 and 12 weeks of the treatments. The development of diseases, gastrointestinal function, medical treatment and medical expenses of the 4 groups were observed for two years after the treatments. Results After 4 weeks of treatment, the average scores of all four groups in all of the evaluations had improved significantly compared with before the treatment. In combination group′s average results were significantly better than those of the other 3 groups from 4 weeks until 12 weeks after the treatment. During the subsequent two years that group′s gastrointestinal symptoms, hospital visits and medical expen-ses were all significantly lower, on average, than those of the other groups. Conclusion Extracorporeal shock waves combined with pulsed radio frequency irradiation of the dorsal root ganglia has significant clinical efficacy for alleviating spinal cord-derived abdominal pain. It can significantly reduce medical costs and is worthy of clinical pro-motion.
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Objective To observe the clinical effect of pulsed radiofrequency electrotherapy combined with acupuncture or electroacupuncture in treating neuralgia after herpes zoster infection.Methods Eighty-eight patients were divided into a control group,an electroacupuncture group,a pulsed electrotherapy group and a combined group using a random number table.The 4 groups were routinely given gabapentin and tramadol,while the electroacupuncture group was additionally treated with electroacupuncture,the pulsed electrotherapy group received radiofrequency irradiation of the dorsal root ganglion,and the combined group was given CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency electrotherapy combined with electroacupuncture or acupuncture.Before the treatment and 15 days and 1 month afterward,everyone was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity,the Hamilton anxiety (HAMA) and depression (HAMD) scales and the short form 36 (QOL-SF36) quality of life assessment.The area of painful skin was also measured.Results There were no significant differences among the 4 groups at the outset in any of the measurements.Significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements 15 and 30 days after the treatment except in the control group.The combined group was by then significantly better than the other 3 groups.Their dosage of gabapentin and tramadol had decreased significantly compared with the other groups after 3 months of treatment.Conclusion CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency electrotherapy combined with acupuncture or electroacupuncture is safe and effective for treating post-herpes neuralgia.It is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of non-surgical spinal decompression com-bined with intervertebral foramen injection in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods Nine-ty-six patients were randomly divided into a control group, a decompression group, an injection group and a combined group. All of the subjects were given loxoprofen sodium and chestnut seed extract. The decompression group was trea-ted with non-operative spinal decompression. The injection group received intervertebral foramen injections. The com-bined group received both treatments. Pain perceptions, quality of life perceptions and lumbar dysfunction were ob-served before the treatment, and 2 days, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months afterward. Results There were no sig-nificant differences among the groups in average pain perceptions quantified using a visual analogue scale ( VAS) be-fore the treatment. The average scores on a 36-item short-form health survey, the Oswestry disability index and a Jap-anese Orthopedic Association instrument also were not significantly different. All of those indicators had improved sig-nificantly in the decompression, injection and combined groups at 1, 6 and 12 months after the treatment, but the combined group′s average indicators were all significantly better than the other groups′ averages at the same time points. All of the significant improvements in the combined group′s averages occurred in the first month after the com-bined treatment. Conclusion Non-operative spinal decompression has a synergistic effect with intervertebral fora-men injection in treating patients with lumbar disc herniation. Their combined effect is better than either treatment a-lone. Their combined effect is lasting, safe and has few complication risks. It is worthy of clinical application.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of combining buprenorphine with joint mobilization in the treatmeut of periarthritis of the shoulder.Methods A total of 103 patients were randomly divided into groups A,B and C.Group A received buprenorphine and joint mobilization;group B was treated with the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug loxoprofen sodium and joint mobilization;group C received only joint mobilization.One week,3 weeks and three months after the treatment,the subjects used a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate their level of discomfort,and Constant-Murley scores (CMS) and the degree of shoulder activity were quantified in all 3 groups.Any differences in the intensity of joint mobilization were also observed.Results The VAS ratings,CMS and the degree of activity of the shoulder joint improved significantly in all three groups after the treatment.One week after the treatment,the average VAS score of group A (2.8±1) was significantly lower than that of groups B (3.8±1) and C (4.5± 1.3),but group A's average CMS (60.1±10.7) had increased to significantly more than those of groups B (48.8± 11.0) and C (44.9±9.7).At the same time,the average shoulder joint rear protraction,90° extorsion abduction,internal rotation and external rotation angles of group A were all significantly bigger than those of groups B and C.The differences were maintained until at least three months after the treatment.One week after the treatment,the intensity of the joint mnobilization of group A was significantly higher than in groups B and C,with that discrepancy also continuing until at least 3 months after the treatment.Conclusions Buprenorphine combined with joint mobilization is very effective in the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder.It is simple,safe and elicits good patient compliance.It is worthy of pronotion among shoulder periarthritis patients.
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Objective To observe the effect of extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) combined with intervertebral foramen injection on the lumbar facet joint syndrome.Methods Ninety-three patients presenting the syndrome were randomly divided into acombined group,ashock wave group and acontrol group,each of 31,according to a random number tab.All three groups were given a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug,the shock wave group was additionally treated with a course of ESW,while the combined group received the shock wave treatment and lumbar intervertebral foramen injection.The three groups were assessed using theOswestry disability index (ODI),theRoland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)and a life quality scale (QOL-SF36) beforetreatment and after 1,4 and 8 weeks of treatment.Pain was reported using a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results Theaverage VAS,ODI,RMDQ and QOL-SF36 scores of the three groups had all improved after the treatment.After one week the average scores of VAS (2.6±1.4),ODI (15.9±8.3),RMDQ (9.9±5.4) and QOL-SF36 (74.6±17.1) of the combined group had improved significantly more than those of the control group [VAS (4.3± 1.3),ODI(22.8± 6.9),RMDQ (14.9±7.7) and QOL-SF36 (61.6±17.7)].Fourweeks after the treatment,the averageVAS,ODl,RMDQ andQOL-SF36 scores [(2.5±1.3),(15.1±7.3),(9.8±5.1) and (76.8±16.8)] of the shock wave group had improved significantly more than those of the control group [(3.9 ± 1.4),(20.3 ± 8.2),(13.9 ± 8.1) and (67.2±20.6)].Such significant improvements lasted until 8 weeks after the treatment.ConclusionsESW combined with intervertebral foramen injection can relieve the pain oflumbar facet joint syndrome,improve lumbar vertebral function and patients' quality of life.It is worthy of clinical application.
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Objective To analyze the clinical outcome of concurrent ehemo-radiotherapy in stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods From Jan.1997 to Dec.2006,214 patients with patho logically or cytologically proven stage Ⅳ NSCLC were included in this analysis.Of those patients,98 re ceived radiotherapy concurrently with 3-week cycle chemotherapy(group A),18 received radiotherapy con currently with weekly chemotherapy(group B) ,44 received chemotherapy alone,37 received radiotherapy a lone and 13 received sequential chemo-radiotherapy.The primary tumor was treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) or conventional radiotherapy with conventional fraefionation or late-course accelerated hyperfraction (LA H RT).Group A received 21-28 days cycle cisplatin-based chemotherapy (cis platin combined with PTX,DTY,NVB or Vp-16) ,and group B received weekly DDP combined with PTX or topteeon for 4-6 weeks.Results The follow-up rate was 99%.The 1-and 2-year overall survival rates of group A,group B,chemotherapy alone,radiotherapy alone and sequential chemo-radiotherapy were 41% and 11% ,16% and 0,31% and 7% ,34% and 10% ,26% and 3% ,respectively(x2 = 11.18,P=0.025).The patients with concurrent 3DCRT,LAHRT and radiotherapy dose≥70 Gy had better survival in group A than those in chemotherapy alone group.Patients who received≥2 cycles chemotherapy with concurrent radio therapy had longer survival time than those who had ≥2 cycles chemotherapy alone. Conclusions Con current chemotherapy and 3DCRT,LAHRT with the dose ≥70 Gy can improve the overall survival of patients with stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer.