ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of acupuncture stimulation of the back segment (10 spots below the spinous processes from T3 to T12) of the Governor Vessel in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). METHODS: A total of 60 cases of GERC patients were randomly divided into acupuncture and medication groups (n＝30 in each). For patients of the acupuncture group, the depression spots below the spinous processes from T3 to T12, including acupoints Shenzhu (GV12), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), Zhiyang (GV9), Jinsuo (GV8) and non-acupoints (T4, T8, T12) were punctured with filiform needles, once every other day for 8 weeks. Patients of the medication group were ordered to take omeprazole capsules (20 mg/time), twice a day for 8 weeks. The therapeutic effect was assessed by using "Reflux Diagnostic Questionnaire"(RDQ, scores of symptoms of heartburn, retrosternal pain, acid regurgitation and food regurgitation, 0－40 points), cough symptom score (0－3 points) and "Leicester Cough Questionnaire" (LCQ, scores of physiological, psychological and social functions, 0－21 points), respectively. RESULTS: Following the treatment, RDQ score and cough symptom scores during both daytime and night were significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05)，and the scores of physiological status, psychological health and social function of LCQ were significantly increased in both acupuncture and medication groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of acupuncture was markedly superior to that of medication in lowering RDQ score and cough symptom scores of daytime and night, and in raising LCQ scores of the physiological status, psychological health and social function (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture stimulation of the dorsal segment of the Governor Vessel is effective in improving clinical symptoms and living quality of GERC patients.