ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for tinnitus by point selection under the theory of “kidney and Sanjiao communication”. Method Fifty-three tinnitus patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The treatment group of 26 patients received acupuncture and the control group of 27 patients, medication. The course of treatment was four weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The improving effects on tinnitus symptoms were compared between the two groups. Result After two weeks of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the THI score (P0.05) between the treatment and control groups. After four weeks of treatment, both the VAS and THI scores were lower in the treatment group than in the control groups (P<0.05). After four weeks of treatment, the total efficacy rate was 92.3% in the treatment group and 81.5% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The theory of “kidney and Sanjiao communication” can well guide clinical acupuncture treatment of tinnitus and improve the symptoms of tinnitus and the quality of life in the patients. Its therapeutic effect is superior to that of medication.