RESUMEN
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of pricking cupping in treating herpes zoster at acute stage.MethodSixty patients with herpes zoster at acute stage were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by pricking cupping, while the control group was by oral administration of Western medicine. The total effective rate and the improvement of symptoms and pain at different stages were observed afterintervention.ResultThe total effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 86.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05); after the first treatment course, the decreases of symptom score and pain indexin the treatment group were significantly superior to that in the control group (P0.05).ConclusionPricking cupping is an effective approach in treating herpes zoster of the acute stage, as it can produce a comparatively higher total effective rate and also significantly improve the symptoms and pain.