RESUMO
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping as main treatment for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Methods Eighty patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomized to groups A, B, C and D. Group A took loxoprofen sodium tablets. Groups B, C and D additionally received wrist-ankle acupuncture, medicated cupping and wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping, respectively. The VSA score was recorded in the four groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the groups. Results The VSA score decreased significantly in group D after one day of treatment compared with before (P<0.05). The VSA score decreased significantly in every group after 7 and 14 days of treatment compared with before (P<0.05); there was a statistically significant difference in the VSA score between groups D and A (P<0.05). The VSA score decreased significantly in groups B, C and D after 21 days of treatment compared with before (P<0.05); there was a statistically significant difference in the VSA score between group A and group B, C or D (P<0.05) and between group D and group B or C (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 50.0％ in group A, 55.0％ in group B, 55.0％ in group C and 90.0％ in group D. There was a statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between group D and group A. B or C (P<0.05).Conclusions Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping as main treatment has a definite effect on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. It can relieve neck and shoulder pain in the patients.