RESUMO
ObjectiveTo objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy for cervicogenic headache.MethodSixty patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy and the control group, conventional acupuncture based on “Acupuncture Therapeutics”. Both groups were treated for three courses (10 days as acourse with two days of rest between two courses) and then the clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated. The evaluation included the overall therapeutic effect on the symptoms, the VASscore and the follow-up recurrence rate at six months after treatment.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 83.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). A follow-up of six months after treatment in the two groups showed that the recurrence rate was 16.7% in the treatment group and 46.7% in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionThree-step acupuncture-cupping therapy has a definite effect on cervicogenic headache. Its immediate and long-term effects are superior to those of conventional acupuncture. The recurrence rate in six months is lower in this therapy than in conventionalacupuncture.