Different entry points of needle knife for lumbar disc herniation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and safety among three different entry points of needle knife, including tenderness point, intervertebral foramen point and articular process node, for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).@*METHODS@#A total of 105 patients with LDH were randomly divided into a tenderness point group (35 cases, 1 case dropped off ), an intervertebral foramen point group (35 cases) and an articular process node group (35 cases, 1 case dropped off ). In the three groups, the needle knife was given at positive tenderness points of lumbosacral and hip, the external point of intervertebral foramen and the node of vertebral joint process respectively, once a week for a total of 4 times. The scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded before treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks into treatment, and 3 months follow-up after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and safety was observed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the JOA scores in each group were increased 2, 4 weeks into treatment and in the follow-up (P<0.05); 4 weeks into treatment and in the follow-up, the JOA scores in the tenderness point group and the articular process node group were higher than those in the intervertebral foramen point group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, except for ODI score 2 weeks into treatment in the intervertebral foramen point group, the ODI and VAS scores in each group were decreased 2, 4 weeks into treatment and in the follow-up (P<0.05), and the ODI scores in the tenderness point group and the articular process node group were lower than those in the intervertebral foramen point group (P<0.05). In 2 weeks into treatment, the VAS scores in the tenderness point group and the articular process node group were lower than those in the intervertebral foramen point group (P<0.05); in 4 weeks into treatment and follow-up, the VAS scores in the tenderness point group were lower than the other two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the clinical efficacy of each group was similar (P>0.05); during the follow-up, the total effective rate in the tenderness point group was higher than that in the intervertebral foramen point group (P<0.05). There were no serious adverse events in each group.@*CONCLUSION@#The three different entry points of needle knife all could improve the symptoms of patients with LDH. The comprehensive effect of improving the subjective symptoms, lumbar function, pain degree and long-term curative effect is better in the tenderness point group.

Clinical Observations on Acupoint Selection at Distant Places and Local Tenderness Points for Treatment of Migraine Without Aura / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of acupoint selection at distant places and local tenderness points in treating migraine without aura.Method Sixty patients were randomly allocated, using a random number table, to two groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture at distant points selected along meridians and local tenderness points and the control group, acupuncture at conventionally selected points. The therapeutic effects were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ).Result After treatment, the VAS pain score was lower in the treatment group than in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in the treatment group and 73.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Both acupuncture at distant points selected along meridians and local tenderness points and acupuncture at conventionally selected points have a certain therapeutic effect on migraine, but the former produces a better effect than the later and can markedly relieve the pain and improve the quality of life in the patients. The outcome of this study provides a certain reference value for clinical treatment of this disease.