Efficacy observation of fire needle combined with narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) for vitiligo / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare clinical efficacy difference between fire needle combined with narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) and NB-UVB therapy for vitiligo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-three cases of vitiligo were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 45). In the observation group, fire needle was applied to ashi points around the damaged skin and Zusanli (ST 36), meanwhile NB-UVB therapy irradiating the local area. The control group was treated by NB-UVB therapy. The clinical efficacy was evaluated after the treatment of 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 79.2% (38/48) in the observation group, which was superior to that 48.9% (22/45, P < 0.05) in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The fire needle combined with NB-UVB for vililigo achieves a more obvious efficacy than NB-UVB therapy.</p>