Comparative Study on Therapeutic Efficacies of Different Acupuncture Methods for Post-herpetic Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture methods in treating post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Method Eighty PHN patients were randomized into group A, B, C and D, 20 in each group. Group A was intervened by fire-needle acupuncture, group B was by surround acupuncture, group C by pricking and cupping, and group D was by oral administration of Pregabalin. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacy was compared. Result Compared to the pre-treatment VAS scores, the VAS scores were significantly changed after intervention and at 30 d after intervention in the 4 groups (P0.05). The markedly-effective rates of group A, B and C were significantly different from that of group D (P<0.05). Conclusion Fire-needle acupuncture, surround acupuncture, and pricking and cupping are all effective methods in treating PHN;they safe and reliable and can obviously reduce pain intensity.