Treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis by Fuyang-pot warming combined with electroacupuncture stimulation / 针刺研究

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Fuyang-pot warming combined with electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis (SPA). METHODS: A total of 90 cases of SPA patients were randomized into EA, Fuyang-pot warming and EA plus Fuyang-pot warming (combination) groups (n=30 per group). Fuyang-pot warming including pressing, mild moxibustion, scraping-pushing, cupping, tapping, etc. was applied to Fengchi (GB20), Dazhui (GV14), Jianjing (GB21), Jianyu (LI15), Zhongfu (LU1), Ashi-point, etc., and EA (2 Hz /100 Hz,1-1.5 mA) was appled to GB20, GV14, GB21, LI15, Binao (LI14), Tiaokou (ST38), Chengshan (BL57), Ashi-point, etc. The treatment was performed for 30 min every time, once every other day for 2 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10 points) was used to assess the pain severity. The Constant-Murley shoulder assessment scale (100 points in total, including 15 points in pain severity and 20 points in daily living activities, 40 points in joint motion range, and 25 points in myodynamia) was used to assess the functional state of the shoulder. The rating scale of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES, 4 grades) was used to evaluate the ability of daily living activities. RESULTS: Following the treatment, intra-group comparison showed that the VAS score was significantly reduced in the three groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Fuyang-pot warming combined with EA is effective in relieving pain, and enhancing the daily life quality in scapulohumeral periarthritis patients.