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Acupuncture combined with medication for postherpetic neuralgia affecting the head and face: a randomized controlled trial / 针灸推拿医学(英文版)
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science ; (6): 398-402, 2021.
Article in Chinese | WPRIM | ID: wpr-912883
ABSTRACT

Objective:

To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life (QOL).

Methods:

Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence, with 40 cases in each group. The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally, 75 mg each time, twice a day. The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance. The treatment lasted for 5 weeks. The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face, and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture, once every other day, for 5 weeks in total.

Results:

Prior to treatment, there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and QOL scores between the two groups (both P>0.05). After treatment, VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P<0.01), and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.01). The total effective rate was 67.5% in the Western medication group, versus 92.5% in the acupuncture-medication group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Based on oral administration of pregabalin, needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN, notably improve patients' QOL, and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone.

Full text: Available Index: WPRIM (Western Pacific) Type of study: Controlled clinical trial Language: Chinese Journal: Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Year: 2021 Type: Article

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Full text: Available Index: WPRIM (Western Pacific) Type of study: Controlled clinical trial Language: Chinese Journal: Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Year: 2021 Type: Article