Clinical Observation of Tong Du Wen Yang Needling for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tong Du Wen Yang (unblocking the Governor Vessel and warming yang) in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Method Twenty-eight eligible ALS patients were randomized into two groups by following the visiting sequence. Thirteen patients in the control group were intervened by orally taking Riluzole tablets; 15 cases in the treatment group were by Tong Du Wen Yang needling in addition to oral administration of Riluzole tablets. Before treatment and after 6-month treatment, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated by using the Chinese medicine syndrome and sign scoring for Wei-flaccidity diseases and Appel function scale.Result After the treatment, the Chinese syndrome and sign scoring scores for Wei-flaccidity dropped in both groups, and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The Appel scores dropped in both groups after the treatment, while the decrease in the treatment group was less significant than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Tong Du Wen Yang needling plus orally taking Riluzole tablets can produce a more significant efficacy than using Western medication alone in treating ALS.