Observations on the Efficacy of Combined Acupuncture and Medicine in Treating Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy with Syndrome of Wind-cold Obstructing Collaterals / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of combined acupuncture and medicine in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with syndrome of wind-cold obstructing collaterals.Methods Ninety cervical spondylotic radiculopathy patients with syndrome of wind-cold obstructing collaterals were randomly allocated to groups A, B and C, 30 cases each. Group A received electroacupuncture plus oral administration of modified Ramuli Cinnamomi and Puerariae decoction; group B, electroacupuncture alone; group C, oral administration of modified Ramuli Cinnamomi and Puerariae decoction alone. The traditional Chinese medical syndrome score and the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 96.7% in group A, 86.7% in group B and 83.3% in group C. There was a statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between group A and group B or C (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the traditional Chinese medical syndrome score and the NPQ score in the three groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post-treatment traditional Chinese medical syndrome score and NPQ score difference values between group A and group B or C (P<0.05).Conclusion Combined use of acupuncture and medicine is an effective way to treat cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with syndrome of wind-cold obstructing collaterals.