Observations on the Efficacy of Xi-Cleft Point Acupuncture plus Surrounding Electroacupuncture in Treating Occipital Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Xi-Cleft point acupuncture plus surrounding electro- acupuncture in treating occipital neuralgia.Methods Forty-eight patients with occipital neuralgia were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 24 cases each. The treatment group received Xi-Cleft point acupuncture plus surrounding electroacupuncture and the control group, surrounding electroacupuncture alone. The VAS score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the VAS score in the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the VAS score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 95.8% in the treatment group and 83.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Xi-Cleft point acupuncture plus surrounding electroacupuncture is an effective way to treat occipital neuralgia.