ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that leads to sympathetic nervous system involvement and trophic changes. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the use of acupuncture in a case study of CRPS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENT: This is a single case report of a 34-year-old patient diagnosed with CRPS. INTERVENTION: Acupuncture treatment including acupoints along the Gallbladder, Liver, Spleen, Heart, and Kidney meridians. Self-treatment plan included a laser acupuncture pen device and disposable press needles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). RESULTS: The Patient reported a decrease in pain levels, depression, and an improved quality of life. Pretreatment SDS score of 17, a 12 on the BDI, and a 67 on the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Post-treatment SDS decreased to 4, her BDI went to 0, and her McGill Pain Questionnaire decreased to a 10. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed and case studies performed to support our findings.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Complex Regional Pain Syndromes/therapy , Depression/therapy , Pain Management , Activities of Daily Living , Acupuncture Points , Adult , Complex Regional Pain Syndromes/psychology , Depression/etiology , Female , Humans , Pain/etiology , Pain Measurement , Quality of Life , Self CareABSTRACT
For 7% of people with Bell's palsy, facial impairment is permanent. The case study patient was a 48-year-old female who had no recovery from paralysis 12 weeks after onset. Goals were to restore facial sensory-motor functions, functional abilities and reduce depression. Facial paralysis was assessed by clinical observations, the Facial Disability Index and Beck Depression Index. Complementary interventions of aromatherapy, reflexology and electro-acupuncture were used with common physical agent modalities in an intensive home activity and exercise programme. The patient had 100% return of function and resolution of depression after 10 days of intervention. The limitation of this study is that it was a retrospective case study and the investigators reconstructed the case from clinical notes. Further research using a prospective approach is recommended to replicate this study.
