Observation on the Hemorheology in the Treatment of Primary Hypertension with Bloodletting Cupping plus Acupuncture / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacies between bloodletting cupping plus acupuncture and acupuncture alone in treating hypertension.MethodSixty patients with primary hypertension were randomized into a treatment group and acontrol group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting cupping plus acupuncture, while the controlgroup was by acupuncture. The clinical symptoms, blood pressure, and hemorheological parameters were observed before and after intervention.ResultThe clinical symptoms were improved in both groups after intervention, and the total effective rate was 76.7%in the treatment group versus 63.3% in the control group; the blood pressure dropped in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05); the treatment group was superior to the control group in improving the whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(P<0.01).ConclusionBloodletting cupping is effective in treating primary hypertension; regarding the short-term therapeutic efficacy, bloodletting cupping plus acupuncture can produce a more significant effect than acupuncture alone in improving the blood pressure, whole blood viscosity, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in primary hypertension patients.