Objective

2

To observe the clinical effect of pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) of

qi

stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist.

Methods

2

A total of 98 patients with PHN of

qi

stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist were randomized into an observation group (49 cases

1 case was eliminated

1 case dropped out) and a control group (49 cases

1 case dropped out).In the observation group

treatment of pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle was delivered

pricking and cupping were applied at Jiaji points (EX-B 2) at the related spinal segments corresponding to the pain sites and regional

ashi

points

once every other day

auricular thumbtack needle was applied at Xin (CO

15

)

Shenmen (TF

4

)

Neifenmi (CO

18

)

Pizhixia (AT

4

)

etc.

once every 3 days.In the control group

pregabalin capsule was taken orally

75 mg a time

twice a day.The treatment of 4 weeks was required in the two groups.Before and after treatment

the scores of TCM symptom

visual analogue scale (VAS)

Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)

self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) were observed

the serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG)

interleukin-6 (IL-6)

C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected

and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups.

Results

2

After treatment

the item scores and total scores of TCM symptom

as well as the scores of VAS

PSQI

SDS and SAS were decreased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05); the

item scores of pruritus degree

tactile sensitivity

skin numbness and total score of TCM symptom

as well as the scores of VAS

PSQI

SDS and SAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (

P

<

0.05).After treatment

the serum levels of IgG were increased (

P

<

0.05)

while the serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were decreased (

P

<

0.05) compared with those before treatment in the two groups; in the observation group

the serum level of IgG was higher (

P

<

0.05)

while the serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were lower (

P

<

0.05) than those in the control group.The total effective rate was 95.7% (45/47) in the observation group

which was superior to 77.1% (37/48) in the control group (

P

<

0.05).The incidence rate of adverse reaction was 6.4% (3/47) in the observation group

which was lower than 12.5% (6/48) in the control group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms in patients with PHN of

qi

stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist

reduce the pigmentation of herpes and improve itch or burning

numb sensations in the skin lesions

improve the sleep quality and relieve anxiety and depression.