Acupuncture combined with medication for postherpetic neuralgia affecting the head and face:a randomized controlled trial

Objective:To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia(PHN)affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life(QOL).Methods:Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence,with 40 cases in each group.The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally,75 mg each time,twice a day.The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance.The treatment lasted for 5 weeks.The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face,and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture,once every other day,for 5 weeks in total.Results:Prior to treatment,there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale(VAS)and QOL scores between the two groups(both P>O,05).After treatment,VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups(all P<0.01),and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group(both P<0.01).The total effective rate was 67.5%in the Western medication group,versus 92.5%in the acupuncture-medication group,and the b etwee n-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Based on oral administration of pregabalin,needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN,notably improve patients'QOL,and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone。