Clinical Research Of Using Electro-Acupuncture And Acupoint Bloodletting Method In The Treatment Of Trigeminal Neuralgia

ObjectiveThe study observes the feasibility and therapeutic effect of using electro-acupuncture and acupoint bloodletting method in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.MethodAll patients were from De An Tang TCM Clinic in Taiwan and were diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia with TCM headache syndrome caused by stagnation of qi and blood stasis. The patients were divided into treatment and control groups according to a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group used the electro-acupuncture and bloodletting method; the acupoints for electro-acupuncture were mostly along the stomach meridian, which include: wushu, qichong, biguan, futu, zusanli, jiexi, and neiting. The control group was prescribed shixiaosan concoction alone. The course of treatment for both groups was 20 days. After treatment, the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain were assessed, as well as the TCM symptoms. The effectiveness was analyzed and any possible adverse effect was determined.ResultsA total of 64 qualified patients were diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia of the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. The treatment and control each had 32 patients. All indices in both groups were analyzed statistically and were not significantly different, thus, the groups were comparable.Effectiveness:1. After treatment, the intensity of pain decreased in both groups, but the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). 2. After treatment, the frequency of recurring pain lowered in both groups; the group difference was found to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05).3. After treatment, the duration of pain shortened in both groups; the group difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).4. After treatment, the TCM syndrome score was lower in both groups. The group difference of the change in score before and after treatment was statistically significant (p<0.05).5. Regarding the effectiveness in terms of TCM syndrome, the group difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).6. Regarding total effectiveness of the disease, the group difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).Safety:No adverse reactions were encountered in both groups in the experiment. ConclusionTreatment of trigeminal neuralgia with stagnation of qi and blood stasis syndrome with electro-acupuncture and herbal concoction was more effective than herbal concoction alone. The therapy poses no adverse effect for the patients, thus, should be widely used in common practice.