Clinical Observation Of Modified Moxa-Stick Moxibustion On Postherpetic Neuralgia

Objective The clinical efficacy of modified moxa-stick moxibustion on postherpetic neuralgia(PSN)was evaluated by collecting the numerical changes of Visual analog scores(VAS),Pittsburgh sleep quality scale(PSQI),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),and Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)in patients with postherpetic neuralgia after modified moxa-stick moxibustion treatment.MethodsIn this study,60 patients who were diagnosed of PSN were divided into 2 groups,30 in the control group,and 30 in the observation group following the random control principle.The control group was treated with electroacupuncture,and the observation group was treated with modified moxa-stick moxibustion.Both groups were treated for4 weeks.VAS scores were collected before treatment,the 4th week of treatment and the 12 th week after the last treatment;calculate the difference between VAS score after 4 weeks of treatment and before treatment and collect VAS reduction values;calculate the difference between VAS scores 12 weeks after the last treatment and VAS score after 4 weeks of treatment and collect VAS score growth figures to analyse recurrence rate.PSQI,HAMA and HAMD scores were collected before treatment and the 4th week of treatment.The date was statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0.Result1.VAS scoreAfter 4 weeks of treatment,the VAS scores of two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.01),but there was no significantly difference in VAS scores between two groups after treatment(P>0.05).These results indicated that both treatment groups had effects on VAS reduction.2.The decrease in VAS valueAfter 4 weeks of treatment,there was a difference in VAS score decrease between two groups(P<0.05).The VAS score in the observation group decreased more significantly.This result indicates that the observation group is better than the control group in terms of pain relief.3.Recurrence of painVAS values were recorded at follow-up after the last treatment(the 12 th week.after last treatment).The rate of pain recurrence of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).4.PSQIPSQI decreased in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment(P<0.01),but the difference between two groups was not obvious(P>0.05).This situation indicates that both treatment methods can effectively improve patients’ sleep disorders.5.HAMA,HAMD scoreHAMA and HAMD scores after 4 weeks of treatment were compared with those before treatment.By comparison,the scores of each group decreased.The results were statistically significant(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in HAMA and HAMD scores between two groups after treatment(P>0.05).These results indicate that two methods have similar efficacy and can effectively improve patients’ emotional disorders.Conclusion1.Modified moxa-stick moxibustion can effectively treat postherpetic neuralgia,which can be used as an effective clinical scheme for the treatment.2.Modified moxa-stick moxibustion has advantages in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia to reduce the pain recurrence after the therapy discontinued.