| ObjectiveThe randomized controlled test is to study the clinical effects of the acupuncture, fire needle and the combined therapy of the two on the melasm. It is also to provide clinical and experimental evidance for its efficiency.MethodThe prospective randomized controlled study chose90cases, which were in accordance with the diagnostic and indrawing standards to be the subjects of the study. The patients were randomly divided into3groups, with30cases in each group. The acupuncture group was given acupuncture treatment only for30min per day, points-choosing as Hegu, Neiguan, Zusanli, Taichong, Taixi on both sides. The fire-needle group was given fire needle treatment on the A-shi points. The combined treatment group was given acupuncture treatment (the same as the acupuncture group) and the fire needle therapy (the same as the fire-needle group). The treatment was given every3days, twice a week for4weeks as a course. All groups received one course in total. During the test, the scores of the lesions (including the size and the color), the decreasing index, and the scores of simultaneous symptoms of the three groups were recorded. By the survey of the QOL-BREF and HAMD, the quality of life and the depression state of the melasm patients in all groups were evaluated before and after the treatment.ResultsThe study collected90cases, with30cases in each group.88case among them have accomplished the whole test, which means there were2dropped off, with1in fire-needle group and1in the combined treatment group. 1Physical datasThere were no significant differences in the age, height, weight, temperature and heart rate (P>0.05). The two groups were comparable.2Lesion-area Scores(1) After2weeks treatment, the areas of the lesions can be decreased in all groups(P<0.01), which has significant differences among the3groups(P<0.05). The fire-needle group and the combined treatment group have better effect in decreasing the lesion areas than the acupuncture group(P<0.05), which has no significant differences between the2groups (P>0.05)(2) Comparing the improvement of the lesion areas after2weeks and4weeks treatment, the acupuncture and the combined treatment groups are significantly better(P<0.05). And their superiority of the latter part of the treatment (the last2weeks) has no significant differences (P<0.05).3Lesion-color Scores(1)After2weeks treatment, the color of the lesions can be lightened in3groups (P<0.01). The fire-needle and the combined treatment group have better effects (P>0.05) which has no significant differences between the two (P>0.05).(2) Comparing the improvement of the lesion color after2weeks and4weeks treatment, the acupuncture and the combined treatment groups are significantly better (P<0.05). And their superiority of the latter part of the treatment (the last2weeks) has no significant differences (P<0.05).4Decreasing index(1)After2weeks treatment, the decreasing index shows the fire-needle and the combined treatment groups can better improved the lesions (P<0.05), which has no significant differences between the two (P>0.05).(2) The decreasing index after4-week treatment shows the combined treatment groups has the best effect improving the lesions (P<0.05), while there is no significant differences between the other two groups(P>0.05).(3) Comparing the improvement of the decreasing index after2weeks and4weeks treatment, the acupuncture and the combined treatment groups are significantly better (P<0.05). And their superiority of the latter part of the treatment (the last2weeks) has no significant differences (P<0.05).5Efficiency Evaluation(1)The total efficiency of the acupuncture group is76.67%, while that is 93.10%of the fire-needle group and100%of the combined group.(2) The total efficiency has significant differences among the3groups (P<0.01), which shows the combined group is the best and the acupuncture is the worst.6General Scores(1)After treatment, the general scores, which represents various symptoms of the melasm patients, can be improved in both acupuncture and the combined treatment groups (P<0.01), which there is no significant differences shown in the fire-needle group(P>0.05).(2)Comparing the improvement of the general scores, the acupuncture and the combined treatment groups have better effects (P>0.05), which shows no significant differences between the two (P>0.05).7Efficiency of different syndromesComparing the improvement of the lesions (including size and color), the acupuncture group has better efficiency while treating the patients with yin deficiency syndrome of liver and kidney than that with qi stagnation and blood stasis (P<0.01), while fire-needle group shows better efficiency on qi and blood stagnation syndrome (P<0.01). However, to the combined treatment group, there is no significant differences between the two syndromes (P>0.05). Comparing the efficiency to the qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, the result shows the best treatment is fire-needle (P<0.05), while the combined treatment group takes the second place (P<0.05). There is no significant differences among the3groups while treating the yin deficiency syndrome of liver and kidney in this study (P>0.05).8Survey of QOL-BREFAfter treatment the general health status, the survival status, the physical status and psychology situation are significantly improved (P<0.05) in3groups, while there is no significant impact to the social relationships (P>0.05).9Survey of HAMDAll groups can significantly improved the depression status of the melasm patients (P<0.01). Comparing the improvement of the depression status, the acupuncture and the combined treatment group have better effects.which has no significant differnces between the two (P>0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results of the study, fire-needle can quickly solve the lesion problems of melasm, while acupuncture shows its efficiency by improving the general station of the body which may take more time. Combining the two treatments can make the best of each other and solving problems on root causes and symptoms of melasm. |
PDF Full Text Request