Clinical Observation On Treatment Of Melasma With Routine Acupuncture Combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask

ObjectivesIn this study the treatment of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask for melasma was compared with that of routine acupuncture only.Then we calculated and compared the changes of Melasma Area Severity Index(MASI)and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI)through observing the lesion area,the color of skin lesions and depressive state of melasma patients before and after treatment.And we compared the total effective rate of these two treatments.Above that,we comprehensively evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask for treating melasma.We hope to find a safety and efficient way which is also more acceptable to patients in traditional Chinese Medicine for treating melasma.Methods60 patients of melasma who matched the inclusion criteria were randomized into the acupuncture and mask group(30 patients)and the routine acupuncture group(30 patients).Because some patients were intolerance to acupuncture and some were allergic to this Chinese Medicine mask in the course of the experiment,1 case lost and 29 cases finished treatment in the acupuncture and mask group.2 cases lost and 28 cases finished treatment in the routine acupuncture group.57 cases finished treatment in this study in total.The acupuncture and mask group took acupuncture of points selected on the basis of syndrome differentiation plus applying Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask,while the routine acupuncture group only took the same acupuncture therapy as the first group.More specifically,patients in the first group would applied the facial mask after they finished acupuncture therapy 10 minutes later.Patients in both groups received treatment for 8 weeks,once every other day,3 times a week.4 weeks were a course of treatment.A total of 2 courses of treatment were included.We observed and recorded the lesion area,the color of skin lesions and depressive state of melasma patients before and after treatment,then assessed the clinical efficacy of these treatments.We also recorded adverse events which had happened in some patients and assessed the safety of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask for treating melisma.Results(1)Before treatment,there was no significant difference in melisma area severity index(MASI)between the two groups(P=0.547,P>0.05).Before treatment,there was no significant difference in Beck Depression Inventory between the two groups(P=0.769,P>0.05).(2)After 8 weeks of treatment,MASI scores of the acupuncture and mask group dropped significantly to compared with that of itself before treatment(P<0.001).After 8 weeks of treatment,MASI scores of the routine acupuncture group also dropped significantly to compared with that of itself before treatment(P<0.001).It indicated that both two treatments can reduce the lesion area,the severity and symptom of Melasma.(3)After 8 weeks of treatment,BDI scores of the acupuncture and mask group dropped significantly to compared with that of itself before treatment(P<0.001).After 8 weeks of treatment,BDI scores of the routine acupuncture group also dropped significantly to compared with that of itself before treatment(P<0.001).It indicated that both two treatments were effective in relieving patients' symptoms of depression.(4)After 8 weeks of treatment,there was a statistical difference in the scores of MASI between two groups(P=0.03,P<0.05).And there was a statistical difference in the scores of BDI between two groups(P=0.032,P<0.05).It indicated that the treatment of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask was more effective in reducing the lesion area,the severity and symptom of Melasma and relieving patients' symptoms of depression than the treatment of simple routine acupuncture.(5)Of 29 patients in the acupuncture and mask group,2 were cured,16 had experienced improvement,8 were effective and 2 were ineffective.Of 28 patients in the routine acupuncture group,1 was cured,11 had experienced improvement,9 were effective and 7 were ineffective.Conclusion(1)Both two treatments are effective in treating Melasma by reducing the lesion area,the severity and symptom of Melasma and relieving patients' symptoms of depression.But the treatment of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask is more effective than the treatment of simple routine acupuncture.(2)The Result shows a low incidence of adverse event in the treatment of routine acupuncture combined Compound Shanling Pale Spot Mask.It indicates that this combination treatment is of high security,which is worthy of clinical application.