Shugan Tiaoshen needling method for postherpetic neuralgia: A randomized controlled trial

To observe the efficacy of Shugan Tiaoshen (liver-soothing and mind-regulating) needling method in the treatment of patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A total of 66 patients with PHN were randomly divided into acupuncture group and control group, 33 cases in each one, by the random number table method. The acupuncture group received Shugan Tiaoshen needling method plus gabapentin, whereas the control group received the oral administration of gabapentin and sham acupuncture. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to evaluate the pain condition, anxiety symptom and sleep quality. The effective rate and adverse events were also evaluated and recorded during the treatment. After eight weeks of treatment, the NRS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment ( P < 0.05) at all time points, with statistically significant difference between the groups ( P < 0.05). The scores of STAI and PSQI of the acupuncture group were significantly lower than the scores before treatment ( P < 0.05). The scores of STAI for anxiety symptom and PSQI of the acupuncture group were significantly lower than the control group ( P < 0.05), and the effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). Shugan Tiaoshen needling method showed satisfactory efficacy in treating PHN, and could alleviate the pain, relieve the anxiety symptoms, promote sleep, and reduce the adverse reactions of gabapentin in patients with PHN.