Objective: To observe the efficacy of double-needle winding and pulling combined with electroacupuncture in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis.
Methods: Sixty cases with scapulohumeral periarthritis were equally randomized into treatment group and control group (n=30 in each group). Jianliao (TE 14), Jianyu(LI 15), Naoshu(SI 10), Jianzhen(SI 9), Binao(LI 14), Quyuan(SI 13), Quchi(LI 11), Shousanli(LI 10) were selected in the two groups. In the treatment group,double-needles were inserted respectively into TE 14,LI 15 and SI 10, twirling till sticking,then the needles were pulled for 3 times.The rest acupoints were manipulated routinely before electroacupuncture apparatus was connected. The control group received routine electroacupuncture treatment. Both groups were treated for 2 courses, which comprised of 6 days as a course and 1 day rest. VAS and Melle were scored and clinical efficacy was evaluated for both groups.
Results: VAS and Melle scores were lower after treatment than those before in both groups (P<0.001), and the scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). The before-and-after-treatment difference values of VAS and Melle scores in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01). There were 8 cases cured, 17 observed markedly effective and 4 effective in the treatment group, the rate of cured and markedly effective was 83.3%, which was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of the control group (50.0%), in which 0 cases cured, 15 observed markedly effective, 13 effective. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in total effective rate (P>0.05). No adverse event occurred during the treatment.
Conclusions: The therapy of double-needle winding and pulling combined with electroacupuncture has good efficacy in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis,which can relieve pain and improve the shoulder joint function, and it is superior to single electroacupuncture therapy.