Effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint application in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To observe the curative effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint application in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods Eighty patients with PHN who were admitted to the Seventh People’s Hospital of zhengzhou from June 2013 to December 2018 were selected. They were divided into observation group and control group by the random number table method with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, and the observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with acupoint application on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, pain duration score, Assens Insomnia Scale (AIS) score, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA ) score, dermatology life quality index (DLQI ) score were compared between the two groups, and safety was observed. Results The total response rate of the observation group (90.00%, 36/40) was significantly higher than that of the control group (72.50%, 29/40), P 0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with acupoint application is effective in treatment of PHN. The treatment can significantly alleviate pain, relieve sleep disorders, anxiety symptoms and improve quality of life of patients. Key words: Acupuncture; Acupoint application; Postherpetic neuralgia