Therapeutic observation on swift needling with fire needle plus medication for herpes zoster

Objective

To discuss the effectiveness and safety of swift needling with fire needle plus medication in treating herpes zoster and the change of substance P.

Methods

Seventy-nine patients with herpes zoster were selected and randomized into a fire-acupuncture group (41 cases) and a Western-medication group (38 cases). The fire-acupuncture group was intervened by swift needling with fire needle, and simultaneously prescribed with Valaciclovir Hydrochloride tablets and Vitamin B₁; the Western-medication group was by the same oral medicines alone. The therapeutic efficacies were evaluated afterwards.

Results

The total effective rate was 95.1% in the fire-acupuncture group versus 89.5% in the Western-medication group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the concentration of substance P and visual analogue scale (VAS) score dropped significantly in both groups (both P<0.05); the inter-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05).

Conclusion

Swift needling with fire needle plus medication has better therapeutic efficacy than medication alone in treating herpes zoster.