Clinical observation of treating Meniere’s syndrome by combining modified Zhenwu decoction and acupuncture at Taichong acupoints

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the research is to observe the therapeutic effect of combination of modified Zhenwu decoction and acupuncture at Taichong acupoints on Meniere's syndrome. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with Meniere's syndrome admitted in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic of the hospital were randomly divided into four groups: a TCM group, an acupuncture group, a combined treatment group, and a western medicine group (n=22 in each group). Modified Zhenwu decoction was administrated in the TCM group; acupuncture at Taichong acupoints in both feet was performed in the acupuncture group; the combined treatment group received treatment applied in both the TCM and acupuncture groups simultaneously; and the western medicine group was treated with a vertigo drug, betahistine mesylate tablets. Before treatment, all patients were examined using the rating scale of severity of vertigo and the vestibular symptom index (VSI), to compare score differences. Conclusions: The four therapies all showed significant therapeutic effects on Meniere's syndrome. The comparison among groups revealed that the combined treatment group has better therapeutic effects than the other three groups, exhibiting a significant superiority (P < 0.05).