Efficacy assessment for different acupuncture therapies in the treatment of frozen shoulder

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore better therapies for the treatment of frozen shoulder. MethodsOne hundred and seventy-four cases were divided into a filiform needle group (56 cases), an electroacupuncture group (57 cases) and a warming needle group (61 cases) according to the randomized, controlled and single-blind study principles. Jiānqián (▪ Extra), Jiānyú (▪ LI 15), Jiānliáo (▪ TE 14), Nàoshū (▪ SI 10), Wàiguān (▪ TE 5), Hégŭ (▪ LI 4) were used in all three groups but treated with filiform needle, electroacupuncture and warming needle technique respectively. The needles were retained for 30 min. It was given once every other day and 5 times constituted as one course. Pain indices and activity degree of shoulders were measured and recorded before and after treatment every time. ResultsThe total effective rate was 93.0% (53/57) in the electroacupuncture group and 95.1% (58/61) in the warming needle group, both superior to that of 78.6% (44/56) in the filiform needle group (both P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between electroacupuncture group and warming needle group (P>0.05). After one course of treatment, the decline indices of shoulder pain of electroacupuncture group (4.28±0.22) and warming needle group (3.74±0.17) were both significantly greater than that of filiform needle group (2.7810.18) (both P<0.01). And the decline indices of electroacupuncture group was also greater than that of warming needle group (P<0.05). The improvements of shoulder activity degree of warming needle group (76.92±5.53) and electroacupuncture group (60.37±3.80) were both greater than that of filiform needle group (42.50±3.67) (both P<0.01). And shoulder activity degree of warming needle group was also greater than that of electroacupuncture group (P<0.01). After one course of treatment, improvement of shoulder activity degree and decline indices of shoulder pain in these three groups were better than that after the first time treatment (all P<0.01). ConclusionAll these three acupuncture therapies can achieve good therapeutic effects for frozen shoulder. The therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and warming needle groups are superior to that of filiform needle group. All these three therapies could significantly reduce patients' pain and improve their shoulder activity degree. The analgesic effect of electroacupuncture is the best, and the shoulder activity degree improved by warming needle is the best. The improvement of clinical therapeutic effect mainly depends on the therapy and the treatment times when the same acupoints are selected and the condition of illness are similar.