Observation on the effect difference in migraine treated with the combination of acupuncture and blood-letting therapy and medication with carbamazepine

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical therapeutic effect on migraine treated with acupuncture combined with blood-letting therapy. MethodsA total of 90 patients of migraine were included in compliance with the requirement and divided into a blood-letting therapy group, a western medication group, an acupuncture plus blood-letting therapy group, 30 cases in each one according to the random number table. In the two control groups, the simple blood-letting therapy was exerted at Dàzhuī (大椎 GV14) and the oral administration with carbamazepine were provided respectively. In the acupuncture plus blood-letting therapy group, acupuncture was exerted at Băihuì (百会 GV20) and other points, with blood-letting therapy combined. The treatment was given once daily and 12 treatments were as one course. After 2 courses of treatment, the score of therapeutic effect on symptoms and signs, pain score of visual analogue scale(VAS) and clinical therapeutic effect were compared among the three groups before and after treatment. ResultsAt the end of treatment, the scores for symptoms and signs and VAS score were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the three groups (all P < 0.01). Compared with the blood-letting therapy group and the medication group, the scores for symptoms and signs and VAS score were all reduced more obviously in the acupuncture plus blood-letting therapy group respectively (all P < 0.01) and the differences were not significant between the blood-letting therapy group and the medication group (P > 0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture plus blood-letting therapy group was higher obviously than either the blood-letting therapy group or the medication group (both P < 0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture combined with blood-letting therapy achieves a better clinical therapeutic effect on migraine as compared with either simple blood-letting therapy or medication. Such combined treatment obtains a satisfactory therapeutic results and deserves to be promoted in clinical application.