Therapeutic efficacy observation on bloodletting and cupping for cervical radiculopathy

Abstract

To observe the efficacy and safety of bloodletting and cupping for cervical radiculopathy. The randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in five centers. A total of 183 eligible subjects were randomly allocated into a bloodletting group (n=68), an acupuncture group (n=56) and a combined group (n=59). Patients in the bloodletting group were treated with bloodletting at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) on the affected side, coupled with 5–10 min of cupping, 5 mL blood for each cup, 2–3 cups for one treatment. Patients in the acupuncture group were treated with needling cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) points and Jianjing (GB 21) on the affected side. The needles were retained for 30 min. Patients in the combined group were treated with both methods. The treatment in all three groups were done once every three days, twice a week, 4 weeks for a course of treatment, for a total of 1–3 courses. Then the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated using scores of visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDL) and clinical assessment scale (CAS) before treatment and after 1, 2 and 3 courses of treatment. The scores of VAS, NDI and CAS in all three groups were significantly decreased after 1, 2 and 3 courses of treatment (all P 0.05). Bloodletting and cupping share the similar effect with acupuncture in pain relief and improvement of quality of life in patients with cervical radiculopathy.