Thin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle in treatment of herpes zoster: a controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the difference of clinical efficacy of thin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle and western medication in treatment of herpes zoster. MethodEighty patients with herpes zoster were divided into thin cotton moxibustion group (group A, n=40) and western medication group (group B, n=40) according to the sequence of admission. Patients in group A received thin cotton moxibustion that the colton was used as thin as a cicada's wings, combined with plum-blossom needle, and patients in group B received intravenous infusion with 0.25 g of acyclovir once a day, and acyclovir ointment application on affected part for 3–5 times per day. Five days were considered as a course of treatment. Analgesic effect and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia were observed after two consecutive courses. ResultThe total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in group A, and 80.0% (32/40) in group B (P<0.05); it was shown from the comparison of course between two groups that the cure rate after one in group A was markedly higher than that in group B (P<0.01, P<0.05); the differences in effectual time and analgesic time between group A and group B were statistically significant (P<0.05); after treatment, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in group A was markedly lower than that in group B (P<0.05). ConclusionThin cotton moxibustion combined with plum-blossom needle in treatment of herpes zoster can obviously shorten the time of therapy, effectively control pain, and reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia.