Clinical study on three treatment methods of postherpetic neuralgia

Abstract

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture trigger point, nerve block and pulse radiofrequency in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods A total of 60 cases with PHN were randomly divided into 3 groups: acupuncture trigger point therapy (group A, N = 20), epidural nerve block (group B, N = 20) and selective dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulse radiofrequency (group C, N = 20). All patients in 3 groups took gabapentin orally at the same time after treatment. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to record the degree of pain in 3 groups before and after treatment (2, 4 and 12 weeks after operation). Results Compared with before treatment, NRS scores in 3 groups were significanthly decreased at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after operation (P = 0.000, for all). There was no significant difference on NRS scores among 3 groups before treatment (P > 0.05, for all). Two weeks after operation, NRS scores in group B and C were significantly lower than that in group A (P = 0.013, 0.000), and NRS score in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P = 0.000). Up to 4 and 12 weeks after operation, NRS score in group C was significantly lower than that in group A (P = 0.000, 0.000) and B (P = 0.000, 0.000), while there was no significant difference on NRS scores between group A and B (P > 0.05). Conclusions Selective dorsal root ganglion pulse radiofrequency is effective in the treatment of PHN, which can relieve the pain quickly and improve the work and life quality of patients.

Keywords

• Neuralgia, postherpetic
• Acupuncture analgesia
• Nerve block
• Pulse radiofrequency (not in MeSH)