An evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture with seven acupoint-penetrating needles on cervical spondylosis

Chun-Lei Gu,1 Yu Yan,2 Ding Zhang,3 Ping Li11Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guizhou Orthopaedics Hospital, Guiyang 550007, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Rehabilitation, Guizhou Orthopaedics Hospital, Guiyang 550007, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Orthopaedics, Guizhou Orthopaedics Hospital, Guiyang 550007, People’s Republic of ChinaObjective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with seven acupoint-penetrating needles on patients with cervical spondylosis.Patients and methods: Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis were grouped using computer-generated random numbers. Group A (n=30) received acupuncture with seven acupoint-penetrating needles combined with traction. Group B (n=30) received acupuncture of non-relevant acupuncture points combined with traction. Clinical efficacy and changes in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores in the two groups were compared.Results: The total effective rate was significantly higher in group A (90.0%) than in group B (76.6%) (P<0.05). The VAS, NDI, and PSQI scores of the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than scores before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the NDI and PSQI scores of group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P<0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture using seven acupoint-penetrating needles combined with traction was more effective, reduced neck pain, and improved sleep quality in patients with cervical spondylosis compared to acupuncture of non-relevant acupuncture points.Keywords: cervical spondylosis, acupuncture, seven acupoint-penetrating, tractio