Diverse Needling Methods for Dry Eye Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study
Item
Title
Diverse Needling Methods for Dry Eye Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study
Journal Publication
Date
2013
volume
11(2)
pages
84-88
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore a proper acupuncture treatment protocol for dry eye syndrome (DES), by combining the therapeutic effects between ordinary acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA). METHODS: Forty-seven eligible subjects with DES were randomized into an acupuncture group (n=23) and an EA group (n=24). With the same acupoint formula, the acupuncture group was treated with ordinary acupuncture, and the EA group was treated with ordinary acupuncture plus electrical stimulation. After a treatment course, eye symptoms score, Schirmer I Test (SIT), Break-up Time (BUT) or tear film, Corneal Fluorscein Staining (CFS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were adopted in evaluation and comaprison of the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 79.2% in the EA group versus 56.5% in the acupuncture group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, both groups had marked improvements in eye symptom score, SIT, BUT, CFS, and VAS values (P<0.001); the EA group was better than acupuncutre group in improving eye symptom score and SIT value (P<0.05); the differences were insignificant in comparing VAS, BUT and CFS results between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA and ordinary acupuncture are effective in treating DES, but EA is better than ordinary acypuncture in improving eye symptom and SIT score.
doi
10.1007/s11726-013-0662-9
has health condition studied
Eye Diseases
plan
>1/WK
has study population number
47
has duration
4 Weeks