[Clinical observation on acupuncture combined with cupping therapy for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis].
OBJECTIVE
To search for an effective method for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).


METHODS
The treatment group (n = 32) were treated by acupuncture combined with cupping therapy and the control group (n = 30) by simple acupuncture for 40 days.


RESULTS
The clinical remission rate was 62.5% in the treatment group and 33.3% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the total effective rate in the treatment group was 93.8% which was better than 83.3% in the control group (P<0.01); the recurrence rate after one year was 3.3% in the treatment group and 24.0% in the control group with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture combined with cupping therapy in the therapeutic effect on ankylosing spondylitis is better than simple acupuncture, with shorter therapeutic course and lower recurrence rate.
Wan
Xue-wen
XW
Jilin Provincial People's Hospital, Changchun, China. xuewen100@sohu.com
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000628:therapy