title: [Efficacy observation of xerophthalmia treated with acupuncture of warming-promotion needling technique].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the differences in the efficacy on xerophthalmia treated with the needling technique for warming-promotion at Fengchi (GB 20) as the main acupoint in comparison with the conventional needling technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty cases were randomly divided into a warming-promotion needling group (n = 15) and a routine needling group (n = 15). In warming-promotion needling group, the needling technique for warming-promotion was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). Additionally, the local and distal acupoints [such as the point beneath Cuanzu (BL 2), Neiguan (PC 6), Guangming (GB 37), Taichong (LR 3), Fulio (KI 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6)], as well as the scalp acupuncture (bilateral supraoccipital lateral line and supraoccipital midline) were selected and stimulated with even-needling technique by rotating the needle. In routine needling group, the acupoints were same as warming-promotion needling group and were stimulated with even-needling technique by rotating the needle. After 2 sessions of treatment, the efficacy, tear secretion volume and the total score of symptoms were compared between two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate was 86.7% (13/15) in warming-promotion needling group, which was superior to 66.7% (10/15) in routine needling group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the tear secretion volume and the total score of symptoms were all apparently improved in two groups (all P < 0.05), in which, the improvement in warming-promotion needling group was much obvious (all P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The therapeutic effect of warming-promotion needling technique is apparently superior to that of conventional one.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Massage, Gansu College of TCM, Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Xing-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000628:therapy*