title: [Clinical observation on idiopathic sudden hearing loss treated by warming-promoting needling technique].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional needling technique was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Touqiaoyin (GB 11) and Zhigou (TE 6) on the affected side. The treatment was given 5 times each week. Totally, the treatment of 6 weeks was required. In the warming-promoting needling group, on the basic treatment as the conventional acupuncture group, the warming-promoting needling technique was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). In the medication group, the intravenous drop with salvia injectio and mecobalamin was prescribed, once per day, for 10 days totally. Meanwhile, Erlong Zuoci Wan was prescribed for oral administration, 8 pills each time, three times a day for 30 days continuously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the three therapeutic methods achieved the effect on ISHL. The total effective rate was 89.2% (66/74) in the warming-promoting needling group, which was better than 62.5% (35/56) in the conventional acupuncture group and 53.4% (31/58) in the medication group (both P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The warming-promoting needling techinque achieves the significant efficacy on ISHL. The hearing improvement is superior to that treated with either the conventional needling technique or medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Massage, Gansu College of TCM, Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Tian-You
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiao-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Chun-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D016896:Treatment Outcome