title: [Efficacy observation of fire needle combined with narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) for vitiligo].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinical efficacy difference between fire needle combined with narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) and NB-UVB therapy for vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three cases of vitiligo were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 45). In the observation group, fire needle was applied to ashi points around the damaged skin and Zusanli (ST 36), meanwhile NB-UVB therapy irradiating the local area. The control group was treated by NB-UVB therapy. The clinical efficacy was evaluated after the treatment of 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate was 79.2% (38/48) in the observation group, which was superior to that 48.9% (22/45, P < 0.05) in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fire needle combined with NB-UVB for vililigo achieves a more obvious efficacy than NB-UVB therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dermatological Department of TCM Institute, Sichuan Academy of CM Sciences, Chengdu 610031, China. bai_wa@163.com
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chun-Tao
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jian-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult