title: [Influence of electroacupuncture with penetration needling method on comprehensive pain score in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy differences among electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and to explore the best therapeutic method.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty patients with CSR were randomly divided into 3 groups. Sixty patients in electroacupuncture with penetration needling method group (group A) were treated by electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, and C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, Jianwaishu (SI 14)-to-Quyuan (SI 13), Tianzong (SI 11)-to-Naoshu (SI 10), Shousanli (LI 10)-to-Xialian (LI 8) were selected, once a day. Sixty patients in Jiaji electroacupuncture group (group B) were treated by Jiaji electroacupuncture at C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, once a day. Fourty patients in Jing fukang granule group (group C) were treated by oral administration of Jing fukang granule, 1 bag each time, twice each day. Six days as a course, the 3 groups were all treated for two courses. The simplified MPQ (SF-MPQ) scale which was internationally accepted was adopt to evaluate the improving situations in pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, pain rating idex (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS), present pain intensity (PPI) and the total pain score were significantly improved in the group A and B compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.01), which was also improved in the group C (all P < 0.05). Compared with the group C, all the scores were significantly improved in the group A (all P < 0.01), the improvement of PRI, VAS, PPI and total pain score in the group B was superior to those in the group C (all P < 0.05), and all the improvements in the group A were superior to those in the group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroacupuncture with penetration needling method can relive pain rapaidly in patients with CSR, which is superior to Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule in improving the comprehensive pain scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wuhan Hospital of TCM, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Bi-Jiang
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ya-Xi
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Huang-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult