<p>Is acupuncture an effective postherpetic neuralgia treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis</p>

Abstract

Background Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) refers to pain which remains after the healing of rashes from herpes zoster. Previous literatures have shown that acupuncture has potential benefits for PHN, but evidence remains lacking. Thus, we have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of PHN. Methods Six databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of acupuncture on PHN. After selecting the studies, extracting the data, and assessing study quality, meta-analysis was performed on several of the studies with RevMan 5.3. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation) system was used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. Results Acupuncture helps relieve pain intensity (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.36 to −1.21). For other intervention types, electroacupuncture (SMD: −1.28, 95% CI: −2.51 to −0.05), fire needle (SMD: −2.23, 95% CI: −2.62 to −1.84), bloodletting and cupping (SMD: −2.46, 95% CI: −2.95 to −1.97) have better effects on pain intensity relief. To date, no study has reported on the onset of pain relief time. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale score (SMD: −18.94, 95% CI: −37.37 to −0.52) was lower for the acupuncture group than for the control group. It was also found that acupuncture can improve quality of life (QOL) (SMD: 3.78, 95% CI: 2.50 to 5.06). The quality of evidence for acupuncture for PHN pain intensity was moderate according to the GRADE system. Conclusion Acupuncture may reduce pain intensity, relieve anxiety and improve quality of life in patients with PHN. Further randomized trials with larger sample sizes and of higher methodological quality are needed to confirm these results.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Chronic Pain-Induced Anxiety Disorders by Regulating the rACC-Thalamus Circuitry

“…Therefore, analgesics are used in combination with anti-anxiety drugs, tranquilizers, or antidepressants to alleviate affective pain ( Torrance et al, 2018 ). EA is widely used in the treatment of pain, and it is often used to treat chronic pain-induced negative emotions in the clinical setting ( Pei et al, 2019 ; Zhong et al, 2019 ).…”

Postherpetic neuralgia – current facts and therapeutic possibilities

“…acupunctura Acupunctura poate reduce intensitatea durerii, poate ameliora starea de anxietate şi poate îmbunătăţi calitatea vieţii. Electroacupunctura activează receptorii μ-opioizi, scade nivelul chemoatractantului netrin-1, cu rol în creşterea axonală, transformând mediul de la nivelul ganglionului senzitiv spinal dintr-un mediu ce permite creşterea într-unul inhibitor, scăzând astfel înmugurirea axonală regenerativă şi durerea neuropată (31,32).…”

Efficacy of thermotherapy for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia

“…[ 13 , 14 ] Acupuncture may reduce pain intensity, relieve anxiety, and improve quality of life in patients with PHN. [ 15 ] Several researches proved fire acupuncture or moxibustion can significantly relieve pain, shorten the pain duration, and reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. [ 16 , 17 ]…”