METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 102 patients diagnosed with LDH and allocated them into Control and Intervention groups. The Control group underwent a 2-week rehabilitation regimen, whereas the Intervention group received an augmented treatment comprising Erxian decoction along with auricular acupoint pressure therapy based on the Control group. Main outcome measures included 3 scales - visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Oswestry Disability Index - as well as 3 inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Additionally, pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold values were evaluated. Participants were assessed at baseline, on 14-day, and on 28-day posttreatment.
RESULTS: After 2 weeks of treatment, both the Control and Intervention groups exhibited significant improvements in the VAS, JOA, ODI, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, pressure pain threshold, and pain tolerance threshold (P < .05). These improvements persisted at the 28-day in the VAS, JOA, and ODI scores (P < .05). On 14-day, the Intervention group showed significantly better outcomes compared to the Control group in terms of the VAS, JOA, ODI, CRP, TNF-α, and pressure pain threshold (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy, the combination of Erxian decoction and auricular acupoint pressure therapy demonstrates clear benefits in alleviating symptoms in patients with LDH. This approach offers fresh perspectives and substantiates evidence for future treatment strategies in managing LDH.
方法:这项随机对照试验纳入了102名诊断为LDH的患者,并将他们分为对照组和干预组。对照组进行为期2周的康复治疗,干预组在对照组的基础上接受二仙汤和耳穴贴压治疗。主要结局指标包括3个量表-视觉模拟量表(VAS),日本骨科协会(JOA),和Oswestry残疾指数-以及3种炎症标志物:C反应蛋白(CRP),白细胞介素-6(IL-6),和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)。此外,评估压力痛阈值和疼痛耐受阈值.参与者在基线时进行评估,在14天,治疗后28天。
结果:治疗2周后,对照组和干预组均表现出VAS的显着改善,JOA,ODI,CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,压力痛阈值,和疼痛耐受阈值(P<0.05)。这些改善在VAS的28天中持续存在,JOA,和ODI得分(P<0.05)。在14天,在VAS方面,干预组显示出明显优于对照组的结果,JOA,ODI,CRP,TNF-α,和压力痛阈值(P<0.05)。
结论:与常规康复治疗相比,二仙汤联合耳穴贴压治疗在缓解LDH患者症状方面具有明显的益处。这种方法提供了新的观点,并为未来LDH的治疗策略提供了证据。