Influence of Different Methods of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Incidence of Neuralgia Following Herpes Zoster

Objective: To compare the influence of different methods of acupuncture and moxibustion on incidence of neuralgia following herpes zoster.Methods: In a multicenter and clinical randomized controlled trial,189 cases were randomly divided into 5 groups: group A given basic acupuncture,group B cotton spread moxibustion before basic acupuncture,group C fire needle before basic acupuncture,group D knock acupuncture and cupping before basic acupuncture,and group E routine western medicine.The incidence of neuralgia at 30th,60th and 90th day following herpes zoster was compared among the groups.Results: There was no significant difference in the incidence of neuralgia following herpes zoster at 30th,60th,and 90th day among groups A,B,C and D,but the incidence of neuralgia following herpes zoster at 30th and 60th day in groups A,B,C and D was significantly lower than in group E(P0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion can significantly decrease the incidence of neuralgia following herpes zoster.