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. 2021 Aug 6;100(31):e26785. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026785

Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia

A meta-analysis

Qiujun Zhou a, Shenyu Wei a, Haijia Zhu a, Yue Hu b, Yong Liu c, Huifeng Yang a, Shicheng Zeng d, Shiqian Chai a, Jingyuan Li a, Maocan Tao a,∗
Editor: Mihnea-Alexandru Găman
PMCID: PMC8341313  PMID: 34397828

Abstract

Background:

There are still controversies between the curative effect of acupuncture combined with cupping therapy and western medicine for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Our meta-analysis fully incorporates the research of acupuncture combined with cupping therapy versus Western medicine for PHN, aiming to explore the difference in the efficacy of the 2 therapies, so as to provide guidance for clinical treatment.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, CBM, from establishment of the database to September, 2020. Include studies that are clearly defined as PHN or herpes zoster, and exclude duplicate publications; studies with no full text, incomplete information, or inability to extract data; the definition of exposure is quite different from most literature; animal experiments.

Results:

The total effective rate (relative ratio [RR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–1.31) and the rate of remarkable effect (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.30–1.63) of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN were significantly higher than that of conventional western medicine. The visual analogue scale score of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for PHN was significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment (WMD = –1.77, 95% CI [–2.79, –0.75]). In addition, acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy significantly reduced the occurrence of PHN compared with conventional western medicine treatment after treatment of acute herpes zoster (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.20–0.45). In order to explore the differences in the efficacy and preventive effects of different types of acupuncture and cupping therapy, we have further conducted a subgroup analysis.

Conclusion:

The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN is significantly higher than that of conventional western medicine, and it can significantly prevent the occurrence of PHN. Chinese medicine should be used more widely in the treatment of PHN.

Keywords: acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, post-herpetic neuralgia, Western medicine

1. Introduction

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is caused by herpes zoster mainly due to herpes virus infection. A neuropathic pain that appears in the skin lesion area after the patient's herpes has healed.[1,2] According to relevant survey statistics, the incidence of shingles is about 10% to 19%, which is even higher for the elderly.[3] As the sequelae neuralgia usually lasts from a few months to half a year, it will seriously affect the patient's daily life and work.[4] Research also shows that 45% of patients have symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and lack of concentration.[5]

Modern medicine believes that the pathogenesis of PHN mainly includes peripheral nerve and central nerve pathogenesis.[6,7] The pathogenesis of peripheral nerves mainly includes pathological changes in peripheral nerve function caused by virus infection, abnormal discharge of damaged peripheral neurons due to abnormal conduction, and ectopic sympathetic nerves to sensory neurons causing peripheral nociceptor sensitization.[8,9] The pathogenesis of the central nervous system is the continuous excitement of the ectopic discharge of peripheral neurons after nerve injury, which stimulates the spinal cord and its upper center, as well as abnormally increased excitability of sensory neurons or enhanced synaptic transmission, which leads to the amplification of pain signals.[10] Modern medical treatment of PHN is mainly through oral drugs, physical therapy, nerve block, surgical treatment, mental and psychological intervention, etc.[11–14] Although drug therapy has a certain effect, the pain relief of patients varies greatly. In addition, western medicine treatment has large side effects, long treatment time, and drug dependence.[15] There are various methods of treating PHN with traditional Chinese medicine, such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, fire acupuncture, etc. A large number of experimental studies and clinical experience have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine has a unique and accurate effect on PHN treatment.[16] Acupuncture stimulates acupuncture points on the patient's body surface and conducts them through the meridians throughout the body to relieve spasm and pain, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and dredge the meridians. Cupping therapy can promote local microcirculation, reduce the concentration of pain-causing substances, and effectively relieve pain.[17] However, there are still controversies between the curative effect of acupuncture combined with cupping therapy and western medicine for PHN. Our meta-analysis fully incorporates the research of acupuncture combined with cupping therapy versus Western medicine for PHN, aiming to explore the difference in the efficacy of the 2 therapies, so as to provide guidance for clinical treatment.

2. Methods

2.1. Literature inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: the study type is a randomized controlled study; the language is limited to Chinese and English.

Exclusion criteria: repeated publication; research without full text, incomplete information or inability to conduct data extraction; the definition of exposure is quite different from most literature; animal experiments; reviews, and systematic reviews.

2.2. Search strategy

In this meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, CBM, from establishment of the database to September, 2020. The Chinese search terms are mainly: “herpes zoster,” “posterior neuralgia,” “fire needle,” “electroacupuncture,” “acupuncture,” “cupping,” etc. The English search terms are as follows:(((((Fire-needle[Title/Abstract]) OR (Fire needle[Title/Abstract])) OR (electroacupuncture[Title/Abstract])) OR (acupuncture[Title/Abstract])) AND (cupping[Title/Abstract])) AND (((Shingles[Title/Abstract]) OR (Neuralgia after herpes zoster[Title/Abstract])) OR (PHN[Title/Abstract])).

2.3. Literature screening and data extraction

The literature search, screening, and information extraction were all independently completed by 2 researchers. When there were doubts or disagreements, the decision was made after discussion or consultation with a third party. The data extraction included the author, year, study area, research type, number of cases and outcome indicators, including total effective rate (the percentage of the total number of patients who are effective and cured), remarkable effect rate (the percentage of cured patients in the total number of patients), VAS (Visual Analogue Scale/Score), and the incidence of PHN.

2.4. Literature quality assessment

Two researchers independently carry out the literature quality evaluation, the Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized controlled trials (RoB 2.0)[18] were used for assessment of risk of bias and decide through discussion or consultation with a third party when opinions are inconsistent. This meta-analysis is performed based on the related items of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement.[19]

2.5. Data synthesis and statistical analysis

STATA 15.1 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX) was used to analyze the data. RR (relative ratio) (95% Cl) was used as the binary variable, and WMD (95% Cl) combined effect size was used as the continuous variable. I2 is used to evaluate heterogeneity. If the heterogeneity P < .1 and I2 ≤ 50%, it indicates that there is homogeneity between studies, and the fixed effects model is used for combined analysis; if P < .1, I2 > 50%, it indicates that the study. If there is heterogeneity, use sensitivity analysis or subgroup analysis to find the source of heterogeneity. If the heterogeneity is still large, use the random effects model or give up the combination of results and use descriptive analysis. Funnel plot and Egger test was used to analyze publication bias.

3. Results

3.1. The results of literature search

In this study, a total of 534 studies were retrieved from the database. After eliminating duplicate studies, 281 were obtained. After browsing titles and abstracts, 174 studies were obtained. Finally, 16 studies were finally meta-analyzed through full-text reading (Fig. 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Flow diagram for selection of studies.

3.2. Baseline characteristics and quality assessment of the included studies

3.2.1. Baseline characteristics

The baseline characteristics and quality assessment of the included studies are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics.

Number of cases Gender (male/female) Age Duration of disease (m)
Study Research type Experimental group Control group Experimental group Control group Experimental group Control group Experimental group Control group Types of acupuncture and moxibustion Pain assessment scale
Xiong 2007[20] RCT 48 40 20/28 16/24 50 ± 6 48 ± 6 / / Fire needle /
Jin 2009[21] RCT 30 25 17/13 12/13 52 48.5 / / Acupuncture /
Ma 2010[22] RCT 20 20 18/22 56.2 6.5 Fire needle /
Teng 2014[23] RCT 48 48 53/43 / / / / Fire needle /
Zheng 2014[24] RCT 32 30 13/19 13/17 45.78 ± 15.28 46.30 ± 14.40 4.53 ± 1.74(d) 4.60 ± 1.69(d) Fire needle /
Li 2014[25] RCT 30 30 17/13 15/15 61.7 60.2 9.5 8.3 Electroacupuncture /
Zhang 2015[26] RCT 36 36 22/14 19/17 62.06 ± 7.34 62.18 ± 7.16 3.51 ± 2.31 3.42 ± 2.55 Fire needle /
Wu 2017[27] RCT 39 39 18/21 17/22 59.5 61.5 1-12 1-12 Fire needle /
Wang 2019[28] RCT 39 39 20/19 22/17 58.3 ± 3.2 59.1 ± 2.8 4.2 ± 1.3 4.0 ± 1.4 Fire needle VAS
Tang 2019[29] RCT 30 30 11/19 13/17 59.5 ± 10.3 61.67 ± 8.2 / / Acupuncture VAS
Han 2020[30] RCT 55 55 28/27 29/26 47.22 ± 8.54 46.14 ± 8.62 / / Fire needle /
Zhang 2020[31] RCT 32 32 12/20 14/18 53.72 ± 15.17 54.25 ± 11.19 / / Fire needle /
Li 2010[32] RCT 36 31 15/11 12/19 43.67 ± 14.64 46.45 ± 15.27 / / Electroacupuncture /
Chen 2020[33] RCT 30 30 16/14 17/13 53.67 ± 5.19 55.07 ± 4.85 5.79 ± 1.30 5.38 ± 1.28 Electroacupuncture VAS
Huang 2020[34] RCT 45 45 24/21 22/23 65.8 ± 2.9 65.9 ± 2.7 7.8 ± 1.2 7.9 ± 1.5 Electroacupuncture VAS
Ming 2020[35] RCT 30 30 13/17 11/19 54.52 ± 4.97 54.32 ± 5.47 3.26 ± 1.08 2.93 ± 1.15 Acupuncture /
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3.2.2. Quality assessment of the included studies

The quality assessment of the included studies is shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Methodological quality assessment of included studies.

Study Bias arising from the randomization process Bias due to deviations from the intended interventions Bias due to missing outcome data Bias in the measurement of the outcome Bias in the selection of the reported result Overall bias
Xiong 2007[20] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Jin 2009[21] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Ma 2010[22] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Teng 2014[23] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Zheng 2014[24] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Li 2014[25] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Zhang 2015[26] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Wu 2017[27] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Wang 2019[28] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Tang 2019[29] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Han 2020[30] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Zhang 2020[31] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Li 2010[32] Moderate High High High Low Moderate
Chen 2020[33] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Huang 2020[34] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
Ming 2020[35] Moderate High Low High Low Moderate
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3.3. Results of meta-analysis

We first explored the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy and conventional western medicine in the treatment of PHN, including the difference in total effective rate and the rate of remarkable effect. The results showed that the total effective rate (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12–1.31, P = .000; I2 = 50.5%, P = .033; enrolling 11 studies) and the rate of remarkable effect (RR = 1.46, 95%CI: 1.30–1.63, P = .000; I2 = 48.2%, P = .043; enrolling 10 studies) of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN were significantly higher than that of conventional western medicine (Fig. 2). In addition, we also summarized the VAS scores after acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy and conventional western medicine for PHN. After sensitivity analysis, it was found that the study of Ma[22] had a great influence on the results. After excluding the study, it was found that the VAS score of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for PHN was significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment (WMD = –1.77, 95% CI [–2.79, –0.75], P = .001; I2 = 95.3%, P = .000; enrolling 4 studies) (Fig. 2).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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The comparison of total effective rate (A), remarkable effect rate (B), VAS score (C), and the prevention of PHN (D) of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy compared with conventional western medicine therapy. VAS = Visual Analogue Scale/Score.

We further explored the difference between acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy and conventional western medicine in the prevention of PHN. Studies have found that after acupuncture and cupping treatment of acute herpes zoster, the incidence of PHN is significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.20–0.45, P = .000; I2 = 33.7%, P = .197; enrolling 5 studies) (Fig. 2).

3.4. Subgroup analysis

In order to further explore the difference in efficacy between different types of acupuncture and moxibustion, we conducted a subgroup analysis based on different types of acupuncture and moxibustion. We found that the effective rate of fire-needle (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06–1.45, P = 0.008; I2 = 71.2%, P = 0.008), electroacupuncture (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.09–1.32, P = .014; I2 = 48.6%, P = .143), and acupuncture (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07–1.44, P = .006; I2 = 0.0%, P = .733) combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN can be significantly increased by about 1.2 times compared with conventional western medicine treatment (Fig. 3). In the comparison of the rate of remarkable effect, the level of fire-needle (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12–1.88, P = .005; I2 = 65.2%, P = .022), electroacupuncture (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08–1.88, P = .011; I2 = 51.6%, P = .127), and acupuncture (RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.06–2.12, P = .000; I2 = 26%, P = .245) combined with cupping therapy is also around 1.45 times higher than that of conventional western medicine therapy (Fig. 3). However, there are differences in the VAS scores of different types of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN compared with conventional western medicine treatment. Among them, the VAS score after fire needle combined with cupping treatment for PHN is 1.02 lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment (WMD = –1.02, 95% CI [–1.28, –0.76], P = .000). The VAS score after acupuncture combined with cupping treatment for PHN is 0.86 lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment (WMD = –0.86, 95% CI [–1.60, –0.12], P = .023). However, the VAS score after electroacupuncture combined with cupping treatment for PHN has the most significant decrease (WMD = –2.65, 95% CI [–2.97, –2.32], P = .000; I2 = 0.0%, P = .574) (Fig. 3). Finally, in comparison of preventive effects, the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia after the treatment of acute herpes zoster with electroacupuncture combined with cupping is the most significantly lower than that after conventional western medicine treatment (RR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03 to –0.46, P = .026). In addition, the incidence of PHN after the treatment of acute herpes zoster with fire needle combined with cupping is also significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine (RR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.11–0.33, P = .006; I2 = 60.7%, P = .078). However, there is no significant difference between the incidence of PHN after acupuncture combined with cupping in the treatment of acute herpes zoster and traditional western medicine (RR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.31–1.15, P = .122) (Fig. 3).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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The comparison of total effective rate (A), remarkable effect rate (B), VAS score (C), and the prevention of PHN (D) of different types of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy compared with conventional western medicine therapy. PHN = post-herpetic neuralgia, VAS = visual analogue scale/score.

3.5. Publication bias

The funnel plot drawn in this study is as follows. Based on the Egger test result of the funnel plot, P = .001 < .05, indicating that there is a certain publication bias in this study (see Figure S1, Supplemental Digital Content, Supplemental Content, which illustrates that there is a certain publication bias in this study).

3.6. Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analysis eliminates each included study one by one, and performs a summary analysis on the remaining studies to assess whether a single included study has an excessive impact on the results of the entire meta-analysis. The results showed that the Ma (2010) study had an excessive influence in the aggregation of VAS scores. In addition, none of the studies had an excessive impact on the results of the meta-analysis, indicating that the results of the remaining studies are stable and reliable (see Figure S2, Supplemental Digital Content–5, Supplemental Content, which illustrates that none of the studies had an excessive impact on the results of the meta-analysis).

4. Discussion

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese Medicine is widely accepted by people for its advantages of small side effects, simplicity and efficiency. Western medicine believes that PHN is caused by local and skin nerve interference and is mainly treated with local or systemic drugs. However, traditional Chinese medicine believes that PHN is mainly due to incomplete heat and damp clearing in liver and spleen meridians, qi and toxic pathogens stagnation, accumulation of yin, internal fire and heat and obstruction of meridians.[36] Acupuncture is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine modality based on the fundamental theory that disease is caused by disruptions in the body's qi.[37] Cupping can eliminate stagnant qi and blood in collaterals.[38] The meta-analysis of Wang et al[39] reported that there was not enough evidence to suggest that acupuncture was superior to pharmacologic therapy in improving global impression or life quality. However, Pei et al[40] reported that acupuncture may reduce pain intensity, relieve anxiety, and improve quality of life in patients with PHN. However, there is currently no research to use evidence-based medicine to conduct meta-analysis to pooled the efficacy of acupuncture combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we summarized 16 articles and included 1140 patients, analyzed the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion combined cupping compared with conventional Western medicine in the treatment of PHN, and summarized the preventive effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined cupping compared with Western medicine on PHN.

Our summary results found that the total effective rate (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12–1.31) and the rate of remarkable effect (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.30–1.63) of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN were higher than those of conventional Western medicine. We also found that the VAS score of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for PHN was significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine treatment. The mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN may be to regulate the function of local blood vessels and muscles by stimulating local nerves, reducing the symptoms of local smooth muscle spasm, and then exerting a good analgesic effect.[41] In the meta-analysis of Pei et al,[40] it has been found that acupuncture can significantly relieve PHN. Our research further supports the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of PHN.

In addition, we further explored the preventive effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping therapy on PHN, and found that the incidence of PHN after acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping treatment of acute herpes zoster was significantly lower than that of conventional western medicine (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.20–0.45, P = .000). The reason may be that after acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping treatment of acute herpes zoster, the serum substance P level decreased.[42] Substance P can induce the accumulation of pain-causing and inflammatory substances, forming neurogenic inflammation, leading to persistent or worsening pain.[43] This result further confirms the feasibility of acupuncture and moxibustion combined cupping therapy in the treatment of PHN.

We also conducted a subgroup analysis according to the different types of acupuncture and moxibustion. The pooled results show that electro-acupuncture is the most effective type of and moxibustion in the treatment of PHN, but the best preventive effect is fire needle. These findings can provide more accurate guidance for the treatment of PHN.

In addition, the included studies have few descriptions of adverse reactions and cannot reflect the differences in the safety of the 2 treatments. Therefore, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 treatments in terms of safety issues.

There are some limitations to this meta. First, since the included studies did not use blinding and allocation concealment, this may lead to performance and selection bias. Secondly, this meta has moderate heterogeneity, and the VAS score has reached a high degree of heterogeneity, which may be caused by differences in the operation of treatment methods for different groups of people. In future analysis, some large randomized controlled trials are needed to further verify our aggregate results.

5. Conclusion

The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping in the treatment of PHN is significantly higher than that of conventional western medicine, and it can significantly prevent the occurrence of PHN. Chinese medicine should be used more widely in the treatment of PHN.

Author contributions

Data curation: Shenyu Wei, Haijia Zhu, Yue Hu, Yong Liu, Huifeng Yang, Shicheng Zeng, Shiqian Chai, Jingyuan Li.

Writing – original draft: Qiujun Zhou.

Writing – review & editing: Maocan Tao.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental Digital Content

Footnotes

Abbreviations: PHN = post-herpetic neuralgia, RR = relative ratio, VAS = visual analogue scale/score.

How to cite this article: Zhou Q, Wei S, Zhu H, Hu Y, Liu Y, Yang H, Zeng S, Chai S, Li J, Tao M. Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cupping for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia: a meta-analysis. Medicine. 2021;100:31(e26785).

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The research does not involve patients, so ethical approval was not necessary.

Availability of data and materials: The datasets are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Consent for publication: Not applicable.

Funds for the construction of key specialties of Dermatology under the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2A61498).

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Supplemental digital content is available for this article.

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