Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
03:26
Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research
Published on: December 8, 2023
1.9K
[Resuscitation acupuncture for thalamic pain:a randomized controlled trial]
1TCM Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Resuscitation acupuncture offers a more effective and long-lasting treatment for thalamic pain compared to pregabalin. Acupuncture also modulates pain-related substances, increasing beta-endorphin and decreasing Substance P.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Thalamic pain is a challenging neuropathic pain condition.
- Current treatments like pregabalin have limitations in efficacy and side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of resuscitation acupuncture versus pregabalin for thalamic pain.
- To investigate the impact of both treatments on plasma Substance P (SP) and beta-endorphin (β-EP).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 64 patients with thalamic pain.
- Patients received either resuscitation acupuncture or oral pregabalin for 8 weeks.
- Pain scores, plasma SP, and β-EP levels were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture showed comparable short-term efficacy to pregabalin after 4 weeks.
- After 8 weeks and at follow-up, acupuncture demonstrated significantly higher total effective rates and lower pain scores than pregabalin.
- Acupuncture significantly reduced SP and increased β-EP levels compared to pregabalin after 8 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Resuscitation acupuncture provides effective and sustained relief for thalamic pain.
- Acupuncture is superior to pregabalin in managing thalamic pain long-term.
- Acupuncture's mechanism involves reducing SP and increasing β-EP levels, contributing to pain relief.
