[Effects of Tongdu Rezhen method for ankylosing spondylitis at early stage:a randomized controlled trial]

To compare the clinical efficacy differences between Tongdu Rezhen method and twirling-reinforcing needling method for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at early stage.

Sixty-eight patients were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. The acupoint selection in the two groups was identical, taking Dazhui (GV 14) and Mingmen (GV 4) as the main acupoints. Patients in the observation group were treated with Tongdu Rezhen method, while patients in the control group were treated with twirling-reinforcing needling method. The treatment was given once a day, and seven treatments were considered as one course of treatment. The TCM symptom grading quantitative standard score, Barthel ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis ankylosing spondylitis function index (BASFI) were compared in the two groups before and after 3 treatment courses; also the efficacy was evaluated.

The total efficacy rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 79.4% (27/34) in the control group (P<0.05); after treatment, the TCM symptom grading quantitative standard score, BASDAI and BASFI were significantly improved in the two groups (all P<0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all P<0.05).

The Tongdu Rezhen method at Dazhui (GV 14) and Mingmen (GV 4) could effectively improve the symptoms of AS patients at early stage, which was superior to twirling-reinforcing needling method.