[Different needling depth for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized controlled trial]

To observe the therapeutic effect of different needling depth for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A total of 70 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomized into an elongated needle group (35 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a filiform needle group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off). Basic treatment combined with acupuncture were adopted in both groups, acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Shuidao (ST 28), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Zhigou (TE 6). In the elongated needle group, acupuncture was performed at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Shuidao (ST 28) by elongated needle, the needling depth was 60-73 mm. In the filiform needle group, acupuncture was performed at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Shuidao (ST 28) by filiform needle, the needling depth was 25-30 mm. The treatment was given once a day (except Sunday), 2 weeks as one course, 1 course was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the international prostate symptom score(IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score and prostate volume were observed in the two groups, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated.

Compared before treatment, the IPSS and QOL scores after 1, 2-week treatment were reduced (P<0.01), and the IPSS and QOL scores after 2-week treatment were lower than those after 1-week treatment in the two groups (P<0.01); the IPSS and QOL scores after 2-week treatment in the elongated needle group were lower than the filiform needle group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After 2-week treatment, the prostate volume was reduced in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the elongated needle group, which was superior to 72.7% (24/33) in the filiform needle group (P<0.05).

Both elongated needle and filiform needle can improve the symptom and quality of life in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and elongated needle has the better therapeutic effect.