[Comparison of the clinical efficacy on chronic abdominal wall pain between trigger-point electroacupuncture and...

To compare the clinical efficacy between trigger-point (TrP) electroacupuncture and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in treatment of chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP).

A total of 62 CAWP patients were randomly divided into a TrP electroacupuncture group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a TAP block group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). Electroacupuncture at trigger points was delivered in the TrP electroacupuncture group, and TAP block was administered under ultrasonic guidance in the TAP block group. Separately, the score of the numerical pain rating scale (NRS) was observed before treatment and in 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment；the scores of the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the self-rating depressive scale (SDS) observed before treatment and in 1 week and 3 months after treatment；and the score of the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) was observed before treatment and in 3 months after treatment. The utilization rate of remedial drugs was recorded during follow-up visit. The clinical efficacy was compared.

At each time point after treatment, NRS score decreased in comparison with that before treatment (P<0.05), the scores of SAS and SDS 1 week and 3 months after treatment were reduced (P<0.05) and the each item score of SF-36 increased (P<0.05) 3 months after treatment of each group. Compared with the outcomes in the TAP block group, NRS scores were reduced 1 month and 3 months after treatment respectively (P<0.05), the scores of SAS and SDS decreased (P<0.05) and SF-36 score was elevated (P<0.05) 3 months after treatment in the TrP electroacupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the utilization rate of remedial drugs between the two groups. The clinical efficacy of the TrP electroacupuncture group (96.7%) was superior to that of the TAP block group (83.3%, P<0.05).

Both TrP electroacupuncture and TAP block can markedly relieve pain, attenuate the emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life in the patients with chronic abdominal wall pain. The clinical efficacy of TrP electroacupuncture is better than that of TAP block 3 months after treatment.