Abstract

COLLAZO, E.  and  GOMEZ ARMENTA, F.. Treatment with acupuncture in trigeminal neuralgia refractory to conventional treatment. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2015, vol.22, n.1, pp.32-35. ISSN 1134-8046.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1134-80462015000100005.

Objectives: To evaluate the overall effectiveness of acupuncture as a complementary therapy in relieving chronic pain in paired groups (before-after) of patients with trigeminal neuralgia refractory to conventional therapies in a real life clinical setting. To determine the extent to which analgesic consumption is reduced in these patients after an acupuncture cycle. To determine the adverse reactions due to acupuncture. Material and methods: We carried out a quasi-experimental study in 57 outpatients with trigeminal neuralgia refractory to conventional pharmacological therapy. Pain was measured with a multiple-item pain scale before the acupuncture cycle was started, after the traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis was made, and when the treatment cycle was complete. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) before and after acupuncture treatment were obtained for the overall pain score and for each of its variables (intensity, frequency, analgesic consumption, disability, and sleep). After the acupuncture cycle, the total pain score decreased by 50.8 %, intensity by 50 %, frequency by 66 %, analgesic consumption by 50 %, disability by 90 %, and sleep improved by 90 %. No adverse effects of acupuncture were observed. Thirty eight percent of the patients showed drug intolerance. Conclusions: Acupuncture consumes few resources and is highly effective in the complementary treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia. The reduction in analgesic consumption in patients with pain increases quality of life and patient satisfaction and reduces adverse effects and healthcare costs in patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

Keywords : Acupuncture; Untreatable trigeminal neuralgia; Combined therapy; Treatment results.

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