Prevention of postherpetic neuralgia with modified fructus trichosanthis powder combined with milli-needle fire needle:a real-world clinical study
Objective To explore the effect of modified fructus trichosanthis powder combined with the milli-fire needle in preventing postherpetic neuralgia(PHN)in patients with herpes zoster,aiming to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.Methods A total of 116 patients with herpes zoster who visited Zhuhai People's Hospital from January 2022 to September 2023 were selected and allocated to Group A(57 cases)and Group B(59 cases)following their willingness.Pa-tients in Group A received basic treatment(valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets+mecobalamin tablets)combined with modi-fied fructus trichosanthis powder and milli-fire needle treatment,while patients in Group B received basic treatment(valacy-clovir hydrochloride tablets+mecobalamin tablets)combined with red light irradiation treatment.The incidence of PHN,levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores were observed in the two groups.Results The incidence of PHN in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B[12.3%(7/57)vs.33.9%(20/59);χ2=7.587,P=0.006].No significant difference was noted in TNF-α levels between the two groups be-fore treatment(P>0.05).The TNF-α levels in both groups were decreased after treatment,and the levels in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in PSQI scores be-tween the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).One month after the rash healed,the PSQI scores in both groups signif-icantly decreased,and the scores in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B(P<0.05).Conclusion The treatment with modified fructus trichosanthis powder combined with the milli-fire needle can reduce the serum TNF-α levels in patients with herpes zoster,promote sleep quality,and lower the incidence of PHN,which is worth promoting in clinical practice.
Modified fructus trichosanthis powderMilli-needle fire needleHerpes zosterPostherpetic neuralgia