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Tongyuan acupuncture reduces pain, improves sleep quality, and ameliorates emotional comorbidities in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.

In a randomized controlled trial of 106 PHN patients, Tongyuan electroacupuncture significantly reduced SF-MPQ pain scores (VAS, PPI, PRI) and PSQI sleep scores compared to conventional electroacupuncture after 4 weeks. The Tongyuan group had a total effective rate of 90.0% and a pain recurrence rate of 2.2% at 3-month follow-up, versus 74.5% and 17.1% in the control group.

Last updated: Jul 16, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. [Tongyuan acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial].

observational

Zhang J, Cheng X, Tang W, Qu S, Peng L, Yan X, Ni Y, Lu Y, Yin B · Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 4 weeks treatment, 3-month follow-up
Intervention: Tongyuan electroacupuncture (acupoints: Baihui, Yintang, Shuigou, Qihai, Guanyuan, ashi points, bilateral Xinshu, Geshu, Ganshu, Pishu, Tianshu; dense-disperse waves at 2 Hz/100 Hz, 2 mA, 30 min daily, 5 sessions per course, 4 courses total)
Outcome: Pain (SF-MPQ including PRI, VAS, PPI), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (HAMA), depression (HAMD), clinical efficacy, pain recurrence at 3 months
Effect Size: N/A (specific effect sizes not reported in abstract)
Population: Patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), 106 randomized (50 analyzed in Tongyuan group, 47 in control group)

Result:

PubMed: 42443075DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250518-k0002

Mechanism Graph

Acupuncture at specific acupoints modulates pain signaling pathways
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Electroacupuncture with dense-disperse waves (2/100 Hz) activates descending inhibitory pain controls
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Improved pain relief reduces sleep disturbances and emotional comorbidities
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Result: Reduced pain, improved sleep, and lower anxiety/depression scores

Limitations

  • ⚠Abstract does not report blinding of participants or practitioners, introducing potential performance bias
  • ⚠No sham acupuncture control group, so placebo effects cannot be ruled out
  • ⚠Sample size relatively small (106 randomized, 97 analyzed), limiting generalizability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tongyuan acupuncture?▼

Tongyuan acupuncture is a specific acupoint selection protocol used in traditional Chinese medicine, involving points such as Baihui, Yintang, Shuigou, Qihai, Guanyuan, ashi points, and bilateral back-shu points (Xinshu, Geshu, Ganshu, Pishu) and Tianshu, combined with electroacupuncture.

How does Tongyuan acupuncture compare to conventional electroacupuncture for PHN?▼

In this study, Tongyuan acupuncture showed significantly better pain relief (lower SF-MPQ scores), improved sleep quality (lower PSQI scores), reduced anxiety and depression (lower HAMA and HAMD scores), higher total effective rate (90% vs 74.5%), and lower pain recurrence at 3 months (2.2% vs 17.1%).

What outcomes were measured in this study?▼

Outcomes included pain severity (SF-MPQ with PRI, VAS, PPI), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (HAMA), depression (HAMD), clinical efficacy rates, and pain recurrence at 3-month follow-up.

Is Tongyuan acupuncture safe for PHN patients?▼

The abstract does not report adverse events, but acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by trained practitioners. No safety issues were mentioned in this study.

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References

  1. 1.Zhang J, Cheng X, Tang W, Qu S, Peng L, Yan X, Ni Y, Lu Y, Yin B. "[Tongyuan acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial].." Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion, 2026. PMID: 42443075 DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250518-k0002
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.