Open Access

Efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping in postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

  • Authors:
    • Wenyun Kui
    • Lei Xie
    • Yanan Li
    • Zhen Gu
    • Shuang Liu
    • Chunchun Xue
    • Kaiqiang Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 28, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2023.1718
  • Article Number: 30
  • Copyright: © Kui et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping (BLP‑C) in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and to provide guidance for clinical treatment. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of BLP‑C therapy in PHN were systematically searched in eight databases from inception to September 2022. Literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent researchers. Dichotomous and continuous variables were pooled using the risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD), respectively. A total of 13 studies involving 1,129 patients with PHN (571 in the experimental group and 558 in the control group) were included in the present meta‑analysis. Overall efficacy (RR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.28, P<0.00001), VAS score (WMD=‑1.10, 95% CI: ‑1.31 to ‑0.90, P<0.00001) and PSQI score (WMD=‑2.42, 95% CI: ‑2.87 to ‑1.96, P<0.0001) were significantly different between the BLP‑C group and Western medicine group. Furthermore, subgroup analysis demonstrated that BLP‑C alone or combined with other traditional Chinese medicines was more effective than Western medicine in PHN. A total of four RCTs mentioned adverse reactions, most of which were in the Western medicine group and were relieved after treatment discontinuation. In conclusion, BLP‑C is superior to Western medicine in relieving pain and improving the sleep quality of patients with PHN with a lower incidence of adverse effects.
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February-2024
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Spandidos Publications style
Kui W, Xie L, Li Y, Gu Z, Liu S, Xue C and Wang K: Efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping in postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Biomed Rep 20: 30, 2024.
APA
Kui, W., Xie, L., Li, Y., Gu, Z., Liu, S., Xue, C., & Wang, K. (2024). Efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping in postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Biomedical Reports, 20, 30. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2023.1718
MLA
Kui, W., Xie, L., Li, Y., Gu, Z., Liu, S., Xue, C., Wang, K."Efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping in postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis". Biomedical Reports 20.2 (2024): 30.
Chicago
Kui, W., Xie, L., Li, Y., Gu, Z., Liu, S., Xue, C., Wang, K."Efficacy and safety of bloodletting puncture and cupping in postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta‑analysis". Biomedical Reports 20, no. 2 (2024): 30. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2023.1718