[Clinical effects of matrix acupuncture on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with nuchal ligament calcification].

Objective: To observe the effects of matrix acupuncture on the neck disability index (NDI) score, clinical efficacy, and the calcification size of the nuchal ligament in patients of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with nuchal ligament calcification.

Methods: A total of 120 cases were randomly divided into a matrix acupuncture group and a routine acupuncture group, with 60 cases in each group. In the matrix acupuncture group, Ashi-point, bilateral Tianzhu (BL10), bilateral Fengchi (GB20), bilateral Dazhu (BL11), bilateral Jianzhongshu (SI15), and Jianjing (GB21), Tianzong (SI11), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Waiguan (TE5), and Hegu (LI4) at the affected side were selected. In the routine acupuncture group, C3-C7 Jiaji points at the neck and Jianjing (GB21), Tianzong (SI11), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Waiguan (TE5), Hegu (LI4), and Ashi-point at the affected side were selected. The patients in the two groups were treated 30 min once, six days a week, for a total of four weeks. The NDI scores, clinical efficacies, and calcification sizes of nuchal ligament were compared between the two groups every wee-kend.

Results: After four weeks of treatment, the NDI scores and calcification volumes of nuchal ligament decreased in both groups (<0.05). Compared with the routine acupuncture group, the matrix acupuncture group showed decreased NDI scores and reduced calcification volumes of nuchal ligament at the 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of treatment (<0.05). The cure and marked effective rate in the matrix acupuncture group at the 2, 3, and 4 weeks of treatment were superior to those of the routine acupuncture group (<0.05).

Conclusion: The matrix acupuncture group and the routine acupuncture group are effective in reducing the NDI score and calcification size of nuchal ligament in patients of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with nuchal ligament calcification. However, matrix acupuncture has obvious advantages over routine acupuncture.