Acupuncture Treatment of Non-inflammatory Chronic Prostatitis with "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" Method: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, and tamsulosin to treat non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis (type IIIB CP). <br><br>Methods: 105 patients were randomly divided into the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture group, and tamsulosin group, 35 cases in each group. In the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group, PC6 (Neiguan), PC7 (Daling), HT7 (Shenmen), RN6 (Qihai), RN4 (Guanyuan), ST28 (Shuidao), ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), and LR3 (Taichong) were selected; In the conventional acupuncture group, RN4 (Guanyuan), RN3 (Zhongji), KI3 (Taixi), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), BL54 (Zhibian) through ST28 (Shuidao), BL20 (Pishu), and BL23 (Shenshu) were set. Acupuncture was given once every other day, 30 minutes each time, three times a week, 12 times in a row as a course of treatment. Tamsulosin group took tamsulosin 0.2mg orally, once a day for four weeks. The three groups were observed for two methods. The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score were compared among the three groups. After one course of treatment and after two methods of treatment, and the recurrence rate and clinical efficacy were evaluated. <br><br>Results: The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, HAMD and HAMA scores of the three groups after one course of treatment and two courses of treatment were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). After one course of treatment and two courses of treatment, the total NIH-CPSI score, NIH-CPSI pain score, HAMD, and HAMA score in the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group decreased more than those in the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group (all P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group was lower than that of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rates of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group were 78.13% (25/32) and 69.70% (23/33), respectively, which were lower than 97.06% (33/34) of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group. No severe adverse reactions occurred in the safety evaluation.<br><br>Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" Acupuncture on type III BCP is better than that of conventional acupuncture and tamsulosin, and it is better than that of traditional acupuncture and tamsulosin in relieving prostatitis symptoms, anxiety, and depression.