Effect of Combined Bee Venom Acupuncture and NSAID Treatment for Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Pilot Clinical Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a combined treatment of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of non-specific chronic neck pain (NCNP). Patients with NCNP for ≥3 months were randomly allocated to a BVA, NSAIDs, or combined group (1:1:1), receiving 6 sessions of BVA, loxoprofen (180 mg daily), or a combination, respectively, for 3 weeks. Recruitment, adherence, and completion rates were calculated to assess feasibility. Bothersomeness, pain, disability, quality of life, depressive status, treatment credibility, and adverse events were assessed. In total, 60 participants were enrolled, and 54 completed the trial. Recruitment, adherence, and completion rates were 100%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. Bothersomeness, pain, disability, and depressive symptoms significantly improved in all groups after treatment (p < 0.05). The combined group showed continuous improvement during the follow-up period (p < 0.05). Quality of life was significantly improved (p < 0.05), and treatment credibility was maintained in the BVA and combined groups. No serious adverse events were reported. Combined treatment of BVA and NSAIDs are feasible for the treatment of NCNP, showing high persistence of the effect, credibility, and safety. Additional trials with longer follow-up are needed to confirm this effect.

Knowledge Mapping of International Research on Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…The high citation rate of SPINE indicates that CP related to spine is the focus of acupuncture for CP. 69,[73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87] From the perspective of research areas, electroacupuncture, low back pain, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, meta analysis are the main research focuses, which shows that researchers are very interested in verification of the effectiveness on acupuncture for CP. Trials to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of pain is and will be the focuses of this research field.…”

The cross-disciplinary integration of acupuncture and modern medicine: an analysis from the perspective of subject categories

“…The South Korean researchers focused on Pharmacopuncture, , specifically bee venom acupuncture. Multiple RCT tests have demonstrated that bee venom acupuncture is effective in relieving pain and treating arthritis 30 . The USA researchers focused more on acupuncture's role in pain treatment.…”

A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Pharmacopuncture Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain: A Pragmatic, Randomized, Controlled Trial

“…Occlusal appliances in conjunction with NSAIDs [ 29 ], mobilisation of the upper cervical region and craniocervical flexor training [ 30 ] were also effective for orofacial pain. In regard to pharmacopuncture, previous RCT revealed that bee venom pharmacopuncture for nonspecific chronic neck pain had a significantly better effect on the VAS scores for pain and bothersomeness than NSAIDs and combination therapy [ 31 ]. Another RCT reported that Angelica sinesis pharmacopuncture was significantly more effective for reducing the VAS score for pain [ 32 ].…”