Acupuncture improve cognitive function and QoL of patients with Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Gao et al reported that acupuncture can be used as an alternative treatment to improve cognitive function and QoL of patients with ITN.

Methods

116 patients enrolled: acupuncture intervention group (n = 62) and sham control group (n = 54).

Measurements

Clinical pain, cognitive function, and quality of life (QoL) assessed with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) , at the initial time of treatment, at the end of treatment, and 6 weeks after the treatment.

Findings

1. pain intensity, headache, and generalized body pain significantly decreased both at the end of treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment compared with initial time
2. the scores of the cognitive tests (Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, tracing score, and memory score) and five aspects of the SF-36 assessment (role emotional, general health, body pain, role physical, and mental health scores) significantly improved at the end of treatment compared with the initial time, and
3. after 6 weeks of treatment, the Mini-Mental State Examination, memory score, and Trail Making Test-A score and four aspects of the SF-36 assessment (vitality, bodily pain, mental health, and role physical) significantly improved when compared with the end of treatment.

Cite: Gao, J., Zhao, C., Jiang, W., Zheng, B., & He, Y. (2019). Effect of Acupuncture on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Patients With Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 207(3), 171-174.