Clinical observation on the effect of warming meridian medicinal wine, polarized light external application combined with acupuncture and moxibustion on pain after vertebroplasty.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of external application of warm meridian medicated wine and polarized light therapy combined with acupuncture on pain management following vertebroplasty.
Methods: A total of 120 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by vertebroplasty at our hospital were divided into four groups. The control group received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the Treatment Group Ⅰ received acupuncture alone, Treatment Group Ⅱ was treated with medicated wine for warming meridians alongside polarized light physiotherapy, and Treatment Group Ⅲ received a combination of medicated wine for warming meridians, polarized light therapy, and acupuncture. The clinical efficacy, pain thresholds at various time points, temperature pain threshold, electric pain threshold, quality of life, sleep quality index, lumbar dysfunction index, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared and analyzed across the four groups.
Results: The total clinical effective rate in Treatment Group Ⅲ was significantly higher than that in the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). At 24 and 72 h post-treatment, the VAS scores, temperature pain thresholds, and electric pain thresholds in Treatment Group Ⅲ were significantly lower than those in the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). Additionally, quality-of-life scores in Treatment Group Ⅲ were markedly higher compared to the control group, Treatment Group Ⅰ, and Treatment Group Ⅱ, while the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, and incidence of adverse reactions in Treatment Group Ⅲ were significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The external application of warm meridian medicated wine and polarized light therapy combined with acupuncture significantly reduces postoperative pain following vertebroplasty, enhances lumbar function, and improves both sleep quality and overall quality of life for patients. This approach is recommended for clinical application.