Clinical effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: results of a case series.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effectiveness of acupuncture applied to the cervical region of patients with upper extremity radicular symptoms due to cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).

METHODS

15 subjects diagnosed with CSR and with upper extremity pain and/or paraesthesiae for 13.1±18.0 months were selected. The 15 patients had 16 affected limbs and scored a total of 17 symptom scores of pain and/or paraesthesiae. All patients were treated with acupuncture once a week for 4 weeks at up to 10 sites in the cervical paraspinal region centred on the affected area. The severity of the symptoms was recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional evaluation was conducted using a Neck Disability Index (NDI).

RESULTS

A significant reduction over time was seen for both mean VAS (p<0.0001) and NDI (p<0.0001). Changes were still significant at 4-week follow-up. A 50% reduction in symptoms was scored for 15 of the 17 symptoms scored.

CONCLUSIONS

Favourable results were seen in nearly 90% of cases. These results show that acupuncture treatment to the cervical region may be effective as a conservative therapy for treating CSR.