Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2026 Mar 12;46(3):353-360. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250109-k0004. Epub 2025 Dec 25.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Longsha Kaihe Liuqi acupuncture on primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
METHODS: A total of 78 POAG patients were randomized into an observation group (39 cases, 4 cases eliminated) and a control group (39 cases, 1 case dropped out, 3 cases eliminated). In the control group, the eye drops for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) were administered. In the observation group, besides the intervention as the control group, Longsha Kaihe Liuqi acupuncture was delivered. According to the 24 h intraocular pressure curve peak and in association with syndrome differentiation, 2 or 3 lesion grades were determined. Centered at Baihui (GV20), a circle with a diameter of 5 cm to 8 cm was drawn. Based on Gu‘s “three-yin, three-yang, open, close and pivot” diagram, the tender points were detected along the distribution of the affected meridians and stimulated with acupuncture. The needles were retained for 1 h and the intervention was operated once weekly. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks in the two groups. The 24 h IOP before and after treatment in the two groups, and the immediate IOP before and after acupuncture in the observation group were observed. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field-related indexes such as visual field index (VFI), mean deviation (MD), and pattern standard deviation (PSD), optic disc blood flow density and TCM syndrome score were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.
RESULTS: In the observation group, the mean, peak, valley, fluctuation value of 24 h IOP, and absolute MD were all reduced after treatment when compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05), while VFI increased (P<0.05). At the time points of 0: 00, 2: 00, 5: 00, and 22: 00 after treatment, IOP was lower than that at each corresponding time point before treatment (P<0.05) in the observation group, and the immediate IOP after each acupuncture session was lower than that before acupuncture (P<0.05). After treatment, the score of each TCM syndrome (eye swelling and pain, dry eyes, headache, irritability and sleep disturbance) and the total score were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), and lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the differences in BCVA, PSD and optic disc blood flow density were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Longsha Kaihe Liuqi acupuncture combined with intraocular pressure-lowering eye drops can reduce IOP and regulate 24 h intraocular pressure rhythm, improve visual field and ameliorate TCM syndromes of POAG patients.
PMID:41839594 | DOI:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250109-k0004
