Efficacy evaluation of acupuncture combined with pricking blood therapy in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the efficacy of combining acupuncture with pricking blood therapy to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and compare its outcomes with those of second-generation H1-antihistamines.

Methods: Seventy CSU patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive treatment with either oral loratadine tablets or a combination of acupuncture and pricking blood therapy (n=35 each). Evaluations were conducted at baseline, at the conclusion of the 4-week treatment period, and at the 4th and 8th weeks post-treatment time points. We used six scales to gauge the severity of the skin lesions, itchiness, quality of life, and emotional and sleep states of the CSU patients.

Results: Upon completion of the treatment, both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the scores of six scales from the baseline (P < 0.05). Notably, the scores of the itch visual analog scale (VAS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Hamilton Depression Scale in the acupuncture and pricking blood therapy group were lower than those in the loratadine group (all P < 0.05). At the 8-week follow-up, the scores for all six scales were reduced from baseline in both groups (all P < 0.05), though the acupuncture and pricking blood therapy group showed significantly lower scores on the 7-day urticaria activity scale, with the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the itchiness VAS compared with the loratadine group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with pricking blood therapy significantly ameliorated skin lesions, itchiness, and the associated psychological distress in CSU patients. This integrative approach not only matched the short-term efficacy of oral loratadine but surpassed its long-term benefits.