If you've never suffered a tension-type headache (TTH), consider yourself fortunate: 75 percent of the general population does, per the American Migraine Foundation. While most last from 30 minutes to a week, TTHs can become chronic, meaning 15-plus episodes per month for three or more months.
A new randomized, controlled trial by Hui Zheng, et al., investigated the value of standardized acupuncture (20 sessions over an eight-week period) in patients with chronic TTH. Each session lasted 30 minutes, with de qi sensation achieved after "depths [were] adjusted to the standard permissible layers." A control group received superficial sham needling (depth of 1-3 mm, without de qi sensation). Between-group results were compared: specifically, response rate at weeks 16 and 32.
Whether in the experimental or control group, all patients were needled at the same points: GB 20 (Fengchi), EX-HN 5 (Taiyang), DU 20 (Baihui), LI 4 (Hegu), and LR 3 (Taichong) bilaterally.
The primary outcome measure: a 50 percent or greater reduction in monthly number of headache days. Patients whose tension-type headaches were reduced by at least 50 percent were classified as "responders."
The acupuncture group had significantly more responders at both week 16 and week 32 compared to the control group: 68.2 percent responders vs. 48.1 percent at week 16; and 68.2 percent vs. 50.0 percent at week 32.
The number of monthly headache days reduced was also significant: 4.3 fewer days at week 16 (13.1 fewer days in the acupuncture group vs. 8.8 fewer days in the control group); and 4.5 fewer days at week 32 (14.0 fewer days in the acupuncture group vs. 9.5 fewer days in the control group.)
Findings appear in Neurology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Neurology (June 22, 2022; online publication first).
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