| Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of internal heat-type acupuncture needle on patients with cervicoshoulder myofascial pain syndrome and to explore the underlying mechanism through which it exerts therapeutic effects. Methods: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with cervicoshoulder myofascial pain syndrome who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study between December 2021 and December 2023. Participants were randomly divided into two groups—control group and treatment group—using a random number table method. Patients in the control group received myofascial trigger point injections of 0.5% lidocaine, and those in the treatment group underwent internal heat-type acupuncture needle at the myofascial trigger points. Treatments were administered every two days, with 5 sessions comprising one treatment course; a total of two courses were conducted. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pain Rating Index (PRI), and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Furthermore, the expression levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA), a key molecule associated with mitochondrial function, were measured in peripheral blood samples collected from all participants pre- and post-treatment. Results: Following treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in VAS, PRI, and PPI scores compared to pre-treatment values (P<0.05), along with an increase in mtTFA expression levels (P<0.05). However, the internal heat-type acupuncture needle group demonstrated significantly reductions in pain scores and more pronounced increases in mtTFA expression compared to the control group (P<0.05). Therapeutic efficacy was further evaluated using the nimodipine method, revealing a total effective rate of 80% in the lidocaine group and 88% in the internal heat-type acupuncture needle group. These results indicate a statistically significant difference in treatment effectiveness between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclus-ion: Both lidocaine injection and internal heat-type acupuncture needle demonstrate favorable clinical efficacy in treating cervicoshoulder myofascial pain syndrome. However, internal heat-type acupuncture needle exhibits superior therapeutic effects compared to lidocaine injection. Moreover, the mechanism of action may involve the modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction via upregulation of mtTFA expression. |
