Database: Study 10 of 41 studies
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| Database |
| The inner ear – deafness and hyperacusis - EA |
| First author and date | Liu YL 1987 |
| Version consulted | A |
| Condition | sudden deafness (several mths - several yrs) |
| Study type | case series |
| N / Groupings | 37 (32 M, 5 F, aged 17-56 yrs; 8 bilateral, so 45 ears; 26 accompanied by dizziness; according to 1964 ISO classification for severity of deafness, 5 mildly deaf, 10 moderately, 14 severely, 8 profoundly) |
| Type of acupuncture | EA |
| Points used | BL-23 (chief pt), SJ-5, SJ-17, GB-2 (if unilateral: 4 pts on affected side; if bilateral: 2 pts, alternating with other 2 pts) |
| Parameters used | normal reinforcing and reduction to elicit deqi transmitted behind ears, followed by EA (no details) |
| Stimulation duration | EA: 20-40 mins |
| Number of sessions | 6/wk (if unilateral); each ear on alternating days (if bilateral); course of 12 sessions, with 2 days between courses (22-100 sessions; average 38) |
| Follow up | 3 mths - >1 yr |
| Endpoint measure | audiometry at 1st visit and within 4 days of last visit (repeated after each course) |
| Outcome | cure rate for those starting within 1 yr of onset 72%, decreasing to 31% for those >1 yr (p < 0.01); overall effective rate 93% |
| Additional notes | according to TCM, sudden deafness is related to Ki yin xu and hyperactivitiy of Liv yang (hence Bl23 as chief pt) |
| Analysis / problems | |
| References | Liu YL Acupuncture treatment of sudden deafness. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1987 March; 7(1): 27-8 |
| Secondary references | [abstract in: American Journal of Acupuncture. 15: 382] |
| Data entry code | DM |
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