Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Fuyang-pot warming combined with electroacupuncture(EA)in the treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis(SPA).Methods A total of 90 cases of SPA patients were randomized into EA

Fuyang-pot warming and EA plus Fuyang-pot warming(combination)groups(n=30 per group). Fuyang-pot warming including pressing

mild moxibustion

scraping-pushing

cupping

tapping

etc. was applied to Fengchi(GB20)

Dazhui(GV14)

Jianjing(GB21)

Jianyu(LI15)

Zhongfu(LU1)

Ashi-point

etc.

and EA(2 Hz/100 Hz

1—1. 5 mA)was appled to GB20

GV14

GB21

LI15

Binao(LI14)

Tiaokou(ST38)

Chengshan(BL57)

Ashi-point

etc. The treatment was performed for 30 min every time

once every other day for 2 weeks. The visual analogue scale(VAS

0—10 points)was used to assess the pain severity. The Constant-Murley shoulder assessment scale(100 points in total

including 15 points in pain severity and 20 points in daily living activities

40 points in joint motion range

and 25 points in myodynamia)was used to assess the functional state of the shoulder. The rating scale of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons(ASES

4 grades)was used to evaluate the ability of daily living activities.Results Following the treatment

intra-group comparison showed that the VAS score was significantly reduced in the three groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment(P<0. 01). The total scores of Constant-Murley scale

and scores of activities of daily living and active motion range

myodynamia

and ASES shoulder-joint function were all considerably increased in the three groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment(all P<0. 01). The therapeutic effect of EA plus Fuyang-pot warming was significantly superior to that of simple EA and simple Fuyang-pot warming in reducing VAS score and increasing total score of Constant-Murley scale and scores of activities of daily living

active motion range

myodynamia as well as ASES shoulder joint function(P<0. 01). Of the 30

29 and 30 cases in the combination

EA and Fuyang-pot warming groups

9

2 and 4 were basically cured

14

8 and 12 experienced marked improvement

4

12 and 9 were improved

and 3

7 and 5 failed in the treatment

with the cured plus effective rates being 76. 67%

34. 48% and 53. 33%

respectively. The cure plus effective rate was apparently higher in the combined treatment group than in the simple EA and simple Fuyang-pot warming groups(P<0. 01)

but had no significant difference between the simple EA and simple Fuyang-pot warming groups(P>0. 05).Conclusion Fuyang-pot warming combined with EA is effective in relieving pain

and enhancing the daily life quality in scapulohumeral periarthritis patients.