Objective To compare the efficacy difference between the mild moxibustion and acupuncture stimulation at trigger points in the treatment of shoulder and back myofascial pain syndrome(MPS)

so as to provide a reference for clinical treatment of MPS.Methods A total of 60 patients with shoulder and back MPS were equally and randomly divided into mild moxibustion group and acupuncture group.The myofascial trigger points in the shoulder and back regions were stimulated with mild moxibustion for 20-100 min every time or punctured with filiform needles by retaining the needles for 30 min after twirling for a while.The treatment was conducted once daily for 10 days.The short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ)including the pain rating index[PRI consisting of 15descriptors(11sensory

4affective)which are rated on an intensity scale as 0=none

1=mild

2=moderate and 3=severe]

present pain intensity(PPI)index of the standard MPQ and a visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to assess the patient's pain severity before and after the treatment.Results Following the treatment

of the two 30 cases of MPS patients in the acupuncture and mild moxibustion groups

1and 7were cured

11 and 17experienced marked improvement

14 and 5were effective

4and 1was invalid

with the effective rates being 86.7%(26/30)and 96.7%(29/30)

respectively.The cured plus markedly effective rate of the mild moxibustion group was significantly better than that of the acupuncture group(P<0.001).Self-comparison of the two groups showed that the scores of PRI

VAS and PPI after the treatment were apparently reduced in both groups compared with pre-treatment(P<0.001)

but without significant differences between the two groups in the PRI

VAS and PPI scores after the treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion Mild moxibustion stimulation of myofascial trigger point is effective in relieving shoulder-back MPS

being comparable to that of acupuncture therapy.