The Alternative Effects of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Inclusion Criteria

• •Diagnostic Criteria
• •Diagnosis was based on the criteria for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) as defined in the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) published by the International Headache Society (IHS) in 2018. The diagnostic criteria included:
• •1. recurrent unilateral facial pain occurring in the distribution of one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve, without radiation outside the trigeminal territory, and meeting criteria (2) and (3);
• •2. pain presenting with all of the following characteristics:
• •① paroxysmal attacks lasting from a few seconds to 2 minutes;
• •② severe intensity;
• •* electric shock-like, stabbing, or sharp quality;
• •3. pain triggered by innocuous stimuli within the affected trigeminal distribution;
• •4. exclusion of other facial pain disorders classified in ICHD-3.
• •All of the following criteria had to be met for study enrollment:
• •* fulfillment of the TN diagnostic criteria as stated above;
• •* age between 18 and 80 years, inclusive, irrespective of sex;
• •* receiving a stable daily dose of carbamazepine (200-400 mg); ④ consciousness clear, with intact pain perception and discrimination, and able to communicate effectively; ⑤ voluntary participation with written informed consent provided by the patient or their legal guardian/authorized representative.