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160 Wang et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2024; 10(2): 159-164

Figure 1. A pulse microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator.

The device mechanism is relatively similar to transcutaneous by the judgment of the researcher, such as some patients who had
electrical nerve stimulation and additionally induces analgesic poor compliance and low cognition.
effects, similar to pulsed radiofrequency therapy [9]. Herein,
this study aimed to investigate the effect of pulsed microcurrent 2.2. Patient groups
on pain, depression, and anxiety experienced by patients with The included patients were divided into the experimental and
herpes zoster, thereby suggesting a new adjunctive therapeutic control groups according to a random allocation table generated
option for herpes zoster. using the Statistical Analysis System software.
2. Methods 2.2.1. Control group

2.1. Study design and population The conventional medication regimen of the control group
comprised: (i) Valaciclovir hydrochloride capsules, taken orally,
The cohort study of herpes zoster in China (i.e., the COMFORT 0.6 g/dose, three times daily; (ii) methylcobalamin tablets, taken
study) is an ongoing single-center, prospective, observational orally, 0.5 mg/dose, three times daily; (iii) vitamin B tablets,
study that started in April 2022 to investigate the effects of taken orally, 10 mg/dose, three times daily; (iv) fusidate cream,
1
pulsed microcurrent on pain, depression, and anxiety of herpes topically administered to the affected area, twice daily (or as
zoster patients in China. This study was approved by the Human required by the patients based on their condition); (v) prednisone
Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of acetate tablets, taken orally, once daily, administered after 6 AM,
Xi’an Medical University.
at the following dosages for a total of 7 days (5 mg/dose): days 1
2.1.1. Inclusion criteria and 2: 80 mg/day; days 3 – 4: 30 mg/day; days 5 and 6: 15 mg/day;
and day 7: 5 mg/day; (vi) glycolite lotion, topically administered
The inclusion criteria for this study were established based to the affected area, twice daily; (vii) aminophenol dihydrocodeine
on the Chinese expert consensus on herpes zoster [2], and the tablets, taken orally, 1 – 2 tablets every 4 – 6 h or as needed by the
criteria are as follows: (i) Adult patients aged 18 years and older; patients for pain relief (up to a maximum of 8 tablets/day).
(ii) patients diagnosed with herpes zoster; (iii) patients who had not
received anti-varicella zoster virus treatment after the onset of the 2.2.2. Experimental group
infection (e.g., antiviral drugs, analgesics, and nerve protectors); The experimental group received pulsed microcurrent electrical
(iv) patients with pain intensity of the ≥3 points on the visual therapy in combination with conventional drug therapy. The
analog scale (VAS) (reported within 7 days from the onset of pulse microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator (model
herpes zoster); (v) patients who voluntarily received the relevant ICW-001, Xi’an Aikaier Medical Technology Co., Ltd., China)
assessments (i.e., VAS, nine-item patient health questionnaire consisted of a wristwatch-style main unit and electrode pads,
[PHQ-9], and seven-item generalized anxiety disorder assessment equipped with intensity adjusters (mid-frequency: 1 – 30 kHz;
[GAD-7]); and (vi) patients who provided informed consent and low-frequency: 1 – 120 Hz), auditory feedback, and a pulse width
were compliant to the treatment regimen. range of 30 μs to 30 ms. Treatment procedures were carried out in
2.1.2. Exclusion criteria accordance with the provided instructions, with patients wearing
4 – 8 electrode pads daily based on their physical condition. Each
The exclusion criteria for this study were: (i) Patients with session of electrode pad application lasted for 4 – 8 h/day.
specific herpes zoster conditions, such as ophthalmic or internal
organ involvement; (ii) patients with severe systemic diseases 2.3. Assessments
or organ dysfunction; (iii) patients with a history of allergy 2.3.1. VAS
or hypersensitivity to pulsed microcurrent or conventional
therapeutic medications; (iv) patients with psychiatric diseases or VAS is a linear horizontal 10 cm scale, where the ends are
cognitive dysfunction that impairs normal verbal communication; labeled “no pain” and “most severe pain imaginable.” After pulsed
or (v) patients deemed unsuitable for participation in this study microcurrent stimulation, the patients were to draw a vertical line on
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36922/jctr.23.00121