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162 Wang et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2024; 10(2): 159-164
lower than the control group (t = 9.8287; 95% CI: (2.4551, 2.8116); therapy modality that combines the meridian theory from
P < 0.001). Similarly, the GAD-7 scores of the experimental group traditional Chinese medicine with modern bioelectronic principles
were also significantly lower than the control (t = 7.8190; 95% derived from acupuncture therapy. This technique leverages
CI: (3.4477, 3.7689); P < 0.001) (Table 3). electrical stimulation to promote blood circulation, alleviate qi
and blood stagnation, and ultimately reduce pain [17]. Certain
3.5. Side effects studies have reported that appropriate, low-frequency pulsed

During the study, two patients in the control group (6.90%) current may activate endogenous morphine-like polymorphic
and one patient in the experimental group (3.45%) experienced neurons in the brain, thereby providing analgesic efficacy, while
mild nausea and vomiting. The nausea and vomiting disappeared eliminating pain-causing chemical mediators and reducing the
after a few days without any therapy. After further evaluation, it chemical factors of pain [18]. In addition, low-frequency pulse
was concluded that nausea and vomiting were caused by the use of therapy may enhance microcirculation in the body, facilitate nerve
valaciclovir, as these are common adverse reactions of valaciclovir. repair, excite neuromuscular tissues, improve nutrition, expedite
Nonetheless, none of the patients withdrew from the study because the absorption and dissipation of inflammatory substances, and
of the nausea and vomiting. There were no other adverse effects alleviate pain from diverse causes [19]. However, low-frequency
reported during the follow-up period, and the patients did not pulse therapy has not been specifically applied for the treatment of
experience any discomfort or symptoms due to the use of therapeutic herpes zoster-associated pain.
drugs or the pulse microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator. Pulsed microcurrent stimulation involves the application
of microcurrent to acupoints, employing specific frequencies,
4. Discussion intensities, and waveforms of electric current in accordance with

Herpes zoster is a viral ailment associated with high morbidity, therapeutic needs [20]. This technique harnesses the electrical
and its clinical symptoms primarily manifest as severe pain and responses of nerves and muscles to low and moderate frequencies,
herpes lesions. These symptoms may predispose patients to delivering gentle electric currents across the skin surface.
varying degrees of anxiety and depression, ultimately affecting Furthermore, the use of electrodes stimulates targeted acupoints
their quality of life. Contemporary research implicated neuralgia and exerts its therapeutic influence on the treated area, suggesting
as the primary cause of the severe pain caused by herpes zoster, its prospective application for specific medical conditions [21].
primarily associated with central nerve abnormality and peripheral The pulse microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator
neuropathy induced by viral neuropathic invasion. Therefore, the utilized in this study had adjustable intensity settings for both mid-
treatment of herpes zoster focuses on antiviral therapy, neurotrophic frequency (1 – 30 kHz) and low-frequency (1 – 120 Hz) ranges.
support, anti-infective measures, and pain management [3]. As frequency and intensity correspond to each other, adjusting the
In this study, the control group received conventional drugs intensity settings could align the frequency for specific therapeutic
recommended by the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment requirements, producing the combined effects of mid-frequency
of herpes zoster, while the experimental group received treatment and low-frequency pulsation therapy. Our findings demonstrated
with a pulse microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator in that, following a 14-day treatment period, the experimental group
conjunction with conventional drugs. Pulse therapy is a physical exhibited a shorter infection duration than the control group. In
addition, the experimental group displayed significantly greater
Table 2. Comparison of the efficacy of pain management between the improvements in pain, depression, and anxiety levels than the
control and experimental groups control group. Previous studies predominantly focused on the
Group Criteria for the efficacy of pain Efficacy application of pulse radiofrequency in the physiotherapy of
management (n) (%) herpes zoster-associated pain [8,22,23] and subsequently reported
Cured Significant Effective Invalid remarkable efficacy. However, no reports on the utilization of
effect pulsed microcurrent electrical therapy have been identified.
Control (n=29) 12 8 5 4 86.21 Both pulse radiofrequency and pulsed microcurrent electrical
Experimental (n=29) 15 10 3 1 96.55 # therapy share similar mechanisms of action as pulse therapies.
Note: Chi-square statistic (χ )=7.779, P=0.005; P<0.05 relative to the control group. Nevertheless, pulse radiofrequency employs higher frequencies
2
#
Abbreviation: n: Number of patients. (≥300 kHz) and voltages (≥45 V), whereas the pulse microcurrent
Table 3. Comparison of psychological status scores of both groups before and after treatment
Assessment Condition Scores t P 95% CI
PHQ-9 Before treatment (n=29) 0.0335±0.1637 0.2965 0.7680 (0.0065, 0.0663)
After treatment (n=29) 2.6333±0.0890* # 9.8278 <0.001 (2.4551, 2.8116)
GAD-7 Before treatment (n=29) −0.3386±0.1750 0.8655 0.3904 (−0.6893, 0.0121)
After treatment (n=29) 3.6083±0.0802* # 7.8190 <0.001 (3.4477, 3.7689)
Note: *P<0.05 relative to before treatment; P<0.05 relative to the control group.
#
Abbreviation: CI: Confidence interval; GAD-7: Seven-item generalized anxiety disorder assessment; n: Number of patients; P: P value; PHQ-9: Nine-item patient health questionnaire; t: t-value;
VAS: Visual analog scale.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36922/jctr.23.00121