Impact of Gold Needle Therapy on mGo-rLung (vertigo) symptoms: an observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Gold Needle Therapy is regarded as a gold standard treatment for mGo-rLung (vertigo) in Bhutanese Traditional Medicine. However, evidence supporting impact of Gold Needle Therapy in treating mGo-rLung remains limited. This study, therefore assessed the impacts of Golden Needle Therapy in alleviating symptoms of mGo-rLung in a routine traditional medicine practice setting in Bhutan.

Method: Data for this observational study was collected at National Traditional Medicine Hospital in Thimphu. A total of 193 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for mGo-rLung were selected. However, 11 participants dropped out, resulting in a final analysis of data from 182 participants. Outcomes were measured using Dizziness Severity Index (DSI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Result: Out of 182 participants, 104 reported severe dizziness in DSI on Day 0. On day 7, only three participants reported severe dizziness. Similarly, 50 and 30 participants reported moderate dizziness on Day 7 and Day 21, respectively. The loudness of tinnitus, assessed using the VAS, showed a reduction in mean score (±SD) from 5.08 (±1.23) on Day 0 to 3.52 (±1.61) on Day 7, further down to 3.20 (±1.80) on Day 21, with p <0.001. Initially, 54 participants reported "severe insomnia" on ISI, while no participant reported “severe insomnia” on Day 7 and  Day 21.

Conclusions: This study indicates that Gold Needle Therapy help reduce dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia among patients with mGo-rLung.