Objective: To discuss the short-term and long-term efficacy of Shugan Tongqiao decoction as an adjuvant therapy in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) with Qi stagnation and blood stasis

and its effect on vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)

β-endorphin (β-EP)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Method: One hundred and twenty-three patients with PTN were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and observation group (63 cases) by random number table. Both groups got radio frequency thermo-coagulation. After the operation

patients in control group took Lutongning granule

6 g/time

2 times/day; and patients in observation group took Shugan Tongqiao decoction

1 dose/day. The courses of treatment were 12 weeks. And the follow-up visit lasts for 48 weeks. Before the operation and at the first

second

third

fifth and seventh days after the operation

scores of the visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded. And before and after treatment

scores of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS)

self-rating depression scale (SDS)

pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)

life satisfaction index B (LSI B) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome were scored. Levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)

β-endorphin (β-EP)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected. And relapses within 48 hours were recorded. Result: At the first

second

third

fifth and seventh days after the treatment

both groups' VAS scores decreased compared with before the treatment (P<0.01).At the 5th and 7th days

VAS scores in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01). The comprehensive clinical effect in observation group was superior to that in control group according to the Ridit analysis (P<0.05)

pain relief in observation group was superior to that in control group (P<0.05). After treatment

scores of SAS

SDS

PSQL and TCM syndrome were lower than those in control group

and score of LSI-B was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). Compared with healthy group

before the treatment

levels of VIP

IL-1β and TNF-α increased

and level of β-endorphin decreased (P<0.01). After the treatment

levels of VIP

IL-1β and TNF-α were lower than those in control group

and level of β-endorphin was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). And levels of VIP and IL-1β in observation group was higher than those in healthy group (P<0.01)

with no statistically significant difference in levels of TNF-α and β-EP between the two groups. And recurrence rate in observation group was 16.13%

which was lower than 31.67%in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Shugan Tongqiao decoction can relieve the patients' pain

ameliorate symptoms and negative emotion

improve the patients' quality of life and clnical efficacy

and reduce the recurrence rate after the radio frequency thermo-coagulation. Its effect may be correlated with reduction of inflammatory injury and regulation of levels of β-endorphin and VIP.