Statistical analysis data on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is the largest of the cranial nerves and plays a key role in sensing stimuli from the face and head. It has three main branches: the ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) divisions. The cell bodies of these sensory fibers are located in the trigeminal ganglion, and they relay information to second-order neurons within the sensory nuclei of the trigeminal complex in the brainstem. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder causing sudden, severe, electric shock-like facial pain due to irritation or damage to the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face. The second branch (V2, maxillary nerve) is most commonly affected (35%), followed by the third branch (V3, mandibular nerve; 30%), with the right side being somewhat more frequently affected (about 60%, the reason for this laterality remains unknown). Acupuncture shows promise for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) by reducing pain intensity and frequency, improving quality of life, and potentially offering a safer alternative to medications, working through endorphin release and improved circulation, though more high-quality. This research paper concerns 40 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, of whom 14 were men and 26 were women. The most prevalent age group was between 50-70 years old. Statistical data from this clinical paper show that acupuncture treatment has excellent results for treating trigeminal neuralgia.

Keywords: Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, trigeminal neuralgia, statistic analyses