腰椎间盘突出症（LDH）的发病率逐年上升，且有年轻化趋势。本研究旨在探讨二仙汤联合耳穴贴压疗法治疗LDH的临床疗效。我们的目标是提供支持将中医康复技术纳入临床的证据。这项随机对照试验招募了 102 名诊断为 LDH 的患者，并将他们分为对照组和干预组。对照组接受为期2周的康复治疗，干预组在对照组基础上加用二仙汤联合耳穴贴压治疗。主要结果指标包括 3 个量表 - 视觉模拟量表 (VAS)、日本骨科协会 (JOA) 和 Oswestry 残疾指数 - 以及 3 个炎症标记物：C 反应蛋白 (CRP)、白细胞介素 - 6 (IL-6)、和肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)。此外，还评估了压痛阈值和疼痛耐受阈值。对参与者在基线、治疗后 14 天和 28 天进行评估。治疗 2 周后，对照组和干预组在 VAS、JOA、ODI、CRP、IL-6、TNF-α 方面均表现出显着改善、压痛阈值和疼痛耐受阈值（P < .05）。 VAS、JOA 和 ODI 评分的这些改善在第 28 天持续存在（P < .05）。第14天时，干预组在VAS、JOA、ODI、CRP、TNF-α和压痛阈值方面均明显优于对照组（P < .05）。与传统康复治疗相比，二仙汤联合耳穴压力疗法对缓解 LDH 患者的症状有明显的效果。这种方法为管理 LDH 的未来治疗策略提供了新的视角并证实了证据。版权所有 © 2024 作者。由 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. 出版

The incidence of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is on the rise annually, with an emerging trend of affecting younger age groups. This study aims to investigate the clinical effectiveness of combining Erxian decoction with auricular acupoint pressure therapy in treating LDH. Our objective is to furnish evidence supporting the incorporation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rehabilitation techniques in clinical settings.This randomized controlled trial enrolled 102 patients diagnosed with LDH and allocated them into Control and Intervention groups. The Control group underwent a 2-week rehabilitation regimen, whereas the Intervention group received an augmented treatment comprising Erxian decoction along with auricular acupoint pressure therapy based on the Control group. Main outcome measures included 3 scales - visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Oswestry Disability Index - as well as 3 inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Additionally, pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold values were evaluated. Participants were assessed at baseline, on 14-day, and on 28-day posttreatment.After 2 weeks of treatment, both the Control and Intervention groups exhibited significant improvements in the VAS, JOA, ODI, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, pressure pain threshold, and pain tolerance threshold (P < .05). These improvements persisted at the 28-day in the VAS, JOA, and ODI scores (P < .05). On 14-day, the Intervention group showed significantly better outcomes compared to the Control group in terms of the VAS, JOA, ODI, CRP, TNF-α, and pressure pain threshold (P < .05).Compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy, the combination of Erxian decoction and auricular acupoint pressure therapy demonstrates clear benefits in alleviating symptoms in patients with LDH. This approach offers fresh perspectives and substantiates evidence for future treatment strategies in managing LDH.Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.