Effect of Acupuncture on the Serum and Local Microcirculatory Biochemical Parameters in Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain (PLP) often occurs in post-amputation patients. Acupuncture may have a positive effect in treating PLP. This study aimed to observe the changes in plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels before and after acupuncture in patients with PLP, and to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the peripheral circulation of residual limbs by measuring the skin blood flow (SBF) and oxygen saturation (SO₂). Six amputees participated in this study. After 28 days of treatment, the PGE2 was significantly lower compared with that at day 0. The NPY was lower compared with that at day 0. The SBF and SO₂ change percentage in the intervention and recovery stages of each acupuncture treatment were all significantly increased. Moreover, the visual analog scale scores of PLP showed that patients felt their PLP disappeared completely and were satisfied with the acupuncture treatment. This study suggests that acupuncture was effective in treating PLP, and PGE2 and NPY may be regulators of pain transmission in PLP.