Objective To compare differences in therapeutic effects between acupuncture accelerating qi-flow along meridians （AQF） and conventional acupuncture （CA） in treating periarthritis of shoulder to find better acupuncture methods. Methods Sixty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups： group AQF, and group CA with 32 cases in each group. Jiānyú （肩髃 LI 15）, Jiānliáo （肩髎 TE 14）, Jiānzhēn （肩贞 SI 9）, Bìnào （臂臑 LI 14）, Qūchí （曲池 LI 11） and Wàiguān （外关 TE 5） on the affected side were used in both groups, and the two acupuncture methods were respectively used in the two groups for consecutive 2 courses. Pain and moving functions of shoulder and ability in daily life （ADL） were used as indices for evaluating therapeutic effects. Results The total effective rate was 96.9% （31/32） and 81.3% （26/32） in group AQF and group CA, respectively, showing superiority of AQF to CA （P〈0.05）. Scores reflecting pain and moving functions of shoulder and ADL were all improved after treatment in both groups （all P〈0.05）, and the improvement in group AQF was more obvious than those in group CA （all P〈0.05）. Conclusion In treating periarthritis of shoulder, the acupuncture accelerating qi-flow along meridians was better than conventional acupuncture in alleviating pain of the shoulder, improving its moving function and elevating abilities in daily life.
