Observation of the Efficacy of Millimeter Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster

　　Millimeter wave therapy is a new technology that has been increasingly applied in various clinical disciplines in recent years. Our department has used the Hengbo brand millimeter wave therapeutic device, manufactured by Chengdu Hengbo Medical Device Co., Ltd., to treat 120 patients with herpes zoster. The results are reported as follows.

　　I. Clinical Data

　　All 120 patients with herpes zoster were outpatients and inpatients in our department, presenting with a rash accompanied by neuralgia. The rash was primarily located on the chest and abdomen, as well as the face and neck. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I comprised 68 cases—38 males and 30 females, aged 21–81 years, with a disease duration of (7.4 ± 2.7) days—and received millimeter wave therapy in addition to standard treatment. Group II consisted of 62 cases—26 males and 36 females, aged 18–80 years, with a disease duration of (8.1 ± 2.4) days—and received standard treatment alone. All patients in both groups began treatment within 4–7 days of symptom onset. Patients with systemic internal medicine infections or impaired immune function, pregnant women, and those with severe infections were excluded from the study.

　　II. Treatment Methods

　　1. Instrument: Millimeter wave therapy device, with a wavelength of 8 mm and a power density of 5–3 mW/cm². The radiation output irradiation cylinder is circular, with an area of 20 cm².

　　2. Methods: ① Directly apply the irradiation cylinder against the patient’s skin; if the rash is infected, position it slightly away from the lesion, but no farther than 1 cm, for 30 minutes once daily for 14 consecutive days. ② Use conventional treatment: administer acyclovir orally at 0.2 g five times daily, inject vitamin B1 and B12 intramuscularly once daily, and apply a 5% sulfur lotion topically, with a treatment course of 14 days.

　　3. Outcome Measures: The outcome measures include the resolution of vesicles and the time to pain relief. Before and after treatment, the patients’ rash conditions and subjective symptoms will be assessed and graded. Rash Condition: Grade I: Few rashes consisting of erythema, papules, and vesiculopapules, localized to a specific area; Grade II: Rashes distributed across 3–4 sites, characterized by erythema, vesicles, and hemorrhagic vesicles; Grade III: Extensive rash involving generalized vesicles, hemorrhagic vesicles, and vesiculopapules. Subjective Symptoms: Grade I: Mild pain that is tolerable and does not interfere with sleep; Grade II: More pronounced pain that is sometimes unbearable and affects daily life and sleep; Grade III: Persistent pain that is intolerable for the patient, making it nearly impossible to sleep or rest.

　　III. Results

　　There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, affected body sites, or pain severity after statistical analysis. Age also showed no significant difference between the two groups following statistical testing (t‑test). After treatment, the time to vesicle resolution was: Group I, 3–7 days; Group II, 6–12 days. A t‑test revealed t = 2.83, P < 0.05. The time to pain relief was: Group I, 5–24 days; Group II, 6–53 days. At 14 days post‑treatment, among those whose pain had completely resolved: 39 cases in Group I and 17 cases in Group II; among those still experiencing pain: 29 cases in Group I and 35 cases in Group II. Chi‑square testing yielded χ² = 7.20, P < 0.01. Adverse reactions: In Group I, 2 out of 68 patients experienced a burning and itchy sensation in the irradiated skin area.

　　IV. Summary

　　The efficacy of treating shingles with millimeter wave therapy combined with conventional treatment is significantly superior to that of conventional treatment alone. This approach can be widely promoted and applied in clinical practice.