Clinical efficacy of soothing liver and subduing yang auricular scraping therapy in essential hypertension with liver-yang hyperactivity pattern

He Qiaoping; Lin Yueping; Xu Zhimao; Cui Yanmei; Deng Yuting; Zeng Yunyan; Wei Shuhang; Zhang Kehui; Deng Dexian; Wu Zhixin

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2025.12.10

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of soothing liver and subduing yang auricular scraping therapy on blood pres-sure control,sleep quality,and quality of life in patients with essential hypertension(EH)of liver-yang hyperactivity pat-tern.Methods A total of 100 EH patients with liver-yang hyperactivity pattern admitted to Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected and randomly allocated to observation and control groups(n=50 each).The control group received conventional antihypertensive treatment,while the observation group received ad-ditional soothing liver and subduing yang auricular scraping therapy.Both groups were treated for 8 weeks.Changes in blood pressure,Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptoms,sleep quality,and quality of life at pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared.Results The overall response rate was 92.00%(46/50)in the observation group,significantly higher than 76.00%(38/50)in the control group(χ2=4.762,P=0.029).At pre-treatment,no significant differences were noted in systolic blood pressure(SBP)or diastolic blood pressure(DBP)levels between groups(P>0.05).At post-treatment,SBP and DBP levels decreased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels,with lower levels in the observation group than in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Pre-treatment scores for the three main TCM symptoms—headache,dizziness,and irritability—showed no intergroup differences(P>0.05).At post-treatment,scores for all three symptoms decreased in both groups versus pre-treatment,with lower scores in the observation group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Pre-treatment Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores showed no inter-group difference(P>0.05);post-treatment PSQI scores decreased in both groups versus pre-treatment,with a lower score in the observation group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Pre-treatment scores for the eight subscales of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36)—physical functioning,role-physical,bodily pain,general health,vitality,social func-tioning,role-emotional,and mental health—showed no intergroup differences(P>0.05).At post-treatment,scores for all SF-36 subscales increased in both groups versus at pre-treatment,with higher scores in the observation group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<05).Conclusion Soothing liver and subduing yang auricular scraping therapy demonstrates favorable efficacy in treating EH patients with liver-yang hyperactivity pattern.It aids in blood pressure control and improves sleep quality and quality of life,showing good clinical application value.