To investigate the clinical psychopsychological characteristics of patients with globus pharyngeus and the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)at Shaoshang acupoint.

A total of 60 patients from September 2017 to June 2019 in the Otolaryngology and Gastroenterology Department of the Nansha Hospital of Guangzhou First People′s Hospital, the Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University were selected. The random number table method was used to divide the patients into control group (n=30) and Shaoshang acupoint group (n=30). With the treatment for 4 weeks, Shaoshang acupoint group was asked to stimulate Shaoshang acupoint with the current of appropriate strength, twice a day, 30 min each time, while control group was asked to stimulate non-meridian body surface position of 1-2 cm off the Shaoshang acupoint. The scores of Glasgow Edinburgh throat scale(GETS), Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were evaluated before and after 4 weeks treatment.

Among the 60 patients with globus pharyngeus, 60.00% (36/60) were found to have sleep disorders, 65.00% (39/60) with anxiety, and 35.00% (21/60) with depression. After treatment, the scores of GETS, PSQI, HAMA and HAMD in the control group [(16.37±4.94), (12.37±7.51), (9.80±6.19), (10.67±7.63)] were compared with those before treatment [(20.50±5.26), (14.53±6.80), (12.63±6.53), (12.60±8.43)], the differences were statistically significant (t=3.98, 3.28, 4.59, 2.28, all P<0.05). The scores of GETS, PSQI, HAMA and HAMD 4 weeks after treatment of Shaoshang acupoint group [(12.43±3.79), (8.50±6.76), (9.07±6.52), (8.47±6.72)] were compared with those before treatment [(22.27±5.16), (13.43±7.30), (15.33±6.51), (13.97±4.99)], the differences were statistically significant (t=8.44, 6.93, 7.49, 5.77, all P<0.05). The decreased scores of GETS, PSQI, HAMA and HAMD in the Shaoshang acupoint group before and after treatment [(6.49±6.38), (3.44±3.85), (4.60±4.59), (3.47±5.22)] were greater than those in the control group [(2.93±4.04), (2.17±3.62), (2.83±3.38), (1.93±4.11)], and the differences were statistically significant (t=5.04, 2.80, 3.30, 2.94, all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the effective rates of treatment in Shaoshang acupoint group on GETS score [66.67%(20/30), 20.00%(6/30)], PSQI score [63.33%(19/30), 23.33%(7/30)], HAMA score [66.67%(20/30), 30.00%(9/30)], and HAMD score [60.00%(18/30), 26.67%(8/30)] were significantly higher than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (χ²=13.30, 9.77, 7.28, 6.79, all P<0.05).

Globus pharyngeus are often accompanied with sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. Shaoshang acupoint treated by TEAS can effectively improve the symptoms, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression of globus pharyngeus.