Effect size.

Objective
Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet(CHHF) is a common condition that reduces the quality of life and causes daily discomfort. The current treatments are primarily pharmacological. This study aimed to expand treatment options by comparing the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and acupuncture (AC) with that of no treatment (control).
Methods
A three-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 72 women diagnosed with cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet, as confirmed by subjective symptoms and objective temperature differences. Participants were randomly assigned to the EA, AC, or control groups. Outcome measures included hand and feet visual analog scale (VAS) scores, temperature changes measured using a non-contact thermometer, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scores assessed at pretreatment (T0), posttreatment (T1), and follow-up (T2). Repeated measures ANOVA and 2-way mixed-model ANOVA were used to evaluate group, time, and interaction effects.
Results
Both the EA and AC groups showed significant improvements in hand and feet VAS and WHOQOL-BREF scores compared with those of the control group posttreatment (T1). Notably, the EA group demonstrated sustained benefits at follow-up (T2), with significant reductions in feet VAS scores and positive changes in several WHOQOL-BREF domains. Interaction effects between group and time were observed, indicating that the changes in the EA and AC groups were meaningfully different form those in the control group. The control group also exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the VAS scores at follow-up (T2), likely due to the natural variability of cold extremity symptoms and psychological factors.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that EA and AC are effective in alleviating the symptoms of CHHF and enhancing the quality of life compared to no treatment. EA showed long-lasting effects than those of AC, suggesting its potential to regulate the autonomic nervous system. These findings provide a foundation for expanding non-pharmacological treatment options for CHHF and offer clinical guidance on the use of EA and AC.

研究目的
手脚冷觉超敏（cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet, CHHF）是一种常见病症，会降低生活质量并引发日常不适。当前治疗手段以药物疗法为主。本研究旨在拓展治疗选择，对比电针（electroacupuncture, EA）、针刺（acupuncture, AC）与空白对照（无治疗）的疗效。
研究方法
本研究采用三组随机对照试验设计，纳入72名经主观症状与客观体温差确认诊断的手脚冷觉超敏女性受试者，按随机原则分配至电针组、针刺组或对照组。结局指标包括治疗前（T0）、治疗后（T1）及随访期（T2）评估的手脚视觉模拟量表（visual analog scale, VAS）评分、非接触式体温计（non-contact thermometer）测得的体温变化，以及世界卫生组织生活质量简表（World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, WHOQOL-BREF）评分。采用重复测量方差分析（repeated measures ANOVA）与两因素混合模型方差分析（2-way mixed-model ANOVA）评估组别、时间及其交互作用的效应。
研究结果
与对照组相比，电针组与针刺组在治疗后（T1）的手脚VAS评分及WHOQOL-BREF评分均有显著改善。尤为值得关注的是，电针组在随访期（T2）仍维持显著疗效：其足部VAS评分显著降低，且WHOQOL-BREF多个维度均呈现积极变化。研究观察到组别与时间的交互效应，表明电针组与针刺组的症状变化与对照组存在实质性差异。对照组在随访期（T2）的VAS评分也出现具有统计学意义的降低，这可能与肢体寒冷症状的自然波动及心理因素相关。
研究结论
本研究表明，相较于空白对照，电针与针刺均可有效缓解手脚冷觉超敏症状并提升生活质量。电针的疗效持续时间长于针刺，提示其具备调节自主神经系统的潜在作用。本研究结果为手脚冷觉超敏的非药物治疗方案拓展提供了科学依据，同时为电针与针刺的临床应用提供了指导方向。