Effects Of Acupoints Research Articles

Mechanisms of electroacupuncture relieves uterine smooth muscle spasm in dysmenorrhea rats based on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming kinases (ROCK) signaling pathway of uterus tissue in rats with dysmenorrhea, so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and uterine smooth muscle spasm, and to observe whether there is a difference in the effect of meridian acupoints in Conception Vessel (CV) and Governer Vessel (GV). Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into saline, model, CV, GV, and non-acupoint groups, with 12 rats in each group. The dysmenorrhea model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol diphenhydrate combined with intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (OT). EA (2 Hz) was applied to "Qihai" (CV6) and "Zhongji" (CV3) for CV group, "Mingmen" (GV4) and "Yaoshu" (GV2) for GV group, "non-acupoint 1" and "non-acupoint 3" on the left side for non-acupoint group, and manual acupuncture was applied to "Guanyuan" (CV4) for CV group, "Yaoyangguan" (GV3) for GV group, "non-acupoint 2" on the left side for non-acupoint group. The treatment was conducted for 20 min each time, once daily for 10 days. The writhing score was evaluated. The smooth myoelectric signals of rats' uterus in vivo were recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder. The uterine histopathological changes were observed by HE staining. The contents of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), OT and calcium ion (Ca2+) in uterine tissue of rats were detected by ELISA. The protein and mRNA expression levels of smooth muscle 22-α (SM22-α), RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were detected by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. Compared with the saline group, the writhing score of rats in the model group was increased (P<0.01), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle in vivo was elevated (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+, the protein and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCK Ⅱ in uterine tissue were all increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model and the non-acupoint groups, the writhing scores of the CV and the GV groups were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the amplitude voltage of uterine smooth muscle was decreased (P<0.01), the contents of PGF2α, OT and Ca2+ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein expression and mRNA expression of SM22-α, RhoA and ROCKⅡ in uterine tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). HE staining showed extensive exfoliation of uterine intima with severe edema and increased glandular secretion in the model group, which was alleviated in the CV and GV groups. EA at acupoints of CV and GV can significantly reduce the writhing score, uterine smooth muscle amplitude voltage, pathological injury degree of uterus, and relieve spasm of uterine smooth muscle in dysmenorrhea rats, which may be related to its effect in regulating PGF2α and OT contents, inhibiting the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway, and reducing the SM22-α, RhoA, ROCKⅡ protein and mRNA expression, and Ca2+ content in uterine tissue.

Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Transcutaneous Neuromodulation on Functional Dyspepsia.

Prokinetics and proton pump inhibitors are first-line drugs for functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. However, no available treatment is effective for most FD patients, and the pathogenesis is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) on FD and its potential mechanisms. Fifty-seven FD patients were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into 3 groups (TN Neiguan (PC6) group, TN Zusanli (ST36) group, and sham TN group) that received corresponding treatment respectively for 4 weeks. Then, all the patients enrolled received TN PC6 combined with ST36 treatment for another 4 weeks. Dyspepsia symptom questionnaire, Medical outcomes study item short form health survey (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess the severity of symptoms. Gastric accommodation, gastric emptying rate, and related parameters of electrogastrogram were used to assess the pathophysiological mechanism of FD. The possible gastrointestinal hormonal mechanism involved was assessed by detecting serum ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and vasoactive intestinal peptide. The possible duodenal inflammation mechanism involved was assessed by detecting duodenal mucosa. TN treatment reduced the dyspepsia symptom score ( P <0.05) and improved the quality of life. After TN treatment, the gastric accommodation ( P <0.01), the gastric emptying rate ( P <0.01), and the percentages of preprandial ( P <0.05) and postprandial ( P <0.05) gastric slow waves (GSW) were increased. The proportions of preprandial ( P <0.05) and postprandial ( P <0.05) gastric electrical rhythm disorder were reduced. The double acupoint combination therapy further enhanced the therapeutic effect of single acupoint. In addition, the levels of ghrelin ( P <0.001) and neuropeptide Y ( P <0.001) were significantly increased, the level of vasoactive intestinal peptide ( P <0.001) was significantly decreased, and the total number of mast cells ( P <0.001) in the duodenal bulb was significantly decreased after double acupoints combination therapy. TN treatment significantly improves the dyspepsia symptoms of FD patients and their quality of life. TN treatment increases the percentage of normal GSW, reduces the proportion of gastric electrical rhythm disorder, and improves the gastric accommodation and gastric emptying rate. The therapeutic effect of TN may be caused by regulating gastrointestinal hormone secretion and alleviating local inflammatory responses in duodenum. In addition, the improvement of TN on GSW was closely related to the decrease of bradygastria.

Effect of auricular acupoint buried beans combined with Nazi method of midnight-noon ebb-flow on relieving sleep disorders of nightshift nurses

Effect of auricular acupoint buried beans combined with Nazi method of midnight-noon ebb-flow on relieving sleep disorders of nightshift nurses

Re-thinking the acupoint-visceral correlation: evidence from clinical literature and its biological mechanism

The regularity of acupoint-viscera correlation is a basic problem in the study of acupuncture and moxibustion. At present, there are two main theories of the regularities: (1) the law of acupoint effect determined by meridian circulation; (2) segmental dominance of acupoint effect. These two regularities belong to different paradigm systems, they are not complementary relations within the same conceptual system. Based on the evidence of clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, combined with the research on biological mechanisms, this paper analyzed the objectivity and universality of the regularities of acupoint-visceral correlation. The law determined by meridian of acupoint effect does not manifests the universality guiding role in the clinical practice of modern acupuncture and moxibustion, which is obviously divorced from the needs of modern clinical practice. The segmental dominance of acupoint effect has been strongly supported by the clinical practice of modern acupuncture and moxibustion, which is highly consistent with the clinical practice. The regularity of acupoint effect needs to be tested and re-identified in practice.

Acupuncture and Acupoints for Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Acupuncture has been used as a therapeutic intervention for the treatment of numerous diseases and symptoms for thousands of years, and low back pain has been studied and treated the most in acupuncture clinics. Traditional theory strongly suggests that the selection of acupoints will influence their clinical effects and combinations (e.g., the clinical effects of a particular acupoint or combination on reducing pain), but this idea was not considered in earlier systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We performed a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network analysis to evaluate the magnitude of the effects of acupoints used to treat low back pain in randomized controlled clinical trials. We found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain in patients with low back pain compared with the control group. The most frequently prescribed acupoints were BL23, GV3, BL20, BL40, and BL25, whereas the acupoints with the highest average effect size scores were BL20, GV3, GB30, GB34, and BL25. Further, the combinations of BL23-BL40, BL23-B25, and BL23-BL60 were the most frequently prescribed, while BL23-GV3, BL40-GV4, and BL23-BL25 showed the largest average effect size. By calculating clinical outcomes based on average effect sizes, we found that the most popular acupoints might not always be associated with the best results. Although a more thorough investigation is necessary to determine the clinical effects of each acupoint and combination on patients, we suggest that our approach may offer a fresh perspective that will be useful for future research.

Comparison of Tongue Acupuncture and Traditional Acupuncture in the Treatment of Poststroke Dysarthria: A Meta-Analysis and Tongue Acupuncture System Classification Evaluation.

To discuss whether tongue acupuncture is more effective than traditional acupuncture in the treatment of poststroke dysarthria and explore the advantage of tongue acupuncture treatment parameters. We evaluated the efficacy of tongue acupuncture compared with traditional acupuncture through a rigorous meta-analysis process. The included studies were from eight databases in English and Chinese. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Stata15.1 software was used for meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis. Tongue acupuncture therapeutic parameters were classified and counted based on tongue acupoint location, acupuncture manipulation, and the number of manipulations. Subgroup analysis was used to compare the differences between various treatment parameters. Outcome The meta-analysis eventually included a total of 9 studies. Tongue acupuncture is superior to traditional acupuncture in clinical efficacy [OR = 3.62, 95%Cl (2.24, 5.85), P < 0.0001], FDA score [SMD = -1.99, 95%Cl (-3.77, -0.21), P=0.028], and NIHSS score [WMD = 0.86, 95%Cl (0.15, 1.57), P=0.017, I2 = 31.7%] in the treatment of poststroke dysarthria. According to the classified statistics of tongue acupuncture treatment parameters, there are three kinds of tongue acupuncture points in 9 studies: lingual surface, sublingual, and both lingual surface and sublingual acupoints. The operation methods include the oblique stabbing of the root of the tongue, twisting after stabbing, and acupoint pricking. The number of operation methods varies from 1 to 3. Tongue acupuncture outperforms traditional acupuncture in terms of clinical efficacy, FDA score, and NIHSS score in the treatment of poststroke dysarthria. The curative effect of sublingual acupoints is better than that of lingual surface acupoints, the combined use of multiple manipulations is better than that of a single manipulation, and acupuncture manipulation has a cumulative effect. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021285722.

Observation on the Curative Effect of Auricular Acupoint Sticking Combined with Acupoint Sticking in the Treatment of Diabetic Constipation

The study was conducted to observe the clinical effect of acupoint and auricular point application on diabetes patients with constipation. Around 104 patients with diabetes and constipation were selected from the Hospital Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from February 2021 to February 2022 as the study subjects. They were divided into groups by drawing lots. The experimental group carried out the combined analysis of acupoint and auricular point application based on the treatment methods of the control group. Meanwhile, the control group carried out the traditional treatment, and the evaluation index, including the improvement of constipation and the clinical effective rate data were included in the analysis. This study showed that, the total effective number of patients, times of defecation per week, time of defecation, and interval of defecation in the experimental group were greater, compared to control group (p &lt; 0.05). In summary, diabetes patients with constipation, the auricular plaster and acupoint application can effectively improve the constipation symptoms, shorten the defecation time, improve the cure rate of the disease, and ensure the normal defecation cycle in the patients.

Neuroprotective Effect of Electroacupuncture Against Acute Ischemic Stroke via PI3K-Akt-mTOR Pathway-Mediated Autophagy

Acupuncture has been used to treat ischemic stroke, and mounting evidence demonstrates the neuroprotective and autophagy-mediated actions of electroacupuncture (EA). This review summarizes the evidence that EA affects different stages of autophagy, its neuroprotective action, and effects of different acupoints in treating ischemic stroke. Systematic searches were conducted on English and Chinese databases (MEDLINE, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Studies published up until February 2021 were considered for inclusion, and a final of fifty articles were included in this review. There is evidence that acupuncture promotes neuroprotection by modulating autophagy, and the treatment effectiveness is related to the acupoint selection and timing of treatment administration.

Effect of electroacupuncture on gut microbiota and serum IL-1β and IL-18 in rats with vascular dementia based on principle of "curing brain disorders by treating intestines"

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui"(GV20), "Dazhui"(GV14), "Shenshu" (BL23)and "Zusanli"(ST36) on the intestinal flora and serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 contents in vascular dementia (VD) rats. SD rats were randomized into sham operation, VD model, GV20+GV14+BL23 (EA-basic acupoints), and EA-basic acupoints+ST36 and EA-basic acupoints+probiotics groups (n=10 in each group). EA (10 Hz/50 Hz) was conducted for 30 min, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Rats of the EA-basic acupoints+probiotics received gavage of probiotics (2 mL/d containing 2.0×109 CFU of live bifidobacterium), once a day for 4 weeks, and those of the EA-basic acupoints and EA-basic acupoints+ST36 groups received gavage of the same dose of normal saline. The Morris water maze test was used to evalua-te the rats' lear-ning and memory ability before and after the treatment. The serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA, and the histopathological changes of the intestinal mucosa were observed by H.E. staining. The ultrastructural changes of hippocampal neurons were observed by using transmission electron microscopy and 16S rDNA sequencing technique was used to analyze the composition of intestinal microbiome. Compared with the sham operation group, the escape latency, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18, as well as the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (including Catabacter, obinsoniella and Desulfovibrio) in the intestine were significantly increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the escape latency, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the three treatment groups, and the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (such as the Catabacter, Robinsoniella and Desulfovibrio) in the EA-basic acupoints+ST36 group were down-regulated obviously(P<0.05,P<0.01), and the relative abundance of Clostridiales-unclassified in both EA-basic acupoints+probiotics and EA-basic acupoints+ST36 groups was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). The effects of EA-basic acupoints+ST36 and EA-ba-sic acupoints+probiotics were significantly superior to that of EA-basic acupoints in down-regulating IL-18 content (P<0.05). H.E. staining showed atrophy of the whole mucosal layer, loss of goblet cells, destruction of glands, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, and transmission microscope displayed fuzziness of the nucleus membrane boundary, cystic dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum with unclear structure swelling of the mitochondria, and disordered arrangement or dissolution of the inner cristae in the model group, which was relatively milder in the EA-basic acupoints+ST36 and EA-basic acupoints+probiotics groups. EA of GV20+GV14+BL23+ ST36 can improve the cognitive dysfunction of VD model rats, which may be related to its function in regulating the imbalance of intestinal microbiota, thereby inhibiting the peripheral inflammatory factor.

PENGARUH LASER ACUPOINT TERHADAP ANSIETAS PADA LANSIA

Background: Anxiety is a psychological problem that often occurs in the elderly. Anxiety is a feeling of worry whose object is biased or unclear towards something that is not certain. This is often related to the various physical, social, and economic changes that occur in the elderly due to the aging process. Laser acupoint is an alternative intervention developed from acupuncture and acupressure using low-energy laser light which aims to balance body energy and homeostasis. Purpose: The aims of this study was to analyze the effect of laser acupoint on anxiety in the elderly. Methods: This type of research is pre-experimental, one group pre-post test design with a total sample of 26 respondents. Data were collected using the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). The points used on the Laser Acupoint are He Ku (Li. 4), Sen Men (HT.7), Tai Chong (LR.3) and Sing Cien (LR. 2). The intervention was carried out for 20 minutes, with a frequency of 2 times a week, and carried out for 6 times of therapy. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon sign rank test. Result: the result of p = 0.00 with a confidence level of 95%. This shows the effect of laser acupoint on anxiety in the elderly. Conclusion: Acupoint laser can be used as an alternative intervention in overcoming anxiety in the elderly. Keywords: Laser acupoint; Anxiety; Elderly

Correspondence between meridian circuit and somato-segment arrangement

The "meridian theory" is the summary and sublimation of long-term medical practice of the Chinese ancient sages. Via reduction and reconstruction about the theoretical system, it has been put forward a doctrine of "binary structure" about the meridian and acupoints which, at the limbs, present a longitudinal arrangement, and those at the head-face and trunk present a horizontal distribution, being closely related to the "dematome" of the body. Centered on the ontogenesis of the embryonic "somite", a closely connected "structure-function unit" complex is formed with the development of the dermis-muscle-ogran-nerve within the homo-segment. This form constitutes the basic characteristics of pathological reaction rules and therapeutic effects of meridian acupoints.

Analysis on specific effect of acupoints at the upper arms in treatment of scrofula and goiter

Through analyzing the indication distribution of the different acupoints located at the upper limbs recorded in Science of Acupoints and Science of Meridians and Acupoints, the industry planning teaching materials of traditional Chinese medicine, it is discovered that the acupoints located at the upper arms are commonly selected for the treatment of scrofula and goiter, while the acupoints below the elbow at the hand meridians and those at the lower limbs of the foot meridians which running through the neck, do not have the similar indications. Based on a further analysis on the literature at ancient and modern times, it is believed that the acupoints located on the lateral side of the upper arms, especially those at the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming perhaps have the specific effect in treatment of scrofula and goiter.

Experimental observation of effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature

Experimental observation of effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature

Observation on Clinical Nursing Effect of Auricular Acupoint Pressing in Post-stroke Depression

Observation on Clinical Nursing Effect of Auricular Acupoint Pressing in Post-stroke Depression

Clinical Effect of Electroacupuncture Baihui and Neiguan Acupoint on Cognitive Function Recovery in Elderly Patients after General Anesthesia

Objective: To study and analyze the clinical effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui and Neiguan Points on cognitive function recovery of elderly patients after general anesthesia. Methods: The subjects were 80 elderly patients who received general anesthesia from January 2019 to February 2021. According to different anesthesia methods, they were divided into research group (electroacupuncture at Baihui and Neiguan combined with conventional drug anesthesia) and control group (simple drug anesthesia). The postoperative cognitive function recovery of the two groups was observed and compared. Results: Compared with the control group, the MMSE score and POCD incidence of research group were significantly better. There was significant difference between the two groups (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Conclusion electroacupuncture at Baihui and Neiguan combined with conventional drug anesthesia can promote the recovery of cognitive function and prevent cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients under general anesthesia.

Research on community promotion and application of single acupoint electroacupuncture therapy for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation

To observe the clinical effect of single acupoint [Yaotu (extra)] electroacupuncture (EA) therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) and its promotion and application in community medical institutions. This research adopted a three-level promotion model, and used multi-center collaboration topics as a platform. A total of 240 patients with LIDH were divided into a group A (top three hospital, 80 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group B (secondary hospital, 80 cases, 8 cases dropped off), and a group C (community health center, 80 cases, 7 cases dropped off). All groups were treated with EA at a single acupoint [Yaotu (extra)] under the guidance of a unified experimental protocol. The EA was given 60 min each time and performed 3 times a week for a total of 2 weeks. The changes of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of three groups before and after each treatment were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Compared with before each treatment, the VAS scores of three groups after each treatment decreased (P<0.05). Except for the second and fifth treatments, the immediate effect in the group A was higher than that in the group B and C (P<0.05). The total effective rate of group A, group B, and group C respectively was 90.9% (70/77), 93.1% (67/72), 86.3% (63/73), and there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). The single acupoint EA therapy has a significant effect in the treatment of LIDH, can quickly relieve the pain symptoms, and has the characteristics of simple operation and easy control, suitable for promotion and application in primary hospitals.

Professor SHI Yin's experience in treatment of obese polycystic ovary syndrome based on spleen and kidney functions

Professor SHI Yin's clinical experience in treatment of obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) accompained with infertility with acupuncture and moxibustion in view of spleen and kidney functions is summarized. Professor SHI believes PCOS is commonly seen in obese women of childbearing age, accompained with infertility, with kidney and spleen involved in terms of the disorder location. In pathogenesis, spleen and kidney deficiency is the primary and obstruction of phlegm (damp) in collateral is the secondary. According to clinical differentiation, the main acupoints are selected from the thoroughfare and conception vessels, the kidney meridian and the spleen/stomach meridian and the corresponding acupoint prescriptions and techniques are used individually, aiming at tonifying kidney, strengthening spleen, benefiting qi, resolving phlegm, eliminating damp, resolving stasis, activating blood circulating and regulating menstruation for successful pregnancy. Professor SHI proposes the theory as "taking syndrome/pattern differentiation as the root, equal consideration of the property of acupoints and that of herbal medicine, similarity of acupoint selection with herbal prescription, as well as determination of reinforcing and reducing techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion". It fully embodies the idea of TCM as "syndrome/pattern differentiation and treatment determination" and displays the curative effect of acupoints and the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, being worthy of clinical reference.

Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy as promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

To investigate the effect of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Twenty-three participants were subjected to acupoint catgut-embedding therapy for 3 sessions. The second session was performed one month after the first session and the third session two months after the second session. Three months after the third session of catgut-embedding therapy, the patients were subjected to fibroscan analysis. A total of 20 acupoints were selected in three sessions. Same acupoints were selected for all the patients at the same session but different points were selected at different sessions. Of the 23 participants, 5 cases showed significant improvement and 8 cases showed moderate improvement as the steatosis stage was reduced by 1 or 2 degrees. The whole group showed significant improvements in terms of patient score, fat percentage, NAFLD steatosis stage, weight loss and abdominal circumference reduction after acupoint catgut-embedding therapy (all P<0.05). The acupoint catgut-embedding therapy can significantly improve the important factors in patients with NAFLD.

The Instant and Sustained Effect of Electroacupuncture in Postgraduate Students with Depression: An fMRI Study.

ObjectionThis study was a primary study to evaluate the instant and sustained effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at GV20 (Baihui) in postgraduate students with mild depression by using a special flexible head coil.MethodsA total of 20 postgraduate students with mild depression underwent EA stimulation at GV20 and 3 phases of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning. Phase I: Preparation (before needle insertion); Phase II: during EA; Phase III: 15 minutes after needle removal. The Rs-fMRI data were processed using DPABI and SPSS 25.Results1) ReHo values showed significantly differences in the right posterior cingulate cortex, right calcarine gyrus, right angular gyrus, right precuneus, right cuneus, and bilateral postcentral gyri among Phase I, Phase II and Phase III; 2) Relative to the Phase I, increased brain activity in the Phase II was observed in the bilateral postcentral gyri, right calcarine gyrus, right cuneus. Compared with the Phase II, decreased brain activity in the Phase III was observed in the right precuneus, right posterior cingulate cortex, right angular gyrus. Relative to the Phase I, Significantly increased brain activity in the Phase III was observed in the right calcarine gyrus, right cuneus, and bilateral postcentral gyri. While decreased ReHo values were found in the right posterior cingulate cortex, right angular gyrus, right precuneus; and 3) Correlation analysis showed that the ReHo values of multiple brain regions in Phase I and Phase III were significantly correlated with the VAS and HRSD-17 scores.ConclusionThis study focuses on the instant and sustained effect in postgraduate students with depression. Our study showed that instant effect produced by EA stimulation at GV20 firstly induced changes in somatosensory and visual area, and then, sustained effect (Phase III) have a higher intensity and more extensive than instant effects. Meanwhile, we provide a visualization way to study the instant effects of head acupoints by using a flexible head coil.

Meta Analysis of the effect of acupoint sticking application for rheumatoid arthritis

Meta Analysis of the effect of acupoint sticking application for rheumatoid arthritis