Acupoint Selection Research Articles

Mechanism of acupoint selection along meridians to improve adenosine receptor of myocardial ischemia based on acupoint specificity

To explore the action mechanism of acupoint selection along meridians to improve adenosine receptor in myocardial ischemia (MI) rats by comparing the effects of acupoint selection along meridians, acupoint selection at other meridians and non-acupoint on expression of adenosine receptor. A total of 120 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a sham operation group, a model group, an acupoint-selection-along-meridians (ASAM) group, an acupoint-selection-at-other-meridians (ASAOM) group and a non-acupoint group, 20 rats in each group. The model of MI was not made in the blank group; the left anterior descending coronary artery was not ligated after thoracotomy in the sham operation group; the model of MI was made but acupuncture was not given in the model group. After the model of MI was made, electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at "Neiguan" (PC 6) in the ASAM group, at "Hegu" (LI 4) in the ASAOM group, and at the area between the third and fourth metatarsal bone in the non-acupoint group. EA was given 20 min per treatment, once a day for 5 days. After treatment, the TTC staining was used to detect myocardial infarction, the Tunel method was used to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and the immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of adenosine receptors A1, A2a and A2b. Compared with the blank group and the sham operation group, the percentage of myocardial infarction and apoptotic rate of myocardial cells in the model group were increased significantly (P<0.01). After EA treatment, compared with the model group, the percentage of myocardial infarction and apoptotic rate of myocardial cells in the ASAM group were decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression levels of adenosine receptors A1, A2a and A2b were increased significantly (P<0.01). The percentage of myocardial infarction and apoptotic rate of myocardial cells in the ASAM group were significantly lower than those in the ASAOM group and the non-acupoint group (P<0.01), and the expression levels of adenosine receptors A1, A2a and A2b in the ASAM group were significantly higher than those in the ASAOM group and non-acupoint group (P<0.01). Compared with acupoint selection at other meridians or non-acupoints, acupoint selection along meridians can effectively regulate the expression of adenosine receptors A1, A2a and A2b, improve the condition of myocardial infarction, inhibit myocardial cell apoptosis, and consequently protect ischemic myocardium.

Status quo and thinking of acupoint optimization for preventive treatment of migraine

To summarize the status quo of acupoint optimization for prophylactic treatment of migraine from acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, acupoints selection based on modern medical theory, and the relative specificity of acupoints. It is found that at present, there are many gaps in the research of preventive treatment of migraine, while the initial optimization scheme of acupoints is formed, and there is controversy in the relative specificity of acupoints. It is believed that through the systematic analysis of the disease characteristics of acupuncture, manipulation, acupuncture tools and other factors that affect the selection of acupoints, the relative specificity of acupoints can be further clarified, and the advantages of acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern medical theory can be further optimized for the preventive treatment of migraine and improve the curative effect.

Discussion on opposing needling combined with dragon-tiger fighting needling for chronic pelvic inflammation

Opposing needling is an acupoint selection method of acupuncture recorded in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor 's Internal Classic). And the first record of dragon-tiger fighting needling is found in the Zhenjiu Daquan (Great Compendium on Acupuncture and Moxibustion), it is a compound reinforcing and reducing manipulation of tonification-purgation method. Both of them are widely used in the treatment of pain syndrome, which are mainly for nerve system and musculoskeletal diseases and seldom for gynecological diseases. By analyzing the pathogenic characteristics of chronic pelvic inflammation, the clinical application of opposing needling combined with dragon-tiger fighting needling for chronic pelvic inflammation is expounded based on the theory of treating different diseases with the same treatment in TCM.

Effect and Safety of CX-DZ-II Intelligent Electroacupuncture Therapeutic Instrument for Neck Pain Caused by Cervical Spondylos: Study Protocol for A Randomized Controlled Trial

Neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis (CS) is a chronic pain condition, with an increasingly high incidence in the general population. Electroacupuncture is a common analgesic modality that has been widely applied in neck pain treatment. However, current electroacupuncture instruments used in the clinic have low intelligence levels and obscure parameter standards. We here designed this study for assessing the effect and safety of a new, intelligent electroacupuncture instrument, the CX-DZ-II, in treating neck pain. The present study is a prospective, two-center, randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial for CX-DZ-II on treating neck pain caused by CS. Totally 160 eligible patients will be included in this trial and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group in a 1:1 ratio. A semi-standard acupoint selection strategy will be employed. In the experimental group, selected acupoints will be stimulated by CX-DZ-II. Electroacupuncture treatment will be accomplished by a pre-existing electroacupuncture instrument in the control group. The duration of treatment will be 2 weeks. The primary outcome is the change of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score after one course of treatment. The secondary outcomes include the VAS scores after each treatment, the responder rate, drug-usage rate of non-steroidal antipyretic analgesics, the rate of adverse events occurrence, and the performance of instrument. This study will evaluate the effect and safety of the CX-DZ-II intelligent electroacupuncture therapeutic instrument in comparison with a pre-existing non-intelligent instrument in the treatment of neck pain caused by CS. The results will hopefully demonstrate a more optimal electroacupuncture instrument for the treatment of neck pain. (Trial registration No. gov NCT03005301).

Literature analysis of tuina therapy for postpartum hypogalactia based on CNKI database

Objective To explore the characteristics and efficacy of manual treatment for postpartum hypogalactia. Methods To retrieve the CNKI from 2007 to 2017 on the massage and manual treatment for postpartum hypogalactia, and analyze its syndrome differentiation, acupoint selection, manipulation rules, treatment frequency, treatment courses and clinical efficacy. Results Among the 83 articles included, the massage therapy for postpartum hypogalactia were based on the diseases and syndromes, and the selection of acupoints was diverse and combined with local and distance such as Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Shaoze (SI 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Pishu (BL 20). The therapy were rich in techniques which often use acupoint stimulation and manipulation. Conclusions Tuina therapy for postpartum hypogalactia is widely used with safety and reliablility. But the operational procedures and efficacy standards need to be further standardized. Key words: Lactation disorders; Postpartum hypogalactia; Puerperal disorders (TCM); Tui Na therapy; Massage (TCM); Bibliometrics

Acupoint selection rules of hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture

To explore the clinical acupoint selection rules for hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture. By taking "hyperthyroidism" "acupuncture and moxibustion" as keywords，literature regarding acupuncture for hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos published was collected in the Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), VIP Database (VIP) and WANFANG database. The literature was organized, the database of acupuncture prescription was established and the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection were analyzed. A total of 46 papers were included, involving 89 acupoints, the frequency of acupoint application was 449 times. The most commonly used 6 acupoints for hyperthyroidism treated with acupuncture were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Shuitu (ST 10), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3). And the most meridians of acupoints were the stomach meridian and the pericardium meridian. The most commonly used 6 acupoints for hyperthyroidism related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture were Fengchi (GB 20), Shangtianzhu (Extra), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14). And the most meridian of acupoints was the gallbladder meridian. The most commonly used specific acupoints for hyperthyroidism treated with acupuncture were crossing points, yuan-source points and five-shu points. The most commonly used specific acupoints for hyperthyroidism related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture were crossing points, yuan-source points and five-shu points. Acupuncture masters in modern times have achieved significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of hyperthyroidism，which has showed the principles of searching for the primary cause of disease in treatment and giving consideration to both the root cause and symptoms. But there is a lack of simple and effective treatment methods that can be rapidly promoted in clinical practice.

Features of clinical application of eye acupuncture therapy revealed by data mining

To investigate the features, dominant indications and application regularities of eye acupuncture therapy in clinical practice. We first collected original articles, academic dissertations, conference articles, and case reports from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, and Chinese biomedical literature (CBM) from Jan. 1 of 1980 to Dec. 31 of 2017, and medical records from medical books of Zhonghua Yan Zhen (Chinese Eye Acupuncture Therapy), Yanzhen Shijian Lu (Records of Application of Eye Acupuncture Therapy), and Peng Jing-shan's Yanzhen Liaofa Yanjiu (Peng Jing-shan's Eye Acupuncture Therapy) by using keyword of "eye acupuncture". Then, we established an "Eye-acupuncture Database" after sorting, screening, typing-in, checking, and extraction of the collected data by SQL server 2005 and 2005 Analysis Services (SASS), followed by analysis of the dominant indications, needling methods, needle manipulations, principles for acupoint selection, and clinical effect. Among the 850 articles retrieved, 178 were eligible to be subjected to analysis, including 42 disorders/diseases in 7 categories. The eye acupuncture therapy has the highest application frequency for 19 types of disorders/diseases of the internal medicine, such as sequela of apoplexy, hiccup, insomnia, vertigo, hypertension, etc., followed by head and body pain (7 types: headache, lumbago, sciatica, shoulder pain, etc.), disorders of the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology (deafness, squinting eyes, dry eye syndrome, amblyopia, etc.), traumatic injury, gynecopathy, acute pain (biliary colic, renal colic). The effect rate was 95.87% for disorders of the gynecopathy, 95.54% for head and body pain, 94.53% for traumatic skin injury, 92.16% for emergency, 91.98% for disorders of the five sense organs, 91.43% for problems of the internal medicine, etc. Regarding the principle of acupoint selection, acupoints were chosen mainly according to the meridian running (146 articles), local region of the eye (14 articles) and diseased location (153 articles). A total of 157 articles have a marked description about the needling methods, including horizontal needling (81 articles), intra-orbital straight needling (22 articles), extra-orbital oblique needling (13 articles), etc. The duration of needle retaining was mostly from 15 to 30 minutes, and the handle-scraping was frequently adopted (34 articles), and the overall treatment frequency ranged from 11 to 20 times. In regard to the medical records, a total of 53 types of disorders were involved, including 37 types of the internal medicine such as stroke sequelae (34 articles), facial paralysis (11 articles), etc. The acupoints were selected according to the local region of eye (129 articles), the needle insertion involved horizontal needling (102 articles), and cured rate reported was higher than 90%. Eye acupuncture therapy is widely used for a variety of disorders and has a positive effect, particularly for stroke sequelae and various acute and chronic pain problems.

Current state of researches on mechanisms of acupuncture in improvement of hypoxia-ischemic diseases of the central nervous system

Acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of ischemic diseases of the central nervous system in different clinical stages and has achieved a good clinical effect. The current research showed that acupuncture can improve cerebral blood flow perfusion via increasing blood flow volume, blood flow velocity, the levels of vasomotor substances and reduction of blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation index. In recent years, many studies focused on the pathophysiological mechanism of acupuncture in improving cerebral ischemia via triggering the cholinergic vasodilatation, up-regulation of expression of vascular-related proteins and genes，attenuation of inflammatory reaction, etc. Currently, the methods for evaluating the effect of acupuncture are mostly noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy subjects. Future studies should include united selection of acupoints and acupuncture needle manipulations, more reasonable combination of different acupoints, united outcome evaluative standards, better repeatability, employment of big data, etc.

Acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping for knee osteoarthritis with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

To compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping and acupuncture combined with conventional cupping for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, and to seek a better solution for KOA. A total of 78 patients of KOA with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 39 cases in each group (3 cases in the observation group and 2 cases in the control group lost contact). Both groups were treated with acupuncture at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Heding (EX-LE 2), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39). Based on the acupuncture treatment, the control group was treated with conventional cupping. The No. 4 cupping glass was used for Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Fengshi (GB 31), while the No. 3 cupping glass was used for Yinlingquan (SP 9), while the cupping with appropriate size was used for ashi points; the cupping glass was retained for 5 min. Based on the acupuncture treatment, the observation group was treated with cinesiotherapy cupping. The selection of acupoint and cupping glass was identical as the control group. The patients were instructed to perform knee flexion-extension, hip abduction-adduction, weight-bearing and other active exercise while cupping; the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment; totally three courses were given with an interval of 2 days between the courses. The patient's symptom scores, pain scores and knee function scores were recorded before and after treatment. The amount of joint effusion was measured by ultrasound; the level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in joint effusion were measured by ELISA. After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.4% (34/36), which was significantly higher than 86.5% (32/37) in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the symptom scores, pain scores, amount of joint effusion and the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α in joint fluid in both groups all were decreased after treatment, whereas the knee function scores were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the symptom scores, pain scores, and the levels of IL-1, TNF-α and the amount of joint effusion all were significantly decreased, whereas the knee function scores were increased in the observation group (P<0.05). The level of IL-6 in joint effusion was not significantly different between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). The acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping could alleviate pain, improve joint function and reduce joint effusion, which is superior to acupuncture combined with conventional cupping.

Analysis on acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease based on complex network

To explore the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in modern clinical practice by complex network technology. The relevant articles of clinical trials were retrieved from CNKI published before December 2017. Using Microsoft Excel 2010, the database was established. Using Gephi 0.8.2 software, the complex network mode was built and its topological structure was analyzed. Finally, 81 articles were eligible and 114 acupoint prescriptions were extracted. The constructed complex network of acupoint prescriptions for AD was characteristics as small world effect and scale-free property, the crucial acupoints included Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Yintang (GV 29), Shenmen (HT 7), Shenting (GV 24), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taichong (LR 3). In acupoint combination, Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were the most common, and the combination of the distal and nearby points was predominant. Using k-core for acupoint optimization, 29 core acupoints were screened and they were mostly located on the governor vessel and the head and neck, with the highest use frequency. 82.76% of acupoints were specific acupoints and the influential points were dominant. Using community structure partition, these acupoints were classified into two groups, i.e. deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. The selection of local acupoints is the first choice in acupuncture treatment for AD. The combination of distal and nearby points is the most common and the special points are the core. In clinical practice, the great consideration is provided on mind regulation, integration of disease and symptoms, the mutual treatment of the primary and the secondary as well as the deficiency and the excess.

Acupuncture prescriptions and regularity of acupoints matching in Huangdi Neijing

To explore the acupuncture prescriptions and regularity of acupoints matching in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic). Based on the manual retrieval of articles regarding acupuncture prescriptions in Huangdi Neijing an acupuncture prescriptions database of Huangdi Neijing was constructed. The frequency analysis was used to analyze the acupuncture prescriptions and regularity of acupoints matching from 8 aspects: prescriptions of single acupoint/acupoints combination, specific acupoints, principles of acupoint selection, acupoint matching methods, symptoms/diseases, names and classifications of diseases in traditional Chinese medicine, acute/chronic diseases, local symptom/systemic symptom. A total of 146 acupuncture prescriptions were obtained, including 76 prescriptions for single acupoint and 70 prescriptions for acupoints combination. The single-point prescription mostly involved specific acupoints, especially five-shu acupoints and crossing acupoint; shu acupoints were mainly selected in five-shu acupoints, and distant acupoint selection was the first choice for single-point prescription. The prescription of acupoints combination mostly involved combination of specific acupoints, especially five-shu acupoint combined with five-shu acupoint, and distant acupoint selection was the first choice for acupoints combination prescription; the acupoints combination prescription was mainly based on left-right acupoint matching method and same-meridian acupoint matching method. The single-acupoint prescription was applied for diseases of 4 systems, involving 61 diseases; acupoints combination prescription was applied for diseases of 3 systems, involving 47 diseases. The single-acupoint and acupoints combination prescriptions were mainly used to treat internal medical diseases. The single-acupoint prescriptions were used for patients with multiple symptoms, fewer diseases, more acute diseases and more local symptoms; acupoints combination prescriptions were used for patients with more diseases, fewer symptoms, more chronic diseases and more systemic symptoms. The acupuncture prescriptions in Huangdi Neijing are mostly based on distant acupoints, and most of them are single acupoint prescriptions. In multi-acupoint prescriptions, the combination of five-shu acupoints are mostly used, especially left-right acupoint matching method and same-meridian acupoint matching method. Single acupoint is used to treat acute and local symptoms, and multi-acupoint is used to treat chronic and systemic diseases.

Essentials of the ATAS (Time-Acupoints-Space Acupuncture)

Time-Acupoints-Space Acupuncture (ATAS) is a newly discovered needling technique based on the four Chinese ancient time-acupuncture methods and summation of the clinical experience in the treatment of cancer and other complicated cases in Europe. With consultation of the European psychologic analytical method, it is found that in “original trauma”, skin has the memory function, and in immunology, the immune cells have the memory function too. Organ transplant reveals that the transplanted organ has the memory function as well. All of these inspire us to develop new methods in selection of acupoints. In this paper, we try to make a brief introduction to the basic elements of the ATAS.

Interpretation of text about governor vessel disease and its general treatment principle from Suwen: Gu Kong Lun

In Gu Kong Lun(Discourse on Bone Hollows), a chapter from Suwen(, Plain Questions): When the governor vessel(Du Mai) generates a disease, treat the governor vessel. Treat it above the bone. In severe cases treat at the camp below the navel(,,). This sentence illuminated acupoint selection methods and treatment thoughts for governor vessel disease, the comprehension of physicians in ancient different dynasties have large divergence. This paper digs and presents its meaning through investigating the following ancient documents: governor vessel disease, acupuncture point indications of governor vessel, relative therapy methods, expert annotation, etc. Then this paper draws a conclusion that "above the bone" means above the vertebral column, where is the circulation area of governor vessel, "under the umbilicus" is the part from umbilicus to pubis symphysis center. This sentence not only indicates the treatment part when governor vessel generates disease, but also emphasizes the therapy ideas that provides different treatment method according to severity degree of disease.

Acupuncture prescription of "Wei's triple nine needling therapy" in the treatment of optic nerve disease

"Wei 's triple nine needling therapy" is the crucial acupuncture prescription in treatment of eye diseases in Wei 's academic school of ophthalmology. "Wei 's triple nine needling therapy" includes the three points near to the eyes, the three groups of points for penetrating acupuncture around the eyes and the acupoint selection based on the general differentiation of syndrome. In this paper, the acupoint selection and the thinking of acupoint combination were introduced in the treatment of optic nerve disease on the base of the theory of "Wei 's triple nine needling" prescription. The specific needling manipulations at different regions involved in the triple needling procedure were explained in detail. It is proposed that the acupoints are combined and the correct needling manipulations selected rationally in compliance with the illness condition and the syndrome characteristics to ensure maximally the clinical effects of "Wei 's triple nine needling therapy".

Acupuncture treatment is associated with a decreased risk of developing stroke in patients with depression: A propensity-score matched cohort study

BackgroundDepression had a significantly increased risk of stroke. Some patients with depression seek acupuncture treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between acupuncture treatment and risk of developing stroke in patients with depression. MethodsPatients with newly diagnosed depression above 18 years old between 1997 and 2010 were selected from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, and followed up until the end of 2013. The 1:1 propensity score method was used to match an equal number of patients (N = 13,823) in the acupuncture and non-acupuncture cohorts, based on characteristics including sex, age, baseline comorbidity and drug used. The outcome measurement was the comparison of stroke incidence in the two cohorts. We used the Cox regression model and the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate the risk of developing stroke. ResultsCompared with the non-acupuncture cohort, patients who received acupuncture treatment had a lower risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.49, 95% confidential interval = 0.45–0.52) after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities and drugs used. Regarding the two types of stroke, acupuncture users also had lower risk of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke (adjusted HR = 0.37 and 0.49, respectively). The cumulative incidence of stroke in the acupuncture cohort was significantly lower than that of the non-acupuncture cohort (log-rank test, p < 0.001). At the 5th year of follow-up, 7.22% of acupuncture users had stroke onset compared with 14% in the non-acupuncture cohort. LimitationsThe database provided information of antidepressants but not the severity of depression. Details of the life style and selection of acupoints were also not provided. ConclusionsThe present study revealed that acupuncture reduced the risk of developing stroke in depression patients in Taiwan. Further clinical studies investigating the mechanisms and efficacy of acupuncture are warranted.

Effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with Ziwu-Liuzhu acupuncture on the sleep quality of the patients with depression

Objective To investigate the effect of acupoint catgut embedding combined with Ziwu-Liuzhu theory based acupuncture on the clinical efficacy and sleep quality of depressive patients. Methods A total of 64 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, 32 in each group. The control group was treated with routine electro-acupuncture, while the observation group was treated with acupoint catgut embedding combined with Ziwu-Liuzhu theory based acupuncture. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and depression was assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results After treatment, the HAMD score (11.3 ± 2.4 vs. 14.5 ± 2.6, t=4.986) and PSQI index (9.6 ± 2.3 vs. 11.8 ± 2.5, t=3.307) in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The quality of life (12.9 ± 2.3 vs. 11.3 ± 2.5, t=2.598) and mental health score (13.5 ± 2.4 vs. 11.3 ± 2.6, t=3.413) of WHOQOL-BREF scale in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 93.8% (30/32) in the observation group and 75.0% (24/32) in the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups (χ2=4.246, P=0.038). Conclusions Acupoint catgut embedding combined with Ziwu-Liuzhu theory based acupuncture can effectively improve depressive state, sleep quality and quality of life in patients with depression, and the curative effect is better than conventional electro- acupuncture treatment. Key words: Catgut embedment in acupoint therapy; Midnightnoon ebbflow acupoint selection; Zi Wu Liu Zhu Na Jia method; Depression; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Quality of life

Guan's acupuncture technique and the rules of acupoints selection on leg

Guan's acupuncture technique is a kind of special acupuncture methods developed and improved by GUAN Zheng-zhai. It has unique curative effects on hysterical paralysis, schizophrenia, madness, epilepsy and traumatic paraplegia, etc. This acupuncture technique has the characteristics of "deep" "transparent" "moving" and "sensing". The acupoints selection is different from that of twelve meridian acupoints. The deep insertion of acupuncture needles is applied at acupoints located in the wrist joint, ankle joint and below, while the penetration needling method is applied at acupoints located in the area which has relatively thick muscles, and where yin-meridian and yang-meridian are symmetric with each other. The horizontal and deep connection of acupoints and the adjustment effect of qi-blood and yin-yang are emphasized during treatment.

Acupuncture for dysarthria: systematic review

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for dysarthria, and to explore the rules of acupoints selection for dysarthria. The clinical randomized control trial literature regarding acupuncture for dysarthria published before January of 2018 were searched in databases, including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Ebsco, Science Direct and Cochrane Library. The information of included studies was extract and the quality was assessed. The Meta analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. The frequency of acupoints was calculated by using Excel software to analyzed the rules of acupoints selection. Totally 21 papers were included, involving 1651 patients. The pooled effects of clinical efficacy: heterogeneity test P =0.74, I 2=0%, OR =6.36, 95% CI: 4.55, 8.88, Z =10.84 (P<0.01), indicating the efficacy in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The pooled effects of the symptom score in Frenchay scale: heterogeneity test P =0.56, I 2=0%, WMD =3.20, 95% CI: 1.38, 5.02, Z =3.45 (P<0.01), indicating the efficacy in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The acupoints with frequency of more than 5 times were Fengchi (GB 20), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Lianquan (CV 23), Baihui (GV 20), tongue-three needles and Yamen (GV15). The meridians with frequency of more than 5 times were the extra channels, governor vessel, gallbladder channel, conception vessel and stomach channel. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with speech training/regular treatment is significantly superior to that of control group (speech training, medication, regular treatment); acupuncture is safe and effective for dysarthria; the majority of selected acupoint is local acupoints around tongue, throat and neck, as well as extra points and empirical points. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes are still needed to provide further evidence.

Spinal Cord Glycine Transporter 2 Mediates Bilateral ST35 Acupoints Sensitization in Rats with Knee Osteoarthritis.

The concept of “acupoint sensitization” refers to the functional status of acupoint switches from silent to active under pathological conditions. In clinic, acupoint sensitization provides important guidance for acupoints selection in different diseases. However, the mechanism behind this phenomenon remains unclear. We generated a model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the left knee of rats. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and the total number of mast cells as well as mast cell degranulation rate (MCDR) of acupoint tissue were used to test whether the acupoints were sensitized. The results showed that KOA resulted in a reduced mechanical threshold and elevated total number of mast cell as well as mast cell degranulation rate at bilateral ST35 (Dubi) but not GB37 (Guangming) or nonacupoint area. The acupoint sensitization was accompanied by upregulation of glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) and reduction of extracellular glycine levels in the bilateral dorsal horns of the spinal cord at L3-5. Selective inhibition of GlyT2 or intrathecal administration of glycine attenuated ST35 acupoint sensitization. The sensitization of bilateral ST35 was blocked after intraspinal GlyT2 short hairpin (sh) RNA (GlyT2-shRNA) microinjection to specifically downregulate GlyT2 expression in the left side (ipsilateral) L3-5 spinal cord dorsal horn before MIA injection. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at ST35 ameliorated articular pathological lesions and improved KOA-related pain behaviors. GlyT2-shRNA injection reversed EA-induced pain relief but not EA-induced reduction of joint lesions. Overall, this study demonstrated that spinal GlyT2, especially elevated GlyT2 expression in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spinal cord, is a crucial mediator of ST35 acupoint sensitization in KOA rats.

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye in recent 10 years were summarized to provide reference for clinical treatment. The clinical researches regarding acupuncture for dry eye published from May 5, 2007 to December 1, 2017 were searched in CNKI, WANFANG and VIP database. The acupoint and meridian used and application frequency were analyzed to summarize the rules of acupoint selection. Totally, 52 related clinical papers were collected, involving 60 acupoints, 14 meridians and 5 extra point. The total frequency of acupoints was 541, which were mainly related with the bladder meridian, stomach meridian and gallbladder meridian. In conclusion, the rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture for dry eye highlighted meridians circulation, acupoint combination, and syndrome differentiation.