Acupuncture In China Research Articles

When Patients' Assessments of Treatment for Subjective Symptoms are At Odds with Authoritative Assessments in the Biomedical Literature: The Case of Patients Treated with Acupuncture for Low Back Pain in a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in China (and Story of a Bewildered Chicken).

Assessments of treatments for 'subjective symptoms' are problematic and potentially contentious. These are symptoms without ascertainable pathophysiology, also referred to as 'medically unexplained.' Treatments of them may be assessed from different perspectives, and an assessment as seen from one perspective may be discrepant with an assessment as seen from another perspective. The observational study described in the paper represents one perspective. Patients in the study were treated with acupuncture for the subjective symptom of low back pain in a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in China; acupuncture is a form of TCM, which is indigenous to China. Shortly after treatment began and six months afterward, patients reported 'clinically important improvements' on a variety of standard, cross-culturally validated outcome measures, including pain intensity, physical functioning, and emotional functioning; this assessment is consistent with numerous assessments of acupuncture in China and other Southeastern Asian countries. On the other hand, clinical trials represent another perspective from which to assess acupuncture. Although assessments based on trials are not uniform, several assessments based on them, including those published in journals such as Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine, conclude that acupuncture is not effective. These trials, however, were mainly situated in the U.S., western European countries, and other WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries. This is notable, because the population of China, the indigenous context of acupuncture, is greater than populations of WEIRD countries combined. Patients' expectations of a treatment such as acupuncture and their prior familiarity with it vary among contexts, and patients' experiences of treatment outcomes may vary accordingly. In short, although clinical trials constitute a test of truth in biomedicine and inform authoritative assessments in WEIRD countries, they do not necessarily represent the truth from the perspective of those experiencing outcomes of especially indigenous treatments for subjective symptoms in non-WEIRD contexts.

Preliminary study on the existing problems in health economic evaluation study of acupuncture in China

The literature of health economic evaluation study in the field of acupuncture in China was systematically summarized and analyzed, and the existing problems in the current research were discussed from the aspects of research perspective, cost calculation scope, data analysis method selection. Moreover, the key points of the health economic evaluation research were summarized, and the research objectives, the relationship between the expected research results and data analysis methods and the process of thinking were sorted out, and several suggestions for research report writing were proposed, aiming to provide a reference for the quality improvement of the acupuncture health economic evaluation research in China.

Revealing the magic of acupuncture based on biological mechanisms: A literature review.

Acupuncture has been used to treat various disease for more than 3,000 years in China and other Asian countries. As a complementary and alternative therapy, it has gained increasing popularity and acceptance among public and healthcare professionals in the West. Over the past few decades, basic and clinical research on acupuncture has made considerable progress. Internationally recognized evidence from clinical studies has been published, a preliminary system to clinically evaluate acupuncture has been created, and some clinical guidelines have been formulated. Moreover, scientists have strived to explore the physiological and biological mechanisms of acupuncture. Some basic studies have indicated that acupuncture has various actions, such as analgesic, muscle relaxing, anti-inflammatory, mild anxiolytic, and antidepressant actions, with possible biological mechanisms such as central sensitization, neurotransmitters, the intestinal flora, immune regulation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The current review describes the common indications for acupuncture recommended by the WHO and the use of acupuncture in China, the United States, Australia, and several other countries. This review then summarized the mechanisms by which acupuncture treats common conditions including lower back pain (LBP), ischemic stroke, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and it also cited specific acupuncture points for treating these conditions. The hope is that this review will provide useful information for both acupuncturists and researchers to better understand the mechanisms of acupuncture and reasons for its usage.

Overview of five-element acupuncture development after returning China

To introduce the historical origin of five element acupuncture and its development after returning to China, including the domestic inheritance mode, the clinical application, the establishment and operation of the Society of Five Element Acupuncture. This paper analyzed the challenges and opportunities faced by the development of five element acupuncture in China, which provides reference for the further development and expansion of the five element acupuncture.

Acupoint selection rules in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with acupuncture in China based on data mining

To analyze the rules of acupoint selection in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in China using data mining technology. The published literature of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with acupuncture was retrieved from electronic databases from January 1, 1983 to December 1, 2019, including SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP database. Acupuncture prescription database was established, and the rules of acupoint selection were explored by statistical software SPSS 20.0 and SPSS Modeler 18.0. A total of 92 articles were included into this analysis, involving 92 acupuncture prescriptions, 76 acupoints. The total frequency of using these acupoints reached 549 times. Zhongwan (CV 12) was the most frequently used acupoint; the often selected meridians were conception vessel, stomach meridian, governor vessel, bladder meridian; the acupoints located at the abdomen, lower limbs and back were commonly selected; crossing points in the specific acupoints were commonly selected; the most frequently used group was Zusanli (ST 36)-Zhongwan (CV 12) and Neiguan (PC 6). Treating gastroesophageal reflux disease by acupuncture in China is dominated by shu-mu point combination, supplemented by mu-he point combination; yin meridians are emphasized as much as yang meridians; using specific acupoints is advocated, especially the crossing points.

The Development of Medical Acupuncture in China

The Development of Medical Acupuncture in China

An Analysis of the Development of Auricular Acupuncture in China in the Past 10 Years.

Objective: The aim of this research was to analyze recent developments of auricular acupuncture in China during the past 10 years, from 2007 to 2016. Methods: The articles evaluated related to auricular acupuncture studies published in the last 10 years, from 2007 to 2016. The articles were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) full-text journal database and from Tsinghua Tongfang, the Chinese Knowledge net. The history of auricular acupuncture, the overall status of the research, and the current use of standardization were analyzed and summarized. Results: The literature research of auricular acupuncture in China revealed that there was a high frequency of publications over the last 10 years. Conclusions: Development of more auricular acupuncture research teams, improvement of the level and quality of the research, and basic and clinical research investigations on auricular acupuncture in China have demonstrated continuous improvement in the past 10 years. It is hoped that this research will continue into the future, offering greater contributions to the development of auricular acupuncture for the health care of human beings.

Status of diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture based on SooPAT and bibliometrics in China

To perform a bibliometrics analysis on patent literature regarding diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture in China, aiming to provide references for the development of diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture. Based on SooPAT, a patent database, the patent literature regarding diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture in China was collected. With bibliometrics methods, the annual distribution of type, quantity, classification and content of diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture were analyzed. The number of acupuncture diagnosis and treatment devices reached its peak in 2012 and 2013 in China. The A61N in patent and utility model patent were the most, which were mainly related to electrotherapy, magnetic therapy, radioactive therapy and ultrasound therapy, etc. The main content was acupuncture treatment devices and meridian treatment devices. The 24-01 in design patent was the most, involving fixation devices used by doctors, hospitals and laboratories, etc. Currently the majority of diagnosis and treatment devices of acupuncture is therapeutic apparatus, while the acupuncture diagnosis devices are needed.

Systematic Review of Adverse Effects: A Further Step towards Modernization of Acupuncture in China.

As a further step towards the modernization of acupuncture, the objective of this review was to figure out the frequency and severity of adverse complications and events in acupuncture treatment reported from 1980 to 2013 in China. All first-hand case reports of acupuncture-related complications and adverse events that could be identified in the scientific literature were reviewed and classified according to the type of complication and adverse event, circumstance of the event, and long-term patient outcome. The selected case reports were published between 1980 and 2013 in 3 databases. Relevant papers were collected and analyzed by 2 reviewers. Over the 33 years, 182 incidents were identified in 133 relevant papers. Internal organ, tissue, or nerve injury is the main complications of acupuncture especially for pneumothorax and central nervous system injury. Adverse effects also included syncope, infections, hemorrhage, allergy, burn, aphonia, hysteria, cough, thirst, fever, somnolence, and broken needles. Qualifying training of acupuncturists should be systemized and the clinical acupuncture operations should be standardized in order to effectively prevent the occurrence of acupuncture accidents, enhance the influence of acupuncture, and further popularize acupuncture to the rest of the world.

Comment on "Analysis and Thoughts about the Negative Results of International Clinical Trials on Acupuncture".

Comment on "Analysis and Thoughts about the Negative Results of International Clinical Trials on Acupuncture".

P096 The Quality Of Clinical Practice Guidelines Of Acupuncture

BackgroundAcupuncture practice plays an important role in healthcare in China as well as in the world. 2011, the China Academy of the Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS) published 5 Clinical practice...

Basic Science: Mysteries and Mechanisms of Acupuncture

Medical AcupunctureVol. 25, No. 2 EditorialBasic Science: Mysteries and Mechanisms of AcupunctureRichard C. NiemtzowRichard C. NiemtzowSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:10 Apr 2013https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2013.2521AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View article"Basic Science: Mysteries and Mechanisms of Acupuncture." , 25(2), p. 99FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 25Issue 2Apr 2013 InformationCopyright 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Richard C. Niemtzow.Basic Science: Mysteries and Mechanisms of Acupuncture.Medical Acupuncture.Apr 2013.99-99.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2013.2521Published in Volume: 25 Issue 2: April 10, 2013Online Ahead of Print:March 26, 2013PDF download

Exploring practice characteristics and research priorities of practitioners of traditional acupuncture in China and the EU—A survey

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAcupuncture practice is based on the theoretical, historical and philosophical principles, which are part of Chinese medicine. Traditional acupuncture practitioners assess their patients’ conditions using Chinese medicine diagnostic techniques, which determine clinical care and treatment. Little is known about differences in the perceptions of research evidence among practitioners in the European Union (EU) and China, given the diversity of acupuncture practice. Material and methodsThis study explored differences between practitioners of traditional acupuncture regarding perceived need for research evidence and prioritisation for future clinical trials, based on their practice within the EU and China.A convenience sample of acupuncturists in the EU (contacted by their professional organisation) and China (from geographically dispersed hospitals) were invited to participate in a survey, which was conducted during 2010/2011. Data collected included: practitioners’ demographic details, country of training, practice setting, acupuncture techniques, perceived adverse event reporting, diagnostic methods, conditions commonly treated, conditions perceived as needing more evidence and practitioner perceptions of conditions which could demonstrate benefit if investigated in clinical trials. ResultsFrom 1126 survey responses, 1020 (559 EU, 461 China) could be included in the analysis for direct comparison. A response rate for the EU could not be calculated but for China was 98%. Pain was the most frequently reported commonly treated condition by EU acupuncturists and neurological conditions (mainly stroke) for Chinese practitioners. The top reported priorities for research were obstetrics/gynaecological conditions in the EU and neurological problems in China. ConclusionThe survey identified differences in practice and training between acupuncturists in China and the EU and between EU member states. These differences may inform prioritisation of health conditions for future trials. Innovative research methods are recommended to incorporate the complexity and plurality of acupuncture practice and theory. Creation of collaborative networks is crucial in overcoming these differences to facilitate international, multi-centre clinical trials.

Adverse events associated with acupuncture: three multicentre randomized controlled trials of 1968 cases in China

BackgroundIn order to evaluate the safety of acupuncture in China objectively, we investigated the adverse events associated with acupuncture based on three multicentre randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the safety of acupuncture, identifying the common types of acupuncture adverse events, and analysing the related risk factors for their occurrence.MethodsThis observational study included patients who received acupuncture from three multicentre RCTs respectively for migraine, functional dyspepsia and Bell's palsy. The 1968 patients and their acupuncturists documented adverse events associated with acupuncture after treatment. We collected data about adverse events due to acupuncture treatment from their case report forms. We analysed the incidence and details of the adverse effects, and studied the risk factors for acupuncture adverse events with non-conditional logistic regression analysis.ResultsAmong the 1968 patients, 74 patients (3.76%) suffered at least one adverse event throughout the treatment period. We did not observe the occurrence of serious adverse events. 73 patients with adverse events recovered within 2 weeks through effective treatment such as physiotherapy or self-treatment. A total of 3 patients withdrew because of adverse events. There were 9 types of adverse events related to acupuncture, including subcutaneous haematoma, bleeding, skin bruising and needle site pain. Subcutaneous haematoma and haemorrhage in the needling points were the most common adverse events. Age and gender were related to the occurrence of acupuncture adverse events. The older the patients were, the higher the risk of adverse events was. In addition, male patients had slightly higher risk of an adverse event than female patients.ConclusionsAcupuncture is a safe therapy with low risk of adverse events in clinical practice. The risk factors for adverse events (AEs) were related to the patients' gender and age and the local anatomical structure of the acupoints. AEs could be reduced and mitigated by improving the medical environment, ensuring a high technical level of the acupuncture practitioners and establishing a good relationship of mutual trust between doctor and patient.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00599586, NCT00599677, NCT00608660

Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging for Assessment of Skin Blood Perfusion After Acupuncture

Background: Despite its widespread use for centuries, there is still a lack of techniques to show the effects of acupuncture. Microcirculation is the basic physiological condition as it provides nutrition and oxygen to the cells. The laser Doppler technique has been used to measure the blood perfusion of micro blood vessels in human skin. A moving laser beam and detector can measure blood perfusion in a large area rapidly: laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), which is the most relevant technique in the field. Objective: To study the peripheral effects of acupuncture, changes in peripheral (hand) skin blood perfusion were observed using LDPI. Design, Setting, and Subjects: Measurements were carried out in Beijing, China, on 20 healthy participants (12 women and 8 men, aged 23–53 years) and in Graz, Austria, on 50 healthy volunteers (32 women and 18 men, aged 19–59 years). Intervention: Acupuncture in China was performed on Hegu (LI 4) or a control point on different days. In Austria, acupuncture was performed on Neiguan (PC 6) and a control point. Main Outcome Measures: Blood perfusion changes were observed in different intervals before, during, and after acupuncture. The hand was divided into 10 areas, and the change rates of blood perfusion in these different areas were obtained. The tip of the middle finger served as the measuring area in the Austrian part of the study. Results: Three different effects were found: holistic effects; local effects without significant differences between acupoint and control point; and effects along Meridians. Conclusions: Interactions between the 3 effects could be demonstrated and are discussed. The basis for new insights into Meridian theory is proposed.

My Elective in Shanghai – Experiencing the Use of Acupuncture in China

I am a fifth year medical student at Leeds University and have just come back from my elective period visit to China. The aim of my elective was to gain experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly looking at acupuncture which had been an interest of mine, and which had prompted my trip to China so I could see it practised in its country of origin. When I arrived I was jetlagged and disorientated yet extremely excited about beginning my elective within a culture so different from my own. I struggled to hoist my luggage into the back of a taxi outside the airport and off we went on the hour-long drive into Shanghai city centre. As we got closer the neon colours got brighter and I became more and more anxious about how I would find my way to the hotel I had booked, not knowing a single word of Chinese. I was in luck when I happened to be dropped off fairly near to another large hotel which had an English speaking receptionist who guided me towards where I needed to be. Feeling quite vulnerable with a considerable amount of luggage, in a strange place that was now dark, I began the walk to my hotel. Crossing the road was a difficult task in itself as I have never experienced such busy, chaotic roads, filled with an array of vehicles including many more bicycles and motorbikes than I was used to. I was later told to be more wary of vehicles on two wheels than four when crossing the road. It became apparent that the two-wheeled vehicles did not follow the same rules as everyone else! The next day I had to get up pretty early to make it to my first session at the acupuncture department of Yue Yang Hospital. Yue Yang is an international teaching hospital, where people come from all over the world to learn more about the practice of TCM. The hospital uses about 30% Western medicine and 70% TCM in its treatment of patients, but there are only a few doctors with knowledge of Western medicine. Most of the doctors at the hospital are keen to spread information about TCM to other countries throughout the world. One of our mentors, Dr Dong, travels fairly regularly to America where he teaches Western doctors and TCM therapists how to perform acupuncture effectively following TCM principles. TCM doctors train for about five or six years to practise acupuncture and are all highly skilled and knowledgeable about the principles of diagnosis and treatment of disease using acupuncture as well as other therapies including herbal remedies. This is quite different from the UK where acupuncture can be practised without such extensive training and knowledge, which led me to wonder whether this was the same kind of acupuncture. We spoke a lot with doctors at the hospital during their lunch breaks. Doctors like Dr Dong who had travelled abroad told us that most of the acupuncture practised in the West is practised contrary to TCM principles, that is to say, according to the meridian system and theories of energy flow through the body. He told us that this could be dangerous and so part of his work involved travelling abroad to teach people the correct way to practise acupuncture. I was shocked to hear this, as I know many people who have received acupuncture here in the UK who have said that they have received much benefit from their treatment. I told Dr Dong this and he said that short term relief can often be gained from applying needles locally to a painful area, but that this effect would not last. He also said that applying needles to certain meridians may have adverse effects on other parts of the body which connect with the same meridian. I attended my first clinic which was run very differently from any clinic I had seen in the UK. Patients did not have appointments but formed a queue outside the room. About five or six patients could be treated at any one time on beds and chairs set up within a small room, which meant there was little privacy for any of them. This, however, did not appear to bother patients in the slightest, who would Sarah Wells medical student Leeds University, UK

Points East and West: Acupuncture and Comparative Philosophy of Science

Acupuncture, the traditional Chinese practice of needling to alleviate pain, offers a striking case where scientific accounts in two cultures, East and West, diverge sharply. Yet the Chinese comfortably embrace the apparent ontological incommensurability. Their pragmatic posture resonates with the New Experimentalism in the West—but with some provocative differences. The development of acupuncture in China (and not in the West) further suggests general research strategies in the context of discovery. My analysis also exemplifies how one might fruitfully pursue a comparative philosophy of science that explores how other cultures investigate and validate their conclusions about the natural world.

Sharp Practice: A Medical Student's View of Acupuncture in China

Sharp Practice: A Medical Student's View of Acupuncture in China

Neurobiologic Research on Acupuncture in China as Exemplified by Acupuncture Analgesia

Neurobiologic Research on Acupuncture in China as Exemplified by Acupuncture Analgesia

The practice of acupuncture in China

The practice of acupuncture in China