Body Acupuncture Research Articles

Clinical trials of treatment of woman menopause insomnia due to disharmony between heart and kidney by body and auricular acupuncture

To observe the therapeutic effect of body acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture in the treatment of woman menopause insomnia induced by disharmony between the heart and kidney. A total of 111 outpatients with menopausal insomnia were randomly divided into treatment group (n＝55, body acupoints plus auricular points) and control group (n＝56, body acupoints). For control group, Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Anmian, Zhaohai (KI6), Shenmai (BL62), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Xinshu (BL15) and Shenshu (BL21) were needled with filiform needles, and HT7, SP6, Anmian, BL15 and BL21 were also stimulated with electroacupuncture (EA) for 30 min, once every other day, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. For the treatment group, auricular points as Kidney, Shenmen, Sympathetic and Endocrine around the ear canal and the ear cavity were punctured with filiform needles in combination with the same intervention methods mentioned above in the control group. The quality and efficiency of sleep were assessed by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale before and after the treatment. The symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the therapeutic effect were determined according to the "Guide Principles for Clinical Research of New Drugs of TCM" (formulated by Chinese Ministry of Health, 1997). After the treatment, the scores of sleep quantity and effective rate of PSQI scale, and those of insomnia and dreaminess, dysphoria with feverish sensation in chest, palms and soles, paplpitation and irritability, fatigue and forgetfulness of TCM were reduced significantly in both groups compared with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05). Of the 56 and 55 cases in the control and treatment groups, 18 (32.1%) and 30 (54.5%) experienced a marked improvement in their symptoms, 28 (50.0%) and 22 (40.0%) were effective, and 10 (17.9%) and 3 (5.5%) failed, with the effective rate being 82.1% and 94.5%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of stimulation of the body acupoints plus auricular acupoints was significantly superior to that of stimulation of simple body acupoints in lowering scores of PSQI scale, insomnia and dreaminess, dysphoria with feverish sensation in chest, palms and soles, dizziness and tinninus, paplpitation and irritability, and tital fever and night sweating of TCM, as well as the effective rate (P<0.05). Both body acupuncture and body acupuncture combined with auricular acupuncture are effective in the treatment of woman menopause insomnia due to disharmony between the heart and kidney, and the two combined treatment was evidently better.

Clinical efficacy evaluation of body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with extracorporeal shock wave for scapulohumeral periarthritis

ObjectiveTo observe the short- and long-term clinical efficacy differences of body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with extracorporeal shock wave and simple extracorporeal shock wave. MethodsSixty patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group and control group, 30 cases in each one. Both groups underwent basic rehabilitation training. Patients in the treatment group were treated with body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with extracorporeal shock wave.Yújì (鱼际 LU10), Hégŭ (合谷LI4), Zhōngzhŭ (中渚TE3), Hòuxī (后溪SI3). There were three needles for the scalp acupuncture with the first between Shéntíng (神庭 GV 24) and Yìntáng (印堂 EX-HN3), and the other two straightly through the inner canthus and parallel to the first needle. Shock wave treatment was intensively applied in some pressure points around shoulder joint. The control group used the same shock wave therapy as the treatment group. Both groups were all treated once a day, 6 times a week. Patients were treated for one course which lasted for 4 weeks. VAS score, the Constant-Murley score and the HAMA (the Hamilton Anxiety Scale) are as therapeutic effect index. 30 days telephone investigation followed-up after the treatment course was evaluated. ResultsTotally 28 cases completed the clinical observation in the treatment group, and 29 cases in the control group. The total effective rate of the treatment group was 85.7% (24/28), which was higher than 69.0% (20/29) of the control group (P < 0.05). VAS score: There were significant statistical differences before and after the treatment in the two groups (the treatment group: 6.67 ± 1.43 vs 3.47 ± 1.35, the control group: 7.57 ± 1.31 vs 5.36 ± 1.45, both P < 0.05). There were significant statistical differences before the treatment and at the follow-up in the two groups (the treatment group: 6.67 ± 1.43 vs 2.68 ± 0.81, the control group: 7.57 ± 1.31 vs 4.56 ± 1.35, both P < 0.05). The VAS scores of the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up were respectively lower than those of the control group (both P < 0.05). Shoulder joints activity score: There were significant statistical differences before and after the treatment in the two groups (the treatment group: 54.65 ± 1.65 vs 65.54 ± 2.19, the control group: 54.32 ± 2.31 vs 61.01 ± 0.95, both P < 0.05). There were significant statistical differences before treatment and at follow-up in the two groups (the treatment group: 54.65 ± 1.65 vs 66.18 ± 1.35, the control group: 54.32 ± 2.31 vs 62.11 ± 1.49, both P < 0.05). The shoulder activity scores of the treatment group after treatment and at follow-up were respectively higher than those of the control group (both P < 0.05). HAMA scores: There were singificant statistical differences before and after treatment in the two groups (the treatment group: 16.83 ± 1.56 vs 13.26 ± 2.36, the control group: 17.04 ± 1.84 vs 15.23 ± 3.17, both P < 0.05). There were significant statistical differences before treatment and at follow-up in the two groups (the treatment group: 16.83 ± 1.56 vs 11.01 ± 3.20, the control group: 17.04 ± 1.84 vs 13.68 ± 2.49, both P < 0.05). The HAMA scores of the treatment group after treatment and at follow-up were lower than those of the control group (both P < 0.05). ConclusionBody acupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with extracorporeal shock wave can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis, ease anxiety and improve daily life activities.

Acupuncture therapy improves health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent around the world and has a large impact on its patients, leading to a poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity. Even under optimal medications, there are still many patients with poor HRQL. Body acupuncture therapy (BAT) is a non-invasive and a popular therapy. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the effects of BAT in COPD. Materials and methodsEight electronic databases were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of BAT, medication (M), and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The primary outcome was HRQL evaluated by St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) or COPD assessment test (CAT). ResultsOf the 922 articles, 12 studies were included with attesting a total of 798 participants. The result obtained indicated a significant improvement that favored the BAT + M group over the M group in CAT scores (MD: −4.77; 95% CI: −6.53 to −3.01; p < 0.00001). ConclusionsBAT is an effective adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment to improve HRQL in patients under medical treatment for COPD. We suggested that BAT should be considered as one of the methods of management in patients with COPD.

Utilization of integrative medicine differs by age among pediatric oncology patients.

Coping with symptoms related to cancer treatment is challenging for pediatric patients with cancer and their caregivers. Additionally, caring for pediatric patients requires specialized expertise to incorporate age-appropriate interventions to improve outcomes. Despite the increase in pediatric inpatient integrative medicine (IM) therapies, there is a paucity of knowledge about whether the utilization of IM therapies differs by patient age. We conducted a retrospective analysis on IM utilization among pediatric inpatients between 2008 and 2016 in a tertiary urban cancer center using electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the relationship between age and specific type of IM utilization, adjusting for specific demographic factors. Between 2008 and 2016, the pediatric inpatient IM service had 20686 visits and treated 1877 unique patients. A significant age difference (P<0.001) by modality was noted: dance therapy (mean age ± standard deviation: 5.9 ± 5.3 years), music therapy (8.0±7.0 years), mind-body therapies (13.0 ± 7.7 years), massage (14.5 ± 7.8 years), and acupuncture (20.0 ± 7.9 years). In multivariable analysis, the association between age and use of specific IM therapies remained significant (P<0.001 for all). Specific types of inpatient IM therapy usage significantly differed by the age of pediatric patients with cancer; therefore, designing and providing age-appropriate IM interventions with consideration for developmental stage are needed to ensure that the most appropriate and effective therapies are provided to children with cancer.

Pharmacopuncture for Cervicogenic Dizziness.

ObjectivesPharmacopuncture is a treatment that medicinal fluid including herbal extract is injected in body under qi/flavor theory and meridian theories. There are a number of studies investigating the efficacy of pharmacopuncture for cervicogenic dizziness but its usage differs in each study. This study aimed to review previous studies of pharmacopuncture treatment for cervicogenic dizziness to navigate the direction of improvement.MethodsLiterature review was conducted on studies aimed at pharmacopuncture for cervicogenic dizziness. The randomized controlled studies which assessed the efficacy of pharmacopuncture on cervicogenic dizziness were selected. The studies were searched in Pubmed, RISS, OASIS and CNKI. After selecting eligible studies, the authors read the articles and summarized the points those are necessary in pharmacopuncture treatment for cervicogenic dizziness.ResultsTwenty seven studies and 2,709 participants were included. The diverse solutions were used and the most popular were Salvia miltiorrhiza, Angelica gigas, a compound in Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng saponins. Some studies investigated the efficacy of conventional medical compounds (lidocaine, vitamin B, dexamethasone) injected in acupoints. Adopting acupoints and combining with body acupuncture have shown the tendency to enhance the cure rate. Pharmacopuncture could improve the efficacy of conventional treatment for cervicogenic dizziness.ConclusionAs the solution and injection method varies, principles of pharmacopuncture for dizziness should be investigated.

Useful Influence of Ear &amp; Body Acupuncture Treatment on the Significant Reduction of Body Weight of Obesity and its Relationship with Oxidant-Antioxidant System

333 Acupuncture has been used in treating obesity even before 1975. Effect mechanism and beneficial effects of acupuncture treatment are unclear. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are harmful by-products of human body metabolism. The oxidative effects of ROS are neutralized by the antioxidant capacity. Thiols are substantial antioxidant agents and found in cysteine amino acid. Cysteine residues form disulfide bridges, predictor of oxidant stress. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis is an important parameter associated with several disorders such as cardiac, endocrine, neurologic diseases. To date, the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress and thiol–disulfide homeostasis in obese individuals has not yet been examined. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of acupuncture for weight control on dynamic thiol–disulfide homeostasis. A total of 101 subjects who were being treated for weight control at our center (89 women and 12 men, body mass index (BMI) ≥22.48) were randomly enrolled in this study, and treated with ear &amp; body acupuncture. Body acupuncture is given manually. Ear acupuncture is given with a needle embedded within adhesive tape through performing acupressure by the patients three times per day. We measured the levels of thiol, any organic compound containing –SH group. Reduced thiol was represented with native thiol (-SH). Oxidized thiol (-S-S) was represented by disulfide. Total thiol was composed of sum of the native thiol and disulfide levels. We analyzed the differences between baseline BMI, blood native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels, and those after 10 weeks of acupuncture treatment. After acupuncture treatment, significant body weight and BMI reductions were observed. Mean body weight decreased significantly from 78.66±12.66 kg before treatment to 74.46±11.29 kg after treatment (p&lt;0.001) and mean BMI decreased from 29.54±3.99 kg/m2 before treatment to 27.98±3.68 kg/m2 after treatment (p&lt;0.001). Mean native thiol and total thiol levels increased significantly after acupuncture compared to before acupuncture. Disulfide levels insignificantly decreased. This is the first study to demonstrate that the beneficial effects of acupuncture in treating obesity are associated with improvements in thiol–disulfide homeostasis, an imbalance in which is associated with oxidative stress. Additional studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism or signaling pathways involved in the effect of acupuncture on obesity.

Effect of acupuncture at proximal and distal acupoints combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on children with cerebral palsy salivation

To explore the effect of acupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the children with cerebral palsy salivation on the basis of oral function training. A total of 124 children were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 62 cases in each one. Oral function training (30 min a time) and NMES (20 min a time) were used in the two groups. Acupuncture was applied after NMES in the observation group. The main acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Speech AreaⅠ, Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Scalp acupuncture was for 1 h, and body acupuncture was for 30 min. Pricking blood was used at Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) for the patients of Ⅴ in teacher salivation grading (TDS). All the treatment was given for 3 courses, 30 days as a course, 5 times a week, once a day. TDS, safety, dysphagia and Gesell development scale were assessed before and after treatment. After treatment, the total effective rate of TDS in the observation group was 83.9% (52/62), which was better than 58.1% (36/62) in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of dysphasia in the observation group was 88.7% (55/62), which was better than 69.4% (43/62) in the control group (P<0.05). The lip and tongue movement, chewing and swallowing after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the Gesell development scale of adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient were better compared with those before treatment in the observation group (all P<0.05); the language behavior improved after treatment in the control group (P<0.05). The adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). The adverse reactions in the observation group were less than those in the control group. Acupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with NMES are better than simple NMES for children with cerebral palsy salivation. The methods could not only improve children's behavior cognitive ability, but also improve the sensation and motor coordination of the lip, tongue, pharynx, etc. As a result, the salivation and swallowing function improve.

Meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials for scalp acupuncture treatment of stroke: A systematic review

OBJECTIVETo conduct a systematic review to assess the clinical effectiveness of scalp acupuncture (SA) for stroke. METHODSLiterature searches were performed in 7 databases up to 16 August 2014, and all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which SA therapy was administered to stroke patients were selected. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad score, the Cochrane risk of bias assessment, and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. RESULTSOf a total of 2086 papers, 21 RCTs were selected. Meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the total efficacy rates of the SA group and the body acupuncture (BA) group vs the medication group (P < 0.002, P < 0.000 001, respectively), the SA plus BA group vs the BA group (P < 0.001); in the motor function of the SA plus BA group vs the BA group (P = 0.077); and in the nerve function of the SA group vs the SA plus BA group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONThe results of our systematic review showed that SA therapy may exhibit effects in treatment efficacy and in the recovery of motor and nervous functions in patients with acute to chronic stroke. However, because of the lack of methodological quality, the thoroughly planned clinical studies are still required.

Effect of electroacupuncture on Indonesian patients with excess body weight

Excess body weight is a public health problem worldwide. This has led to an increase in the morbidity and mortality of excess body weight-related diseases, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Weight-loss methods include diet, physical activity, behavioral therapy, medications, surgery, and acupuncture. There has been much interest in the management of excess body weight via electroacupuncture (EA) therapy. This study aimed to determine whether EA at ear and/or body acupuncture points can achieve a body weight loss of ≥1% per week in patients with excess body weight. This was a case series with a sample size of 28. The study sample data were taken from the medical records of patients in the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Acupuncture Clinic who received acupuncture therapy and met the inclusion criteria. The success criterion for body weight loss was a loss of 1%–2% per week from the previous body weight. The percentage of body weight loss in patients with excess body weight was 1.11% per week, with a success rate of 89.28%.

Experimentally investigating the effect of buccal acupuncture on analgesic time-effect characteristics and monoamine neurotransmitters

To investigate the analgesic time-effect characteristics and changes in concentrations of rabbit’s hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) caused by buccal acupuncture in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits, and to reveal the analgesic central mechanism of buccal acupuncture, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of pain by buccal acupuncture. Forty rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a body acupuncture group, and a buccal acupuncture group, with 10 rabbits in each group. No model was established in the normal group, while equal dose of normal saline was injected at the matched site and time point; rabbits in other groups were subjected to the establishment of RA models using egg protein. From the 27th day of the experiment, rabbits in each group received the designated intervention. Rabbits in the normal group and the model group were fixed for 30 min every day using the same method as those in the other groups. In the acupuncture group, Dubi (ST 35) and Zusanli (ST 36) on bilateral hind limbs were selected. Perpendicular needling (using the needles with 0.25 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length) was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min. The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day. In the buccal acupuncture group, the knee point in the buccal acupuncture and needles with a diameter of 0.25 mm and a length of 15 mm were selected. Oblique needling was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min. The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day. The thermal pain thresholds at the 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after the 1st and 10th acupuncture therapy were measured with a PL-200 thermal-inducing pain meter. After the 10th acupuncture therapy, rabbit’s hypothalamus was removed, and the 5-HT and NE concentrations in the hypothalamus at the peak point of the acupuncture pain threshold curve were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analgesic effect was obvious at 5 min after buccal acupuncture started, peaked at 30 min, and decreased to the lowest value at 240 min. Rabbits in the body acupuncture group began to show significant analgesic effect at 15 min, which was peaked at 30 min, and began to decline at 60 min. The pain threshold at 240 min was still higher than that at 0 min. Compared with the model group, the concentrations of hypothalamic 5-HT in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group was significantly increased, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The NE/5-HT ratios in hypothalamus in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group were significantly lower than the ratio in the model group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05); difference in the decrease was statistically significant between the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group (P<0.05). The analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture shows an obvious time-dependent curve. It is characterized by rapid onset of pain relief, rapid increase and decline in pain threshold. 5-HT and NE levels in rabbit’s hypothalamus can be affected by buccal acupuncture, with increased 5-HT concentration and reduced NE/5-HT ratio.

Painless Laser Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation.

Objective: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in healthcare is based on the holistic concept of smooth energy flow. The energy helps maintain the circulation of Blood and bodily processes. An efficient supply of consistent energy and good circulation helps support the body's homeostasis. In therapeutics, low-level laser energy can be transferred to the body (via the auricle) to activate or maintain homeostasis through specifically appropriate auricular sites. The goal of this research was to track the effects of painless laser acupuncture (PLA) on a group of highly motivated patients who wanted to quit smoking. Materials and Methods: Executives in their early 30s-50s, who were highly motivated and stressed individuals were treated. Most of these 175 patients smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day (20 cigarettes), with a few patients smoking more than 1 pack per day. The treatment consisted of PLA applied to both auricular and body acupuncture points in a total of 7 sessions. Results: There was general satisfaction among the patients about the treatment. Of 24 females (13.72%), 21 (87.50%) did not smoke after completing the 7 sessions. Two women reported that despite not having real cravings to smoke, they smoked 1-2 cigarettes per day. One woman (4.12%) reported that she smoked 2-3 cigarettes. Conclusions: The PLA technique for smoking cessation, combined with the principles of TCM, not only helps smokers stop smoking but also restores their homeostasis and good health. By selecting the optimal auricular and body acupuncture points and meridian channels and applying laser energy dosages, the homeostatic hence healing process can be synergized.

A bibliometric analysis of clinical study literature of traditional Chinese medicine therapies for smoking cessation.

INTRODUCTIONTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used for smoking cessation in China. The aim of this study is to perform a comprehensive literature search to identify clinical studies on TCM therapies for smoking cessation.METHODSPublications of randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical studies, cohort studies, case-control studies, case series and case reports, reviews and cross-sectional studies on smoking cessation using TCM therapies were retrieved from seven databases from their inception to February 2017. The following data were extracted and analyzed: study type, year of publication, language, country or region, journals, participants, intervention and comparison, and outcome.RESULTSIn total, 260 publications on TCM therapies for smoking cessation were identified from 1980 to 2016, including 52 randomized clinical trials, 7 controlled clinical studies, 1 cohort study, 110 case series, 18 case reports, 50 narrative reviews, 17 systematic reviews, and 5 cross-sectional studies. Of these, 68.5% (178) were published in Chinese and the remaining published in English. Mainland China (n=129, 49.6%) was the leading country in this field, followed by USA (n=27, 10.4%) and UK (n=25, 9.6%). A total of 36 645 participants from 40 countries with age ranging from 12 to 86 years were involved in 188 clinical studies (excluding reviews and cross-sectional studies). The most commonly reported therapies were auricular acupressure (25, 13.3%), body acupuncture (14, 7.4%), and body acupuncture plus auricular acupressure (14, 7.4%). Composite outcomes were most frequently reported (110, 58.5%).CONCLUSIONSA substantial number of clinical studies have been conducted and published on TCM therapy for smoking cessation, mainly focusing on acupuncture stimulation techniques. The findings suggest that future research should pay more attention to acupuncture for smoking cessation.

A survey of Korean medicine doctors\u2019 clinical practice patterns for autism spectrum disorder: preliminary research for clinical practice guidelines

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) clinical practice patterns of Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) through questionnaire survey.MethodsQuestionnaires on Korean medicine (KM) treatment for ASD were distributed to 255 KMDs on December 5, 2016. The KMDs were psychiatrists, pediatricians, or general practitioners, who treated patients with ASD. The questionnaire covered items on treatment methods, aims of treatment, KM syndrome differentiation, diagnostic tools, and sociodemographic characteristics. Frequency analysis was conducted to describe the participants and their practices.ResultsA total 22.4% KMDs (n = 57/255) completed the questionnaires and 54 KMDs (21.2%) matched the inclusion criteria. The KMDs utilized herbal medicine (27.3%), body acupuncture (17.6%), scalp acupuncture (10.7%), moxibustion (6.4%), and Korean medical psychotherapy (5.9%) to treat ASD. The most commonly prescribed herbal medicine was Yukmijihwang-tang. Forty-eight (88.9%) KMDs responded that they used KM syndrome differentiation. ‘Organ system, Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, Fluid and Humor diagnosis’ was most frequently used for syndrome differentiation. ASD was mainly diagnosed based on the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and DSM-5.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated the current status of KMDs’ diagnosis and treatment of ASD. In future clinical trials and clinical practice guidelines, these findings will provide meaningful information on the actual practice patterns of KMDs.

Effect of electro-scalp acupuncture on acute ischemic stroke: a randomized, single blind, trial

OBJECTIVETo determine the clinical efficacy and safety of electro-scalp acupuncture in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODSTotally 74 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled and divided into either body acupuncture (Control) or electro-scalp acupuncture (ESA) groups according to randomized controlled principle. The patients in the control group were given body acupuncture treatment once daily for 28 d, whereas except for the body acupuncture, electro-scalp acupuncture was additional treatment given to the ESA group. Neurological deficits, everyday motor function and muscle strength were evaluated at baseline and the 28th d by NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Modified Barthel Index Score (MBI), respectively. RESULTSThere were not obvious between-group differences in the baseline efficacy parameters (NIHSS, FMA and MBI) (all P > 0.05), whereas significant between-group differences were found in post-treatment NIHSS, FMA-UE and MBI scores (all P < 0.05). After acupuncture treatment, systematic within-group improvements were found in the two groups for any of the efficacy parameters assessed (all P < 0.01), and the ESA group showed higher significant improvements in NIHSS, FMA-UE and MBI scores (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONElectro-scalp acupuncture was efficacious in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, which resulted in meaningful improvements in neurologic function, motor function and activities of daily living of patients.

The Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Auricular Acupressure in the Treatment of Chloasma.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure in chloasma treatment. Methods A prospective, randomized controlled assessor-blind clinical trial was performed and 135 patients were assigned into acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (A), acupuncture (B), and control (C) groups, each with 45 patients. For groups A and B, body and facial acupuncture were applied for 2 months. For group A, auricular acupressure was applied concomitantly. For group C, vitamins C and E were prescribed for 3 months. Primary outcome measure was the therapeutic effects while secondary outcome measure was safety evaluation. Results The total effective rate was 95.6%, 91.1%, and 75.6% for groups A, B, and C (P < 0.01 between groups A and C; P < 0.05 between groups B and C). The posttreatment estradiol (E2) levels in groups A and B were significantly decreased while the progesterone (P4) levels were significantly increased compared to pretreatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, resp.). The differences were significant compared to group C (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, resp.). No adverse events occurred. Conclusion Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure could significantly increase the therapeutic effect of chloasma treatment and could be better than vitamins C and E.

Efecto de la acupuntura en el control de la hipertensión arterial. Protocolo del estudio y resultados

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the control of arterial hypertension in patients already diagnosed with hypertension and who were currently on pharmacological treatment in the Montbrió del Camp Primary Care Area from October to December 2016.An experimental intervention study was conducted using random selection. A total of 11 patients were subjected to an energetic evaluation, and then treated with acupuncture for 8 weeks.The treatment consisted of performing body acupuncture together with auriculotherapy weekly for 8 consecutive weeks. The points were punctured using needles for 20minutes and then vaccaria seeds were placed in the ear at the end of each session, so that the patient could press them twice a day until the next visit. The points treated depended on the energetic evaluation and subsequent diagnosis according to the criteria of the five elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the fire, wood, and water points being treated. More points were added to all the participants depending on the energetic diagnosis according to Wu. Xing theory. The points treated in the auriculotherapy were Shen Men and Heart, as well as taking into account the presence of the diagonal groove in the earlobe.In the present study, acupuncture was shown to be effective in reducing the blood pressure levels in patients who were already receiving pharmacological treatment. This reduction is produced in the first three weeks and is subsequently maintained for a minimum of eight weeks.

An evaluation of the effect of acupuncture on salivary pH and the Xerostomia Inventory score innasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with chemoradiation-induced xerostomia

Radiation-induced xerostomia is a distressing side-effect of radiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment, commonly occurring in almost 100% of patients who undergo this procedure. It has been proposed that acupuncture can be used to treat radiation-induced xerostomia. To the best of our knowledge, the current study constitutes the first acupuncture research that has been conducted in Indonesia on xerostomia following chemo-irradiation in NPC patients. Twenty-five patients with xerostomia due tochemo-irradiation for NPC were divided randomly into three groups of auriculopuncture (group A), body acupuncture (group B), and combination acupuncture (group C). The subjects were evaluated according to Xerostomia Inventory scores before and after six and 12 acupuncture treatments. Salivary pH was determined before and after the 12th acupuncture treatment using a saliva check buffer kit. The success rate of acupuncture therapy in group A was 71–100%, 68–89% ingroup B, and 89–100% in group C (p > 0.050). The mean salivary pH increased after therapy from 6.18±0.60 to 6.83±4.48 in group A, from 6.16±0.54 to 6.67±2.26 in group B, and from 6.00±0.40 to 6.60±2.23 in group C (p > 0.050). After the 12th acupuncture therapy session, the mean Xerostomia Inventory score decreased from 35.70±5.14 prior to acupuncture therapy to 22.89±16.15 after it in group A, with corresponding decreases of 34.70±7.77 to 20.89±10.06 in group B, and of 36.70±5.25 to 21.44±8.97 in group C (p > 0.050). Auriculopuncture, body acupuncture, and combination acupuncture had the same effect of increasing salivary pH and decreasing the Xerostomia Inventory score in patients with xerostomia following chemo irradiation for NPC.

Integrative medicine in cancer survivors.

Due to medical advances and an aging population, the number of cancer survivors continues to rise. Survivors often experience late and long-term sequelae of cancer and its treatment (e.g., fatigue, pain, fear of recurrence, and stress). As a result, some patients have utilized or expressed interest in integrative medicine (IM) modalities for prevention of recurrence, optimizing health, enhancing quality of life, and managing symptoms. The purpose of this review is to focus on research published during the past year that informs our understanding of the utility of IM for cancer survivors. Physical activity, diet, dietary supplements, mind-body modalities, acupuncture, and massage therapy all may play a role in the management of the physical (e.g., fatigue and pain) and emotional (e.g., anxiety and fear) issues faced by cancer survivors. IM therapies are appealing to and utilized by many cancer survivors and may reduce symptom burden. Clinicians who provide cancer survivorship care may improve patient care by understanding the evidence for and against their use.

Analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture on acute arthritis in rabbits and underlying mechanisms

To observe the analgesic effect of acupuncture and to explore its central analgesic mechanism in rheumatoid arthritis rabbits. Methods: A total of 60 flap-eared white rabbits were randomly assigned into a normal control group (n=6), a model group (n=6), a body-acupuncture group (n=24), and a buccal acupuncture group (n=24). The later 2 groups were further randomly assigned into 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 h subgroups, with 6 cases in each group. The rheumatoid arthritis model was established by induction of egg-albumin. In the body acupuncture group, bilateral "Xiyan" and "Zusanli" were punctured for 15 s while in the buccal acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to "Xi" for 15 s, with the needle retaining for 30 min. The pain threshold was detected with PL-200, taking struggle movements of rabbits as a measurement index, response latency from irradiation to struggling movements as the rabbit's pain threshold. The contents of β-endorplhin (β-EP) and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) in cerebrospinal fluid were examined by radioimmunoassay. Results: Compared with the control group, pain threshold and CCK-8 levels decreased significantly (P<0.01) and the concentration of β-EP significantly increased (P<0.05) in the model group. The pain threshold in the body-acupuncture group and the buccal acupuncture group at 0 and 1 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01) increased significantly, while the β-EP and CCK-8 contents in the body-acupuncture group and the buccal acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Both β-EP and CCK-8 contents in the buccal acupuncture group at 0 h were significantly higher than those in the body-acupuncture group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture is superior to that of body-acupuncture. Both buccal acupuncture and body-acupuncture can effectively raise the pain threshold in acute arthritis rabbits, which is closely associated with their effects in the up-regulation of β-EP and CCK-8 contents in cerebrospinal fluid.

Study protocol of a pragmatic, randomised controlled pilot trial: clinical effectiveness on smoking cessation of traditional and complementary medicine interventions, including acupuncture and aromatherapy, in combination with nicotine replacement therapy

IntroductionNicotine dependence is a disease, and tobacco use is related to 6 million deaths annually worldwide. Recently, in many countries, there has been growing interest in the use of traditional...