Clinical Effect Of Acupuncture Research Articles

Progress of researches on the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's disease by modulating synaptic plasticity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with high incidence in the elderly population, and the synaptic changes in central neurons are the key pathological feature. The clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of AD is positive, and the research on the mechanism of acupuncture intervention of AD from the perspective of central synaptic plasticity regulation has been conducted uninterruptedly. In the present paper, we made a summation about the relevant experimental studies in recent years, and analyzed its mechanisms underlying improvement of AD by regulating synaptic plasticity from 1) repairing synaptic structure (synaptic contact area ［total number of synapses, synaptic surface density, synaptic number density］, postsynaptic dense zone thickness, synaptic gap width, and interface curvature), 2) improving synaptic transmission efficiency (regulating long-term potentiation and long-term depression), 3) promoting the expression of synapse related proteins (synaptophysin, postsynaptic density protein 95, growth associated protein 43), 4) regulating the expression of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, monoamines, amino acids, etc.) and receptors (α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, glutaminergic receptor, etc.), and 5) improving the level of neurotrophic factors (brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) and BDNF/SYN/microtubule-associated protein 2 signaling, etc., hoping to provide a reference for future studies.

Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Conjunction with Huatan Tongluo Decoction in Managing Post-Stroke Sequelae

Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Conjunction with Huatan Tongluo Decoction in Managing Post-Stroke Sequelae

Clinical effect of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized parallel-controlled study.

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided nerve blockage in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. A total of 61 outpatients with post-chest and back herpes zoster neuralgia were recruited in the Department of Pain at the Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2019 to June 2021. They were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one patients in the control group were treated with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (PVB) alone, one patient declined to continue during treatment ( 30), and thirty patients in the observation group received the acupuncture along the fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided PVB treatment ( 30). Both control and observation group received treatment weekly for 4 weeks. The medical history data such as age, sex, presence or absence of comorbidities and disease course were analyzed. The visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess the pain degree of two groups at T0 (before treatment), T1 (1-time treatment ended), T2 (2 times treatment ended), T3 (3 times treatment ended), and T4 (4 times treatment ended). The sleep state was examined by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the study. There was no significant difference in general conditions between the control group and the observation group (> 0.05). The VAS score in both control and observation group was decreased in a time-dependent manner after 1-4 weeks of treatment. There were no significant differences in VAS scores between the two groups after 1 or 2 weeks of treatment ( > 0.05). After 3 and 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS score was significantly decreased in the observation group compared with that in the control group ( < 0.001). In addition, the reduction in VAS score (after treatment-before treatment) between the two groups was statistically significant [D value: -1.53, 95% (-2.32, 0.74), < 0.001]. Furthermore, the sleep state of patients in both groups markedly improved and much obvious in the observation group than that in the control group ( < 0.05). These results suggest that a combination of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves with ultrasound-guided PVB treatment is more effective than ultrasound-guided PVB treatment alone. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200057955.

Retracted: Observation on the Clinical Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Combined with Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Facial Paralysis.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/9642677.].

Research Advances in Acupuncture in the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke

In recent years, the incidence of ischemic stroke has been increasing. Patients are prone to many complications after half a year of onset or has slow recovery of neuromotor function of one limb on one side of hemiplegia. The clinical effect of acupuncture in treating this disease is remarkable. According to research, acupuncture combined with medication and rehabilitation can reduce the degree of nerve defects in the early stage of the disease, improve daily life, and improve prognosis. This article summarizes the research on acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke for future reference.

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with language training for motor aphasia after stroke: study protocol for a multicenter randomized sham-controlled trial

BackgroundMotor aphasia after stroke is a common and intractable complication of stroke. Acupuncture and language training may be an alternative and effective approach. However, the efficacy of acupuncture and language training for motor aphasia after stroke has not been confirmed. The main objectives of this trial are to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and low-intensity, low-dose language training in treating ischemic motor aphasia after stroke from 15 to 90 days.MethodsThis is a multicenter randomized sham-controlled clinical trial. We will allocate 252 subjects aged between 45 and 75 years diagnosed with motor aphasia after stroke with an onset time ranging from 15 to 90 days into two groups randomly in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will be treated with “Xing-Nao Kai-Qiao” acupuncture therapy plus language training, and those in the control group will be treated with sham-acupoint (1 cun next to the acupoints) acupuncture therapy plus language training. All the patients will be given acupuncture and language training for 6 weeks, with a follow-up evaluation 6 weeks after the end of the treatment and 6 months after the onset time. The patients will mainly be evaluated using the Western Aphasia Battery and Chinese Functional Communication Profile, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks of treatment will be recorded. The baseline characteristics of the patients will be summarized by group, the chi-squared test will be used to compare categorical variables, and repeated measures of analysis of variance or a linear mixed model will be applied to analyze the changes measured at different time points.DiscussionThe present study is designed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of traditional acupuncture therapy and language training in ischemic motor aphasia after stroke and explore the correlation between the treatment time and clinical effect of acupuncture. We hope our results will help doctors understand and utilize acupuncture combined with language training.Trial registrationChiCTR ChiCTR1900026740. Registered on 20 October 2019

Clinical effects of acupuncture on the treatment of delayed sleep wake phase disorder (DSWPD)

Background: Delayed sleep–wake phase disorder (DSWPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. People with DSWPD fall asleep approximately 2 to 6hours later than those with normal sleep patterns, negatively affecting their ability to learn and work. According to some randomized controlled trials, acupuncture can effectively treat sleep disorders; however, no study has focused specifically on DSWPD. We verified the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with DSWPD by designing an randomized controlled trials with a sufficient sample size, and formed the basis for an improved acupuncture treatment protocol. Method/Design: This protocol describes a randomized, single-site, double-blind, sham-controlled trial in which 84 eligible participants will be enrolled and randomly distributed to either the acupuncture group (n = 42) or the sham acupuncture group (n = 42) in a 1:1 proportion. Participants will receive 20 treatment sessions over eight consecutive weeks. Sleep quality was evaluated by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The sleep parameters recorded will be used to measure the secondary results using actigraphy, the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Primary outcomes and actigraphy will be evaluated at baseline, week 4, week 8, and at the first and third month after treatment. Discussion: We hypothesize that the outcomes of the proposed study will determine that acupuncture is efficient and secure for the treatment on DSWPD. Evidence for its clinical use could be provided by this positive result. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000039450. Registered on October 28, 2020.

Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Depression.

Major depressive disorder is the most common mental disorder with significant economic burden and limited treatments. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological treatment for reducing depressive symptoms. However, the potential mechanisms and clinical effectiveness of acupuncture are not fully understood. This review aimed to: (1) summarize the available evidence on the mechanisms and clinical effectiveness of acupuncture for depression, and then (2) compare with pharmacological interventions, guiding future studies. Studies with animal models of depression and patients have shown that acupuncture could increase hippocampal and network neuroplasticity and decrease brain inflammation, potentially to alleviating depressive disorders. Overall clinical studies indicated that acupuncture could relieve primary depression, particularly milder cases, and was helpful in the management of post-stroke depression, pain-related depression, and postpartum depression both as an isolated and adjunct treatment. It was emphasized that acupuncture combined with antidepressant pharmacological treatment not only enhanced the improvement of primary and secondary depressive symptoms but also reduced the side effects of the medical treatment, which is the main cause for high dropout rates with drug treatment. In summary, substantial evidence from animal and human researches supported the beneficial effect of acupuncture in depression. However, most clinical trials of acupuncture were small, and it is unclear whether their findings can be generalized, so more studies are needed.

Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Depression

Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Depression

Observation on the Clinical Effect of Acupuncture on Four-slit Ear Tip in Children with Low Fever

Observation on the Clinical Effect of Acupuncture on Four-slit Ear Tip in Children with Low Fever

Analysis of Clinical Effect of Acupuncture on Dizziness and Dizziness

Analysis of Clinical Effect of Acupuncture on Dizziness and Dizziness

Observation on the Clinical Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Combined with Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Facial Paralysis.

In view of the difficulty in the treatment of facial paralysis and the poor effect of traditional methods, this paper proposes a strategy based on acupuncture and repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation. The three groups of patients were tested for efficacy using the H-B scale and the symptom characteristics and physical signs measurement scale. Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the clinical efficacy of facial paralysis. And it is significantly better than traditional paralysis and repetitive translational magnetic stimulation in the degree of healing.

Clinical Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Moxibustion on Stomach Pain of Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold Type

Clinical Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Moxibustion on Stomach Pain of Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold Type

Acupuncture for Arthralgia Induced by Aromatase Inhibitors in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background:Aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIA) is the most common side effect of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) used in breast cancer patients and is related to the rate of adherence to AIs. The clinical effects of acupuncture on AIA have been assessed by some randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, some studies reported that acupuncture was effective, while others claimed that it was ineffective. To clarify the clinical and placebo effects of acupuncture in treating AIA, we conducted this meta-analysis.Methods:Two reviewers (XL and GW) independently searched for RCTs in 5 English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Springer, Cochrane Library) and 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), SinoMed, VIP and Wanfang Database) from their inception to 30 November 2019. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this meta-analysis was performed by fixed or random-effects models, and data were pooled with mean differences (MDs).Results:Seven trials involving 603 patients were reviewed. The primary outcome, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) score, significantly differed between the acupuncture and control groups [pain-related interference: MD = −1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) [−2.99, −0.79], Z = 3.36 (P = .008 < .05), pain severity: MD = −1.57, 95% CI [−2.46, −0.68], Z = 3.45 (P = .0006 < .05), worst pain: MD = −2.31, 95% CI [−3.15, −1.48], Z = 5.47 (P < .0001 < .05)]. No severe adverse events were reported in any study.Conclusion:This meta-analysis showed that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer patients with AIA. Additional research with improved blinding methods is warranted to further explore the nature of non-specific and placebo effects in true and sham acupuncture.

The Management of Sciatica by Acupuncture: An Expert Consensus Using the Improved Delphi Survey

ObjectiveAcupuncture therapy is an effective non-drug therapy for sciatica, but it has not yet formed an effective treatment strategy and recommendations. Our objective was to establish an expert consensus on acupuncture treatment of sciatica for clinical guidance based on the improved Delphi survey.MethodsA group of 80 clinical specialists was invited to participate in two rounds of semi-open clinical issue investigation. At the same time, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for systematic reviews on acupuncture treatment of sciatica, and the quality of evidence was evaluated. Then the three-round Delphi survey was undertaken with 30 experts based on the clinical issue investigation and systematic reviews.ResultsIn round 1 of the Delphi survey, the experts evaluated 17 items identified from the results of the clinical investigation and literature review. The criterion for achieving consensus was a threshold of 80% agreement. After the three-round Delphi survey, 16 items (94.12%) achieved consensus, including 5 domains: the principle of acupuncture treatment for sciatica; the “dose” of acupuncture; the clinical effects of acupuncture; the adverse effects, and others.ConclusionThis Delphi survey achieved an expert consensus on key items in the management of sciatica for acupuncture, which provides the current opinions in China. We trust that these treatment recommendations may facilitate their implementation in the future.

A systematic review of the efficacy comparison of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common symptoms in gynecology. It refers to people who experience lower abdominal pain, swelling, backache, or another discomfort before and after menstruation or during menstruation, which seriously affects the quality of life and work. Clinically, there are many methods to treat primary dysmenorrhea, among which acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are beneficial. This work aimed to test the efficacy of acupuncture and TCM in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea and hope to supply more reliable evidence for clinical treatment. We searched articles from the Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure and collected the clinical, randomized, or quasi-randomized controlled trials of acupuncture compared with TCM for primary dysmenorrhea. We tested the quality and data of the included studies according to the Cochrane criteria and compiled detailed systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Seven articles (including 492 patients) on acupuncture and TCM for primary dysmenorrhea were included in the systematic review. Seven studies were included in the final analysis, and there was no heterogeneity among the studies (P=0.98, I2=0%). The results showed that the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture was better than TCM (OR: 4.86, 95% CI: 2.84-8.33, Z =5.75, P<0.00001). The efficacy of acupuncture is superior to TCM in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Clinical Effects Of Acupuncture On The Pathophysiological Mechanism Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease During Exercise.

PurposePharmacological therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation are useful for exertional dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, several patients have no meaningful improvements. Although acupuncture significantly improves exercise intolerance and dyspnoea, the pathophysiological mechanism of these effects is unknown; therefore, we evaluated this mechanism using cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a single-arm, open experimental study.Patients and methodsSixteen patients with COPD underwent acupuncture once a week for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were exercise performance parameters, including peak oxygen uptake in the incremental exercise tests (IETs) and the time to the limit of tolerance measured in constant work rate exercise tests (CWRETs) at 70% peak work-rate of the IET. IETs and CWRETs were performed at baseline and at weeks 12, 16, and 24.ResultsDuring the time course, there were significant increases in peak oxygen uptake (p = 0.018) and minute ventilation (V̇E, p = 0.04) in the IETs. At 12 weeks, the endurance time significantly increased (810 ± 470 vs 1125 ± 657 s, p < 0.001) and oxygen uptakes at terminated exercise were significantly lower (771 ± 149 mL/min, p < 0.05) than those at baseline (822 ± 176 mL/min) in CWRETs. The significant decreases in oxygen uptake and minute ventilation and improvements in Borg scale scores were also observed during CWRETs after acupuncture. The decreases at isotime in the Borg scale (r = −0.789, p = 0.0007) and V̇E (r = −0.6736, p = 0.0042) were significantly correlated with the improvement of endurance time.ConclusionThe positive effects of acupuncture on exertional dyspnoea were associated with increased endurance time influenced by improved oxygen utilisation and reduced ventilation during exercise. Acupuncture may be a new intervention for COPD in addition to conventional maintenance therapies.

Acupuncture and herbal moxibustion for the treatment of \u2018BiQiu\u2019 (allergic rhinitis symptoms) in a Hong Kong Chinese medicine clinic: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease. No evidence is available for the clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion for the management of AR symptoms in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture with or without herbal moxibustion on relieving AR symptoms in the Hong Kong population.MethodsA single-centre, randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial with three parallel arms (acupuncture alone, acupuncture combined with herbal moxibustion treatment and waitlist) was designed. Groups with acupuncture treatment received treatment 3 times per week for a total of 12 sessions in 4 weeks. Acupuncture combined with herbal moxibustion treatment group received herbal moxibustion once per week for a total of 4 sessions over 4 weeks in addition to acupuncture treatment. Participants in the waitlist group received no treatment. All patients received advice on healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise.ResultsNinety-six subjects were recruited and allocated randomly (1:1:1) into three study groups. Compared to the waitlist group, both treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant decreases in TNSS and RQLQ at the end of treatment as well as after follow-up period (all P < 0.01). However, there was no statistically differences between these two treatment groups. There was no difference in the change of total IgE levels among study groups before or after the treatment. Only one patient reported adverse effects with herbal moxibustion treatment, and no adverse effects were found in others.ConclusionsThis study supports that acupuncture could help relieve AR symptoms, but no evidence on additional treatment effect of herbal moxibustion was found.Trial registration ChiCTR-INR-16010047 registered on November 25, 2016.

The clinical effects of acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill on dry eyes

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill in patients with dry eyes. Methods A total of 100 patients with dry eye were enrolled in line with the inclusion criteria and divided into experimental group and control group by random figure table. The experimental group was treated with acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill, and the control group was treated with artificial tears. After 2 months of treatment, the Schirmer test (schirmerI, SIT), tear film break up time (BUT), fluorescent staining (FL) and clinical symptom score were observed and compared, and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was 89.0% (89/100) and the control group was 67.0% (67/100), and the difference was significant (χ2=14.121, P<0.001). After treatment, the levels of BUT (7.89 ± 1.65 s vs. 5.01 ± 1.72 s, t=8.543), SIT (7.45 ± 1.68 mm vs. 5.01 ± 1.72 mm, t=5.991) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the difference is significant (P<0.01). The FL score and dry eye score in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (t were 11.551, 12.342, P<0.01). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill has better clinical effect and good safety for the treatment of dry eye patients. Key words: Xerophthalmia; Acupuncture therapy; Acupuncture reinforcing method; Mingmu-Dihuang pill; Therapies, investigational; Lacrimal apparatus diseases

Acupuncture for cancer pain: protocol for a pilot pragmatic randomised controlled trial

IntroductionAlthough acupuncture has been recommended for alleviating cancer pain by clinical guidelines, the level of the supporting evidence needs to be improved. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial (pRCT) in a...