Clinical Efficacy Of Acupuncture Research Articles

Objectivization study of acupuncture Deqi and brain modulation mechanisms: a review.

Deqi is an important prerequisite for acupuncture to achieve optimal efficacy. Chinese medicine has long been concerned with the relationship between Deqi and the clinical efficacy of acupuncture. However, the underlying mechanisms of Deqi are complex and there is a lack of systematic summaries of objective quantitative studies of Deqi. Acupuncture Deqi can achieve the purpose of treating diseases by regulating the interaction of local and neighboring acupoints, brain centers, and target organs. At local and neighboring acupoints, Deqi can change their tissue structure, temperature, blood perfusion, energy metabolism, and electrophysiological indicators. At the central brain level, Deqi can activate the brain regions of the thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, insular, middle temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, etc. It also has extensive effects on the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical-network and default mode network. The brain mechanisms of Deqi vary depending on the acupuncture techniques and points chosen. In addition, Deqi 's mechanism of action involves correcting abnormalities in target organs. The mechanisms of acupuncture Deqi are multi-targeted and multi-layered. The biological mechanisms of Deqi are closely related to brain centers. This study will help to explore the mechanism of Deqi from a local-central-target-organ perspective and provide information for future clinical decision-making.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction of colorectal cancer, a systematic review and Meta analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction(POGD) of colorectal cancer. Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in the treatment of POGD were retrieved from 7 databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform, WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period ranged from the inception of the databases to November 10th, 2022. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool and the modified Jadad scale. Meta analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4. Regression analysis and bias risk analysis were performed using Stata 16.0. Trial sequential analysis was conducted using TSA 0.9 software. A total of 27 randomized controlled trials involving 2 629 patients were included. Intervention measures included manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation, warm acupuncture, and thumb-tack needle. The results showed that acupuncture treatment significantly reduced time to tolerance of liquid diet after surgery (MD=-13.70, 95% CI=［-17.94, -9.46］, P<0.000 01), time to first defecation (MD=-18.20, 95% CI=［-22.62, -13.78］, P<0.000 01), time to first flatus (MD=-16.31, 95% CI=［-20.32, -12.31］, P<0.000 01), time to bowel sounds recovery (MD=-11.91, 95% CI=［-14.01, -9.81］, P<0.000 01), and length of hospital stay (MD=-1.49, 95% CI=［-2.27, -0.70］, P=0.000 2). Regression analysis indicated that cancer type, study quality and number of acupuncture were the main sources of heterogeneity. Bias analysis suggested potential publication bias risks. Trial sequential analysis indicated that the required number of cases had been met and the conclusion was reliable. Acupuncture is an effective intervention for promoting gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Further large-sample and well-designed clinical trials are still needed to compare different acupuncture techniques.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in patients with adhesive intestinal obstruction: A meta-analysis.

Background:Adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common surgical emergency. Surgical exploration has a considerable risk of intestinal injury, and surgical treatment may greatly reduce the quality of life after surgery and cause AIO after re-operation. The nonsurgical treatment is effective for approximately 70% to 90% of patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). However, the high recurrence (30%) and mortality (2%) rates of ASBO are concerning. Moreover, the ideal management method of ASBO remains debatable. Studies have shown that acupuncture can also promote postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and prevent postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, and visceral pain.Aim:We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of AIO.Methods:Randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of acupuncture for adhesive bowel obstruction published until November 2021 were identified by searching 8 comprehensive databases. Data analysis was performed using RevMan v. 5.4 and Stata software v. 16.0. The random-effects model and the fixed-effects model were used to perform the meta-analysis on the experimental group and control group.Results:Twelve studies with a total of 892 participants were included. The results showed that the experimental group had a significantly higher effective rate (relative risk: 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.28; P < .00001) and a markedly shorter time of the first defecation (mean difference: −11.49, 95% CI: −19.31 to −3.66; P = .004) than the control group. The experimental group also showed a reduction in the duration of abdominal pain, and the reduced length of hospital stay. However, no statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of the surgery conversion rate.Conclusion:Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of AIO. It can remarkably alleviate some clinical symptoms in patients with AIO.

Research progress on mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

The current clinical evidence and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were summarized, so as to better optimize clinical treatment. The relevant articles of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS in recent years were retrieved and summarized. We found that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS was relatively reliable. However, the mutual relationships among various mechanisms of action such as abnormal gastrointestinal motility, high visceral sensitivity, intestinal microenvironment disorders, and abnormal intestinal-brain interactions need to be further explored. The authors believe that in-depth explorations of the bidirectional regulation of "gut-brain axis", the law of changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora, and the establishment of a more ideal animal model of TCM syndrome differentiation are useful ideas for subsequent research.

Clinical Effect Analysis of Acupuncture Combined with Cupping Exercise in The Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with cupping exercise in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammation. Methods: The subjects of this study were all patients with chronic pelvic inflammation who visited our hospital from November 2018 to November 2019, a total of 90 cases. The patients were divided into control group and research group according to the single and double numbers of the beds, 45 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with conventional Western medicine, while the patients in the study group were treated with acupuncture and cupping exercise, and the clinical effects of the two treatment methods were compared. Results: The total effective rate was 95.56% in the study group and 84.44% in the control group, which was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The data between the two groups were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). The scores of menstrual disorder, abdominal distension, abnormal leucorrhea and lumbosacral pain in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P&lt;0.05), and the corresponding scores of syndromes in the study group after treatment were (1.05+0.40), (0.73+0.38), (0.74+0.24) and (0.53+0.16), which were significantly lower than those in the control group (P&lt;0.05). The plasma viscosity and hematocrit in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P&lt;0.05). The plasma viscosity and hematocrit in the study group after treatment were (1.14+0.32) mPa * s and (0.41+0.06) %, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (P&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of inflammatory factors between the two groups before treatment (P&gt;0.05). The level of inflammatory factors in the study group after treatment was (5.74 + 2.35) mg/L, which was significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment, and the difference between tne groups was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with cupping exercise has a very significant clinical effect in the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, can effectively improve the TCM syndrome score of patients, and improve the hemorheology and inflammation level of patients, so it can be widely used in clinical practice.

Clinical study on acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache (TTH). A total of 90 TTH patients were divided into an acupuncture group, an auricular point sticking group and an observation group by random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for treatment, while those in the acupuncture group only received acupuncture and those in the auricular point sticking group only received auricular point sticking for treatment. The headache attack frequency and the scores of visual analog scale (VAS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed before treatment, after treatment and 3 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the follow-up of 3 months after treatment. At follow-up, there were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the clinical efficacy ranking from high to low was the observation group, the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group. After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS score, headache attack frequency, SAS and SDS scores in the three groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). The above four results in the observation group were lower than those in the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group at the same time point (all P<0.01); VAS score in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group (both P<0.05). At follow-up, the headache frequency in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group (P<0.05). Either using acupuncture and auricular point sticking together or separately can reduce the headache degree of TTH patients, reduce the number of headache attacks, and relieve anxiety and depression. The efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking is most significant.

Neurological and psychological mechanisms of the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized, controlled, crossover trial

BackgroundAcupuncture, as one of the promising non-pharmacological interventions, has been proved to be beneficial for patients. However, the magnitude of acupuncture’s specific and nonspecific effects, as well as their neurological and psychological determinants, remains unclear. Therefore, this study is designed to examine the acupuncture efficacy, investigate whether the brain mechanisms between the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture are different, and to evaluate how psychological factors affect the acupuncture effects.MethodsThis is a randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial. A total of 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis will receive 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment and 4 weeks of sham acupuncture treatment in a random order separated by a washout period of 2 weeks. The changes in clinical characteristics based on pain-related scales will be assessed to investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans will be used to identify the brain activity changes related to the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture. The questionnaires of psychological factors will be used to evaluate patients’ psychological properties. Correlation and mediation analyses will be conducted among psychological factors, brain activity changes, and symptoms improvement to explore the neurological and psychological correlates of the acupuncture effects.DiscussionThis study will concentrate on distinguishing and clarifying the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture. The results of this study may contribute to rationally optimize the acupuncture therapies by flexible application of the specific and nonspecific effects of acupuncture.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900025807. Registered on 9 September 2019

Acupuncture and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) attributable to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain is the most common cause of disability globally, for which no effective remedy exists. Although acupuncture is one of the most popular sensory stimulation therapies and is widely used in numerous pain conditions, its efficacy remains controversial. This review summarizes and expands upon the current research on the therapeutic properties of acupuncture for patients with CMP to better inform clinical decision-making and develop patient-focused treatments. We examined 16 review articles and 11 randomized controlled trials published in the last 5years on the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in adults with CMP conditions. The available evidence suggests that acupuncture does have short-term pain relief benefits for patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain and is a safe and reasonable referral option. Acupuncture may also have a beneficial role for fibromyalgia. However, the available evidence does not support the use of acupuncture for treating hip osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of studies concluded the superiority of short-term analgesic effects over various controls and suggested that acupuncture may be efficacious for CMP. These reported benefits should be verified in more high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of chronic urticaria and its ffects on the content of IgE and the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell function

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of chronic urticaria and the change in the content of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and to discuss the effect of acupuncture on the imbalance of T helper (Th)1/Th2 cell function via observing the changes in the contents of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Ninety patients meeting the inclusion criteria of chronic urticaria were randomized into an acupuncturemedication group, an acupuncture group and a Western medication group by the random number table method. The acupuncture-medication group was intervened by acupuncture, cupping, collateral-pricking bloodletting and oral administration of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets; the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture, cupping and collateral-pricking bloodletting; the Western medication group only received oral administration of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets. Before treatment and after 6-week treatment, the changes in the symptom scores and the contents of serum IgE, IFN-γ and IL-4 in the three groups were observed. There were no significant differences in the total effective rate among the three groups (all P>0.05), but the cured and markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the acupuncture-medication group than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total symptom score decreased in the three groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of total symptom score in the acupuncture-medication group was more significant than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). The component symptom scores all decreased after treatment in the three groups (all P<0.05); the improvements of the scores of itch intensity, and skin lesion size and number were more significant in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (all P<0.05); the improvement of the skin lesion size score was more significant in the acupuncture group than in the Western medication group (P<0.01). The contents of IgE and IL-4 dropped (all P<0.05) and the content of IFN-γ increased (P<0.05) after treatment in the three groups; the post-treatment changes in the serum contents of IgE and IFN-γ were more significant in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group and acupuncture group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.05), and the relapse rate was significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (P<0.05). Combined acupuncture and medication can enhance the cured and markedly effective rate in treating chronic urticaria. Acupuncture is equivalent to cetirizine hydrochloride tablets comparing the clinical efficacy in treatment of chronic urticaria. Acupuncture plus medication and acupuncture alone both can effectively mitigate the clinical symptoms, with low incidence of adverse reactions. The relapse rate is low when using acupuncture together with medication. Acupuncture plus medication can work better in regulating the contents of IgE and IFN-γ and improving the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell function.

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus navel acupuncture for urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus navel acupuncture for patients with urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. A total of 64 patients with urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer was divided into a navel acupuncture group (22 cases), an acupuncture group (18 cases) and an acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group (24 cases). All three groups received bladder function training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. In addition, navel points were combined in the navel acupuncture group. Electroacupuncture was conducted to Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Dahe (KI 12), Shuidao (ST 28), Ciliao (BL 32) and Huiyang (BL 35) in the acupuncture group. The acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group received both treatments. The catheter was removed after 3 d of treatment. Spontaneous urination, residual urine volume, urinary catheter dependence and recurrence after 3 d, 6 d and 9 d of treatment in each group were observed, respectively. In the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group, the markedly effective rates after 3 d, 6 d and 9 d of treatment were significantly higher than those in the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group; the urinary catheter dependence was lower than that of the other two groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01); the spontaneous urination time was shorter than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01); the residual urine volume was significantly less than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). After the catheter was removed, recurrence was observed from the next day after spontaneous urination was resumed. There were 2 cases of recurrence in the navel acupuncture group, 2 cases in the acupuncture group and 1 case in the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group. The recurrence rate of the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group was significantly lower than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group (both P<0.01). Acupuncture plus navel acupuncture has satisfactory efficacy for urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. It can significantly shorten the urinary retention time, reduce the patient’s dependence on urinary catheter, and reduce the residual urine volume.

Therapeutic effect observation on acupuncture plus medication for post-stroke depression

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with medication for post-stroke depression. A total of 96 patients with post-stroke depression were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 48 cases in each group. The control group was treated with oral fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, and the observation group was treated with acupuncture on the basis of the treatment of the control group. After 6 months of treatment, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) component scores and total scores of the two groups before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups. The total effective rate was 95.8% in the observation group and 83.3% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P 0.05). Acupuncture plus medication is an effective method for post-stroke depression, and it can further improve the patient's bad mood.

Therapeutic effect observation on acupuncture plus umbilicus application with Chinese medicine in treating detrusor underactivity

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus umbilicus application with Chinese medicine for detrusor underactivity. A total of 46 male patients with detrusor underactivity who were admitted to our hospital between January and December 2017 were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 23 cases in each group. The control group received intermittent catheterization and routine nursing, and the observation group was treated with acupuncture plus umbilicus application with Chinese medicine on the basis of the treatment of the control group. The comprehensive efficacy, the improvement of bladder urine residue and maximum flow rate of the two groups were observed. No cases dropped out in the two groups. After the intervention, the total effective rate of the observation group was 78.3%, which was significantly higher than 52.2% of the control group (P<0.05). After intervention, the improvements of bladder urine residue and maximum flow rate in the observation group were statistically different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). The combination of acupuncture and umbilicus application with Chinese medicine added on the basis of intermittent catheterization and routine nursing has a certain effect in treating male patients with detrusor underactivity, and is worth further clinical study.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of sepsis with acute renal injury

Objective To explore the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute renal injury of sepsis. Methods From January 2015 to May 2017, adult patients with sepsis who received ≥ 7 days of treatment were collected from the Central Hospital of Zhuzhou. The participants were randomly divided into the control group (n=35) and the treatment group (n=37), and the control group was given routine treatment according to the sepsis guidelines. On the basis of control group, the treatment group was given acupuncture treatment, acupoints Shenshu and Sanyinjiao, Taixi, Zusanli. The clinical effects of the two groups of patients were compared. Results The levels of cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P 0.05), while the frequency and time of blood purification treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P 0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture of Shenshu, Sanyinjiao, Taixi, Zusanli can improve sepsis patients with acute kidney injury in renal function. Key words: Sepsis/CO/ZL; Kidney failure, acute/CO/ZL; ACUPUNCTURE POINTS△

Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus tuina for cervical vertigo

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus tuina in treating cervical vertigo (CV). One hundred CV patients were randomized into an observation group and an acupuncture group by the random number table, with 50 cases in each group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Xiang Ba Zhen (eight acupoints on the nape); the observation group received tuina treatment in addition to the Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture. The two groups were both treated once every other day for 10 sessions in total. The two groups were examined by transcranial cerebral Doppler (TCD) before and after the treatment, and their therapeutic efficacies were evaluated. After the treatment, the mean velocity (Vm) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) showed significant improvement in both groups (all P<0.001); there were significant differences in the Vm of VA and BA between the two groups (both P<0.05). The total effective rate was 100.0% in the observation group versus 82.0% in the acupuncture group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture as a monotherapy or used together with tuina can improve CV, but Xiang Ba Zhen plus tuina can produce a more significant efficacy.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the adjuvant treatment of internet addiction disorder

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in the adjuvant treatment of internet addiction disorder. Methods From January 2013 to April 2015, a total of 38 patients with internet addiction disorder were randomly selected and divided into study group(19 cases) and control group(19 cases) according to the odd and even order of hospitalize.The control group received psychological therapy, antianxiety therapy and antidepression therapy.The study group received acupuncture and moxibustion in addition to all therapies of the control group.The patients were treated for 8 weeks.Chiese Internet Addiction Scale(CIAS), Family Assessment Device(FAD), HAMD, HAMA were used to determine the internet addiction severity and social function of the two groups at baseline and the 8th weekend of treatment, and TESS at the 8th weekend of treatment. Results At the 8th weekend of treatment, the scores of CIAS, FAD, HAMA+ HAMD in the two groups were all significantly lower than baseline[(86.8±13.6)points vs.(38.3±11.5)points, t=11.872, (85.6±12.3)points vs.(54.6±18.2)points, t=7.123; (185.8±31.5)points vs.(80.6±29.4)points, t=10.643, (182.7±12.7)points vs.(110.5±32.3)points, t=9.068; (53.4±7.6)points vs.(21.7±9.7)points, t=11.215, (55.2±8.3)points vs.(35.2±8.3)points, t=7.428)](all P 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with internet addiction disorder. Key words: Acupuncture therapy; Internet addiction disorder(IAD)

Clinical study of acupuncture combined with three oxygen in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with three oxygen in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Methods According to the digital table, 70 patients with neck thoracolumbar sacral postherpetic neuralgia were randomly divided into control group (conventional acupuncture plus oral gabapentin+ Bailemian capsule oral group) and observation group (abdominal acupuncture + floating needle + three oxygen paravertebral injection group), 35 cases in each group.The clinical efficacy, sleep state (SRSS), anxiety state (HAMA) and visual analogue scale (VAS) of the two groups were observed and recorded after treatment. Results The curative effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (91.43% vs.65.71%, χ2=6.873, P<0.05), and the SRSS, HAMA and VAS scores after treatment in the observation group were better than those in the control group[SRSS: (17.23±3.36)points vs.(10.79±2.48)points, t=8.472, P<0.05; HAMA: (12.14±2.62)points vs.(8.49±2.77)points, t=7.251, P<0.05; VAS: (3.19±0.98)points vs.(1.87±0.68)points, t=6.919, P<0.05)]. Conclusion Acupuncture combined with three oxygen in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia has significant curative effect, without toxic and side effects, it has higher clinical practical value. Key words: Acupuncture therapy; Neuralgia, postherpetic

Clinical observation on the treatment of severe perennial allergic rhinitis with acupuncture on sphenopalatine ganglion

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on sphenopalatine ganglion in the treatment of severe perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in a randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods A total of 81 patients with severe perennial allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into three groups: 27 in the observation group, 27 in the drug control group and 27 in the acupuncture control group. The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture on sphenopalatine ganglion; and the patients in the drug control group took Desloratadine; and the patient in the acupuncture control group were treated with acupuncture on Yintang (GV 29) and Yingxiang (LI 20). All the groups were treated for 4 weeks. The TNNS and VAS score system were tested before and after the treatment, and the nasal exhalation of nitric oxide (eNO) concentration level wa detected at baseline and each week’s during treatments. Results After the treatment, the effective rate [80.8% (21/26) vs. 64.0% (16/25), 65.4% (17/26), χ2=13.811] of the observation group was significantly higher than either the drug control group or the acupuncture control group (P<0.01). Compared to the score of the three group before treatment, the TNNS score was significantly lower (P<0.01) after the treatment. Compared with the drug control group, the level of eNO in nasal exhalation air (265.377 ± 36.475 ppb vs. 281.769 ±45.823 ppb vs. 295.231 ± 24.595 ppb, F=4.247) of the observation group and the acupuncture control group were significantly higher (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture on the sphenopalatine ganglion can not reduce the eNO concentration level of nasal exhaled air in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, but it can improve the symptoms of rhinitis. The clinical effect of acupuncture on the sphenopalatine ganglion was better than the desloratadine and acupuncture on GV 29 and LI 20. Key words: Rhinitis, allergic, perennial; Acupuncture; Sphenopalatine ganglion block; Nitric oxide; Desloratadine

The effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating acute cerebral infarction: A meta-analysis

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating acute cerebral infarction. Methods A thorough literature search of randomized and controlled tests of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating the acute cerebral infarction was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed using version 5.3 of the ReviewManager software. Results Thirty-nine reports covering 3792 cases were found and analyzed. The neurologic impairment analysis found that in the experimental group mean difference (MD) was -1.86, with the 95% credibility interval (CI) of between -2.06 and -1.66 showing significant differences compared with the control group. The average clinical effectiveness rate of the experimental groups was 3.95, with a 95% CI of between -3.02 and 5.16, significantly higher than the control groups′. The experimental groups′ markedly effective rate was 1.54, with a 95% CI of 1.40 to 1.70, showing significant differences compared with the control groups. Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective in treating acute cerebral infarction. They are worth popularizing in clinical practice. Key words: Acupuncture; Moxibustion; Cerebral infarction; Meta-analyses

Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy for insomnia in blood stasis constitution: a clinical study

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution. Seventy-two patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 36 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of estazolam. One-week treatment was taken as a course, for 3 successive courses in total. A follow-up study was conducted 3 months later. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as in the follow-up. The clinical efficacies were also compared. The total effective rate was 88.9% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After the intervention, the PSQI scores dropped significantly in both groups (both P<0.05); the between-group difference in PSQI score was statistically significant (P<0.05). The follow-up study showed that the between-group difference in the global score of PSQI was statistically significant (P<0.05). Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of estazolam in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution.