Ear Acupoint Research Articles

The effect of TCM triple rehabilitation and ear acupoint bean pressing on laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer.

To explore the clinical value of the triple pre-rehabilitation nursing model in laparoscopic radical surgery for gastric cancer. Eighty-two gastric cancer patients admitted to a certain hospital from May 2020 to May 2023 are included in this study. Patients were divided into control group (CG) and treatment group according to different nursing methods. Comparisons were made by comparing perioperative indicators, immune indicators, sleep quality, nutritional indicators, and anxiety before and after patient care, as well as whether or not to utilize the acupoint patch combined with ear acupoint bean pressing burial in Chinese medicine care. Under the conditions of the triple pre-rehabilitation nursing model, the observation group (OG) patients had their first exhaust time, first bed activity time, first bowel movement time, and hospitalization time of 62.15 ± 5.93, 18.67 ± 7.55, 2.05 ± 0.58, and 7.21 ± 1.05, respectively. The postoperative values of ALB in the CG and OG were 31.59 ± 7.65 and 36.08 ± 8.27, respectively, while the postoperative values of prealbumin were 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.27 ± 0.09, respectively. The sleep quality of the CG before nursing was 22.57 ± 3.66, and after nursing was 14.36 ± 3.72. The satisfaction rate of the OG was 56.10%, while that of the CG was 46.34%. Patients can better adapt to the treatment process, reduce anxiety, and improve the treatment effect and quality of life after the triple pre-rehabilitation nursing care model and acupoint paste combined with ear acupoint bean pressing burrowing in traditional Chinese medicine nursing.

Application of buried auricular point combined with Wenjing Sanhan prescription in arteriosclerosis obliterans patients with resting pain.

Research on the combined use of ear acupoint embedding beans and warming meridians with cold-dispersing formulas for alleviating resting pain in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) remains limited. To explore the therapeutic efficacy of auricular point embedding beans combined with Wenjing Sanhan prescription in alleviating resting pain in patients with lower-limb ASO. A total of 100 patients with ASO experiencing resting pain who were treated at our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were enrolled. They were randomly allocated into two groups using a double-blind approach. The control group was treated using a warming meridian with a cold-dispersing formula, while the study group received additional treatment with ear acupoint embedding beans. The clinical efficacy, ankle-brachial artery pressure ratio, hemorheological indicators, and traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores were compared between the two groups. The clinical efficacy rate in the study group was significantly higher (94.00%) than that in the control group (72.00%, P < 0.05). Moreover, the ankle-brachial artery pressure ratio was significantly higher in the study group after treatment (P < 0.05). Hemorheological parameters, including whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity (1.83 ± 0.11) mPa/s, fibrinogen levels (3.30 ± 0.21) g/L, platelet adhesion rate (49.87% ± 10.51%), and erythrocyte aggregation index (1.79 ± 0) were improved in the study group compared to the control group. In addition, the scores for decreased skin temperature (1.41 ± 0.26), intermittent claudication (1.30 ± 0.20), and resting pain (1.23 ± 0.31) were significantly lower in the study group than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The level of oxidative stress in the study group also exhibited significant improvement (P < 0.05), and the levels of inflammatory factors were considerably lower than those in the control group. The combination of ear point embedding beans and Wenjing Sanhan prescription demonstrates promising clinical efficacy in alleviating resting pain associated with ASO.

Research progress in treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CP/CPPS) is a common urological disease with complex etiology. The treatment effect of western medicine is not satisfactory, and the course of the disease is protracted, which brings great trouble to patients. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a variety of treatment methods based on syndrome differentiation and treatment, including internal treatment with TCM, acupuncture and massage, and other external treatment methods for comprehensive treatment, with significant effect. This study summarized the etiology and pathogenesis of CP/CPPS and found that western medicine cannot fully explain the etiology and pathogenesis of CP/CPPS. It was believed that CP/CPPS was mainly related to many factors such as special pathogen infection, voiding dysfunction, mental and psychological abnormalities, neuroendocrine abnormalities, immune abnormalities, excessive oxidative stress, pelvic diseases, and heredity. TCM believed that CP/CPPS was caused by damp heat, blood stasis, Qi stagnation, and poisoning and was closely related to the organs of the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, stomach, bladder, and meridians of Chong and Ren channels and three yin channels of the foot. In the treatment of TCM, multiple comprehensive treatment plans are currently used, including internal treatment with TCM(decoction, proprietary Chinese medicine, and unique therapies of famous doctors), acupuncture and massage treatment, and other external treatment methods(rectal administration, topical application of TCM, and ear acupoint pressure). Comprehensive regulation has significant clinical efficacy and prominent characteristics of TCM, and it is worth clinical promotion. This study aims to provide a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of CP/CPPS and points out potential directions for future research in this field.

Retracted: Observation on the Efficacy of Moxibustion Combined with Ear Acupoint Pressing Beans in Treating Patients with Phlegm Stasis Syndrome Vertigo.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/4295423.].

An AAM-Based Identification Method for Ear Acupoint Area.

Ear image segmentation and identification is for the "observation" of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), because disease diagnoses and treatment are achieved through the massaging of or pressing on some corresponding ear acupoints. With the image processing of ear image positioning and regional segmentation, the diagnosis and treatment of intelligent traditional Chinese medicine ear acupoints is improved. In order to popularize ear acupoint therapy, image processing technology has been adopted to detect the ear acupoint areas and help to gradually replace well-trained, experienced doctors. Due to the small area of the ear and the numerous ear acupoints, it is difficult to locate these acupoints based on traditional image recognition methods. An AAM (active appearance model)-based method for ear acupoint segmentation was proposed. The segmentation was illustrated as 91 feature points of a human ear image. In this process, the recognition effects of the ear acupoints, including the helix, antihelix, cymba conchae, cavum conchae, fossae helicis, fossae triangularis auriculae, tragus, antitragus, and earlobe, were divided precisely. Besides these, specially appointed acupoints or acupoint areas could be prominent in ear images. This method made it possible to partition and recognize the ear's acupoints through computer image processing, and maybe own the same abilities as experienced doctors for observation. The method was proved to be effective and accurate in experiments and can be used for the intelligent diagnosis of diseases.

Effect of auricular acupressure on postpartum blues: A randomized sham controlled trial

AimTo investigate the effect of auricular acupressure on the severity of postpartum blues. MethodsA randomized sham controlled trial was conducted from February to November 2021, with 74 participants who were randomly allocated into two groups of either routine care + auricular acupressure (n = 37), or routine care + sham control (n = 37). Vacaria seeds with special non-latex adhesives were used to perform auricular acupressure on seven ear acupoints. There were two intervention sessions with an interval of five days. In the sham group, special non-latex adhesives without vacaria seeds were attached in the same acupoints as the intervention group. Severity of postpartum blues, fatigue, maternal-infant attachment, and postpartum depression were assessed. ResultsAuricular acupressure was associated with significant effect in reduction of postpartum blues on 10th and 15th days after childbirth (SMD = −2.77 and −2.15 respectively), postpartum depression on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = −0.74), and maternal fatigue on 10th, 15th and 21st days after childbirth (SMD = −2.07, −1.30 and −1.32, respectively). Also, maternal-infant attachment was increased significantly on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = 1.95). ConclusionAuricular acupressure was effective in reducing postpartum blues and depression, reducing maternal fatigue, and increasing maternal-infant attachment in the short-term after childbirth. Trial registrationRegistered prospectively in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (ID: IRCT20180218038789N2).

Acupuncture Treatment Improves Transport Stress in Microminipigs Through the Acupoint in Ears.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment through the ear acupoints on transport stress in experimental microminipigs. Experiment 1: Six animals were equally divided into two groups (Control and Treatment). In the treatment group, before transportation (6 h; vehicle and plane), short, ultrathin circular transdermal needles were applied to locations corresponding to the acupoints on the apical area of both ears. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the cranial vena cava 2 days before and immediately after transportation. Blood stress markers, biochemistry indicators, and oxidative stress levels were examined. Experiment 2 (follow-up study: diarrhea incidence after transportation): Diarrhea incidence after transportation in the control and treatment groups was investigated. Experiment 1: Transport stress induced an increase in blood cortisol, serum amyloid A (SAA), glucose, non-esterified fatty acid, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and decreased the biological antioxidant potential (BAP)/d-ROMs ratio yet did not affect BAP. Acupuncture suppressed the increases in SAA and d-ROMs values and the decrease in BAP/d-ROMs ratio. Experiment 2: The total diarrhea incidence was 25% in the control group, whereas diarrhea was not observed in the treatment group. Acupuncture treatment suppresses hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and, as a result, reduces transport stress without affecting the suppression of the central catecholaminergic system. Acupuncture treatment for transport stress can improve animal welfare.

The effect of auricular acupressure on short-term postoperative pain intensity after cesarean section: A three-arm randomized controlled trial

: Pain control after a cesarean section remains a challenge for healthcare professionals and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods can be used to reduce this pain. The present study evaluated the effect of auricular acupressure (applied using the finger) combined with routine care on the short-term pain severity compared to sham acupressure or routine care alone. : A randomized controlled clinical trial with three parallel groups was conducted between April and May 2021. Participants were pregnant women aged 18-35 years, of gestational age 37-40 weeks who underwent cesarean section according to the anesthesia protocol provided in Imam Ali Hospital, Amol, Mazandaran, Iran. Using the balanced blocks randomization method, participants were randomly allocated into three study groups. Participants (N=180) were randomly assigned to either routine care with auricular acupressure (n=60), routine care with sham control (n=61), or routine care only (n=59). The intervention (auricular acupressure) was performed by a trained nurse three times (three, five, and seven hours after surgery) on ear acupoints including Shen Men, Point Zero, Pelvic, abdomen, Endocrine, and Uterus points, in both ears. The primary outcome was pain severity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at eight time points (i.e., before the intervention, and then 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the intervention, and 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the intervention). Patients and outcome assessors were blind. : The pain intensity in the three groups was not significantly different until 6 hours after the intervention. The level of pain in the intervention group receiving auricular acupressure was significantly lower than the sham group at 6 hours (MD: -1.06 [95% CI: -1.83; -0.30]), 12 hours (MD: -1.24 [95% CI: -1.96; -0.52]), and 24 hours (MD: -1.21 [95% CI: -1.96; -0.47]) after the intervention. Also, the pain intensity in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group at 6 hours (MD: -0.80 [95% CI: -1.53; -0.08]), 12 hours (MD: -0.98 [95% CI: -1.67; -0.30]) and 24 hours (MD: -1.00 [95% CI: -1.70; -0.29]) after the intervention. Moreover, no adverse outcomes were observed related to auricular acupressure. : Auricular acupressure might be an effective adjuvant complementary treatment for post-operative cesarean pain in controlling pain and reducing the need for analgesics with no adverse effect. : Registered prospectively in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Decree code: IRCT20130822014436N1). : Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.

Meta-analysis of ear acupoint therapy to treat sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients

Meta-analysis of ear acupoint therapy to treat sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients

An activate appearance model‐based algorithm for ear characteristic points positioning

SummaryIn the field of ear acupoint therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, many diseases can be treated through ear acupoint acupuncture, buried needle, bleeding, ear acupoint compression, massage, electric stimulation, and other programs. To achieve this goal, the positioning of the earhole feature point region is required. Based on the active appearance model, this article proposes an automatic identification feature point scheme through 168 datasets of data (including data collected based on standard equipment and ordinary mobile phones) collected from Hangzhou Normal University, China. The experimental results show that the average distance error of 91 feature points is less than 6 pixels, which can replace the identification work of TCM ear acupoint doctors.

The Effect of Auriculotherapy on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters of Male Coronary Angiography Patients: A Single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

PurposeTo determine the effect of auriculotherapy on anxiety and physiological parameters of male patients undergoing coronary angiography. DesignA single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2019 with 94 subjects selected by convenience sampling. MethodsThe subjects were divided into 2 groups via random allocation. Two hours before angiography, all patients completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21) and their physiological parameters (blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate) were measured 60 minutes before angiography. Auriculotherapy was performed on ear acupoints of patients in the experimental group for 4 minutes. In the control group, patients were given auricular acupressure in sham points. The anxiety and physiological parameters were re-measured 10 minutes after the intervention. FindingsPatients' anxiety was clinically lower in the experimental group (2.55 ± 0.27) compared to the control group (3.02 ± 0.33) (effect size = -1.42) after the intervention. There was no significant difference between 2 groups regarding physiological parameters after the intervention. However, the respiratory rates of patients were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < .001). After the intervention, physiological parameters significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to before the intervention (P < .001). ConclusionsAuriculotherapy reduces patient anxiety; therefore, it can be used as a complementary method before angiography.

Acupuncture in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome with anxiety symptoms. A case report.

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is an eye disorder caused by alteration of production or composition of tear film. Symptoms include dry eye dryness, burning, itching and pain, and often is associated with emotional stress, anxiety and depression. Evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat DES has recently appeared in literature but not on acupuncture treatment of DES related anxiety or depression symptoms. A 53-year-old male, good health, no serious medical conditions, with history of contact lenses wearing, anxious personality traits and anxiety symptoms, suffering from DES, was treated with acupuncture, twice a week for three weeks with somatic and ear acupoints selected from literature. Inferior marginal lacrimal meniscus, lipid layer interferometry, tear ferning test, psychiatric interview, State-Trait Inventory -Y (STAI-Y) questionnaire and Hamilton-Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) scale was evaluated before and after treatment and at 15, 30, 60, and 90 days follow-up. Results show clear and lasting improvements with remission of eye symptoms, together with clear and stable improvements of anxiety symptoms. Acupuncture is an effective treatment also for DES related anxiety symptoms.

Observation on the Efficacy of Moxibustion Combined with Ear Acupoint Pressing Beans in Treating Patients with Phlegm Stasis Syndrome Vertigo.

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of moxibustion combined with an ear acupoint pressing bean in the treatment of patients with phlegm stasis syndrome vertigo. Methods 60 patients with vertigo identified as phlegm stasis syndrome who were hospitalized in our department from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected and divided into a control group and a treatment group of 30 cases each according to the random number method. The control group was treated with conventional treatment and care, and the treatment group was treated with moxibustion combined with ear acupressing beans on top of the conventional group. The treatment effects, the dizziness disorder inventory (DHI), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton anxiety score (HAMA), TCM symptom score, and blood flow parameters (left vertebral artery flow velocity (LVA), right vertebral artery flow velocity (RVA), and basilar artery flow velocity (BA)) of the two groups were compared with each other during and after the treatment. Results After implementation, the treatment efficiency of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group, and the treatment group had lower PSQI, HAMA, and DHI scores as well as TCM symptom scores such as vertigo, head heavy as a wrap, chest tightness, and nausea and vomiting than the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, LVA, RVA, and BA were all higher in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion combined with ear acupoint pressing bean treatment can clearly improve patients' sleep quality, psychological state, relieve patients' various symptoms caused by vertigo, improve blood flow parameters, and have better efficacy in the treatment of phlegm stasis syndrome vertigo.

Exploring the Clinical Point Selection Rules of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Infantile Enuresis Based on Data Mining Technology.

In order to explore the clinical point selection rules of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of infantile enuresis based on data mining technology, first, it introduces the principle of data mining technology, the global optimization strategy of information extraction + genetic search. In China Biomedical Literature Database, CNKI, Weipu, Wanfang. Use “enuresis,” “enuresis,” “leathering,” “urinary discharge,” “drowning,” “bedwetting,” “nocturia,” “drowning,” “moxibustion,” “moxibustion,” and “moxibustion” as search terms, take (enuresis + enuresis + urination + urination + addiction + bedwetting), (moxibustion + moxibustion + moxibustion)” as the retrieval style. The analysis of the use of moxibustion, the law of acupoint selection by different moxibustion methods, and the frequency analysis of meridian use show that most of the moxibustion methods are used (62 articles, of which 3 articles use 2 moxibustion methods), including non-suppurative moxibustion, ginger moxibustion, medicinal cake moxibustion, salt moxibustion, mild moxibustion, warm acupuncture moxibustion, bird pecking moxibustion, circling moxibustion, and warm moxibustion; among them, mild moxibustion has the highest frequency of use 24 and non-suppurative moxibustion and salt-separated moxibustion have the lowest frequency of use1; there are 4 non-moxibustion methods, which are medicated thread moxibustion methods. Different moxibustion methods for acupoint selection have their own emphasis. The 63 included literatures included 63 prescriptions for moxibustion, 11 prescriptions for acupoints. Analyzing the frequency of acupoint selection, a total of 18 ear acupoints are involved, and the total frequency of auricular acupoints is 54 times; 44 points are involved (including 1 odd point outside the meridian), the total frequency of acupoints is 300 times, and the total frequency of meridian points is 298, and the total frequency of Jingwaiqi acupoints (Sishencong) is 2. The results can provide great help for the clinical selection of acupuncture points for the treatment of infantile enuresis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Subacute Thyroiditis

This article mainly introduces the TCM disease name, etiology, understanding of subacute thyroiditis, as well as the use of the unique syndrome differentiation and treatment thinking of traditional Chinese medicine, according to different causes to determine different treatment, through Traditional Chinese medicine decoction oral, Specific acupoint moxibustion, local external application of traditional Chinese medicine, ear acupoint pressure pills characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine to treat subacute thyroiditis, embodies the specific advantages of TCM intervention disease, make Chinese medicine better clinical service.

The effect of ear acupressure (auriculotherapy) on sexual function of lactating women: protocol of a randomized sham controlled trial

BackgroundLactation has a negative effect on female sexual function. Hormonal changes during lactation cause changes which might lead to dyspareunia, lack of libido, and anorgasmia. There are various pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to treat sexual dysfunction. While pharmacological treatment has multiple unwanted side effects, non-pharmacological therapies such as complementary medicine are a potential safer alternative. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ear acupressure on sexual function of lactating women.Methods/designThis is a randomized clinical trial with a parallel sham control group. In this study, 76 lactating women between 6 months and 1 year after childbirth were referred to health care centers in Qazvin City and would be invited to participate. Participants will be divided into intervention (n = 38) and control (n = 38) groups using simple block randomization. Both intervention and sham control groups will be visited over 10 sessions within a 4-day interval. At each visit, the adhesives containing Vaccaria seed will be adhered for the intervention group, while non-latex-based adhesives with no Vaccaria seeds will be placed on the same ear acupoints for the sham control group. Selected ear acupoints include genitalia (two ear points), pelvic point, master shoulder, and posterior pituitary gland. The women will be asked to hold the seeds on their ears for 3 days and press each ear point three times a day for 20 s. After 3 days, they will be asked to remove the seeds from their ears and rest for 1 day. Sexual function as primary outcome in both groups will be assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index before and immediately after 1 and 2 months after the intervention. Also, Sexual Quality of Life as secondary outcome will be assessed using Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) before and 2 months after intervention. Data will be analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA at the significant level of 0.05.DiscussionThis study is expected to support the impact of ear channel ear acupressure on sexual function in lactating women.Trial registrationIranian Clinical Trial Registration Center IRCT20190626044028N1. Registered on 16 August 2019

Advances in research of traditional Chinese medicine for promoting bile secretion and excretion

Cholagogic traditional Chinese medicines refer to those that can promote bile secretion and excretion, strengthen gallbladder contraction and promote gallbladder emptying. They are mainly used to treat cholecystitis, gallstones, cholestasis, biliary tract infection, jaundice hepatitis and other diseases in clinical application. As a traditional medicine in our country, Chinese herbal medicines have many advantages, such as extensive resources, low cost, little or no toxic and side effects, and in addition, it is not easy for animals to produce drug resistance. With the progress of science and technology and the rapid development of traditional Chinese medicine, many achievements have been made in the research of cholagogic traditional Chinese medicines. Traditional Chinese medicine plays a cholagogic role mainly by promoting bile secretion, regulating SCP2 mRNA, FXR, BSEP and efflux transporter protein, dissolving cholesterol, promoting the relaxation of Oddi's sphincter and changing the composition of bile, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine decoction, traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture, ear acupoint pressing, soaking bath, western medicine and alike are often used to treat biliary system diseases in clinical practice. The effective rate of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and other methods was significantly higher than that of compound prescription, western medicine, acupuncture and soaking bath alone. General attack therapy and new therapies are also used in clinical treatment. The clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine is remarkable. By means of literature review, the pharmacological effects, mechanism and clinical application of Chinese herbal medicines and compound prescriptions with gallbladder-promoting effect in the past 15 years were summarized in this paper. At the same time, some existing problems were found and prospects were expected.

Effect of auricular acupuncture on exam anxiety in first-year medical students

Exam anxiety is a commonly seen problem among medical students. Auricular acupuncture has been shown to have an anxiety-reducing effect, however, data on exam anxiety are limited. Research in dental and preoperative anxiety has indicated that anxiety level could be reduced by using ear acupoints on the non-dominant side. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether needling at acupoints on the non-dominant side can reduce exam anxiety in medical students. This is a prospective observational study on 32 first-year students at The Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Eligible students received auricular acupuncture on the non-dominant side at the master cerebral, tranquilizer and relaxation points. Levels of anxiety were measured using a visual analogue scale before and after the intervention as well as before the exam. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, heart rate, exam performance and adverse events occurring during the study were also collected. Exam anxiety level and heart rate decreased 30 minutes after auricular acupuncture (p&lt;0.05). Before the exam, exam anxiety level and heart rate increased significantly compared to after the intervention but still lower than the baseline (p&lt;0.05). The exam anxiety level with heart rate at each time point did not differ significantly in gender and trait anxiety levels (p&gt;0.05). No adverse events from auricular acupuncture were observed. Auricular acupuncture at the master cerebral, tranquilizer and relaxation points on the non-dominant side is effective in reducing exam anxiety in first-year medical students.

Self-Administered Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone App for Weight Reduction: Randomized Feasibility Trial.

BackgroundObesity is a common global health problem and increases the risk of many chronic illnesses. Given the adverse effects of antiobesity agents and bariatric surgeries, the exploration of noninvasive and nonpharmacological complementary methods for weight reduction is warranted.ObjectiveThe study aimed to determine whether self-administered auricular acupressure (AA) integrated with a smartphone app was more effective than using AA alone or the controls for weight reduction.MethodsThis study is a 3-arm randomized waitlist-controlled feasibility trial. A total of 59 eligible participants were randomly divided into either group 1 (AA group, n=19), group 2 (AA plus smartphone app, n=19), or group 3 (waitlist control, n=21). A total of 6 reflective zones or acupoints for weight reduction were chosen. The smartphone app could send out daily messages to the subjects to remind them to perform self-pressing on the 6 ear acupoints. A “date picker” of the 8-week treatment course was used to enable the users to input the compliance of pressing and the number of bowel movement daily instead of using the booklet for recordings. The app also served as a reminder for the subjects regarding the dates for returning to the center for acupoint changing and assessments. Treatment was delivered 2 times a week, for 8 weeks. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the interactions among the groups before and after intervention.ResultsSubjects in group 2 expressed that the smartphone app was useful (7.41 out of 10). The most popular features were the daily reminders for performing self-pressing (88%), the ear diagram indicating the locations and functions of the 6 ear points (71%), and ear pressing method demonstrated in the video scripts (47%). Nearly 90% of the participants completed the 8-week intervention, with a high satisfaction toward the overall arrangement (8.37 out of 10). The subjects in group 1 and 2 achieved better therapeutic effects in terms of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and hip circumference and perceived more fullness before meals than the waitlist controls. Although no significant differences in the pairwise comparisons between the 2 groups were detected (P>.05), the decrease in body weight, BMI, body fat, visceral fat rating and leptin level, and increase in adiponectin level were notable in group 2 before and after the intervention.ConclusionsThe high compliance rate and high satisfaction toward the trial arrangement indicate that AA can be used to achieve weight reduction and applied in future large-scale studies. AA integrated with the smartphone app has a more notable effect than using AA alone for weight reduction. Larger sample size should be considered in future trials to determine the causal relationship between treatment and effect.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03442712; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03442712 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/78L2tO8Ql)

A clinical trial of treatment of primary insomnia of patients with qi-stagnation constitution by shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing

To investigate the clinical effect of shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing in the treatment of primary insomnia in patients with qi-stagnation constitution. A total of 60 primary insomnia outpatients with qi-stagnation constitution were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were given oral Alprazolam tablets once a day, and those in the treatment group given shallow acupuncture of Yintang (EX-HN3), Shangen (inferior to EX-HN3), Anmian (EX-HN16) and bilateral Xingjian (LR2) and bilateral Taichong (LR3), once a day, and combined with pellet-pressing of ear acupoints "Shenmen""Sympathy""Subcortex""Heart" and "Liver" once every other day. Each course of treatment was 10 consecutive days, and both groups were treated for three courses. The sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the emotional status assessed using Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the qi-stagnation state evaluated according to "the Criteria for Classification and Judgement of Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2009)". The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to "the Criteria for Diagnosis and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine"．. Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2 (6.7%) and 6 (20.0%) were cured, 6 (20.0%) and 14 (46.7%) experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 21 (70.0%) and 6 (20.0%) were effective, and 1 (3.3%) and 4 (13.3%) ineffective, with the effective rate being 86.7% and 96.7%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the short-term effect (P>0.05). One month's follow-up showed that, of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2 (6.7%) and 5 (16.7%) were cured, 4(13.3%) and 14 (46.6%) experienced marked improvement, 10 (33.3%) and 6 (20.0%) were effective, and 14(46.7%) and 5(16.7%) ineffective, with the effective rate being 53.3% and 83.3%, respectively. The long-term therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, both PSQI and SDS scores in the two groups, and qi-stagnation score in the treatment group showed a significant reduction in comparison with their own pretreatment (P<0.05), and one-month's follow-up (not the short-term outcome) displayed that the PSQI, SDS and qi-stagnation scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05)．. Shallow acupuncture combined with ear-acupoint pellet-pressing can significantly improve sleep quality, depression symptoms, and pathological constitution in primary insomnia patients with qi-stagnation constitution, possessing a stable long-term clinical effect.