Effects Of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Research Articles

Acute outcomes of acupuncture and dry needling over peripheral acute fatigue in untrained healthy volunteers: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Peripheral acute fatigue (PAF) is defined as when the skeletal muscle is incapable of generating power. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and dry needling (DN) over PAF induced on the biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers. We conducted a randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial. All volunteers (n = 45) underwent fatigue induction protocols repeated before and after treatment with TCA (TCA group; TCAg; n = 15), DN (DN group; DNg; n = 15), and rest (control group; Cg; n = 15). Assessments of PAF, skin temperature, and exercise time occur before and after each event: 1st fatigue induction (FI), treatment, and 2nd FI. We used repeated measures ANOVA adjusted with Bonferroni post hoc test to determine any change in tested variables (PAF-VAS, PAF-EMG, and skin temperature) at different time points compared to the baseline. Paired Samples t-test was used for the variable exercise times. All statistical tests considered’ the significance level at p ≤ 0,05. There was no difference between groups in acute fatigue recovery (p = 0.19). All intragroup analyses were significant (p ≤ 0.05) and all volunteers show a reduction in fatigue perception after treatment (p ≤ 0,05), however, exercise time did not ameliorate after TCA or DN (p > 0.77). A single session of TCA and, DN can equally reduce fatigue, temperature, and exercise time over PAF induced on biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Compared with Sham Acupuncture on the Explosive Force Production by the Forearm Muscles in Female: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Acupuncture can effectively enhance musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with effects such as reduced pain intensity and muscle tension and decreased disability. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) compared with sham acupuncture (SA) in explosive force production by the forearm muscles in females. Methods A total of 32 subjects were included and randomly assigned to two groups: TCA group (n = 16): stimulated specific acupoints including Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (SJ10), and Waiguan (SJ5) for 15 minutes; SA group (n = 16): using superficial needle insertion at nonacupoints without stimulation. The subjects warmed up for the 3-time isokinetic test with an angular velocity of 30°/s and then performed a set of 15 full flexion (Flex) and extension (Ext) with an angular velocity of 180°/s using the CON-TREX isokinetic test training system recorded as the pretest. After acupuncture for 15 min, perform a set of the same isokinetic movement isokinetic records as the posttest. The average max torque, average work, average power, average peak power, average max speed, and total work were collected to evaluate the forearm explosive force changes. Use two-way repeated measures ANOVA to compare the difference before and after acupuncture between two groups. Results The results showed that acupuncture conditions (sham acupuncture as well as true acupuncture) and the intervention times (not acupuncture or acupuncture for 15 min) have a significant interaction effect on forearm explosive force and joint stiffness (P < 0.05). The simple main effect showed that the selected parameters of the TCA group increased significantly after acupuncture (P < 0.05), while the SA group did not (P > 0.05). We speculate that the activation of muscle may be related to the selected acupuncture points. Conclusion Acupuncture can produce excitation in motor nerves and muscles, and nerve stimulation increases the recruitment of motor units, thus improving the muscle explosive force.

Acupuncture and Dry Needling in the Reduction of Peripheral Acute Fatigue Induced in the Biceps Braquii: Protocol for a Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The present study aims to propose a protocol to verify the efficacy and acute effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture, dry needling, and the rest in peripheral acute fatigue (PAF) induced by intermittent isometric contractions of the nondominant biceps brachii (BB) of nonphysically active men in a randomized, single-blind clinical trial assessed with surface electromyography, contraction time in seconds, infrared thermal imaging, and visual analog scale applied to the PAF. These instruments will evaluate the median frequency, endurance time, temperature (°C), and perceived fatigue in BB of the volunteers. The measurements will be collected in four moments (Test 0, 01, 02, and 03) divided between the beginning and the end of two sets of exercises (Exercises 01 and 02) of intermittent isometric contractions. Trial identifierNCT03448120 in www.clinicaltrials.gov.

A Mathematical Model to Study the Mechanical Information Induced by Lifting-Thrusting Needle.

Focusing on the mechanical effect of traditional Chinese acupuncture, this study builds a mathematical model that simulates the mechanical process of lifting-thrusting needle. Analytic and numerical solutions are obtained to explore the mechanical information (displacement, strain, stress, and energy) in the skin tissue. Our results show that (1) needle manipulation leads to tissue displacement and mechanical stress field, but the needle should be inserted into the right position (about π/ω cm around the acupoint, where ω is the angular frequency) and enough depth (about 2 cm in lower limbs) to achieve effective mechanical stimuli; (2) the tissue displacement decays with an increase of distance from the stimulus position, more rapidly at higher frequencies; (3) there is an inverse relationship between the area of the ‘effective influence region' (where shear strain > 0.2) and the stimulus frequency, which means larger needle movement is needed at higher frequencies to achieve a better curative effect; (4) more energy is required to maintain high frequency manipulation. This study proposes a preliminary comprehension of the mechanical response around the needle during the acupuncture process.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture was not superior to sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis but delivering treatment with high expectations of improvement was superior to delivering treatment with neutral expectations

What are the comparative effects of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) and sham acupuncture for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) when controlling for the effect of the acupuncturists' communication styles. A nested 2-stage randomised clinical trial, where patients were randomised to 1 of 3 style groups, waiting list, high expectations, or neutral expectations, and nested within style, TCA, or sham acupuncture. A hospital general internal medicine department in Texas, USA. Men and women over 49 years with knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Additional inclusion criteria were pain in the knee in the preceding 2 weeks, > 3/10 on a visual analogue scale, no prior treatment with acupuncture, stable treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, or glucosamine. Exclusion criterion was intraarticular injections in the knee in the previous 2 months. Randomisation of 560 participants allocated 238 to the high expectations group, 242 to the neutral expectations group, and 80 to the waiting list group. Six acupuncturists licensed in traditional Chinese medicine carried out the intervention. For the communication style intervention, providers conveyed high expectations of improvement, by using positive utterances such as 'I think this will work for you', while neutral expectations were conveyed with uncertainty utterances such as 'It may or may not work for you'. For the acupuncture intervention the procedure and specific points were standardised by a panel consisting of the acupuncturists in each of the 2 arms: TCA points on the basis of clinical practice, and sham points outside the relevant meridians. The primary outcomes were Joint-Specific Multidimensional Assessment of Pain (J-MAP), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale, and Satisfaction with Knee Procedure (SKIP) measured at 4 weeks, 6 weeks (end of treatment), and 3 months. 527 (94%) participants completed the study. There were no significant differences between the TCA and sham groups in any of the outcome measures. Patients in the high expectations communication style group had statistically significant improvements in pain (J-MAP) and satisfaction (SKIP) compared with the neutral group. Mean differences (95% CI) at 3 months follow up were 0.4 (0.1 to 0.7) for J-MAP (1 to 7 scale), and 0.2 (0.03 to 0.3) for SKIP (1 to 5 scale). In patients with knee OA, needling of meridian points was not more effective than the use of sham points, whereas acupuncturists' communication styles had a small but statistically significant effect on pain reduction and satisfaction.

Effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture in post-viral olfactory dysfunction

Objective To date, recovery of olfactory function after viral infection of the upper airway cannot be achieved reliably with pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) on olfactory function in patients with persistent post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD). Study Design Historical cohort study. Setting University Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Subjects and Methods A total of 15 patients presenting to the outpatient clinic with PVOD were treated by TCA in 10 weekly, 30-minute sessions. Subjective olfactometry was performed with the Sniffin' Sticks test set. Treatment success was defined as an increase in Sniffin' Sticks test scores of at least six points. The effects of TCA, obtained with the χ 2 test, were compared with those of matched pairs suffering from PVOD who had been treated with vitamin B complex over 12 weeks. Results Eight patients treated with TCA had improved olfactory function compared with two treated with vitamin B complex. χ 2 test revealed a significantly better outcome in olfactory function in patients undergoing acupuncture compared with patients receiving vitamin B complex ( P = 0.02). Conclusion TCA possibly offers a new therapeutic regimen for post-viral dysosmia. More research in a larger case series is needed before a clearer picture will emerge.

Traditional Chinese Whole-Body Acupuncture Mobilizes CD133(+)CD34(−) Cells

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture for spinal cord lesions on the mobilization of stem cells. Therefore, 14 healthy study participants were acupunctured and gave blood samples before, immediately after as well as 24 and 48 hours after acupuncture. At these time points, the frequency of CD133, CD34, CD4, CD14, CD19 and CD45 positive cells were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 8 and 9, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), stroma-derived factor (SDF) 1 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. CD133(+)34(−) cells were significantly increased 48 hours after acupuncture (29.1±5.8% versus 11.4±4.8%, p= 0.015), which was paralleled by significant decreases of BDNF (7.5±1 ng/ml versus 10.8±1.6 ng/ml, p= 0.013) and MMP-9 serum levels (46.4±2.6ng/ml versus 42.5±2.4 ng/ml, p= 0.009). Values in non-treated controls were not affected. No changes in SDF-1, NGF, interleukin-6 and G-CSF concentrations occurred. In conclusion, acupuncture does mobilize non-hematopoietic CD133(+) cells.

Acupuncture for Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study

Wayne PM, Krebs DE, Macklin EA, Schnyer R, Kaptchuk TJ, Parker SW, Scarborough DM, McGibbon CA, Schaechter JD, Stein J, Stason WB. Acupuncture for upper-extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: a randomized sham-controlled study. Objective To compare the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture with sham acupuncture on upper-extremity (UE) function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic hemiparesis from stroke. Design A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Setting Patients recruited through a hospital stroke rehabilitation program. Participants Thirty-three subjects who incurred a stroke 0.8 to 24 years previously and had moderate to severe UE functional impairment. Interventions Active acupuncture tailored to traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses, including electroacupuncture, or sham acupuncture. Up to 20 treatment sessions (mean, 16.9) over a mean of 10.5 weeks. Main Outcome Measures UE motor function, spasticity, grip strength, range of motion (ROM), activities of daily living, QOL, and mood. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after treatment. Results Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses found no statistically significant differences in outcomes between active and sham acupuncture groups. Analyses of protocol-compliant subjects revealed significant improvement in wrist spasticity ( P<.01) and both wrist ( P<.01) and shoulder ( P<.01) ROM in the active acupuncture group, and improvement trends in UE motor function ( P=.09) and digit ROM ( P=.06). Conclusions Based on ITT analyses, we conclude that acupuncture does not improve UE function or QOL in patients with chronic stroke symptoms. However, gains in UE function observed in protocol-compliant subjects suggest traditional Chinese acupuncture may help patients with chronic stroke symptoms. These results must be interpreted cautiously because of small sample sizes and multiple, unadjusted, post hoc comparisons. A larger, more definitive RCT using a similar design is feasible and warranted.

Non-specific effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture in osteoarthritis of the hip

Objectives: The effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip was tested. Design: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, patient- and investigator-blinded clinical trial. Patients and Setting: The study was performed at a university department for physical medicine and rehabilitation. Sixty-seven patients were separated into two treatment groups. Interventions: Group 1 (treatment) had traditional needle placement and manipulation, whereas in group 2 (control) needles were placed away from classic positions and not manipulated. In both groups needles were placed within the L2 to L5 dermatomes. Outcome parameters were: pain (VAS), functional impairment (hip score), activity in daily life (ADL) and overall satisfaction before treatment, and 2 weeks and 2 months after treatment. Results: For all parameters there was a significant improvement versus baseline in both groups 2 weeks and 2 months following treatment, but no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: We conclude from these results that needle placement in the area of the affected hip is associated with improvement in the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It appears to be less important to follow the rules of traditional acupuncture techniques. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd doi: 10.1054/ ctim.2001.0442, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on

Effect of traditional Chinese acupuncture on severe tinnitus: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical investigation with open therapeutic control: Vilholm OJ, Moller K, Jorgensen K. British Journal of Audiology 1998; 32: 197–204

Articulations Temporo-Mandibulaires et occlusion dentaire sont mariées, pour le meilleur et pour le pire. L’ATM a ses faiblesses, pointées parfois par des comportements oraux délétères et des anomalies de l’occlusion. L’analyse de l’occlusion a besoin d’être abordée de manière simple et claire. En soi, le terme « malocclusion » est nettement insuffisant pour fonder sur ce « diagnostic » des études épidémiologiques, des mécanismes étiopathogéniques ou dégager des indications thérapeutiques. Comprendre l’incidence pathogénique d’une malocclusion, ce n’est pas seulement s’intéresser aux rapports d’occlusion plus ou moins défectueux, cela impose de les situer dans leur cadre squelettique, leur contexte articulaire, comportemental, et surtout d’évaluer leurs impacts sur les fonctions de l’appareil manducateur. Le couple ATM-occlusion est souvent fusionnel, se développant de concert, adapté à son environnement, compensant ses propres défauts. Cependant, un troisième partenaire peut générer des étincelles dans le couple, comme le bruxisme par exemple ou plus généralement les parafonctions orales, mais aussi parfois le trauma ou un praticien interventionniste.Temporomandibular joint and dental occlusion are joined for better and worse. TMJ has its own weaknesses, sometimes indicated by bad functional habits and occlusal disorders. Occlusal analysis needs to be addressed simply and clearly. The term “malocclusion” is not reliable to build epidemiological studies, etiologic mechanisms or therapeutic advice on this “diagnosis”. Understanding the impact of pathogenic malocclusion is not just about occlusal relationships that are more or less defective, it requires to locate them within the skeletal framework, the articular and behavioural context of the patient, and above all to assess their impact on the functions of the masticatory system. The TMJ-occlusion couple is often symbiotic, developing together in relation to its environment, compensating for its own shortcomings. However, a third partner may alter this relationship, such as bruxism, or more generally oral parafunctions, trauma or an interventionist practitioner.

Acupuncture treatment of chronic facial pain--a controlled cross-over trial.

SYNOPSISIn a controlled trial the effect of traditional Chinese acupuncture versus placebo acupuncture was evaluated in 16 patients with chronic facial pain (13 atypical facial pain, 2 atypical and I typical trigeminal neuralgia). All patients suffered from daily pain, the intensity of which was recorded by the patients over a period of 16 weeks. Each patient was treated by traditional Chinese acupuncture as well as placebo acupuncture in a cross‐over design following randomization. Each period of treatment comprised 10 treatments during two weeks of hospitalization.Traditional Chinese acupuncture was found to be significantly more pain‐relieving than placebo acupuncture according to the pain registration of the patients themselves and to their subjective preferences.

Cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve compliance with anti-hypertensive therapy: Donald S. Shepard, Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; Sue B. Foster, William B. Stason; Harold S. Solomon; Patricia J. McArdle; Susan S. Gallagher

Wayne PM, Krebs DE, Macklin EA, Schnyer R, Kaptchuk TJ, Parker SW, Scarborough DM, McGibbon CA, Schaechter JD, Stein J, Stason WB. Acupuncture for upper-extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: a randomized sham-controlled study.To compare the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture with sham acupuncture on upper-extremity (UE) function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic hemiparesis from stroke.A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial (RCT).Patients recruited through a hospital stroke rehabilitation program.Thirty-three subjects who incurred a stroke 0.8 to 24 years previously and had moderate to severe UE functional impairment.Active acupuncture tailored to traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses, including electroacupuncture, or sham acupuncture. Up to 20 treatment sessions (mean, 16.9) over a mean of 10.5 weeks.UE motor function, spasticity, grip strength, range of motion (ROM), activities of daily living, QOL, and mood. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after treatment.Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses found no statistically significant differences in outcomes between active and sham acupuncture groups. Analyses of protocol-compliant subjects revealed significant improvement in wrist spasticity (P<.01) and both wrist (P<.01) and shoulder (P<.01) ROM in the active acupuncture group, and improvement trends in UE motor function (P=.09) and digit ROM (P=.06).Based on ITT analyses, we conclude that acupuncture does not improve UE function or QOL in patients with chronic stroke symptoms. However, gains in UE function observed in protocol-compliant subjects suggest traditional Chinese acupuncture may help patients with chronic stroke symptoms. These results must be interpreted cautiously because of small sample sizes and multiple, unadjusted, post hoc comparisons. A larger, more definitive RCT using a similar design is feasible and warranted.

Effectiveness of a health aide in improving hypertension (HT) detection and referral in an ambulatory setting: Richard F. Gillum, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Harold S. Solomon

Wayne PM, Krebs DE, Macklin EA, Schnyer R, Kaptchuk TJ, Parker SW, Scarborough DM, McGibbon CA, Schaechter JD, Stein J, Stason WB. Acupuncture for upper-extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: a randomized sham-controlled study.To compare the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture with sham acupuncture on upper-extremity (UE) function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic hemiparesis from stroke.A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial (RCT).Patients recruited through a hospital stroke rehabilitation program.Thirty-three subjects who incurred a stroke 0.8 to 24 years previously and had moderate to severe UE functional impairment.Active acupuncture tailored to traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses, including electroacupuncture, or sham acupuncture. Up to 20 treatment sessions (mean, 16.9) over a mean of 10.5 weeks.UE motor function, spasticity, grip strength, range of motion (ROM), activities of daily living, QOL, and mood. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after treatment.Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses found no statistically significant differences in outcomes between active and sham acupuncture groups. Analyses of protocol-compliant subjects revealed significant improvement in wrist spasticity (P<.01) and both wrist (P<.01) and shoulder (P<.01) ROM in the active acupuncture group, and improvement trends in UE motor function (P=.09) and digit ROM (P=.06).Based on ITT analyses, we conclude that acupuncture does not improve UE function or QOL in patients with chronic stroke symptoms. However, gains in UE function observed in protocol-compliant subjects suggest traditional Chinese acupuncture may help patients with chronic stroke symptoms. These results must be interpreted cautiously because of small sample sizes and multiple, unadjusted, post hoc comparisons. A larger, more definitive RCT using a similar design is feasible and warranted.