Embedding Therapy Research Articles

Effect of Bushen Yanggan decoction combine with acupoint catgut embedding therapy in the treatment of patients with premature ovarian failure and its influence on serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels

Objective To study the effect of Bushen Yanggan decoction combine with acupoint catgut embedding therapy in the treatment of patients with premature ovarian failure and its influence on serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and estradiol(E2) levels. Methods From January 2016 to June 2017, 76 patients with premature ovarian failure in the First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District were selected.They were divided into observation group(n=38) and control group(n=38) by the random number table method.The control group was given western medicine hormone replacement therapy, the observation group was given Bushen Yanggan decoction combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy.The patients in the two groups were treated for 3 months.The clinical efficacy, clinical symptoms, serum FSH, E2 levels and endometrial thickness before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 86.84%(33/38), which was slightly higher than 78.95%(30/38) of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.835, P>0.05). The incidence rates of soreness and weakness of waist and knees, hot flashes sweating, sexual decline, loss of control of the observation group after 3 months of treatment were 21.05%(8/38), 26.32%(10/38), 18.42%(7/38), 21.05%(8/38), respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the control group[44.74%(17/38), 50.00%(19/38), 39.47%(15/38), 42.11%(16/38)], the differences were statistically significant(χ2=4.828, 4.517, 4.094, 3.897, all P<0.05). The serum FSH of the observation group after 3 months of treatment was (31.44±11.04)IU/L, which was lower than (60.38±13.02)IU/L of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(t=10.447, P<0.05). The serum E2 levels, endometrial thickness of the observation group were (92.77±10.72)pmol/L, (7.95±1.17)mm, respectively, which were higher than those of the control group[(60.24±11.33)pmol/L, (4.82±1.65)mm], the differences were statistically significant(t=12.856, 9.539, all P<0.05). Conclusion Bushen Yanggan decoction combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy for premature ovarian failure has good curative effect, it can improve the clinical symptoms and serum sex hormone levels, increase the thickness of the endometrium, which is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Primary ovarian insufficiency; Medicine, chinese traditional; Bushen Yanggan Decoction; Acupoint catgut embedding; Combined modality therapy; Follicle stimulating hormone; Estradiol; Endometrium

Efecto de la terapia de implantación de catgut en puntos de acupuntura frente a terapia con acupuntura simulada en pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad en México

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy (ACET) vs Sham acupuncture therapy for the treatment of overweight and obese patients in Mexico Material and methodsA randomised clinical study was designed, for which 61 adult patients were recruited from the Acupuncture Clinic National School of medicine of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City. The following criteria were used: Overweight and obese men and women, with no coagulation disorders, psychiatric illnesses, skin diseases, pregnancy, or other treatment for obesity. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups of treatment: ACET and Sham acupuncture. Obesity related parameters, including body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass percentage, and biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides) were determined before and after treatment. Results and conclusionsBody weight and BMI were significantly reduced in response to both treatments; however the effect of ACET produced a significant reduction in body weight (5.24) and in all the rest of the parameters studied. Interestingly, the body weight reduction was higher than those described so far (5.24kg vs 2.97kg). Our results confirmed the effectiveness of the ACET for the treatment of obesity in Mexico.

Ultrasonic modification of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid acupoint catgut embedding monofilaments for juvenile pseudomyopia

Acupoint catgut embedding therapy (ACET) has become the most promising method for treatment of juvenile pseudomyopia due to its advantages of lasting effect, high efficiency, safety and no side effects. However, poor hydrophilicity and biocompatibility are the main disadvantages, preventing ACET materials from having wide applications. This work fabricated four types of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) monofilaments from their polymer chips, and then the prepared monofilaments were treated ultrasonically by dipping them in a mixed solution composed of ethyl alcohol and H2O2 (volume ratio 1:1) at 250 W ultrasonic power for 30 min. Afterwards, the PLA and PGA groups were fully characterized with respect to structure characterizations, mechanical properties and in vitro properties. The results showed that the surface roughness of the monofilaments had been greatly enhanced by ultrasonic modification. The PLA groups’ molecular structures changed little, while those of the PGA group emerged with some polar hydrophilic bonds. By deionized water measurement of contact angle values, the ultrasound modified PLA monofilaments (UMPLA1 = 87.2 ± 2.5°, UMPLA2 = 83.6 ± 3.5°) presented a decrease compared to that of untreated PLA ones (PLA1 =103.5 ± 3.4°, PLA2 = 108.4 ± 1.2°), while that of ultrasound modified PGA monofilaments (UMPGA1 = 75.6 ± 4.3°, UMPGA2 =70.5 ± 3.1°) was smaller than untreated PGA ones (PGA1 = 97.3 ± 1.7°, PGA2 = 95.8 ± 2.6°). Based on the measurement of the mechanical properties, the tensile properties and bending stiffness of the PLA and PGA groups changed little, and their swelling ratios were greatly improved after modification. All the prepared monofilaments presented non-toxicity with good cell viability (more than 75%), and samples UMPGA2 (81.4 ± 3.1%) and UMPLA2 (65.8 ± 0.8%) exhibited the largest cell attachment ratio values among their groups. In conclusion, these findings present important clinical implications regarding the ACET materials manufacturing process, which warrant further study.

A study of ultrasound/H2O2 combined surface modification on polyglycolic acid monofilaments for acupoint catgut embedding therapy application

Polyglycolic acid (PGA) monofilament has been regarded as an excellent acupoint catgut embedding therapy (ACET) material because it offers numerous advantages, including easy accessibility and good forming and degradable properties. However, the poor hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility are the main disadvantages preventing it from having wider applications. In this communication, two types of PGA monofilaments were first fabricated from their polymer chips, followed by ultrasound/H2O2 combined surface modification at 1:1 (V/V), and different ultrasound frequencies (45, 60 and 75 KHz) were explored. The modified PGA monofilaments were fully characterized with respect to structure characterizations (surface morphology, weights and diameters, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and hydrophilicity), mechanical properties (tensile property, swelling behavior and flexibility) and in vitro properties (cytotoxicity, cell attachment and cell morphology). The results showed that the PGA monofilaments after modification would become coarser, with larger weights and diameters. Samples 1-PGA 75 and 2-PGA 75 exhibited the smallest contact angles at 70.51° ± 3.27° and 62.84° ± 2.53°, respectively. The FT-IR analysis results confirmed that some polar groups emerged, promoting the hydrophilicity of PGA monofilaments. The swelling behavior of monofilaments was enhanced, while tensile and bending stiffness values slightly decreased. All the prepared samples presented no toxicity, and the cell attachment ratio (cultured for 48 h) of PGA monofilaments had been greatly improved after modification. These findings present important clinical implications in the ACET materials manufacturing process and warrant further study to develop new PGA embedding materials with outstanding clinical efficacy.

Regularity of Acupoint Selection in Treatment of Insomnia by Catgut Embedding Therapy

To analyze the regularity of acupoint selection in the treatment of insomnia by using catgut embedding so as to provide reference and evidence for clinical application. Sixty-six studies about acupoint catgut embedding treatment of insomnia published from 1996 to 2017 were finally selected from the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), and WanFang Database. The Excel 2016 software was used for data processing and analysis, SPSS 21.0 was employed for descriptive and cluster analyses, and the Clementine 12.0 software was employed to analyze the association regularities of the most frequently used acupoints or acupoint recipes. The most frequently selected main acupoints for insomnia by using catgut embedment are Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20), Ganshu (BL 18), combined with adjuvant acupoints Danshu (BL 19) and Fenglong (ST 40). The most frequently selected channels are the Bladder and Stomach Meridians, and the most frequently involved body positions are the back and lower limbs. Effective clusterings are BL 20-SP 6, Shenmen (HT 7)-Anmian, ST 40-Shenting (GV 24), Qihai (CV 6)-Jueyinshu (BL 14). Descriptive analysis indicated: ①The stronger correlation acupoint groups between back-shu points are BL 18-BL 23; BL 18，BL 15-BL 23; BL 18，BL 20，BL 15-BL 23. ②The stronger correlation acupoint groups between common acupoints are Neiguan (PC 6)，Zusanli (ST 36) -SP 6; PC 6, HT 7 - SP 6.③The stronger correlation acupoint groups between common acupoints and back-shu points are BL 18, SP 6-BL 23; PC 6, BL 23 - SP 6; ST 36, PC 6, BL 15 - SP 6; BL 18，BL 15，SP 6 - BL 23. Acupoint catgut embedding therapy is effective in the treatment of insomnia, being worthy of further popularization in clinical practice.

A Meta-analysis of Effectiveness of Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Insomnia

To evaluate the effectiveness and superiority of acupoint catgut-embedding in the treatment of insomnia. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for insomnia treated by acupoint implantation of catgut were included in the present study. We searched the related articles from 6 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang) from the date of inception to March 19, 2017 by using keywords "catgut implantation at acupuncture point" or "catgut implantation at acupoint" and "insomnia" or "agrypnia" and "randomised (or randomized) clinical trial". Quality assessments were performed by two researchers independently using GRADE profile 3.6, followed by crosscheck. Data were analyzed using software Revman 5.3 and STATA 14.0. Twenty-two trials met the inclusion criteria were included. They recruited 1 714 cases of insomnia. GRADE grading suggests a low quality of these articles. Heterogeneous test (numerical test) showed χ2＝31.11, P＝0.07, I2＝32%. Gabriz chart and sensitivity analysis ultimately determined that these trials have smaller or no heterogenity. The effective rate of acupoint catgut embedding for insomnia was higher than that of the control group (OR＝ 3.77; 95% CI: 2.63－5.41; P<0.00001). Acupoint catgut embedding therapy has a positive role in clinical treatment of insomnia. But due to lower quality of current literature, more high-quality randomized controlled clinical trials are required.

극상근건 부분파열 환자에 매선과 한의치료를 시행한 증례 보고

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Korean medical treatments combined with Embedding acupuncture on patients with supraspinatus tendon partial tear. We reviewed the medical records of 1 patients with supraspinatus tendon partial tear at Pureunsan oriental medical clinic from Oct, 2017 to November, 2017. The patient received embedding acupuncture therapy and oriental medical therapy. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the patient was asked to complete a Visual analogue scale(VAS) and the Shoulder pain and disability index during treatment period. The VAS of the patient decreased more than the screening period. The SPADI change of the embedding acupuncture group were greater than non treatment period. Embedding therapy combined with Korean medical treatment might be effective in reducing pain and improving the life quality of patients with supraspinatus tendon partial tear. We hope that further studies will be done to produce more clinical data and ensure effective application of these results.

Clinical effects of nasal alar sailboat resection combined with catgut embedding therapy for severe hypertrophy of nasal alar

Objective To study the clinical effects of sailboat resection of nasal alar flap combined with catgut embedding in the treatment of severe hypertrophy of the nasal alar. Methods Patients with severe alar hypertrophy were photographed before operation, and the length of alar, the height of nasal ala, the length of nostrils and the width of nostrils were measured. After one month and half a year follow-up, the length of alar, nasal alar height, nostril length, nostril width and nasal width were measured, and the local scar condition was scored according to Vancouver scar scale (VSS). Results Through the combination of two kinds of surgical treatment of severe nasoalar hypertrophy, the surgical effect of satisfaction showed that, with the comparison before and after surgery, nose length and height, length and width of the nostril and the nasal base width were significantly reduced (P 0.05), and so the postoperative effect could be sustained; local scar scale, after half a year and one month after operation, were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the postoperative long-term scar was not obvious. Conclusions The effect of alar sailboat-resection combined with catgut embedding therapy is satisfactory for the treatment of severe alar hypertrophy. It is one of the ways to treat severe alar hypertrophy. Key words: Nose; Surgery, plastic; Hypertrophy of the nasal alar; Alar sailboat-resection; Catgut embedding; Vancouver scar scale

Effects of acupoint catgut embedding therapy paired with dietary intervention on tumour necrosis factor-α levels and abdominal circumference in patients with obesity

Obesity is associated with a decreased quality of life and is a risk factor for the development of other diseases. Furthermore, obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory status that contributes to the development of metabolic dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. Acupuncture assists weight loss through the suppression of appetite and the reduction of the risk of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with dietary intervention on serum tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and abdominal circumference. This study was a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial involving 36 patients with obesity who were randomly divided into the following groups: catgut embedding method combined with dietary intervention (case group) and sham acupuncture combined with dietary intervention (control group). The results showed a significant difference in TNF-α levels before and after treatment within the case group and a significant difference in abdominal circumference change between the two groups. Acupoint catgut embedding combined with dietary intervention has significant effects on serum TNF-α levels and abdominal circumference in patients with obesity.

Design and optimization of a novel chitosan coating system for acupoint catgut embedding materials

Chitosan coating on acupoint catgut embedding therapy (ACET) is a critical issue in improving the comprehensive performances of embedding materials. However, the existing coating technologies have struggled to keep pace with both the academic study and industrial production. This work proposed a novel chitosan coating system consisted of pretreatment, spray-coating and rolling and drying parts. To evaluate the feasibility of this system, four types of monofilaments, namely polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polydioxanone (PDO) and polyglycolide acid (PGA), were adopted and their properties, such as swelling, compression and hydrophilicity, were also measured. Meanwhile, several numerical calculations and analyses were conducted to select and optimize the testing variables. The results showed that the coating concentration of 3% (v/v) was selected as the most suitable parameter; samples with the rotational speed of 2.12 m/min were demonstrated to have regular swelling behavior: PP (weight changes = 3.876 ± 0.312 g/cm, diameter changes = 1.354 ± 0.153 mm) &lt; PLA (weight changes = 5.246 ± 0.215 g/cm, diameter changes = 3.251 ± 0.136 mm)&lt; PDO (weight changes = 7.315 ± 0.315 g/cm, diameter changes = 5.426 ± 0.128 mm) &lt; PGA (weight changes =9.845 ± 0.251 g/cm, diameter changes = 7.652 ± 0.248 mm); testing properties of samples were closer to the expected results regarding the decrease of contact force, so 0.1 cN was selected as the optimum parameter. In summary, the coating system was successfully developed and has a potential application for fabricating ideal embedding materials to satisfy clinical needs.

Skin needle embedding for obese impaired glucose tolerance

To explore the effect difference between the skin needle embedding therapy and western medication for obese impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). A total of 300 cases of obese IGT were assigned into an embedding group and a western medication group by random number table, 150 cases in each one. Standardized diagnosis and treatment programs were applied to reduce blood pressure, lipid, weight, and exercise and scientific diet management were used. 0.25 g oral deltamine was prescribed three times a day in the western medication group. Thumb-tack needle for subcutaneous embedding was at bilateral Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 36 to 48 hours on Monday and Thursday, 3 months as a session, with other acupoints differentiated. All the treatment was given for 2 years. The indexes included the blood sugar indexes [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)], incidence of hypoglycemia, obesity indexes [waist circumference, body mass index (BMI)], blood lipid indexes [serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], liver and kidney function indexes [serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood uric acid (UA), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT)] and TCM symptom score. The effects and the incidence of type 2 diabetes were evaluated. After treatment, 2 h PG and HbA1c reduced in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05) and the results in the embedding group were better (both P<0.05). After treatment, the incidence of hypoglycemia in the embedding group was 0.7% (1/150), and that in the western medication group was 1.3% (2/150), without statistical difference (P>0.05). After treatment, waist circumference and BMI reduced in the two groups (both P<0.01) and the improvements in the embedding group were better (both P<0.05). TC, TG and LDL-C after treatment were lower than those before treatment, and HDL-C were higher in the two groups (all P<0.05), without statistical different values before and after treatment between the two groups (all P>0.05). Scr, BUN, UA and ALT before and after treatment in the two groups had no statistical difference (all P>0.05), without statistical difference after treatment between the two groups (all P>0.05). The TCM score after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the embedding group (P<0.05), and the difference was not statistical in the western medication group (P>0.05). The different value of TCM score in the embedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the embedding group was 98.0% (147/150), which was superior to 92.7% (139/150) in the western medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of type 2 diabetes was 2.0% (3/150) in the embedding group, and that was better than 7.3% (11/150) in the western medication group (P<0.05). Thumb-tack needle for subcutaneous embedding for 2 years could apparent improve the indexes of IGT, which is better than western medication, without liver and kidney damage.

A study of the chitosan coating method on polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid embedding monofilaments

With the development of applying acupoint catgut embedding therapy to the treatment of juvenile pseudomyopia, embedding materials are expected to be the perfect for choice by taking advantage of the lasting effect and minimal invasiveness. This work adopted polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA) monofilaments to produce four types of chitosan coated monofilaments with excellent swelling behaviors. For achieving better coating weight gains, a one-dipping-one-rolling coating system was developed. The results showed that both the PGA and PLA monofilaments' swelling behaviors were greatly improved, CS-PGA2 (98.17 ± 3.15%) presented a great difference from CS-PLA1 (47.56 ± 6.15%) and CS-PLA2 (63.31 ± 3.26%), respectively, while CS-PGA1 (87.36 ± 5.16%) had a similar expansion rate to that of CS-PGA2. The resist deformation ability of the monofilament was strengthened and the crystalline zones of PGA and PLA monofilaments were slightly decreased after a chitosan coating process. The CS-PGA group and PGA group were found to degrade completely in 56 days and 70 days, respectively, while the PLA group changed little in the experimental process, offering a new insight into controlled degradation research. In conclusion, all coated monofilaments show potential in acting as embedding materials with good swelling behaviors, and the CS-PGA group is proved to have a higher prospect for clinical applications.

Research status of the effect mechanism on catgut-point embedding therapy

This paper aims to review the research status of the effect mechanism of catgut-embedding therapy. The literature was retrieved from China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database with the keywords as "catgut-point embedding" "embedding", dated from the database establishment to December 2015. Totally, over 5 000 papers had been collected. It was summarized that TCM effect mechanism of catgut-point embedding therapy includes the effects of needle retaining and embedding, harmonizing yin and yang, balancing zangfu organs, promoting meridian qi, regulating qi and blood, tonifying for the deficiency and reducing for the excess, strengthening the antipathogenic qi and eliminating pathogens. From the point of view of western medicine, the effect mechanism of catgut-embedding therapy refers to recovering nerve function, regulating neural reflex, increasing human immunity, improving local circulation, inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors, reducing apoptosis, regulating cellular factor and improving body metabolism. It was found that the effects of catgut-embedding therapy were not only related to the effects induced by common acupuncture, but also to the persistent treatment through prolonged stimulation duration, especially in the treatment of chronic diseases with many systems involved. This therapy reduces or complements to the use of western medicine to certain extent. However, the longitude theoretic study on the catgut-embedding therapy is limited; the specific statement is less predominant and the clinical controlled trial is insufficient at present. Hence, further studies are requested.

경항통에 대한 매선 임상연구의 중국 현황 분석

Thread embedding therapy is used increasingly for various disease including neck pain. However, the evidence of thread embedding therapy on neck pain and the assessment of their methodology are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical research methodology using thread embedding therapy on neck pain. Thread embedding therapy is used increasingly for various disease including neck pain. However, the evidence of thread embedding therapy on neck pain and the assessment of their methodology are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical research methodology using thread embedding therapy on neck pain. Total 31 studies were included in analysis. Thread embedding therapy usually was used once a week(32.3%), once per 10days(29.0%), once per two weeks (25.8%). The most common concurrent treatment used with thread embedding therapy was Chinese medicine. Among acupuncture points, EX-B2 (61.3%) was most commonly used, followed by GV14(45.2%), GB20(29.0%), GB21(22.6%). For control group, acupuncture were most commonly used(58.1%). All studies reported that the effect of thread embedding therapy was more effective compared to control group. and 11 studies reported side effects. Only 13 studies(41.9%) reported the appropriate randomization method, and the mean Jadad score of included studies was 1.52. Previous clinical trials included in this study showed the effect of thread embedding therapy for neck pain. However, the quality of the studies was not high. Further rigorous clinical trials are need to assess the effect of thread embedding therapy.

Therapeutic effect observation of chronic knee joint pain assisted with the central-square needling technique of the thumb-tack needles

To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on chronic knee joint pain between the combination of the central-square needling technique of thumb-tack needles with the routine therapy of acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina and the routine therapy of acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina. One hundred and twenty patients of chronic knee joint pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine therapy of acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina was adopted. In the observation group, at the end of treatment with the routine therapy of acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina, the subcutaneous embedding therapy was followed with four thumb-tack needles at the sites 1 to 1.5 cm above, below and bilateral to the main point (ashi point) separately, and the needles were retained for 24 h to 48 h. The treatment was given once every two days, three times a week, totally 6 times in two weeks; and the follow-up visit was done for 3 months in patients of the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score before and after each treatment, Lequesne index score before treatment and at the end of follow-up and the case numbers of proactive use of painkillers or receiving acupuncture treatment in the follow-up stage were compared and observed in the patients of the two groups. The VAS score was reduced gradually after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The differences were significant statistically after the second treatment as compared with those before the treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), in which, the improvements in VAS scores after the third treatment in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (all P<0.05). At the end of follow-up visit, Lequesne index scores were all improved as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.05) and the improvements were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). In the follow-up stage, there were 0 case in the observation group and 9 cases in the control group in terms of proactive use of painkillers (P<0.05). There were 5 cases in the observation group and 1 case in the control group receiving acupuncture treatment again (P>0.05). The acupuncture scheme in assistance with the central-square needling technique of thumb-tack needles obviously relieves chronic knee joint pain, much better sustains the analgesic effects of acupuncture and improves patient compliance.

Combination therapy efficacy of catgut embedding acupuncture and diet intervention on interleukin-6 levels and body mass index in obese patients

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide, affecting more than 500 million adults with an additional 1.5 billion adults classified as overweight. Acupuncture has been recognized as an adjunctive therapy for obesity, and recent evidence suggests its potential to reduce the inflammatory response in adipose tissue, a condition believed to be responsible for obesity-related health problems. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been proposed as an important mediator of the inflammatory response in adipose tissue, but the number of studies addressing the issue is still limited. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with36 obese patients currently receiving dietary intervention. The patients were randomly allocated into the catgut embedding acupuncture group with diet intervention or the sham (placebo) embedding acupuncture group with diet intervention. Catgut embedding therapy was given twice at CV12 Zhongwan, ST25 Tianshu, CV6 Qihai, and SP6 Sanyinjiao acupoints with two week intervals between procedures. The study endpoints were the IL-6 levels in the blood plasma and body mass index (BMI), measured before and after the intervention. We observed a reduction in the IL-6 levels (mean reduction 0.13 pg/mL, 95% CI: 0.03–0.23) and BMI (mean reduction 0.66, 95% CI 0.43–0.88) in the accupuncture group. The average difference in mean reduction of BMI between the accupuncture and sham groups was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.17–0.52). No difference was found in mean IL-6 reduction between the two groups (95% CI: -0.17 to 0.06). The results suggest that acupoint catgut embedding therapy may help reduce IL-6 levels and BMI in obese patients receiving dietary intervention.

Impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on postpartum weight retention

To observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on postpartum weight retention. Seventy-one women of postpartum weight retention were divided into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (36 cases) according to their own wishes when re-examination in 42 days after delivery. In the control group, the nutrition consultation was provided and the calories intake was controlled continuously for 20 weeks. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the acupoint embedding therapy was applied to Zhongwan (CV 12), Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29), Shuifen (CV 9), Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9). The sutures, No. 4-0 were cut as 2 to 4 mm in length and put into the embedding needle. After qi arrival, the sutures were pushed into the acupoints with the needle core and the needle was removed quickly. The treatment was given once every two weeks, continuously for 20 weeks. Totally, 10 times of acupoint catgut embedding therapy were required. Before and after treatment, the body mass, weight retention, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP-Ⅱ) were observed in the participants of the two groups. After treatment, body mass, weight retention, BMI, PBF, WC and WHR were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the participants of the two groups, indicating the significant differences (all P<0.05). After treatment, the body mass, weight retention, BMI, PBF, WC and WHR in the participants of the observation group were lower than those in the control group, indicating the significant differences (all P<0.05). The score of every dimension of HPLP-Ⅱ after treatment was higher than that before treatment in the participants of the observation group, indicating the significant differences (all P<0.05); and the scores of health responsibility, sports and spiritual growth in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, indicating the significant differences (all P<0.05). The acupoint catgut embedding therapy improves in the postpartum weight retention and achieves the satisfactory clinical therapeutic effects.

Acupoint catgut embedding therapy in treatment of anal fissure at Ⅰ and Ⅱ stages:a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the difference in the clinical therapeutic effects on anal fissure at Ⅰ and Ⅱ stages between the acupoint catgut embedding therapy and western medication. Sixty patients of anal fissure at Ⅰ and Ⅱ stages were randomized into an embedding therapy group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the embedding therapy group, the acupoint catgut embedding therapy was applied at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Changqiang (GV 1), bilateral Chengshan (BL 57) and Tigangxue (Extra), once a week. In the western medication group, the external inunctum on the wound was given with 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment, once every morning and evening a day. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks continuously in the two groups. The follow-up visit was done for 3 months after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and anal pain duration were observed and recorded before treatment and on the 3rd day and the 7th day of treatment separately. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. After treatment, on the 3rd day and the 7th day of treatment, VAS score and anal pain duration were all reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0.01). The differences in the embedding therapy gruop were better than those in the western medication group before and after treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). In the 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment, the clinical therapeutic effects in the embedding therapy group were better than those in the western medication group (both P<0.05). In 3-month follow-up, the recurrent case in the embedding therapy group was one, and the recurrent case in the western medication group was six. The acupoint catgut embedding therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of anal fissure at Ⅰ and Ⅱ stages and its recurrent case is lower as compared with the treatment of western medication.

Review on infrared temperature characteristics of acupoints in recent 10 years

In the paper, the study was reviewed on the infrared temperature characteristics of acupoints in recent 10 years. CNKI, WANFANG, VIP, SciVerse ScienceDirect and Springer databases were retrieved, with"infrared thermal imaging" and "acupoint" as the key words. The retrieving time was from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2016. Totally, 468 relevant papers were searched and 169 papers of them were read carefully on acupoint infrared temperature. In terms of physiological condition, pathological condition and the stimulation methods such as acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina, embedding therapy and cupping therapy, the general situation was reviewed on the infrared temperature characteristics of acupoints separately. It was found that the study on infrared temperature characteristics of acupoints in physiological condition was limited and the characteristics discovered were not enough to systematically review the physiological and physical properties of acupoints. The study in terms of the pathological condition objectively reflected the effects and rules of diseases. It was showed in the study of acupoint infrared temperature characteristics after stimulation that the changes of infrared thermal imaging tempe-rature at some specific region induced by different therapies and parameters might be used to deduce the potential mechanism and optimal parameters or schemes of intervention method and contributed to the formation and deve-lopment of quantitative diagnosis and treatment. The authors believe that the study on infrared temperature characteristics of acupoint provides the active significance in the exploration on the physiological and physical characteristics of acupoint, the effects and rules of diseases as well as the quantitative diagnosis and treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE EFECTS OF EMBEDDING THERAPY AND ELECTRONIC ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH “DOC HOAT TANG KY SINH” REMEDY IN THE TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN BY OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background: Low back pain by osteoarthristis is one of the most common diseases in the world as well as in Vietnam, estimated 70-85% people in the world have low back pain sometime in their lives. Obiectives: To evaluate the effects of embedding therapy and electronic acupuncture combined with “Doc hoat tang ky sinh” remedy in the treatment of low back pain by spondylosis. Materials and methods: 72 patients diagnosed of low back pain by spondylosis, were examined and treated at Phu Yen Traditional Medicine Hospital, divided equally into 2 groups (group 1 and group 2). Results: In group 1: Effective treatment at good and fair good level accounted for 41.7% and 41.7%. In group 2: Good level occupied 33.3% and fair good level occupied 55.6%. Conclusion: The ratios of good and fair good in 2 groups were equal (p &gt;0.05) Key words: Low back pain, spondylosis, embedding therapy, electronic acupuncture