Eye Acupuncture Research Articles

Clinical Study of Opposing Needling Combined With Eye Acupuncture Therapy for Treatment of Muscle Spasm in Post-stroke Hemiplegia Patients Therapy for Treatment of Muscle Spasm in Post-Stroke Hemiplegia Patients

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy on muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients.Methods: A total of 69 post-stroke hemiplegia patients with muscle spasm who were hospitalized in the Department of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research participants. The randomized controlled clinical trial design method was used, and they were randomly divided into the basic treatment group and the combination treatment group. The basic treatment group did not use acupuncture treatment, but only basic rehabilitation treatment. The combination treatment group was treated with opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy. Both groups were treated once a day, and two days were rested after five days of continuous treatment. Five days were a course of treatment, and a total of three courses were treated. The efficacy of opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy for treatment of muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients was evaluated. The clinical neurological deficit score scale (CSS), modified Ashworth spasticity scale (MAS), simplified Fugl-Meyer scale (FMA), Barthel index scale (BI) and total score were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There was no significant difference in CSS scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the CSS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in MAS scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the MAS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the FMA scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the BI scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the single treatment method, opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture in the treatment of muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients has significant advantages in clinical neurological function, spastic improvement, motor function and daily living ability, and has obvious clinical significance in the long-term prognosis of patients.

Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression: A scoping review of randomized controlled trials

The prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD), a common complication following a stroke, is rising yearly. Due to the success in treating PSD, acupuncture therapy has gained in popularity in recent years. To provide clinicians with more referable recommendations, we undertook a scoping study to examine the clinical evidence and status of acupuncture for the treatment of PSD. This scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Six databases were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English or Chinese language that evaluated any type of acupuncture, with or without co-interventions, for treating PSD. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and organized in response to review questions. Findings were presented in a visual and aggregate form as well as in a descriptive format aligning with the objectives and scope of this protocol. A total of 231 RCTs were included, of which 230 were conducted in China. The applied acupuncture-related therapies included manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, head acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, press needle, pestle acupuncture, eye acupuncture, and wrist and ankle acupuncture. The most commonly used form of acupuncture was manual acupuncture (n=73, 31.60%), and DU20 (n=121, 52.38%) was the most frequently used acupuncture point. Only a small number of studies reported adverse events (n=30, 12.99%), with the main symptoms including subcutaneous bleeding, headache, and hematoma. Ninety-six of 149 studies reported an effectiveness rate of over 90%. A more standardized trial process is recommended to strengthen the clinical evidence and avoid irregularities in clinical trial methodology. Future studies should include populations from a wider range of countries to improve the generalisability of the evidence.

Clinical Study of Opposing Needling Combined With Eye Acupuncture Therapy for Treatment of Muscle Spasm in Post-stroke Hemiplegia Patients

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy on muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients. Methods: A total of 69 post-stroke hemiplegia patients with muscle spasm who were hospitalized in the Department of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research participants. The randomized controlled clinical trial design method was used, and they were randomly divided into the basic treatment group and the combination treatment group. The basic treatment group did not use acupuncture treatment, but only basic rehabilitation treatment. The combination treatment group was treated with opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy. Both groups were treated once a day, and two days were rested after five days of continuous treatment. Five days were a course of treatment, and a total of three courses were treated. The efficacy of opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture therapy for treatment of muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients was evaluated. The clinical neurological deficit score scale (CSS), modified Ashworth spasticity scale (MAS), simplified Fugl-Meyer scale (FMA), Barthel index scale (BI) and total score were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There was no significant difference in CSS scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the CSS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in MAS scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the MAS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the FMA scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After 19 days of treatment, the BI scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the single treatment method, opposing needling combined with eye acupuncture in the treatment of muscle spasm in post-stroke hemiplegia patients has significant advantages in clinical neurological function, spastic improvement, motor function and daily living ability, and has obvious clinical significance in the long-term prognosis of patients.

Eye acupuncture improves cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by improving autophagy via ATF6 pathway in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats

To explore the effect of eye acupuncture on autophagy and expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1, LC3B, ATF6 and XBP1 in the infarction area of brain tissue in rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CIRI. Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model and eye acupuncture groups (n=16 in each group). The CIRI model was prepared by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Eye acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral "Gan"(Liver), "Shangjiao"(Upper-energizer), "Xiajiao"(Lower-energizer) and "Shen"(Kidney) regions at 0, 12 and 24 h after CIRI, 30 min each time. The neurological deficit score was given by referring to Longa's method, and TTC staining used to determine the success of model replication. After the treatment, the pathological changes of the cerebral infarction area were observed under light microscope, and the autophagosomes were observed by electron microscope. The protein expression levels of LC3B, Beclin1, ATF6 and XBP1 in the infarction area of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The immunoactivity of Beclin1 and the immunofluorescence density of ATF6 and XBP1 in the infarction area of brain tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry. The Longa's score, and the protein expression levels of LC3B, Beclin1, ATF6 and XBP1 and immunoactivity or immunofluorescence density of Beclin1, ATF6 and XBP1 were significantly higher in the model group than those in the sham operation group (P<0.01), and considerably lower in the eye acupuncture group than those in the model group (P<0.01). Under light microscope, the model group had typical ethmoidal reticular cerebral infarction, while the eye acupuncture group had significantly smaller areas and clearer edges. Under electron microscope, there were more autophagosomes in the cytoplasm of neurons in the model group, and fewer autophagosomes in the eye acupuncture group (in contrast to the model group). Eye acupuncture can improve the neurological function and mitigate cerebral injury in CIRI rats which may be associated with its function in inhibiting autophagy in the brain tissue by regulating ATF6 pathway.

GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling for ophthalmopathy

Professor GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling for ophthalmopathy was introduced. The indications of electric eye acupuncture and stagnant-moving needling include external ophtalmoplegia and visual impairment. Professor GAO has proposed new acupoints at the ocular muscles attachment of eyeball, and put forward five experience points: Shangming point, Neiming point, Xiaming point, Waiming point and Tijian point. The points are selected according to different pathological changes of ocular muscles. In the treatment of ophthalmopathy, the tendons and vessels are often regulated at the same time. Neiming point, Shangming point, Xiaming point and Qiuhou point are the main points, with Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue (Extra) as the matching points. In addition, attention is paid to the application of stagnant-moving needling and electroacupuncture (continuous dense wave, frequency of 50 Hz).

Effects of eye acupuncture on motor evoked potential and somatosensory evoked potential in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury based on neuroelectrophysiological technology

To observe the effects of eye acupuncture on motor evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in the patients with incomplete spinal cord injury so as to evaluate its clinical efficacy. According to the random number table, 90 patients were divided into exercise therapy group, eye acupuncture group and eye acupuncture combined exercise therapy group (combined treatment group), 30 cases in each. In the exercise therapy group, patients were treated with the routine exercise and occupational therapy. Patients of the eye acupuncture group were treated with eye acupuncture at upper jiao region, lower jiao region, liver region and kidney region bilaterally. Patients of the combined treatment group were given the routine exercise and occupational therapy combined with eye acupuncture. All the treatments were conducted once daily, 7 days as one treatment course for 4 treatment courses. Before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, the motor function, light touch sensation and pinprick sensation, injury grade and clinical efficacy were assessed separately, using the criteria developed by the American Spinal Injury Association. The modified Barthel index(MBI) was adopted to evaluate the activities of daily livings. By monitoring SEP and MEP, the neurophysiological conditions were assessed for spinal cord injury. The total effective rate was 56.7% (17/30), 66.7% (20/30) and 90.0% (27/30) in the exercise therapy group, the eye acupuncture group and the combined treatment group, respectively. The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of motor function, light tough sensation and pinprick sensation were all increased after treatment in three groups (P<0.05), MBI score was increased in both the exercise therapy group and the combined treatment group (P<0.05), and the latency of SEP (N11, N20, N23, P38) and the Cortical (hand region), Csp, Cortical (leg region) and Lsp of MEP were all shortened in the three groups separately (P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the exercise therapy group, the score of motor function was increased (P<0.05), MBI score decreased (P<0.05) and MEP latency shortened (P<0.05) in the eye acupuncture group. After treatment, compared with the exercise therapy group and the eye acupuncture group, the scores of motor function, light touch sensation and pinprick sensation, as well as MBI score were all increased (P<0.05), and the latency of SEP (N11,N20,N23,P38) and MEP shortened (P<0.05) in the combined treatment group. In treatment of incomplete spinal cord injury, eye acupuncture combined with exercise therapy can significantly increase the excitability of sensory and motor nerve conduction in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex of patients, effectively promote the recovery of patients' motor and sensory function and improve the activities of daily living.

Post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstruction treated with the combined therapy of eye acupuncture, Tengliao and rehabilitation training: a multi-central randomized controlled trial

To assess the efficacy on relieving pain and improving the range of motion of shoulder joint in post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstruction in treatment of the combined therapy of eye acupuncture, Tengliao (Chinese herbal warm dressing technique) and rehabilitation training (eye acupuncture + Tengliao + rehabilitation) as compared with the combined treatment of Tengliao and rehabilitation training (Tengliao + rehabilitation) and the simple rehabilitation training (rehabilitation). A total of 356 patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstruction were randomized into an eye acupuncture + Tengliao + rehabilitation group (group A, 122 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a Tengliao + rehabilitation group (group B, 120 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a rehabilitation group (group C, 114 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the group C, the basic treatment was combined with routine rehabilitation training. In the group B, on the base of the treatment as the group C, Tengliao was exerted. A medical bag composed of over 20 Chinese herbal materials was heated and dressed at the affected area, 30 min each time, 5 times weekly. In the group A, besides the treatment as the group B, eye acupuncture was applied to heart region, kidney region, upper jiao region and lower jiao region, 30 min each time, 5 times weekly. The treatment lasted 28 days in all of three groups. Separately, before treatment, in 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of treatment, as well as in 14 days after treatment of follow-up, the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the score of guides to evaluation of permanent impairment (GEPI) and the score of National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were observed in each group. The scores of VAS, GEPI and NIHSS were all improved with the treatment lasting in the three groups (P<0.000 1). In 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of treatment and in follow-up as well, VAS scores in the group A were all lower than the group C (P<0.05). After 14 days of treatment, GEPI score showed increasing trend, while NIHSS score showed decreasing trend in the group A compared with the group B. Before treatment, GEPI score was lower and NIHSS score was higher in the group A compared with the group C (P<0.05). It was suggested that the illness was slightly serious in the group A. After propensity score matching, in 14, 21 and 28 days as well as in follow-up, GEPI scores in the group A were higher than the group C respectively (P<0.05). Regarding NIHSS score at each time point, the difference had no statistical significance between the group A and the group C (P>0.05). The combined therapy of eye acupuncture, Tengliao and rehabilitation training obtains a better efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome of phlegm-stasis obstruction as compared with rehabilitation training.

Eye acupuncture in Malaysia: the need for guidelines, regulation and enforcement

Eye acupuncture in Malaysia: the need for guidelines, regulation and enforcement

Eye acupuncture for pain conditions: a scoping review of clinical studies

BackgroundChinese eye acupuncture, focuses on treating different diseases by applying needle stimulation around the orbit of the eye. Since 1970, it has been used in China for the management of pain-related disorders. This scoping review systematically collected clinical studies on the use of eye acupuncture to treat pain conditions and identify any adverse events.MethodsSix databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wan Fang Data and SinoMed were searched from 1970 to March 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical controlled trials (CCTs) and case series on eye-acupuncture for pain conditions meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Data were extracted on patients, interventions, details of eye acupuncture, control treatments and outcomes.ResultsSearches identified 81 clinical studies and a trend demonstrating an increasing number of published studies. All studies were conducted in China and published in Chinese. These included, 45 (55.6%) RCTs, 5 (6.2%) CCTs, and 31 (38.3%) case series, treating 7113 patients with 44 different pain-related diseases or symptoms. The most frequently reported conditions were headache (18, 16.2%), acute lumbar pain (7, 6.3%) and lumbar disc herniation (7, 6.3%). Treatment using small needles (φ0.25 × 13 mm), retained ≤30 min, needling the horizontal outer orbital edge and the avoidance of manipulation during treatment were the most frequent descriptions of the interventions used. Eye acupuncture was used alone in about half of the studies and of the remaining studies it was combined with other treatment. All studies suggested some beneficial effects including: pain relief, improved quality of life and mental health, and 18 (22.2%) adverse events.ConclusionEye acupuncture, predominantly studied in China, may be a promising intervention for managing diverse pain conditions. However, given the variety of study designs and reported treatment outcomes, conclusions about the evidence for eye acupuncture for specific conditions are not possible at this stage.

Effect of eye acupuncture on autophagy in brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

to observe the effect of eye acupuncture on cerebral blood flow and autophagy of cerebral tissue in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, so as to explore the mechanism of eye acupuncture underlying improvement of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, eye acupuncture, inhibitor and enhancer groups，with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1.5 h. The rats in the eye acupuncture group were treated with eye acupuncture for 30 minutes immediately, 12 h and 24 h after the modeling. Rats in the inhibitor group and enhancer group were given intracerebroventricular injection of autophagy agonist 3-Methyladenine or autophagy inducer Rapamycin 30 min before modeling. Longa's scoring method was used to evaluate the neurological function. The blood flow velocity of the cerebral cortex was mea-sured with a laser doppler blood flow meter, and the neuron damage in the brain tissue was observed with Nissl staining. The expressions of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and p62 were measured by Western blot. Compared with the sham operation group, the neurological score of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01); the blood flow volume and blood flow speed were significantly reduced (P<0.01); the number of Nissl bodies in the ischemic brain tissue decreased (P<0.01); Beclin-1 protein expression level and LC3-II/LC3-I increased, while p62 expression level decreased(P<0.01). After intervention and in comparison with the model group, the neurological scores in the eye acupuncture group and inhibitor group decreased (P<0.01); blood flow volumn and blood flow speed significantly increased (P<0.01); the number of Nissl bodies increased (P<0.01); the expression level of Beclin-1 protein and LC3-II/LC3-I decreased, and the expression level of p62 increased (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the enhancer and the model groups in the abovementioned indexes(P>0.05). Eye acupuncture can improve the neurological function of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, which may be related to accelerating cerebral blood flow and inhibiting autophagy in the ischemic brain.

Clinical Effects of Sensor AR40E Intraocular Lenses in Cataract Patients with Prominent Myopia

Cataracts are a complex group of eye disorders. Many studies suggest that blood circulation around the eyes, and a rise in intraocular pressure play important roles in glaucoma. Sensor AR40E artificial crystalline bodies can adjust intraocular pressure, improve activity in the optic nerve and increase blood flow to the eye fundus. BL1 can transport Yin and Yang. We designed a randomized, military blind, controlled clinical trial: Control group: (1) A Sensor only AR40E intraocular lens was applied to the skin of Qingming and retrobulbar acupoints on the rainy side, twice per week for 20 min every time, for two consecutive weeks; (2) acupuncture group: treatment was same as for the control group, but the eye was needled into Jingming and retrobulbar acupoints to achieve Qi; (3) Sensor AR40E intraocular lens group: treatment was the same as that for the acupuncture group, the main outcome measure was the change of intraocular pressure and the secondary outcome measure is the score change of WHOQOL ref (Taiwan version). Beneficial outcomes were realized in the right and left eye acupuncture groups and the Sensor AR40E intraocular lens group.

Review on application of neural tracing technique to experimental research of acupuncture

To collect literatures on the application of neural tracing technique in experimental acupuncture research, and summarize its application status in acupoints, meridians and Zang-fu organs. We collected papers published from databases of CNKI (1979-2017), Wan-Fang (1990-2017), VIP (1989-2017) and PubMed(1997-2017)by using keywords of "neural tracing technique" "neuroanatomic tracing" "neural tracers" and "acupuncture" "electroacupuncture" "auricular acupuncture" "eye acupuncture" "meridians" "acupuncture points" "acupoint injection", and made a summary about the current state of application of neural tracing technique in the fields of acupoint, meridian and Zang-fu organs (viscera). A total of 94 articles were collected, the most commonly used neural tracers were horseradish peroxidase and cholera toxin subunit B. The experimental animals used were rat, rabbit, cat, monkey, etc., and injection site was acupoint. After the injection of neural tracers, the survival time of animals was range from 1 day to 12 weeks, and the labelled tissues included neurons and nerve fibers of the sensory, motor, and autonomic systems. The outcomes of neural labeling mainly revealed the segmental pattern, neuroanatomical connection (neural pathways/circuits) and chemical features (shown by immunohistochemical staining) of neurons and nerve fibers innervating both the acupoints and visceral organs, suggesting their involvement in the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. This application of neural tracing technology help us understand the under-lying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions from different perspectives of neural pathways/circuits and related chemical properties, which also lays a greater role for this technology in future experimental acupuncture research.

Clinical application rules of different micro needle system therapy

Different micro needle system therapies have different advantages and characteristics. However, at present, the dominant diseases for which each therapy is appropriate are positioned relatively vaguely, and even the acupoint selections for the same disease are different. The clinical application of the dominant disease and application characteristics of each micro needle system therapy is a scientific problem that needs to be explored urgently. Based on the previous data mining study of the clinical application of auricular acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, eye acupuncture, wrist-ankle acupuncture, hand acupuncture, the second metacarpal bone lateral needling, facial acupuncture, mouth acupuncture and nose acupuncture, the diseases reported more in the clinical literature of each therapy were extracted to find out the same symptoms applicable to different micro needle systems. The clinical application and differences of different micro needle systems for the same disease were compared horizontally, and it demonstrated that the second metacarpal bone lateral needling, facial needle, mouth acupuncture and nose acupuncture were biased towards a partial corresponding therapeutic relationship between one part and the other part, and the eye acupuncture was biased to interfere with the whole by adjusting the function of the organs, and the auricular, scalp and abdominal needles had the both characteristics, and the wrist-malleolus acupuncture and hand acupuncture were often used in various disorders of the meridian-collateral level. The differences were researched and summarized to more accurately guide clinicians in the application of different micro needle system therapies.

Clinical observation of eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture on dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney

To verify the efficacy of eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture in the treatment of dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney. A total of 90 patients with dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney were randomly divided into an eye acupuncture combination with conventional acupuncture group (eye acupuncture combination group), a conventional acupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each group. In the western medication group, sodium hyaluronate eye drops were used 3 times a day, each time 1-2 drops, 10 days as one course for 3 courses; conventional acupuncture was applied at Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Chengqi (ST 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) in the conventional acupuncture group; on the basis of the treatment in the conventional acupuncture, eye acupuncture was added at Shangjiao, Gan (liver), Shen (kidney), Pi (spleen) in the eye acupuncture combination group. The treatment in the eye acupuncture combination group and the conventional acupuncture group were given once a day, 10 days as one course, and a total of 3 courses were needed. Subjective symptom score was performed before treatment and every 10 days during treatment. Ocular surface analyzer was used before and after treatment. The subjective symptom scores in the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the conventional acupuncture group and the western medication group, the subjective symptom score after 30 d of treatment in the eye acupuncture combination group was decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the tear film break up time (BUT) was prolonged and the tear meniscus height increased in the eye acupuncture combination group and the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). Compared with the conventional acupuncture group and the western medication group, the tear film break up time was prolonged and the tear meniscus height increased in the eye acupuncture combination group (P<0.05). Corneal staining were better in all three groups than that before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the eye acupuncture combination group, was better than 86.7% (26/30) in the conventional acupuncture group and 73.3% (21/30) in the western medication group (P<0.05). Eye acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of dry eye syndrome with yin deficiency of liver and kidney, increase the secretion of tears, prolong the break up time of tear film, and restore the integrity of corneal epithelium.

Eye-acupuncture as adjuvant therapy for stroke: A bibliometric analysis of clinical studies

Abstract Background Eye-acupuncture (EA) is a fine-needle acupuncture therapy for systemic diseases. This bibliometric analysis aims to provide a comprehensive review of the characteristics of EA for ischemic or hemorrhagic apoplexy based on clinical studies. Methods A total of 195 clinical studies from six databases such as CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, PubMed and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 31, 2017 were included. Bibliometric information mainly including study type, participant characteristics, intervention and comparison details, and outcomes were extracted. Data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS® software to determine their distribution (range, interquartile range) and central tendency (median). Results The studies covered 108 RCTs, 36 controlled clinical trials, 45 case series and 6 case reports on EA for treatment of ischemic or hemorrhagic apoplexy, involved 15 466 stroke patients. EA was used at different stages of ischemic or hemorrhagic apoplexy: acute stage (n = 38), recovery (n = 32), sequela (n = 13) and unclear (n = 112). The most frequently used EA acupoints were in the upper-jiao and lower-jiao regions. The commonly used comparisons were EA alone versus traditional acupuncture, or EA plus traditional acupuncture versus traditional acupuncture. Neurological deficit scale, Modified Barthel Index, and activities of daily living were the most frequently used outcome measures. Conclusion EA as an adjuvant therapy is effective and safe in treating stroke at acute and recovery stages, but high-quality RCTs are lacking.

Features of clinical application of eye acupuncture therapy revealed by data mining

To investigate the features, dominant indications and application regularities of eye acupuncture therapy in clinical practice. We first collected original articles, academic dissertations, conference articles, and case reports from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, and Chinese biomedical literature (CBM) from Jan. 1 of 1980 to Dec. 31 of 2017, and medical records from medical books of Zhonghua Yan Zhen (Chinese Eye Acupuncture Therapy), Yanzhen Shijian Lu (Records of Application of Eye Acupuncture Therapy), and Peng Jing-shan's Yanzhen Liaofa Yanjiu (Peng Jing-shan's Eye Acupuncture Therapy) by using keyword of "eye acupuncture". Then, we established an "Eye-acupuncture Database" after sorting, screening, typing-in, checking, and extraction of the collected data by SQL server 2005 and 2005 Analysis Services (SASS), followed by analysis of the dominant indications, needling methods, needle manipulations, principles for acupoint selection, and clinical effect. Among the 850 articles retrieved, 178 were eligible to be subjected to analysis, including 42 disorders/diseases in 7 categories. The eye acupuncture therapy has the highest application frequency for 19 types of disorders/diseases of the internal medicine, such as sequela of apoplexy, hiccup, insomnia, vertigo, hypertension, etc., followed by head and body pain (7 types: headache, lumbago, sciatica, shoulder pain, etc.), disorders of the ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology (deafness, squinting eyes, dry eye syndrome, amblyopia, etc.), traumatic injury, gynecopathy, acute pain (biliary colic, renal colic). The effect rate was 95.87% for disorders of the gynecopathy, 95.54% for head and body pain, 94.53% for traumatic skin injury, 92.16% for emergency, 91.98% for disorders of the five sense organs, 91.43% for problems of the internal medicine, etc. Regarding the principle of acupoint selection, acupoints were chosen mainly according to the meridian running (146 articles), local region of the eye (14 articles) and diseased location (153 articles). A total of 157 articles have a marked description about the needling methods, including horizontal needling (81 articles), intra-orbital straight needling (22 articles), extra-orbital oblique needling (13 articles), etc. The duration of needle retaining was mostly from 15 to 30 minutes, and the handle-scraping was frequently adopted (34 articles), and the overall treatment frequency ranged from 11 to 20 times. In regard to the medical records, a total of 53 types of disorders were involved, including 37 types of the internal medicine such as stroke sequelae (34 articles), facial paralysis (11 articles), etc. The acupoints were selected according to the local region of eye (129 articles), the needle insertion involved horizontal needling (102 articles), and cured rate reported was higher than 90%. Eye acupuncture therapy is widely used for a variety of disorders and has a positive effect, particularly for stroke sequelae and various acute and chronic pain problems.

Eye Acupuncture as a Pain Relief Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Coffee is the most popular beverage in the Republic of Korea, other than Korea's traditional green tea. Coffee contains many physiologically active substances, such as chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and caffeine. Previous studies have focused on the content of CGAs and caffeine in brewed coffee. This study quantified the total amounts of CGAs and caffeine using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector in 83 various coffee-related products, such as instant coffee, roasted and ground coffee sold in supermarkets, ready-to-drink coffee, and Americano coffee sold in franchise restaurants in the Republic of Korea. According to the results of this study, the coffee with the highest content of CGAs was unblended roasted and ground coffee sold in supermarkets, with a mean value of 194.1 ± 67.7 mg/serving, and the most caffeine-rich coffee was Americano coffee from coffee shops, with a mean value of 166.1 ± 37.5 mg/serving. The caffeine/CGA ratios were determined in various coffee beverages because they are useful parameters for estimating the human health. The lowest mean caffeine/CGAs ratio of 0.5 ± 0.1 was found in unblended ground coffee sold in supermarkets, and the highest mean ratio of 2.5 ± 1.4 was found in milk-added ready-to-drink coffee. Adult caffeine tolerance is defined as 400 mg a day in the Republic of Korea. However, this value highlights the importance of medicines, carbohydrate beverages, tea, chocolate, cocoa products, energy drinks and other sources of caffeine that can contribute to the total intake of caffeine.

Case of eye acupuncture combined with body acupuncture in treatment of knee arthritis

The patient was diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis. She was treated with eye acupuncture at both kidneys, bladder, and lower jiao combined with body acupuncture bilateral Xīyăn (▪ EX-LE 5), Yánglíngquán (▪ GB 34), Yīnlíngquán (▪ SP 9), Zúsānlľ (▪ ST 36) and Hèdľng (▪ EX-LE 2). The patient was cured after 10 times of treatment and pain was not found during follow-up visit for one month. The combination use of eye acupuncture and body acupuncture in treatment of this case of knee arthritis obtained good efficacy, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.

Impacts of eye acupuncture on neurological deficit and Barthel index in patients of infarction hemiplegia

To observe the impacts of eye acupuncture on neurological deficit and Barthel index in the patients of infarction hemiplegia and explore its function mechanism. Ninety-six patients of infarction hemiplegia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 48 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine western medicines such as thrombolysis and antiplatelet aggregation were used. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, eye acupuncture was added at Shangjiao and Xiajiao areas bilaterally, once a day, 5 times a week. Separately, before treatment and after 2 weeks' treatment the score changes of the modified Edinburgh Scandinavia stroke scale (MESSS) and the activity of daily life scale (ADL, Barthel index, BI) were observed and the efficacy was compared between the two groups. The plasma endothelin was determined and compared before and after treatment in the two groups. After treatment, the effective rate was 93.8% (45/48) in the observation group and was 79.2% (38/48) in the control group. The effective rate in the observation group was higher apparently than that in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of neurological deficit were (13.29±1.45) and (18.24±1.33) in the observation group and control group respectively after treatment, which all lower apparently than (28.44±1.45) and (28.14±1.89) before treatment (both P<0.05). Additionally, the difference was significant between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). The scores of Barthel index were (82.33±1.56) and (63.34±2.14) in the observation group and control group respectively, which all higher apparently than (38.53±1.54) and (38.14±2.56) before treatment (both P<0.05), and the difference was significant between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). The levels of plasma endothelin were (54.55±11.48)ng/L and (62.44±9.88)ng/L in the observation group and the control group after treatment respectively, which were all lower apparently than (78.24±9.25)ng/L and (78.14±10.78)ng/L before treatment (both P<0.05). Additionally, the difference was significant between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). Eye acupuncture effectively improves the neurological deficit and Brathel index in the patients of infarction hemiplegia and comprehensively improves the efficacy. The effect mechanism is possibly relevant with reducing plasma endothelin.

Effects of eye acupuncture therapy on neurological function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Effects of eye acupuncture therapy on neurological function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury