Patients In Acupuncture Group Research Articles

Effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

To observe the effect and safety of acupuncture on quality of life, pain, and prostate symptoms in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Seventy patients with CP/CPPS were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (35 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a sham acupuncture group (35 cases, 3 cases dropped out). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture at bilateral Zhongliao (BL 33), Huiyang (BL 35), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), while the patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with shallow needling at non-meridian and non-acupoint points beside bilateral Zhongliao (BL 33), Huiyang (BL 35), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6),without manipulation to induce arrival of qi (deqi). Both groups retained the needles for 30 min, with one session every other day, three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks (24 sessions). Before and after treatment, and at the follow-up of 24 weeks after treatment completion, the scores of MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36, including 8 dimensions of physical function [PF], role physical function [RP], bodily pain [BP], general health status [GH], vitality [VT], social function [SF], role emotional [RE], and mental health [MH], which can be summarized as physical component summary [PCS] and mental component summary [MCS]), pelvic pain visual analogue scale (VAS), National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) were evaluated, and safety of both groups was assessed. After treatment and at the follow-up, the scores of each dimension and PCS, MCS scores of SF-36 in the acupuncture group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01); compared before treatment, the RP, BP, and SF scores and PCS score in the sham acupuncture group were increased after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the acupuncture group had higher scores in RP, BP, GH, MH and PCS, MCS than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01); at the follow-up, except for PF and RE dimensions, the scores in each dimension and PCS, MCS scores in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment and at the follow-up, pelvic pain VAS, NIH-CPSI, IPSS scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01); in the sham acupuncture group, pelvic pain VAS, NIH-CPSI scores were lower after treatment, and NIH-CPSI score at the follow-up was lower compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). After treatment and at the follow-up, pelvic pain VAS, NIH-CPSI, IPSS scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in both groups, and the incidence rates of adverse reactions had no significant difference (P>0.05). Acupuncture could effectively improve the quality of life, reduce pain levels, alleviate prostate symptoms, and shows favorable long-term efficacy in patients with CP/CPPS.

Clinical study on acupuncture combined with western medication for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: 针刺结合西药治疗糖尿病性周围神经病变临床研究

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effect differences between western medication, acupuncture, and acupuncture combine with western medication in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. MethodsNinety-three patients were randomized into western medication group, acupuncture group, and combination group, with 31 cases in each. The patients in western medication group were treated with lipoic acid injection and mecobalamin injection/ tablets. The patients in acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture, and the acupoints were selected according to the symptoms. The needles were retained for 30 min, once a day. The patients in combination group were treated with both western medication and acupuncture, specific methods as the above. The treatments were for 18 days in succession in all of three group. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median nerve and common peroneal nerve, as well as the changes of symptoms and signs of patients were observed before and after treatment. The clinical effect was evaluated. ResultsAfter treatment, the median nerve MNCV in the three groups, the median nerve SNCV and common peroneal nerve MNCV in acupuncture group and combination groups, and the common peroneal nerve SNCV in acupuncture group were all higher than those of before treatment, with significantly statistical differences (all P<0.05). After treatment, the MNCV and SNCV of median nerve and common peroneal nerve in combination group were higher than those in western medication group and acupuncture group, with significantly statistical differences (all P<0.05). After treatment, the number of patients in the three groups with the symptoms and signs was lower than that of before treatment. The effective rate in combination group was 96.8% (30/31), higher than those of western medication group, 74.2% (23/31), and acupuncture group, 83.8% (26/31), with significantly statistical differences (both P<0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture combined with western medication in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can improve the nerve conduction velocity and improve the symptoms and signs of diabetic patients, with a better effect than those of western medication and simple acupuncture.

Effect of acupuncture on knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score in patients with knee osteoarthritis

To verify the clinical effect of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Forty-two patients with KOA were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a sham acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture at 5-6 local acupoints [Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Heding (EX-LE 2), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.] and 3-4 distal acupoints [Fengshi (GB 31), Waiqiu (GB 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zulinqi (GB 41), etc.]. The patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with shallow needling technique at non-acupoint. The needles were retained for 30 min in both groups. All the treatment was given three times a week for 8 weeks. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were recorded before and after treatment and 18-week follow-up. Compared before treatment, the scores of 5 dimensions of KOOS [pain, symptoms (except pain), daily activities, sports and entertainment, and quality of life] were increased after treatment and during follow-up in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores of pain and daily activities in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). Acupuncture can reduce the pain symptoms and improve daily activities in patients with KOA.

Intraoperative acupuncture as complementary analgesic for post-tonsillectomy pain in children—a prospective randomised clinical trial of effects and safety

Background: Tonsillectomy in children is usually accompanied by significant morbidity, including postoperative bleeding, pain, nausea, vomiting, poor oral intake and dehydration. Recent evidences in literature suggest that acupuncture could play a role in reducing postoperative pain in these children. This study aims to investigate the effect of intraoperative acupuncture on postoperative pain scores and oxycodone requirements in children following elective adenotonsillectomy in a prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 251 healthy children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy, aged between 2 and 10 years old, were randomly assigned to either control or acupuncture groups. Preoperative block randomisation and allocation concealment were performed. All patients received standardised anaesthesia and surgery including intraoperative Morphine, Dexamethasone, Granisetron, Clonidine and Paracetamol. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was additionally applied at 10 specified points immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperative pain relief consisted of Paracetamol regularly and Oxycodone as required. All patients, nursing staff and parents were blinded. All assessments of postoperative pain was evaluated using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) pain scale. Pain scores were recorded at regular intervals during the first 24 hours in hospital and on days 1, 2 and 5 at home following discharge. Results: There were 130 patients in control group and 121 patients in acupuncture group. Acupuncture treatment provided significant benefit for the initial postoperative pain. Pain scores were significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to those in the control group in the first 12 hours but no difference was noted after discharge at home. There was no difference in the oxycodone requirements between the two groups in hospital but a significant reduction was noted in the acupuncture group on Day 2 at home. No significant adverse effects related to acupuncture treatment were observed. Conclusions: Our study lends support to other findings in the current literature that acupuncture is an effective supplemental tool for reducing early postoperative pain and Oxycodone requirement at home in children following adenotonsillectomy.

Treatment Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injection and Acupuncture on Blepharospasm Assessed by the Change in Lower Eyelid Tension

ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the treatment effects of botulinum toxin-A (BTA) injection and acupuncture on blepharospasm (BP) evaluated by the change in lower eyelid tension (LET).Methods: A series of 30 patients (male: 8, female: 22) aged between 37 and 83 years (63.80 ± 10.96 yrs) who met the eligibility criteria of BP were recruited in this study, who were randomly assigned to BTA injection group (BTA group, n = 15) and acupuncture treatment group (Acupuncture group, n = 15). BTA injections were administered to the patients in BTA group while patients in acupuncture group received the acupuncture treatment. The LET was measured by a tensiometer in both groups at baseline and at post-treatment.Results: A significant decrease in LETs over 8 weeks was found in acupuncture group (812.76 ± 193.95 Pa at baseline, 549.69 ± 150.04 Pa at 4 weeks, and 510.96 ± 150.66 Pa at 8weeks, respectively; F = 31.127, p << 0.001). There was a significant decrease in LET from 858.61 ± 190.54 Pa at baseline to 414.45 ± 63.38 Pa at 2 weeks after treatment (Z = −4.542, p << 0.01) in BTA group. At the endpoint of the study, a significant difference in LET was found between the acupuncture group (301.80 ± 181.77 Pa) and the BTA group (444.16 ± 193.44 Pa) (t = −2.077, p = 0.047).Conclusions: BP patients have an increased LET. Both BTA and acupuncture are effective in decreasing the LET. Close monitoring of LET holds promise in planning the treatment strategy for Blepharospasm.

A survey of acupuncture effect on the result of invitro fertilization

ObjectiveThis study was made to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on fertilization results in the patients undergoing medical treatment with IVF. MethodsThis study was conducted on 164 infertile patients who had referred to the infertility clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2009–2010 (82 patients in acupuncture group and 82 in control group). In the acupuncture group, before embryo transfer on oocyte puncture day, 2 days after puncture and one cycle before embryo transfer the patients were put under electroacupuncture on the Băihuì (▪ GV 20), Yāoyángguān (▪ CV 3), Tàichōng (▪ LR 3), Nèiguān ▪ PC 6), Sānyīnjiāo (▪ SP 6), Guīlái (▪ ST 29), Zúsānlľ (▪ ST 36), and Hégŭ (▪ LI 4) for three times each for 25 minutes. The points on ears include nèi Shēngzhíqì (▪ TF 2), and Shénmén (▪ TF 4). The control group received no acupuncture. Positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy were compared between the two groups. ResultsPregnancy level in the acupuncture group were 34 pregnancies (41.5%) as compared to 21 (25.6%) in the control group (P<0.05). Observation level of gestational sacs in the 5th week of pregnancy included 31 (37.8%) and 17 (20.7%) sacs in the acupuncture and control groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Level of ongoing pregnancies after 12 weeks included 21 (21.6%) and 12 (14.6%) pregnancies in the acupuncture and control groups, respectively (P > 0.05). ConclusionAcupuncture will considerably improve the result of IVF as compared to the control group.

Acupuncture therapy is more effective than artificial tears for dry eye syndrome: evidence based on a meta-analysis.

Background. The efficacy of acupuncture in dry eye syndrome patients remains controversial. Methods. Pubmed, Ovid, Cochrane libraries, CNKI, Wanfang, and CQVIP databases were electronically searched until October 1, 2014. Outcomes including tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), and cornea fluorescein staining (CFS) were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed using both fixed- and random-effects models based on heterogeneity across studies. Results. Seven studies were included in this study; 198 and 185 patients were randomly treated with acupuncture and artificial tears, respectively. The overall BUT of patients in acupuncture group was significantly longer than that of the artificial tears group after treatment (P < 0.00001). The SIT was significantly higher in the acupuncture group than that in the artificial tears group after treatment (P = 0.001). The CFS of patients in acupuncture group was significantly improved compared to that in artificial group (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy is effective for the dry eye patients, partly better than artificial tear treatment.

Sharp-Hook Acupuncture (Feng Gou Zhen) for Patients with Periarthritis of Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Feng Gou Zhen (sharp-hook acupuncture) as a traditional form of ancient acupuncture is said to be particularly effective for managing periarthritis of shoulder. We conducted this randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Feng Gou Zhen as an add-on compared to conventional analgesics for patients with PAS. 132 patients were randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to either a acupuncture group receiving sharp-hook acupuncture plus acupoint injection with conventional analgesics or a control group. Patients from both groups were evaluated at week 0 (baseline), week 1, and week 4. The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline shoulder pain, measured by Visual Analogue Scale at 7 days after treatment. Secondary outcome measures include the (i) function of shoulder joint and (ii) McGill pain questionnaire. The results showed that patients in acupuncture group had better pain relief and function recovery compared with control group (P < 0.05) at 1 week after treatment. Moreover, there were statistical differences between two groups in VAS and shoulder joint function and McGill pain questionnaire at 4 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). Therefore, the sharp-hook acupuncture helps to relieve the pain and restore the shoulder function for patients with periarthritis of shoulder.

Treatment of Unexplained Infertility by Acupuncture in Natural and Control Ovarian Hyperstimulation Cycles: A Prospective Analysis

Acupuncture is an important method of treatment in Chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjuvant treatment for unexplained infertility. Here we conducted a prospective study, with data consisting of acupuncture group (38 cases) and control group (42 cases). Infertility evaluation workup consisted of semen analysis, ovulation assessment, hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and blood analysis. The patients in acupuncture group received 3 acupuncture sessions, and each at seven acupuncture points (EX-CA1, CV4, CV6, SP10, ST36, SP6, and KI3). The session started 12 days before menstruation and continued for 10 days. The patients in control group did not receive acupuncture. All patients tried 1 - 3 natural cycles 3 months after HSG test, if not pregnant, underwent 1 - 3 cycles of control ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and timed intercourse. Pregnancy was evaluated by measurement of blood β human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) and subsequent trans-vaginal ultrasound. No significant difference of clinical pregnancy rate was found between the acupuncture group and the control group, however, numbers of COH cycles were significantly less and more pregnancies occurred in natural cycle in the acupuncture group. We concluded that acupuncture can be used as an adjuvant treatment for unexplained infertility. Although acupuncture did not increase the cumulative pregnancy rate, it decreased the number of COH cycles and more patients got pregnant in natural cycles after receiving acupuncture.

Acupuncture for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, costly, and difficult to treat disorder that impairs health-related quality of life and work productivity. Evidence-based treatment guidelines have been unable to provide guidance on the effects of acupuncture for IBS because the only previous systematic review included only small, heterogeneous and methodologically unsound trials. The primary objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for treating IBS. MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and the Chinese databases Sino-Med, CNKI, and VIP were searched through November 2011. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, other active treatments, or no (specific) treatment, and RCTs that evaluated acupuncture as an adjuvant to another treatment, in adults with IBS were included. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. We extracted data forthe outcomes overall IBS symptom severity and health-related quality of life. For dichotomous data (e.g. the IBS Adequate Relief Question), we calculated a pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for substantial improvement in symptom severity after treatment. For continuous data (e.g. the IBS Severity Scoring System), we calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI in post-treatment scores between groups. Seventeen RCTs (1806 participants) were included. Five RCTs compared acupuncture versus sham acupuncture. The risk of bias in these studies was low. We found no evidence of an improvement with acupuncture relative to sham (placebo) acupuncture for symptom severity (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.13; 4 RCTs; 281 patients) or quality of life (SMD = -0.03, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.22; 3 RCTs; 253 patients). Sensitivity analyses based on study quality did not change the results. A GRADE analysis indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcomes in the sham controlled trials was moderate due to sparse data. The risk of bias in the four Chinese language comparative effectiveness trials that compared acupuncture with drug treatment was high due to lack of blinding. The risk of bias in the other studies that did not use a sham control was high due to lack of blinding or inadequate methods used for randomization and allocation concealment or both. Acupuncture was significantly more effective than pharmacological therapy and no specific treatment. Eighty-four per cent of patients in the acupuncture group had improvement in symptom severity compared to 63% of patients in the pharmacological treatment group (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.45; 5 studies, 449 patients). A GRADE analysis indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for this outcome was low due to a high risk of bias (no blinding) and sparse data. Sixty-three per cent of patients in the acupuncture group had improvement in symptom severity compared to 34% of patients in the no specific therapy group (RR 2.11, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.79; 2 studies, 181 patients). There was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and Bifidobacterium (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.27; 2 studies; 181 patients) or between acupuncture and psychotherapy (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.26; 1 study; 100 patients). Acupuncture as an adjuvant to another Chinese medicine treatment was significantly better than the other treatment alone. Ninety-three per cent of patients in the adjuvant acupuncture group improved compared to 79% of patients who received Chinese medicine alone (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33; 4 studies; 466 patients). There was one adverse event (i.e. acupuncture syncope) associated with acupuncture in the 9 trials that reported this outcome, although relatively small sample sizes limit the usefulness of these safety data. Sham-controlled RCTs have found no benefits of acupuncture relative to a credible sham acupuncture control for IBS symptom severity or IBS-related quality of life. In comparative effectiveness Chinese trials, patients reported greater benefits from acupuncture than from two antispasmodic drugs (pinaverium bromide and trimebutine maleate), both of which have been shown to provide a modest benefit for IBS. Future trials may help clarify whether or not these reportedly greater benefits of acupuncture relative to pharmacological therapies are due entirely to patients' preferences for acupuncture or greater expectations of improvement on acupuncture relative to drug therapy.

A comparison between acupuncture versus zolpidem in the treatment of primary insomnia

BackgroundTo determine the relative efficacy of acupuncture and zolpidem in the treatment of primary insomnia, we administered a sleep quality scale to thirty-three patients with primary insomnia randomly chosen to receive one of the two therapies at a psychosomatic clinic. MethodsA study in the psychosomatic clinic at a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan from November 2007 to November 2008. The 19 patients in acupuncture group underwent one acupuncture session a week. The 14 patients in the control group took zolpidem 1# (10mg) every night. Members of both groups returned to our clinic once a week for four weeks. The main outcome measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). ResultsBoth groups were found to have improved significantly. Using generalized estimating equation analysis to test the variance with group and time as factors, we found both groups improved over time at a similar rate (p=0.79). In regression analysis, setting the fourth total PSQI score to zero, the baseline PSQI score was 4.13 (p<0.001), the second score 1.32 (p=0.005), and the third 1.49 (p=0.03); men had a higher PSQI score 1.56 than women (p=0.02); the increasing age of one year would have lower PSQI score 0.08 (p<0.001) and increasing educational level of one year which would decrease PSQI score 0.25 (p=0.007). ConclusionsAcupuncture might be used as an alternative strategy compared to zolpidem for the treatment of primary insomnia.

Acupuncture versus metoclopramide in treatment of postoperative gastroparesis syndrome in abdominal surgical patients: a randomized controlled trial

Postoperative gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) is a common complication after abdominal surgery in patients with primary liver cancer. However, surgeons usually do not have effective treatment for them. To explore the effects of acupuncture applied to Zusanli and other acupoints on PGS in patients after abdominal surgery. Sixty-three PGS patients of abdominal surgery, from Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, were randomized into acupuncture group (32 cases) and metoclopramide group (31 cases). The patients in acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture applied to Zusanli and other acupoints once a day, while the patients in metoclopramide group were intramuscularly injected 20 mg metoclopramide three times a day. Volume of gastric drainage, number of treatment and cure rate in the two groups were measured and evaluated. Acupuncture and metoclopramide could significantly reduce gastric drainage volume. In acupuncture group, the cure rate was 90.6% and the number of treatment was 6.58+/-4.26, while in metoclopramide group, the cure rate and the number of treatment were 32.3% and 10.13+/-3.60 respectively. There were significant differences in gastric drainage volume, cure rate and number of treatment between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Acupuncture is a good treatment for PGS, with fewer treatments, high cure rate and rapid effect.

Clinical observation and effect on plasm endothelin and nitric oxide of acupuncture in treating variant angina pectoris

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect and effect on plasm endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) of acupuncture in treating variant angina pectoris.Methods: Sixty-two patients with variant angina pectoris were randomly divided into the acupuncture group of 32 cases and the control group of 30 cases. The patients in control group were treated by nitrate, Ca2+ antagonist and aspirin for 4 weeks. The patients in acupuncture group were treated by needling Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xinshu (BL 15) Taichong (LR 3) and Shenmen (HT 7) on the basis of western medicine.Results: In acupuncture group, 24 cases were markedly effective, 6 cases were effective and 2 cases got no effect. In control group, 20 cases were markedly effective, 5cases were effective and 5 cases got no effect. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment was significantly prior to that of control treatment (X2=95.4,P<0.05). In acupuncture group, posttreatment plasm NO, 86.9±23.15 μmol/L, was markedly higher than pretreatment NO, 63.8±22. 07 μmol/L. There was significant difference between them (t=2.925,P<0.01). In the two groups, plasm ET reduced after treatment. There was significant difference in plasm ET between posttreatment and pretreatment in the two groups (P<0.01). There was significant difference in reduced plasm ET after treatment between acupuncture group and control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture in assistant treating variant angina pectoris could improve the clinical symptoms obviously and reduce the level of plasm ET and NO.

Observations on the curative effect of acupuncture on cardiac vegetative neuropathy of diabetes

Thirty-six patients with type II diabetes were divided into medicine group treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and acupuncture group treated with needling. The patients had abnormity on blood glucose, glycosylatedhemoglobin (HbA1), and the function of cardiac vegetative nerve before treatment. After one month’s treatment, there were marked decrease on blood glucose and HbA1 in medicine group, but no change in acupuncture group. Patients of acupuncture group had an exact improving effect on Wassermann index, difference in heart rate between standing and lying position, 30/15R-R interval ratio and other function of cardiac vegetative nerve. It indicated acupuncture could improve the abnormal function of cardiac vegetative nerve.

The efficacy of acupuncture in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in comparison with intravenous (IV) sedation in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). One hundred patients, who were scheduled for ESWL, were divided randomly into two groups of fifty patients (acupuncture and IV sedation). In the first group, acupuncture was carried out with special needles (0.30 x 18 mm), in two points 30 minutes before the procedure: point of 36 from the stomach meridian with an angle of 90 degrees and point of 60 from the urinary bladder meridian with an angle of 90 degrees. In the IV sedation group morphine 0.1 mg/kg was injected intramuscularly 30 minutes and intravenous diazepam 0.1 mg/kg for muscle relaxation and anti-anxiety, one minute before the procedure. The two groups were similar in terms of confounding factors. Pain (scored in 4 levels), blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial blood oxygen saturation were recorded prior to IV sedation or acupuncture, 30 minutes after each, at the beginning of ESWL, 10 minutes after ESWL, and at the end of the procedure (times 1 to 5). In acupuncture group the pain intensity was less than IV sedation group (for time 3, p=0.019, for time 4, p=0.002, for time 5, p=0.05). Considering the pain incidence (each pain score except zero), there was a significant difference at time 4 (p=0.012). None of the procedures was stopped because of pain and none of the patients experienced complications during operation. Arterial blood oxygen saturation was between 95% and 100% for all of the patients in acupuncture group and recovery time was faster (p<0.0001). Acupuncture is a safe and effective method for analgesia. It has a faster recovery time and economical benefits. It also provides the ability to increase the shock wave voltage. We believe that it is a good alternative for IV sedation in ESWL, particularly in patients with lung and heart disease.