Plaster Therapy Research Articles

Effectiveness of Auricular Points Plaster Therapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Patients: An Observational Study

Effectiveness of Auricular Points Plaster Therapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Patients: An Observational Study

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common symptoms that often complicate early pregnancy for many women. While clinical treatments such as fasting, fluid infusion, and nutritional support are conventionally applied to manage NVP, their effectiveness varies. However, traditional ear plaster therapy offers a promising alternative that effectively relieves symptoms and poses no known risk to the development of embryos or fetuses. This therapy is known for its ease of application, cost-effectiveness, and favorable outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of combining ear plaster therapy with conventional treatments in alleviating symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, surpassing the results achieved with conventional treatment alone. The protocol presented herein describes a method to relieve NVP using round, smooth, and hard cowherb seeds applied to specific ear points. These seeds are gently rubbed onto the surface of the ear, utilizing the principles of acupressure. By stimulating the designated ear points, this procedure aims to regulate the body's energy flow and restore balance, thereby reducing the severity and frequency of NVP. The application of cowherb seeds on specific ear points is a straightforward technique that healthcare professionals can easily implement or self-administered by pregnant women under appropriate guidance. Overall, ear plaster therapy presents a safe, effective, and economical approach for managing gestational vomiting, offering women a potential solution to alleviate their discomfort during pregnancy.

Efficacy of auricular plaster therapy for sleep disorders in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) suffer from sleep disorders to a considerable degree; however, there is no safe and effective treatment available in clinical practice. The objective of the trial is to assess the clinical effectiveness of auricular plaster therapy (APT) in treating sleep disorders in children with ASD.MethodThis is a single-center, patient-assessor blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 44 preschool children with sleep disorders with ASD will be included in this study. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the auricular plaster group or the sham auricular plaster group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the different groups will receive APT or sham APT, respectively, for a total of 30 sessions over 30 days. The primary outcome includes the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), while secondary outcomes include the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and polysomnography (PSG) for total sleep time, sleep latency, awakening duration, and sleep structures. The CSHQ and ABC will be assessed at baseline, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after randomization, whereas PSG will be assessed at baseline and 30 days after randomization. The follow-up period will be scheduled to be 60, 90, and 120 days after randomization.DiscussionThe results of this study may provide evidence of the efficacy of APT, as well as offer new alternatives for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with ASD.Trial registrationCHiCTR.org.cn (ChiCTR2100048257). Registered on July 5, 2021.

Randomized Crossover Study of Auricular Plaster Therapy to Relieve Dental Anxiety in Children.

ObjectiveTo determine if auricular plaster therapy (APT) can alleviate dental anxiety in children aged 9 or 10 years old.MethodsA crossover research was conducted on children with at least two deep-arrested deciduous molar caries (N = 80?). The first group (N = 40) received APT intended to reduce anxiety prior to the first caries treatment, whereas the second group (N = 40) received placebo/control APT (no anticipated impact on anxiety). The APT approaches were exchanged after a washout period following the initial caries treatment. Additionally, both groups were also informed and given a demonstration regarding the procedures and equipment prior to their use as part of a Tell-Show-Do (TSD) protocol. The dentists, children, and parents were all involved in assessing the level of anxiety using general anxiety scales. Moreover, the average heart rate and salivary cortisol concentration, both of which are indications of anxiety, were compared between the pre- and post-intervention periods. The participants were unaware of the type of APT that was employed (anti-anxiety vs. control). To avoid inadvertently influencing the outcome, all psychologists, investigators, and data recorders were blinded to the randomized subject sequence.ResultsChildren treated with anti-anxiety APT demonstrated significantly higher levels of obedience than children treated with control APT (P < 0.05). In addition, children treated with APT had a lower average heart rate while awaiting treatment, undergoing local anesthesia, and receiving dental caries treatment (P < 0.05). These children had reduced salivary cortisol levels while awaiting treatment (P < 0.05).ConclusionAnti-anxiety APT can help relieve dental anxiety in children.

Status of traditional Chinese medicine healthcare services in nursing homes across China

This study aimed to elucidate the status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare services provided in nursing homes across China. We investigated 484 nursing homes using self-compiled questionnaires with a convenient sampling method. Chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for univariate analysis and binary logistic regression for multi-factor analysis. Of the 443 nursing homes finally included, 215 (48.5%) provided TCM healthcare services. Nursing home leaders majored in integrated TCM and Western medicine, leaders with a better understanding of TCM and government policies, nursing homes charging over 5,000 CNY/month, and those with ≥500 beds were more likely to provide improved TCM healthcare services. Massage, moxibustion, cupping or scraping, plaster therapy, decocting pieces, and acupuncture were the most prevalent and popular TCM services. Lack of professionals, financial investment, and policy support were the most common factors limiting the provision of TCM healthcare services in Chinese nursing homes.

Effects of plaster therapy on thigh fat

Background: Thigh fat is associated with high cardiometabolic risks, attenuate risk for dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance. Aerobic exercise has been linked to fat metabolization due to the increase of free fatty acid oxidation and the preservation of muscle glycogen. Plaster therapy, a beauty treatment that allows the quick elimination or reduction of cellulite, flaccid skin, and localized fat, eliminating liquid from the body, producing improvements that are not only aesthetic but also health-wise, may be used to maximize fat loss in the thigh area and complement exercise. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of plaster therapy in combination with aerobic exercise on thigh fat. Methods: Six female volunteers were randomly divided into an intervention group (TG; n = 3) performing an aerobic exercise with plaster therapy and a control group (CG; n = 3) performing only aerobic exercise. Subcutaneous fat was estimated by the analysis of skinfolds and thigh perimeters. Results: The treatment group demonstrated a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in subcutaneous fat at the left and right perimeters and thigh skinfold measurements at the end of the 10-session protocol. Conclusion: Comparing skinfold measurements, both groups revealed a statistically significant decrease in the perimeter of both left and right thighs. Furthermore, skinfold measurements showed, for the treatment groups, significant statistical results in the thigh area. Exercise is indeed one of the most critical components for the metabolism of fat. Plaster therapy in combination with aerobic exercise seems to be effective for thigh fat reduction.

Sculpt plaster therapy for abdominal circumference reduction

Sculpt plaster therapy for abdominal circumference reduction

Analysis of acupoint selection of plaster therapy in treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on data mining

This article analyze acupoint selection and characteristics of plaster therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary di-sease(COPD) by data mining. The CNKI, VIP, CBM, WanFang, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library were retrieved for collecting clinical studies of plaster therapy for stable COPD. After literature screening, a total of 46 systematic reviews were included. Frequency statistics, cluster analysis, and Apriori correlation analysis were used to analyze the pattern and characteristics of plaster therapy for stable COPD. The result showed that the main acupoints for stable COPD were BL13, Dingchuan, CV22, BL23 and BL20. The acupoints used are mainly concentrated on the chest and back. The most frequently used meridian is the bladder meridian. Analysis of the acupoints yielded 27 correlation rules. And cluster analysis grouped the high frequency acupoints into 5 categories. The results of the study showed that the current choice of acupoints is rather concentrated. &quot;Local acupuncture points&quot; and &quot;matching points with front and back&quot; were the main acupoint selection rules. The choice of acupuncture points reflected the traditional Chinese medicine treatment principle of strengthening healthy Qi to eliminate pathogenic factor, treating both manifestation and root cause of disease, and preventing measure taken after the occurrence of disease.

The Effect of Auricular Plaster Therapy on Insomnia in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: This research was conducted to observe the effects of auricular plaster therapy on insomnia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: This study involved 76 patients with insomnia caused by RA, who were admitted to Foshan Chancheng Central Hospital-in Foshan, Guangdong, China-from August 2017 to August 2018. The patients were randomized, with 38 to the intervention group and another 38 to the control group. The intervention group was treated with auricular plaster therapy with beans, while the control group was treated with estazolam orally before going to bed. Curative effects were compared between the 2 groups. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI) and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were used to assess and evaluate the sleep quality of patients. Result: Scores of the PSQI dimensions all fell in both groups after treatment. Scores for sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disorder, and daytime dysfunction in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). AIS scores in all dimensions decreased in both groups, and, after treatment, scores and total points of sleep latency, night-time revival, overall sleep quality, and the dimensionality of daytime body function in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Auricular plaster therapy has a marked effect on insomnia in patients with RA, and the therapy is easy and simple to apply.

Auricular Plaster Therapy for Comorbid Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background Although the effectiveness of auricular plaster therapy (APT) on primary insomnia has been systematically reviewed, no systematic review of studies has focused on the effect on comorbid insomnia. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of APT for comorbid insomnia. Methods Fifteen databases were searched from inception to July 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of APT as an exclusive intervention for comorbid insomnia against Western medications, sham APT or no treatment were identified. ResultsFourteen studies involving 928 participants were identified. The pooled outcomes revealed that APT was superior to control conditions for the global score on PSQI (SMD = -1.13, and 95% CI = -1.48—-0.78) and the effective rate (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.13—1.36, NNT = 5, and 95% CI =4—7). Furthermore, the results of subgroup analyses were similar to the pooled results. Additionally, the pooled results were verified to be stable by sensitivity analyses. Regarding safety, no significant difference was identified between APT and Western medications. Conclusions APT appears to be an effective and safe treatment for comorbid insomnia. However, the benefits of APT for comorbid insomnia could not be ascertained due to the paucity of the quantity and quality of the included studies. Large-scale studies using proper methodology are needed to yield a firm conclusion.

Nursing Based on Syndrome Differentiation Combined with Auricular Plaster Therapy in Alleviating Insomnia

Nursing Based on Syndrome Differentiation Combined with Auricular Plaster Therapy in Alleviating Insomnia

Acupoint Therapy on Diabetes Mellitus and Its Common Chronic Complications: A Review of Its Mechanisms.

Acupoint therapy is one of the therapeutic means in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concerning acupoints and meridians, including manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, external application, acupoint injection, and catgut embedding. In the treatment of diabetes and its common chronic complications, acupoint therapy has proved to have specific curative effect and notable advantages. Single or combined with western medicine, it has superior efficacy and less side effects than western medicine alone. Studying its mechanism can provide experimental basis for clinical treatment. Relevant researches in the recent 5 years mainly focused on the mechanism of electroacupuncture, point injection, catgut embedding, etc. in the treatment of diabetes and common diabetic complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and hepatopathy. The possible theories involve the regulation of nerve conduction, signal pathways, hormone level, protein expression, oxidative stress level, structure restoration, etc. The most studied acupoints are Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yishu (EX-B3), and Zhongwan (CV12). However, most of the studies have been based on diabetes model rats rather than clinical trials. Moreover, the mechanism of acupoint therapy treating other chronic complications like diabetic retinopathy and that of other effective methods like pressing ear with beans, auricular points plaster therapy, and external application remain unclear. Therefore, this aspect still awaits further research.

Review of Effect on Heat-generating Plaster Therapy for Chronic Prostatitis

Review of Effect on Heat-generating Plaster Therapy for Chronic Prostatitis

Effects of auricular plaster therapy combined with acupoint application on preventing postpartum retention of urine

Objective To observe the clinical effects of auricular plaster therapy combined with acupoint application on preventing postpartum retention of urine. Methods From June 2016 to October 2016, we selected 240 puerpera with full-term pregnancy of Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital by random sampling. All of the patients were divided into four groups by the random number table, 60 cases in each group. Patients in control group were treated with routine postpartum care. In this basis, patients in auricular plaster therapy group accepted auricular plaster therapy, patients in acupoint application group accepted acupoint application therapy, patients in auricular plaster therapy & acupoint application group were treated with auricular plaster therapy and acupoint application therapy. Finally, the time of the first micturition, bladder residual urine volume (RUV) and clinical effects of puerpera were compared in four groups. Results The time of the first micturition in auricular plaster therapy & acupoint application group (combined group) , auricular plaster therapy group, acupoint application group and control group was (2.45±0.51) , (4.28±1.23) , (4.25±1.15) and (5.60±1.75) h respectively with significant differences (F= 65.207, P 0.05) . Conclusions The auricular plaster therapy combined with acupoint application can effectively prevent postpartum retention of urine which is worth to be spread. Key words: Auricular plaster therapy; Acupoint application; Postpartum retention of urine

Which foot deformities should be radiologist be familiar with?

Most deformities of the foot are visible at birth and can be diagnosed without imaging. They can be divided into congenital flexible, congenital structural and acquired foot deformities. The most common congenital flexible foot deformity in children is the metatarsus adductus, which usually requires no long-term therapy. Regarding congenital structural deformities, such as the clubfoot and talus verticalis, plaster therapy should be started during the first week of life, so that by the end of the first year of life and the beginning of the verticalization, apain-free resilient foot with normal function is present. Imaging is usually only necessary if arelapse arises. Coalitio of the tarsal bones is often visible only in the course of growth through the development of arigid flatfoot and always requires imaging to confirm the diagnosis. This article is intended to give the radiologist an overview of the most important deformities and to inform about their course and therapy.

Application effect of three unions of traditional Chinese medicine nursing technology on hypertension patients in cardiology department

Objective To explore the clinical effect of three unions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing technology (auricular plaster therapy, TCM foot bath and TCM pillow) in treating hypertension (HTN) and improving life quality of patients in cardiology department. Methods A total of 95 HTN patients who were eligible for the inclusion criteria in cardiology department of Affiliated Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were recruited from January 2015 to January 2016. All of the research subjects were randomly divided into control group (n=53) and treatment group (n=42) according to the random number table. Conventional nursing was given to both group, and on the basis of this, the treatment group was treated with auricular plaster therapy, TCM foot bath and TCM pillow combined intervention. The anti-hypertensive effects and quality of life improvement were monitored and compared. Results The effectiveness rate of anti-hypertension of the treatment group was 85.7%, by contrast, it was 67.9% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05) . Vitality difference of the treatment group is higher than the control group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05) . Conclusions The three unions of TCM nursing technology can enhance the anti-hypertensive effect, improve the quality of life, especially improve patients' vitality significantly. Key words: Hypertension; Auricular plaster therapy; Traditional Chinese medicine foot bath; Traditional Chinese medicine pillow

Effect of Eye Exercises in Combination with Auricular Plaster Therapy on Adolescent Pseudomyopia Patients

Objective: observant effect of Eye Exercises in combination with auricular plaster therapy on adolescent pseudomyopia patients. Method: 72 selected patients are randomly divided into an Eye Exercises group (Control group I), an auricular plaster therapy group (Control group II) and a combination group. Before treatment and after 12 weeks’ treatment, respectively examine and evaluate the vision of the patients. Results: the curative effect for 3 groups of patients is significantly improved compared with that before treatment, meanwhile, myopic refraction and evaluation results of curative effect in the observation group are much better than those of the control group, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Conclusion: under the same treatment conditions, the curative effect of the combination therapy is much better than the single curative effect of the Eye Exercises group or the auricular plaster group.

Effects of auricular plaster therapy on quality of life in uremia patients after parathyroidectomy plus autograft

To observe the effects of auricular plaster therapy on quality of life in uremia patients after parathyroidectomy plus autograft (PTX+AT). A total of 34 uremia patients complicated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) who received PTX+AT were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 17 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with calcium supplementation after surgery, 1 to 2 mg/kg an hour; one day after surgery, the patients were treated with oral administration of calcium carbonate before meals, 1.5 g, three times per day, and calcitriol (0.5 to 4 μg/d) was added if necessary. None-heparin hemodialysis was performed for one week after surgery. Besides calcium supplementation, patients in the observation group were treated with auricular plaster therapy at Shenmen (TF4), Jiaogan (AH6a), Neifenmi (CO18) and Shen (CO10). The laboratory indexes, including immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium, phosphorus, and SF-36 questionnaire, including 8 dimensions of physical function (PF), role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social function (SF), role-emotional (RE) and emotional well-being (EB), were observed before surgery and 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery in the two groups. The iPTH in the two groups was significantly decreased 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery, and the serum calcium and phosphorus were also improved to a certain degree (all P<0.05); however, the differences of iPTH, calcium and phosphorus between the two groups were not significant at each time point after surgery (all P>0.05).The PF, RP, BP, GH, VT, SF, RE and EB of SF-36 in the two groups before surgery were lower than the normal score; after surgery, each dimension of SF-36 were improved to some extent in the two groups (all P<0.05). Eight weeks after surgery, the improvement of PF, RP, BP, GH and EB in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (all P<0.05); however, in terms of VT, SF and RE, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (all P>0.05). The auricular plaster therapy can improve the physical and mental health, relieve pain and improve quality of life in patients with uremia after PTX+AT, which is superior to calcium carbonate alone.

Characteristics and principles of acupoint selection in auricular plaster therapy for hypertension based on literature analysis

The characteristics and principles of acupoint selection in auricular plaster therapy for hypertension were explored. By searching CNKI (search time from 1950 to November of 2015), VIP database (search time from 1989 to November of 2015) and WanFang Database (search time from 1983 to November of 2015), the clinical research literature regarding auricular plaster therapy for hypertension was collected, and frequency statistics method was used for analysis. As a result, totally 117 articles were included. The auricular points with frequency from high to low were Jiangyagou, Shenmen (TF4), Gan (CO12), Xin (CO15), Shen (CO10), Jiaogan (AH6a), Pizhixia (AT4), Jiangyadian and Neifenmi. The TCM syndromes with frequency from high to low were excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome, upper hyperactivity of liver yang syndrome, yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity syndrome and excessive liver-fire syndrome. In conclusion, based on cross-reference of TCM and modern medicine combination of zangfu and meridians differentiation and valuing the auricular points from clinical experience, the auricular plaster therapy for hypertension was characterized with "treating the principal and subordinate symptoms simultaneously and respectively" and "differentiation-based selection of auricular points to regulate zangfu", which could fully take the anti-hypertension advantages of non-pharmacotherapy.

Acupoint plaster therapy with midnight-noon ebb-flow hour-prescription method for senile osteoporosis:a randomized controlled trial

To compare the clinical efficacy differences between acupoint plaster therapy with midnight-noon ebb-flow hour-prescription method and traditional acupoint plaster therapy for senile osteoporosis (SOP). With randomized controlled blind design, 76 SOP patients with deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 38 cases in each one. Based on oral administration of caltrate D, the patients in the observation group were treated with acupoint plaster therapy with midnight-noon ebb-flow hour-prescription method at Yingu (KI 10), Taixi (KI 3), Dazhong (KI 4), Fuliu (KI 7) and Zhiyin (BL 67), while the patients in the control group were treated with traditional acupoint plaster therapy. Each plaster therapy lasted for 6 h, once a day; there was an interval of 2 d after consecutive 5-day treatment; 4 weeks were taken as one course, and totally 2 courses were given. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate the pain and dysfunction before intervention, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks intervention. Osteoporosis symptom rating sale and quality of life questionnaire of the European foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41) were adopted to evaluate the TCM syndrome and quality of life before and after 8-week intervention. All the outcomes were significantly improved after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05); after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the VAS and ODI in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Repeated ANOVA indicated the VAS and ODI were significant in group effect, time effect and interaction effect (all P<0.01). Further comparison showed that VAS and ODI at later time points were lower than those in the early time points (all P<0.01). After the treatment, the scores of TCM syndrome and QUALEFFO-41 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The effective rate was 85.7% (30/35) in the observation group, which was superior to the effective rate in the control group[74.3%(26/35), P<0.05]. The acupoint plaster therapy with midnight-noon ebb-flow hour-prescription method is superior to traditional acupoint plaster therapy in improving pain, dysfunction, TCM syndrome and quality of life in SOP patients; in addition, its clinical efficacy is significant.