Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Research Articles

New advances in the treatment of thin endometrium.

Thin endometrium (TE) is defined as a mid-luteal endometrial thickness ≤7mm. TE can affect endometrial tolerance, leading to lower embryo implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates, and is also associated with impaired outcomes from assisted reproductive treatment. Herein, we systematically review TE causes, mechanisms, and treatments. TE pathogenesis has multiple causes, with the endometrium becoming thinner with age under hormonal influence. In addition, uterine cavity factors are important, as the inflammatory environment may affect expressions of certain genes thereby inhibiting endometrial stromal cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Long-term oral contraceptive use or the use of ovulation-promoting drugs are also definite factors contributing to endometrial thinning. Other patients have primary factors, for which the clinical etiology remains unknown. The main therapeutic strategies available for TE are pharmacological (including hormonal and vasoactive drugs), regenerative medicine, intrauterine infusion of growth factor-granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, autologous platelet-rich plasma, and complementary alternative therapies (including traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture). However, the associated mechanisms of action are currently unclear. Clinical scholars have proposed various approaches to improve treatment outcomes in patients with TE, and are exploring the principles of efficacy, offering potentials for novel treatments. It is hoped that this will improve TE tolerance, increase embryo implantation rates, and help more couples with infertility with effective treatments.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms Management

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation for a complete 12 consecutive months while post-menopause is the period following menopause marked by changes in hormonal status. Studies stated that menopausal women experience symptoms like hot flashes/flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, mood disorders, weight gain and cognitive decline which overall affect their lives. Though hormonal therapies are used for symptom management, it was found to have some side effects and increase the chance of cancer. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have a positive impact on the same management. Relaxation, biofeedback, meditation, aromatherapy, use of mineral products and other methods like traditional Chinese medicines, reflexology, acupuncture, acupressure and homeopathy are found to be effective in controlling menopause-related symptoms. We should make them aware of these complementary and alternative medicines. Keywords: Menopause, post-menopause, complementary and alternative medicine.

Application of rehabilitation in gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with hepatitis B

The secondary dysfunction of hepatitis B is usually gastrointestinal dysfunction, motor dysfunction, sensory disorders, sleep disorders, and further aggravation may even lead to liver failure. Among them, gastrointestinal dysfunction is the main symptom that troubles patients and is not conducive to prognosis. In this paper, the application of traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation in hepatitis B gastrointestinal dysfunction and related treatment mechanisms were reviewed. After studying related articles, it was found that: Traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation pays attention to the overall function of patients, emphasizes the coordination of heart and rest, and focuses on traditional Chinese medicine regulation, body exercises, massage techniques, acupuncture, acupoint application and other methods; Modern medical rehabilitation attaches importance to the ability of patients to return to society, and mainly adopts physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other methods. Among them, traditional Chinese medicine has various rehabilitation methods for gastrointestinal dysfunction of hepatitis B, and most of the current research focuses on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Modern medicine for rehabilitating this dysfunction, clinical research, and basic research are temporarily lacking. The rehabilitation method of integrated Chinese and Western medicine is more advantageous for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction of hepatitis B. This article will provide new ideas for the rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction of hepatitis B.

Progress in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) overwhelmingly represents the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, with lung adenocarcinoma emerging as the most prevalent form. Conventional Western medical treatments encompass a spectrum of modalities, including surgical interventions, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methodologies encompass traditional Chinese medicine treatments, acupuncture therapies, and tuina treatments. While conventional Western medicine has made remarkable strides in the treatment of lung cancer, it is important to acknowledge the limitations inherent in singular treatment approaches. Consequently, the quest for a more comprehensive and integrative therapeutic paradigm becomes imperative. A deficiency of evaluation criteria specific to lung adenocarcinoma treatment in the realm of TCM represents an outstanding challenge in need of resolution. Nonetheless, in the backdrop of the continuous evolution of lung adenocarcinoma treatment modalities, the amalgamation of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating this condition has exhibited a promising trajectory. It not only contributes to mitigating toxicity and augmenting efficacy but also serves to reduce a spectrum of postoperative complications, thereby enhancing the quality of patients' survival and extending life expectancy. This article furnishes a comprehensive survey of the research advancements in the integration of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating lung adenocarcinoma. It elucidates the merits and demerits of individual and combined therapeutic strategies, surmounts current limitations, underscores the virtues of amalgamating Chinese and Western medical paradigms, and offers a more holistic, integrated, and efficacious treatment blueprint.

Unleashing the potential: integrating nano-delivery systems with traditional Chinese medicine.

This review explores the potential of integrating nano-delivery systems with traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Chinese medical theory. It highlights the intersections and potential of nano-delivery systems in enhancing the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments. In addition, it discusses how the integration of nano-delivery systems with Chinese medical theory can modernize herbal medicine and make it more readily accessible on a global scale. Finally, it analyzes the challenges and future directions in this field.

Effectiveness of dry needling on the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis: systematic review

Aim: The aim of this study is to review the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from its inception until July 2023 and the reference lists of the articles obtained were manually searched. Studies examining the effectiveness of dry needling treatment alone or in combination with a different protocol in individuals diagnosed with MS, regardless of type, were included. The systematic review included quasi-experimental studies and case reports. Studies involving traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture applications, conference abstracts, and protocol records were excluded. Methodological quality assessments were carried out independently by two authors using tools developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Results: A total of 130 studies were found in the searches. Some studies were excluded due to duplication, protocol registration, conference abstract, and content outside the scope of the study and 7 studies were included in the review. In total, 33 individuals were included in this review, 22 of whom were women. Four studies specified the MS type of the patients, while the other studies did not specify MS type. Conclusions: Despite some limitations, this is, to our knowledge, the first review summarizing studies evaluating the effectiveness of dry needling in MS patients. The dry needling technique alone or in a combination of treatments was effective in improving pain, spasticity, range of motion, dexterity, mobility, limb function, and quality of life in MS patients. However, these results should be treated with caution due to the small number of included studies and the lack of randomized controlled trials. Although it is too early to talk about the positive effects of the dry needling technique in MS patients, the study results are promising. More randomized controlled trials should be conducted on this topic.

Acupuncture Reduces Severity of Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Single-Blind Trial.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine-based therapeutic acupuncture (TA) in reducing the severity of hot flashes (HFs) in breast cancer patients and compared the effectiveness of TA to "sham" placebo acupuncture (SA). Subjects experiencing more than 10 episodes of HF/week were randomly assigned to TA or SA. The response was assessed by the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MenQoL) scale, scoring the subject's perception of the severity of HFs. HFs were scored at baseline, after treatment, and 1-month follow-up. A total of 54 subjects enrolled (28 TA and 26 SA). Seven women withdrew from the study. A hot flash diary documented the number of HFs a subject experienced. Analysis included 47 subjects (27 TA and 20 SA). A statistically significant response in HF scores was noted in the TA group compared with the SA group (P = .0064.) On average HF scores dropped by 1.89 with TA, and only 0.16 with SA. At follow-up, TA subjects had a sustained response. TA is effective in reducing the intensity and severity of HF. With SA, no relative response/change in HF scores was noted. Larger studies and longer follow-up to assess durability of response to TA are needed.

The objectification of ashi point diagnosis and treatment

Ashi points play a significant role in the clinical localization and qualitative diagnosis of acupuncture, as well as in selecting acupoints along the meridians and applying tonifying or reducing techniques. This paper introduces the theoretical basis and existing technical methods of objectification of ashi point diagnosis and treatment. It proposes that using sensory quantitative testing to determine the temperature and tenderness thresholds of ashi points could help to identify the pathological characteristics of "cold" "heat" "deficiency" or "excess" of ashi points. In addition, the possibility of objectification of ashi point diagnosis-treatment plan is explored from three perspectives, precision of selection of ashi point therapy, objectification of effect evaluation of ashi point analgesia, and differentiation of the studies on ashi point analgesic mechanism, aiming to provide new research ideas for the modernization of traditional Chinese acupuncture.

The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on neurocognitive disorders under the concept of outcome based education

BackgroundThe neurocognitive disorder is a common neuropsychological disease characterized by impaired cognitive function, attention deficit, and memory loss. With the aging of the population and lifestyle changes, the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders is on the rise, seriously affecting patients’ quality of life. Acupuncture therapy, an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine, has shown potential therapeutic effects in treating neurocognitive disorders.Subjects and MethodsThe outcome based education concept was incorporated into acupuncture therapy to explore its therapeutic effect on neurocognitive disorders. The study included 50 neurocognitive-impaired patients, 25 of whom received acupuncture therapy under the outcome based education concept as an experimental group. The other 25 served as a control group and received traditional Chinese acupuncture treatment. The experiment lasted three months, and the 3-minute Delirium Diagnostic Scale (3D-CAM) was used to measure the level of consciousness, mental clarity, attention, and delirium characteristics.ResultsAfter receiving acupuncture therapy under the outcome based education concept, most of the patients in the experimental group had a lower risk of delirium, and their attention, thinking, and consciousness levels were significantly improved. Patients in the control group generally had a higher risk of delirium, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.ConclusionsThe study proposed that the outcome based education concept in acupuncture therapy has a more noticeable effect on treating neurocognitive disorders. At the same time, this study’s results will help reveal the mechanism of acupuncture therapy in treating neurocognitive disorders and provide guidance for clinical practice.AcknowledgementThe research is supported by the Key R&D project of Hainan Province (No.zdyf2019191).

Nutritional Intervention and Emotional Nursing Alleviate Anxiety and Improve Sleep Quality in Tinnitus and Deafness Patients

This study has evaluated the influence of nutrition intervention and emotional nursing on anxiety and sleep quality in tinnitus and deafness patients. A total of 100 patients with tinnitus and deafness received therapy between January 2022 and December 2022. The patients were divided into control (n = 50) and treatment (n = 50) groups. All patients were given drugs and traditional Chinese acupuncture treatment. In addition, the control group was given routine nursing, and the treatment group was given nutritional intervention plus emotional nursing. The therapeutic effects, nutritional indexes, negative emotions, sleep quality, quality of life, and treatment compliance of patients in both groups were compared. The total effective rate in the treatment group was elevated when compared to the control group. After nursing, serum albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, and transferrin levels in the treatment group were higher; the Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index scores in the treatment group were lower; the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 score and treatment compliance in the treatment group were higher compared to the control group. To sum up, nutrition intervention and emotional nursing can improve anxiety and sleep quality and promote the nutritional state of tinnitus and deaf patients.

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

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

Complementary and alternative medicine use by pregnant women in Japan: a pilot survey

BackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are popular among women, and are used during their pregnancy in Japan. This study aimed to survey the prevalence of CAM use by healthy pregnant women as a health-care prescribed therapy or self-care and to investigate the factors associated with CAM use in Japan.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, pregnant women after 34 weeks of gestation were asked to respond to a questionnaire at the clinic or online. The questionnaire comprised questions on the participants’ characteristics and their use of CAM for therapy and self-care. Descriptive statistics were calculated in the analyses, and bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between factors and CAM use.ResultsA total of 394 women responded from three hospitals, two clinics, and two midwifery birth centers. CAM was received as treatment by practitioners during pregnancy by 75 women (19.0%). The following therapies were used: traditional Chinese medicine (7.9%), chiropractic (6.9%), moxibustion (6.4%), and acupuncture (5.3%). One or more types of therapy were used as self-care by 348 women (88.3%). Highly used CAM for self-care were: folic acid supplementation (75.4%), other supplements (51.5%), herbs (20.8%), and yoga (19.0%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the factors associated with CAM use as a therapy were midwifery birth centers for planned childbirth settings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.69–7.83]) and pregnancy complications diagnosed (AOR 2.46, 95%CI [1.38–4.39]). The factors associated with CAM use for self-care were age 30–39 years (AOR 4.48, 95%CI [2.14–9.73]) and over 40 years (AOR 3.92, 95%CI [1.10–13.91]), junior college education or above (AOR 2.30, 95%CI [1.18–4.51]), and primiparas (AOR 3.82, 95%CI [1.86–7.86]). The most common source of information was the “Internet” (43.8%).ConclusionsApproximately 20% of Japanese pregnant women received CAM as therapy by practitioners, and the related factors were: tended to have baby at midwifery birth center and pregnancy complications. Almost 90% of respondents used CAM as self-care and the related factors were: older, had a higher educational level and tended to be primiparas. They used the Internet as their main source of information about CAM. Health care providers need to provide evidenced-based information on CAM and to help decision making to ensure safe and effective CAM utilization by pregnant women.

Reabsorption of intervertebral disc prolapse after conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine: A case report

Conservative treatments have been reported to diminish or resolve clinical symptoms of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) within a few weeks. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar region of a 25-year-old male diagnosed with LIDH showed prolapse of the L5/S2 disc. The disc extended 1.0 cm beyond the vertebral edge and hung along the posterior vertebral edge. The patient elected a conservative treatment regimen that included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and massage. During a follow-up period of more than 12 mo, good improvement in pain was reported without complications. MRI of the lumbar region after 12 mo showed obvious reabsorption of the herniation. A conservative treatment regimen of TCM, acupuncture, and massage promoted reabsorption of a prolapsed disc.

A case report of effective traditional Chinese herbal and acupuncture treatment for postherpetic neuralgia in a very elderly patient 7 years after onset

A case report of effective traditional Chinese herbal and acupuncture treatment for postherpetic neuralgia in a very elderly patient 7 years after onset

A Systematic Review of Complementary Therapies in Colorectal cancer patients: Summarizing the Current Global Options

Colorectal cancer patients have been experiencing various side effects related to the therapies, both physically and physiologically. Complementary medicine was used to help patients alleviate complaints and increase their quality of life. This systematic review aimed to sort out complementary medicines that could be advised to be used for colorectal cancer patients. Search limitations include the population of colorectal cancer patients, published between 2015 and 2021 and written in English. We found that traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy massage, acupuncture, and mindfulness-based stress reduction tests were beneficial in improving patients’ physical and physiological complaints. However, dosing and herb-herb interactions in Chinese traditional medicine and the beneficial persistency effect of other modalities needed further investigation, especially in colorectal cancer patient therapy. Complementary modalities are generally safe; however, some therapies still warrant further investigation to confirm safety and beneficial consistency.

Auricular therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common problem among women. It is defined as any degree of perceived cramping pain during menstruation without any evident pathology. Auricular therapy (AT), a widely used alternative medical treatment method as part of traditional Chinese acupuncture, lacks reliable evidence to support its safety and effectiveness for PD. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of AT in PD and to investigate possible factors impacting the particular efficacy of AT in PD by meta-regression. This protocol followed the PRISMA guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols. The following 9 sources will be searched for randomized control trials of AT for PD: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals (VIP) database and WanFang Database from inception to January 1, 2023. Primary outcomes include visual rating scales and clinical efficacy rates, while secondary outcomes include endocrine hormone indicators related to PD and adverse events. Two reviewers will work independently on study selection, data extraction, and coding, including the risk of bias assessment in the included studies. While conducting a meta-analysis, Review Manager version 5.3 will be employed. Otherwise, a descriptive analysis will be performed. The results will be displayed as a risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous data as well as weight mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals for continuous data. This study's protocol will investigate the efficacy and safety of AT in the treatment of PD in a systematic way. This systematic evaluation will objectively and systematically assess the efficacy and safety of AT in PD based on the available evidence, as well as provides clinicians with evidence to support the treatment of the disease.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and its association with antibiotic usage practices: A nationally representative population study

Inappropriate antibiotic use drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Alongside Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is also often used in multicultural Singapore. This study aims to assess the influence of CAM use on antibiotic use practices. A nationally-representative cross-sectional population survey was conducted in Singapore (November 2020January 2021). CAM use was defined as having used traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Jamu, Ayurvedic medicine or herbal remedies. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between CAM use and good antibiotic use practices, as defined by six proxy statements adapted from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory. Sociodemographic characteristics, motivations for CAM use, and knowledge of antibiotic use and AMR were analyzed alongside. Of 2004 respondents, 34% used CAM; they tended to be female (CAM users: 57% vs non-CAM users: 50%, p=0.004), Chinese (82% vs 66%, p<0.001), higher educated (68% vs 64%, p=0.036), living in highest tiered public housing apartments or private housing (45% vs 36%, p<0.001) and have good knowledge of antibiotic use (63% vs 58%, p=0.036). After adjusting for potential confounding, CAM use (aOR 1.23, 95% Cl [1.00-1.52], p=0.048) was associated with 23% increased odds of good antibiotic use practices. Top reasons for CAM use included influence from family and friends (65%) and concern over Western medications' side effects (44%). CAM use is positively associated with good antibiotic use practices. Further studies assessing educational interventions utilizing social networks and highlighting side effects of antibiotics may be useful in improving antibiotic use practices in communities.

Methodological issues of the central mechanism of two classic acupuncture manipulations based on fNIRS: suggestions for a pilot study.

Background: Acupuncture reinforcing-reducing manipulation (ARRM) is a necessary procedure of traditional Chinese acupuncture and an essential factor affecting the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Shaoshanhuo reinforcing method (SSH) and Toutianliang reducing method (TTL) are the most representative ARRMs. They integrate six single ARRMs and pose distinguished therapeutic effects of acupuncture. However, due to the complexity, diversity, and variation, investigating the mechanism of these two classic manipulations is insufficient. The neuroimaging technique is an important method to explore the central mechanism of SSH and TTL. This study attempted to design a randomized crossover trial based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore the mechanism of SSH and TTL, meanwhile, provide valuable methodological references for future studies. Methods: A total of 30 healthy subjects were finally included and analyzed in this study. fNIRS examination was performed to record the neural responses during the two most representative ARRMs. The cortical activation and the inter-network functional connectivity (FC) were explored. Results: The results found that SSH and TTL could elicit significant cerebral responses, respectively, but there was no difference between them. Conclusion: Neuroimaging techniques with a higher spatiotemporal resolution, combinations of therapeutic effects, and strict quality control are important to neuroimaging studies on SSH and TTL.

Umbrella review: Summary of findings for acupuncture as treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia.

Acupuncture is a common part of complementary medicine. However, traditional Chinese acupuncture has been built on concepts which are not in accordance with science-based medicine. Our aim was to critically assess the evidence presented in systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) about the effectiveness of acupuncture on radiotherapy induced xerostomia. A systematic search was conducted in February 2022. We evaluated all SRs/MAs using the AMSTAR-2 instrument. Eight SRs, with 12 controlled studies were included. All SRs summarize that the methodological drawbacks do not allow to give a clear statement about the effectiveness of acupuncture. While objective assessments in most SRs/MAs reported no difference between real and sham acupuncture, some favorable effects on subjective xerostomia symptoms are found. No clinical meaningful effectiveness of acupuncture on xerostomia has been proven so far, but positive subjective findings need to be explored more. While most SRs recommend further studies, studies involving patients with a serious cancer diagnosis are ethically questionable.

Roles of conventional and complementary therapies in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common type of cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. HCC has a reported recurrence rate of 70%-80% after 5 years of follow-up. Controlling tumor recurrence is the most critical factor associated with HCC mortality. Conventional salvage therapies for recurrent HCC include re-hepatectomy or liver transplantation, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, Y-90, target therapy, and immunotherapy; however, these conventional treatment modalities have yet to achieve consistently favorable outcomes. Meanwhile, previous studies have demonstrated that conventional therapies in combination with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, moxibustion or dietary supplements could notably benefit patients with HCC recurrence by strengthening and augmenting the overall management strategy. However, systemic reviews related to the interactions between complementary therapies and conventional therapy in recurrent HCC are limited. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of complementary therapies for recurrent HCC, which include augmenting the local control to improve the congestion status of primary tumors and reducing multicentric tumor occurrence via inducing autophagy, apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. TCM and its derivatives may play important roles in helping to control HCC recurrence by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, and metastasis, inhibiting cancer stem cells, and ameliorating drug resistance.