Thermotherapy for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of pain and disability among adults. Thermotherapy has been widely used to treat knee osteoarthritis. But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the benefits of thermotherapy for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, in terms of pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction. METHODS: Eight databases will be searched from their inception to September 2020. They are as follows: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Wanfang Database. Two researchers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: The systematic review will provide high-quality evidence to assess the benefits and harms of thermotherapy for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, in terms of pain, stiffness, and dysfunction of knee joint, and quality of life, as well as adverse events. CONCLUSION: The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of thermotherapy for knee osteoarthritis patients. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202140038.

Acupotomy for shoulder pain: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder prompting many patients to seek treatment. Acupotomy is a common treatment for shoulder which has been widely used in hospitals. But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated. This protocol aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupotomy for treating shoulder pain. METHODS: Relevant studies will be searched from the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, SinoMed, and Wanfang Database. Two researchers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: The systematic review will provide high-quality evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of acupotomy for shoulder pain as well as adverse events. CONCLUSION: The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy therapy for shoulder pain patients. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202130002.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Zhongwan(CV 12) on skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units along the conception vessel in yang-deficiency volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution. METHODS: Eighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min. RESULTS: (1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05). CONCLUSION: The energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) on Skin Microcirculatory Blood Perfusion Levels along the Conception Vessel in Yin-deficiency Constitution Volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Zhongwan (CV 12) on the skin microcirculatory blood flow along the Conception Vessel (CV) in yin-deficiency constitution volunteers. METHODS: A total of 16 yin-deficiency constitution volunteers (9 woman and 6 men) from 200 students of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine finished a body constitution questionnaire and showed a yin-deficiency constitution. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan (CV 10) , and Qihai (CV 6) of the CV were measured by using a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (Peri Flux 5000) in normal constitution, before and after EA stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) for 20 min. RESULTS: Under normal condition, the cutaneous MBPU values were significantly lower in the Qihai (CV 6) than in both Danzhong (CV 17) and Xiawan (CV 10) (P < 0.01). After EA stimulation of CV 12 for 20 min, the MBPU values were significantly decreased in the CV 17 and CV 6 acupoint regions compared with pre-stimulation (P < 0.05). No significant changes of skin MBPU were found in Xiawan (CV 10) after EA stimulation of CV 12 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at Zhongwan (CV 12) can reduce the skin MBPU values of CV 6 and CV 17 of the Conception Vessel in yin-deficiency constitution volunteers.