Effectiveness of self-care with Indirect moxibustion on hiesho (Cold Disorder) in Mature Females / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We evaluated the effects of self­care with indirect moxibustion (moxibustion group : MG) on hiesho (cold disorder) in mature females in a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial using leg warmers (leg warmers group : LG) as a control. Subjects were 49 women aged 18 to 39 years who were judged to suffer from hiesho as measured by the hiesho sensation scale (Kusumi and Emori). Subjects were sorted by age and block-­randomized at each of the four facilities. Before going to bed, subjects in the MG (N = 25) performed two moxibustions on both sides of kI 1, SP 6, and ST 36. Subjects in the LG (N = 24) wore leg warmers while sleeping. Each intervention lasted for one month. The primary endpoint was the degree of hiesho by visual analogue scale (VAS) ; secondary endpoints were mainly suffering scores for comorbid symptoms and body temperature difference between forehead and peripheries. Two subjects in the LG dropped out due to preg­nancy and skin pruritus, respectively. The change in VAS and suffering scores was larger in the MG, showing small ES in VAS and medium ES in suffering scores. Body temperature difference between the forehead and LI 4 on both sides was reduced in the MG, and medium ES was observed. It was suggested that self-care of indirect moxibustion for hiesho in mature females could reduce the degree of hiesho and comorbid symptoms, and could suppress the expansion of body temperature difference between forehead and peripheries compared to wearing leg warmers.

Effects of acupuncture therapy on 83 cases of infants with night terrors / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective] For six consecutive years, we investigated 83 cases of the effect of acupuncture therapy on children with night terrors.[Subjects and Methods] The number of subjects was 83 (38 boys and 45 girls, mean age: 2.2 ± 2.8 years old). Acupuncture therapy for infants was defined as pattern identification/syndrome differentiation and treatment. The acupuncture therapy used spoon needles and moxibustion; skin stimulation was applied to the acupuncture point. Infant needles in the Daishi style and moxibustion of the incense stick were used as a method to approach the hole. Therapeutic effect was judged by a self-written evaluation form certified by the Japan Society of Pediatric Acupuncture. One major item, "sleep disorder (broad sense of night terrors)," three minor items ('night terror' in a narrower sense), 'difficulty in falling asleep,' 'nocturnal awakening,' number of nocturnal awakenings at night, and satisfaction with acupuncture therapy in infants were investigated. Evaluations were made at the time of the first treatment and before the fifth treatment. In the statistical analysis, the change in the score of the evaluation slip and the number of partial awakenings were tested by the Wilcoxon signed-rank-sum test. The level of significance was set at 5%.[Results] Significant improvement was observed in the score for the major item, minor items, and number of partial awakenings. The degree of satisfaction was 90.4%.[Conclusion] It was suggested that acupuncture therapy in infants is effective for ameliorating symptoms of "sleep disorder."

Determination of symptoms associated with hiesho among young females using hie rating surveys / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Hie (cold sensation) is one of the most well-known health complaints in Japan and elsewhere in East Asia. Those who suffer from severe hie are considered to have hiesho (cold disorder). This study was conducted to determine symptoms associated with hie in young females using a survey consisting of the hie scale and hie diary.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and seventy-one participants were included for the analysis. Survey forms were distributed to the participants. Diagnosis of hiesho was determined by using the hie scale. A discriminant score of over -0.38 was considered hiesho. The Short Form-8 Health Survey Standard Version (SF-8) was used to measure health-related quality of life (QOL). The participants were also asked to respond to the questionnaire evaluating 14 physical and emotional symptoms, utilizing a six-level Likert scale item.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 1st factor (hie factor) was correlated with hie (r = 0.546), dry mouth (r = 0.332), lower-extremity edema (r = 0.450), headrushes (r = 0.470), shoulder stiffness (r = 0.311), headrushes with chills (r = 0.726), and fatigue (r = 0.359). Cronbach's α of the 1st factor was 0.748, which indicated reliability between the items. When hie factor was the dependent variable, standardized partial regression coefficient was β = -0.387 for physical component score (P < 0.001) and β = -0.243 for mental component score (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study indicated that hiesho symptoms among young female adults were associated with bodily pain and general health perceptions of the SF-8 QOL survey.</p>

Extraction of items identifying hiesho (cold disorder) and their utility in young males and females / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Hie (cold sensation) is one of the most common health complaints in Japan. Those who suffer from severe hie are considered as having hiesho (cold disorder). However, exact hiesho symptoms have not been defined clearly and the decision as to whether a person suffers from hiesho is subjective and based on self-awareness. The study was conducted in attempt to develop a standardized hiesho diagnostic scale.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects comprised 1 146 students. From the self-awareness of hiesho symptoms, males and females were divided into hiesho and non-hiesho groups. Physical, behavioral and adaptive characteristics were compared using the 24-item questionnaire (four-grade survey) and indicators for hiesho symptoms were extracted. Based on the scores, a receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn for the total ordinal scale score of the extracted items in relation to the presence and absence of hiesho symptoms, and an optimal cutoff value was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The self-awareness of having hiesho was found in 23.2% males and in 55.6% females. The sensitivity was 84.5% for males and 83.3% for females in the hiesho groups, and the specificity was 86.0% for males and 85.2% for females in the non-hiesho groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A questionnaire consisting of the extracted items may be useful to identify hiesho in young males and females with a high level of accuracy.</p>

<b>Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapy on </b><i><b>Hiesho </b></i><b>(Cold Disorder) in Maturate Stage Females : A Multicenter, Randomized, Prospective, Controlled T</b><b>rial</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

<p><b>Objective </b>: To determine the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on <i>hiesho </i>in maturate stage females.<br> <b>Design </b>: Multicenter, randomized, prospective, open blind, waiting list-controlled trial.<br><b>Setting </b>: A clinical center attached to three universities and one vocational school.<br><b>Participants </b>: Twenty two females between 18-39 years of age and with a level of more than four points on the “<i>hiesho </i>sensation scale” proposed by Kusumi et al for <i>hiesho</i>. <b>Interventions </b>: Participants were randomly assigned to receive therapies of either acupuncture or no therapy (waiting list controls). Acupuncture therapy was provided by needle retention to SP 6 and electro-acupuncture therapy to BL 32 at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 minutes. One session per week of this therapy was provided for a total of four sessions. <b>Method of Measurement </b>: The primary outcome of change in <i>hiesho </i>intensity was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary changes were measured by an eight heading score and three component summaries of the standard edition SF-36 v 2.<br><b>Results </b>: The statistical analyses used an intent-to-treat analysis that included two participants who dropped out, and the mixture of one participant targeted for exclusion who was censored from the analyses. As a result, 21 participants were classified as either in the acupuncture group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 9). Efficacy with acupuncture therapy was not found for effect size (Cohen <i>d</i>, point-biserial correlation <i>r</i>) for VAS and the scores of SF-36 between the two groups.<br><b>Conclusions </b>: Effectiveness of the acupuncture therapy was not found, which suggests that it may be due to the smaller sample size, frequency of intervention, and symptoms associated with autonomic dysfunction.</p>

Effects of <i>Ontokyu</i> (warm tube moxibustion) Medical Treatment on Young Women with Chilly Constitution (‘Hie’ Symptoms) / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Objective:</b> We examined the effects of <i>ontokyu</i> (warm tube moxibustion) medical treatment of GB33 and SP6 on young women with a chilly constitution (‘Hie’ symptoms).<BR><b>Methods:</b> The subjects were 13 female university students (mean age: 20.7± 1.3years). They were assigned to either a GB33 group or an SP6 group in consideration of height for the determinate method by the discriminant analysis of Sakaguchi et al. After a one-week pre-observation period, 1 or 2 <i>ontokyu </i>treatments (Choan NEO, Yamasho) twice a week for four weeks were conducted. The follow-up period was two weeks. Effects of the therapy were evaluated using an original questionnaire (‘Hie’ diary), which consisted of six categorical scales of 14 symptoms and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of the severity of ‘Hie’.<BR><b>Results:</b> Three subjects dropped out before 1^st week therapy among the 13 subjects, so the number of subjects in both groups became five. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, height, weight, BMI, VAS, and total score for 14 symptoms at the baseline. There was no interaction between the groups for VAS or total score for the 14 symptoms. For both groups, no significant changes could be found in VAS during the intervention period and follow-up period compared with that during the pre-observation period. Although the total score for the 14 symptoms in both groups decreased gradually from the start of intervention for the GB33 group, it significantly decreased in after the 3^rd and 4^th weeks therapy compared with that in the pre-observation period. For the SP6 group, it significantly decreased in after the 4^th week therapy and the 2^nd week after finished therapy. For each item of the 14 symptoms, the GB33 group showed significant differences in stiff neck and shoulders and feeling thirsty when their scores between the pre-observation period and the intervention period were compared. In addition, the SP6 group showed a significant difference in stiff neck and shoulders, feeling thirsty, and nervousness when their scores between the pre-observation period and the intervention period were compared. Specifically, stiff neck and shoulders for the GB33 group was significantly reduced in the 1^st and 2^nd weeks after finished therapy, and feeling thirsty showed significant reduction in after the 3^rd and 4^th weeks therapy. On the other hand, for the SP6 group, stiff neck and shoulders significantly decreased in after the 2^nd and 4^th weeks therapy and the 1^st and 2^nd after finished therapy, as did feeling thirsty in the 4^th week therapy and in the 2^nd week after finished therapy, as well as becoming nervous in after the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th weeks therapy.<BR><b>Conclusion:</b> It was suggested that <i>ontokyu </i>medical treatment to GB33 and SP6 for young women with a chilly constitution did not appear to exacerbate the severity of ‘Hie’ after reductions in air temperature, while improving the total score for 14 symptoms similarly.

Effects of Ontokyu (warm tube moxibustion) Medical Treatment on Young Women with Chilly Constitution (‘Hie’ Symptoms) / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objective: We examined the effects of ontokyu (warm tube moxibustion) medical treatment of GB33 and SP6 on young women with a chilly constitution (‘Hie’ symptoms). Methods: The subjects were 13 female university students (mean age: 20.7± 1.3years). They were assigned to either a GB33 group or an SP6 group in consideration of height for the determinate method by the discriminant analysis of Sakaguchi et al. After a one-week pre-observation period, 1 or 2 ontokyu treatments (Choan NEO, Yamasho) twice a week for four weeks were conducted. The follow-up period was two weeks. Effects of the therapy were evaluated using an original questionnaire (‘Hie’ diary), which consisted of six categorical scales of 14 symptoms and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of the severity of ‘Hie’. Results: Three subjects dropped out before 1st week therapy among the 13 subjects, so the number of subjects in both groups became five. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, height, weight, BMI, VAS, and total score for 14 symptoms at the baseline. There was no interaction between the groups for VAS or total score for the 14 symptoms. For both groups, no significant changes could be found in VAS during the intervention period and follow-up period compared with that during the pre-observation period. Although the total score for the 14 symptoms in both groups decreased gradually from the start of intervention for the GB33 group, it significantly decreased in after the 3rd and 4th weeks therapy compared with that in the pre-observation period. For the SP6 group, it significantly decreased in after the 4th week therapy and the 2nd week after finished therapy. For each item of the 14 symptoms, the GB33 group showed significant differences in stiff neck and shoulders and feeling thirsty when their scores between the pre-observation period and the intervention period were compared. In addition, the SP6 group showed a significant difference in stiff neck and shoulders, feeling thirsty, and nervousness when their scores between the pre-observation period and the intervention period were compared. Specifically, stiff neck and shoulders for the GB33 group was significantly reduced in the 1st and 2nd weeks after finished therapy, and feeling thirsty showed significant reduction in after the 3rd and 4th weeks therapy. On the other hand, for the SP6 group, stiff neck and shoulders significantly decreased in after the 2nd and 4th weeks therapy and the 1st and 2nd after finished therapy, as did feeling thirsty in the 4th week therapy and in the 2nd week after finished therapy, as well as becoming nervous in after the 1st, 2nd and 4th weeks therapy. Conclusion: It was suggested that ontokyu medical treatment to GB33 and SP6 for young women with a chilly constitution did not appear to exacerbate the severity of ‘Hie’ after reductions in air temperature, while improving the total score for 14 symptoms similarly.

Effect of acupuncture treatment on menstrual disorders / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]Menstrual disorders are generic symptoms that appear during a menstrual cycle. In this study we examined three years of medical records retrospectively in order to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment on menstrual disorders. We compared a group of women with diseases 'D'with to no diseases 'N'with respect to the effects of short-term acupuncture treatment.<BR>[Methodology]Subjects for this research were 203women with menstrual disorders who came to our office during the period January 2009 -March 2012. The only treatment they were given was traditional Chinese medicine. We used BL 32, BL 35, GV 2, GV 4, and SP 6 as acupuncture points. We inserted stainless steel acupuncture needles (40 mm long, 1.8 mm in diameter) to a depth of 20 mm at BL 32 and 10 mm at SP 6. Other points were treated three times with kyubu-moxibution (burnt 90%). Treatment was provided once every 1-2 weeks. A Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to judge treatment effectiveness. We classified the 203women into two groups;one was 'D'group (n = 46) and the other was 'N'group (n = 157). Concerning the eight items from the MDQ we compared each woman's condition before the first treatment after one menstrual cycle. This time we paid attention to premenstrual and menstrual periods. 'D'group was observed through three menstrual cycles.<BR>[Results]The average number of treatments during one menstrual cycle was 2.2. Both groups had reduced scores for 6 prementstrual symptoms (p < 0.05). During menstrual period, 'D'had reduced scores for 3items, 'N'had reduced scores for 5 items;(p < 0.05). 'D'confirmed continuous effects of treatment. The effects on premenstrual symptoms were confirmed, "Pain"during all three menstrual cycles, "Water retention"during the second and third menstrual cycles, and "Concentration"during the third menstrual cycle. The effects during the menstrual period were also confirmed, "Pain"for all three menstrual cycles, and "Water retention"and "Behavioral change"during the third menstrual period (p < 0.05).<BR>[Discussion]Concerning the effects of acupuncture treatment for menstrual disorders, 'D'had higher MDQ scores than 'N'. After one menstrual cycle, 'D'showed less improvement of MDQ items than 'N'. But continuous acupuncture treatments reduced menstrual disorder symptoms for 'D'.<BR>[Conclusion]We have confirmed the effects of acupuncture treatment on menstrual cycle symptoms. In one menstrual cycle, 'N'showed more improvement than 'D'. But during three menstrual cycles 'N'experienced continuous effects of treatment.

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Therapy (EAT) to the Lower Limbs of Young Women who Suffer from Chilly Constitution (‘<I>Hie</I>’symptoms)—As judged by bodily pain (BP) score of Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-8 / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Objective</B><br> We examined the effects of low frequency electro-acupuncture therapy (EAT) on young women who suffered from‘<I>Hie</I>’symptoms, which were judged according to the national normal value of bodily pain (BP) scores from a ”Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-8 Survey“ (SF-8).<br><B>Subjects and Methodology</B><br> The experimental subjects were 20 women (mean age: 21.2 years old; range: 18-26 years old) who exhibited symptoms of ‘<I>Hie</I>’ symptoms (vasomotor dysfunction) and whose toes’skin temperature increased or showed a different reaction between right and left during apostural change test. A stainless steel acupuncture needle (length: 40 mm; diameter: 0.2 mm) was inserted approximately 15 mm deep at SP6 (Sanyinjiao, Saninko). EAT using an active electrode (the needle) at SP6 and a reference electrode (surface electrode) at the lateral-anterior aspect of the lower leg was applied at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 minutes. The therapy was provided one session per week for a total of five sessions. Effects of the therapy were evaluated by using an original questionnaire (‘<I>Hie</I>’diary), which consisted of six categorical of 14 symptoms (including of‘<I>Hie</I>’) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of‘severity of <I>Hie</I>’. Moreover, changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by acupuncture were evaluated by using the SF-8 Standard Edition.<br><B>Results</B><br> Subjects were grouped according to their SF-8 BP scores before the therapy: 12 subjects (L group) whose scores were less than the national normal value (42.75 points), and eight subjects (H group) whose scores were more than the national normal value. For both groups VAS levels showed no statistically significant changes, but for the L group the total score of 14 symptoms significantly decreased after the second therapy session compared with scores before the therapy. Moreover, the statistically significant decrease in the total score lasted for one month after the therapy had been finished. Compared with before therapy, the score of ‘vitality’ (VT) significantly increased for the L group one month after the therapy, and those of BP and ‘mental health’ (MH) significantly increased for the L group just after and one month after the therapy.<br><B>Conclusions</B><br> EAT at SP6 on young women with ‘<I>Hie</I>’ symptoms (vasomotor dysfunction) contributes to improvement in overall condition and health-related QOL, and it is occluded that the effect of the EAT was high, because HRQOL was low (the score of BP was low).

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Therapy to Lower Limbs on Chilly Constitution (‘Hie’Symptoms) —Comparison by the presence or absence of vasomotor dysfunction— / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Objective:</B> We examined the effects of low frequency electro-acupuncture therapy (EAT) in young women with‘Hie’symptoms, which were classified according to the presence of the vasomotor dysfunction as determined by the postural change test.<br><B>Subjects and Methods:</B> Subjects were 43 women (mean age, 21.2 years) who exhibited‘Hie’symptoms. The postural change test was performed in five-minute-loads in a standing position after a rest period of 10 minutes in a spine position. The skin temperature in the lower limbs was measured before and after the test. A stainless steel acupuncture needle (length, 40 mm; diameter, 0.2 mm) was inserted approximately 15 mm in depth at SP6 (Sanyinjiao, Saninko). EAT using an active electrode (needle) at SP6 and a reference electrode (surface electrode) at the lateral-anterior aspect of the lower leg were carried out at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 minutes. The therapy was provided in a total of 5 sessions, with 1 session per week, and the postural change test was performed after 5 sessions. Thermal images from the medial aspect of the foot to the tibial aspect of the lower leg were captured using a thermography device, and mean skin temperature was calculated in selected regions of the toes and tibial aspect of the lower leg. Effects of the therapy were also evaluated using an original questionnaire (‘Hie’diary) concerning‘Hie’symptoms, which consists of six categorical scales of 14 symptoms including‘Hie’and severity of‘Hie’on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. Moreover, changes in health-related quality of life by acupuncture were evaluated using the SF-8 Standard Edition.<br><B>Results:</B> Subjects were classified according to the results of the postural change test: 23 people (no vasomotor dysfunction group; non-vd group) whose skin temperature in the toe decreased after the postural change and 20 people (vasomotor dysfunction group; vd group) whose skin temperature in the toe increased after the load or showed a different reaction between right and left. In the vd group, the total score of 14 symptoms in the‘Hie’diary was significantly higher, and subjective‘Hie’symptoms showed a more severe score than that in the non-vd group. The bodily pain score in the SF-8 in vd group was significantly lower than a national reference value. After an EAT session, the vd group’s skin temperature on the tibial aspect of the lower leg at 20 minutes after completion of the load was significantly higher than that before the load. Moreover, changes in the VAS score and SF-8 score showed no statistical significant in both groups, but the total score of 14 symptoms decreased significantly in the vd group.<br><B>Conclusions:</B> We suggested that normalization in the blood vessel reaction in lower limbs by EAT at SP6 contributed to the improvement in the systemic condition that was determined by the postural test. The issue of further investigation is to elucidate the pathogenesis andor establishment of the treatment in the subjects with‘Hie’symptom whose vasomotor function was within normal limits.

Assessment and future development of the WHO/WPRO standardization of acupuncture point locations / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction] In 2006 the WHO and WPRO agreed on standard acupuncture point locations. To promotepagate these standards, in 2009 the Second Japan Acupuncture Standardization Committee published a Japanese edition of 'WHO STANDARD ACUPUNCTURE POINT LOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION.' Based on this Japanese edition, a new textbook was published by the Japan Association of Massage & Acupuncture Teachers and the Japan College Association of Oriental Medicine. Since one year has passed since the start of education based on standard acupuncture point locations at Japanese universities, colleges, vocational schools and training centers for anma (Japanese traditional massage), massage, and shiatsu (acupressure); acupuncture; and moxibustion therapies, we administered a questionnaire survey as an evaluation of international standardization and the problems of introducing standard acupuncture point locations .<BR>[Subjects and methods] Subjects were mainly teachers and included a small number of researchers, clinicians, and other groups concerned with acupuncture and moxibustion. We used a questionnaire that we originally created at the Second Meeting of the Japan Standardization of Acupuncture Point Locations Committee.<BR>[Results] Among the 180 institutions surveyed, we obtained answers from 149 people from 93 institutions in total. Agreement on the question of standard acupuncture points, "functional existence" (44.3%) was most common, and "anatomical existence" came next at 26.6%. For the question on acupuncture treatment, 82.4% replied with "use ofboth acupuncture points and reaction points." For the answers to agreeing with international standardization, "no opinion" was 41.7% and 51.7% for "appreciate." However, both of those groups appreciated globalization of acupuncture and moxibustion by a common　language. There were many opinions on proportional bone measurement. Specifically, opinions indicated a change "from the cubital crease to the wrist crease" (from 10B-cun to 12B-cun) and a need for proportional bone measurement of the upper arm. Whereas, for individual acupuncture points, opinions expressed the difficulty of locating application points and not understanding reasons for change and notations including body surface segments.<BR>[Discussion] We were able to classify the opinions collected into the following groups: (1) problems that can be corrected immediately, including typographic errors, (2) problems that need to be reviewed at the next international gathering, and (3)problems that need to be understood by making full use of related documents.<BR>[Conclusion] We were able to determine primarily for a wide range of teachers, problems understanding individual acupuncture point locations, including consideration of acupuncture points, evaluation of standardization of acupuncture point locations, and other guidelines

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Therapy (EAT) to the Lower Limbs of Young Women who Suffer from Chilly Constitution (‘Hie’symptoms)—As judged by bodily pain (BP) score of Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-8 Survey (SF-8)— / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objective  We examined the effects of low frequency electro-acupuncture therapy (EAT) on young women who suffered from‘Hie’symptoms, which were judged according to the national normal value of bodily pain (BP) scores from a ”Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-8 Survey“ (SF-8). Subjects and Methodology  The experimental subjects were 20 women (mean age: 21.2 years old; range: 18-26 years old) who exhibited symptoms of ‘Hie’ symptoms (vasomotor dysfunction) and whose toes’skin temperature increased or showed a different reaction between right and left during a postural change test. A stainless steel acupuncture needle (length: 40 mm; diameter: 0.2 mm) was inserted approximately 15 mm deep at SP6 (Sanyinjiao, Saninko). EAT using an active electrode (the needle) at SP6 and a reference electrode (surface electrode) at the lateral-anterior aspect of the lower leg was applied at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 minutes. The therapy was provided one session per week for a total of five sessions. Effects of the therapy were evaluated by using an original questionnaire (‘Hie’diary), which consisted of six categorical of 14 symptoms (including of‘Hie’) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of‘severity of Hie’. Moreover, changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by acupuncture were evaluated by using the SF-8 Standard Edition. Results  Subjects were grouped according to their SF-8 BP scores before the therapy: 12 subjects (L group) whose scores were less than the national normal value (42.75 points), and eight subjects (H group) whose scores were more than the national normal value. For both groups VAS levels showed no statistically significant changes, but for the L group the total score of 14 symptoms significantly decreased after the second therapy session compared with scores before the therapy. Moreover, the statistically significant decrease in the total score lasted for one month after the therapy had been finished. Compared with before therapy, the score of ‘vitality’ (VT) significantly increased for the L group one month after the therapy, and those of BP and ‘mental health’ (MH) significantly increased for the L group just after and one month after the therapy. Conclusions  EAT at SP6 on young women with ‘Hie’ symptoms (vasomotor dysfunction) contributes to improvement in overall condition and health-related QOL, and it is occluded that the effect of the EAT was high, because HRQOL was low (the score of BP was low).

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Therapy to Lower Limbs on Chilly Constitution (‘Hie’Symptoms) —Comparison by the presence or absence of vasomotor dysfunction— / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objective: We examined the effects of low frequency electro-acupuncture therapy (EAT) in young women with‘Hie’symptoms, which were classified according to the presence of the vasomotor dysfunction as determined by the postural change test. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 43 women (mean age, 21.2 years) who exhibited‘Hie’symptoms. The postural change test was performed in five-minute-loads in a standing position after a rest period of 10 minutes in a spine position. The skin temperature in the lower limbs was measured before and after the test. A stainless steel acupuncture needle (length, 40 mm; diameter, 0.2 mm) was inserted approximately 15 mm in depth at SP6 (Sanyinjiao, Saninko). EAT using an active electrode (needle) at SP6 and a reference electrode (surface electrode) at the lateral-anterior aspect of the lower leg were carried out at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 minutes. The therapy was provided in a total of 5 sessions, with 1 session per week, and the postural change test was performed after 5 sessions. Thermal images from the medial aspect of the foot to the tibial aspect of the lower leg were captured using a thermography device, and mean skin temperature was calculated in selected regions of the toes and tibial aspect of the lower leg. Effects of the therapy were also evaluated using an original questionnaire (‘Hie’diary) concerning‘Hie’symptoms, which consists of six categorical scales of 14 symptoms including‘Hie’and severity of‘Hie’on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. Moreover, changes in health-related quality of life by acupuncture were evaluated using the SF-8 Standard Edition. Results: Subjects were classified according to the results of the postural change test: 23 people (no vasomotor dysfunction group; non-vd group) whose skin temperature in the toe decreased after the postural change and 20 people (vasomotor dysfunction group; vd group) whose skin temperature in the toe increased after the load or showed a different reaction between right and left. In the vd group, the total score of 14 symptoms in the‘Hie’diary was significantly higher, and subjective‘Hie’symptoms showed a more severe score than that in the non-vd group. The bodily pain score in the SF-8 in vd group was significantly lower than a national reference value. After an EAT session, the vd group’s skin temperature on the tibial aspect of the lower leg at 20 minutes after completion of the load was significantly higher than that before the load. Moreover, changes in the VAS score and SF-8 score showed no statistical significant in both groups, but the total score of 14 symptoms decreased significantly in the vd group. Conclusions: We suggested that normalization in the blood vessel reaction in lower limbs by EAT at SP6 contributed to the improvement in the systemic condition that was determined by the postural test. The issue of further investigation is to elucidate the pathogenesis andor establishment of the treatment in the subjects with‘Hie’symptom whose vasomotor function was within normal limits.

Behaviour factor in Hiesho (excessive sensitivity to cold symptoms), health-related QOL and BMI in male and female subjects who feel Hiesho / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objectives]We investigated the behaviour factors in Hiesho (excessive sensitivity to cold symptoms), a summary score of Health-related QOL (SF-8) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in subjects who feel Hiesho (hereinafter referred to as Hiesho Subjects), in relation to sex, and showed the future direction of acupuncture therapy on Hiesho.<BR>[Methods]After approval by the Ethics Committee, we obtained written informed consent from the participants in this study. Participants were 753students in a vocational college. The study was performed with questionnaires, which were delivered by hand to the participants in September, 2008. We analyzed 629 subjects (538 males and 91 females, mean age of 27.4 ± 6.8) whose responses were valid. The questionnaire consisted of age, sex, height, weight, subjective Hiesho, 24 behaviour patterns of Hiesho according to a previous study, and Health-related QOL (SF-8, Japanese version). We used two summaries -physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) -which are derived from standard values (scores) in the nation on eight scales of SF-8 calculated using the special scoring software. Total scores of behaviour patterns of Hiesho subjects (HIE Scores) and summary scores and BMI in male and female subjects were statistically analyzed using covariance structure analysis technique in multiple populations (Amos Ver. 7).<BR>[Results]In our model, the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) and Root Mean Squares Error of Approximation were 1.00, 75.886 and 0.00, respectively, which showed a high degree of compatibility. We found the relations from Hiesho Scores to PCS (β=-0.175, p < 0.01) and MCS (β=-0.179, p < 0.001) and from PCS to MCS (β=-0.089, p=0.038) in male Hiesho subjects. In contrast, in female Hiesho subjects, there were relations from Hiesho scores to MCS (β=-0.601, p < 0.001) and from PCS to MCS (β=-0.244, p < 0.05).<BR>[Discussion]From the results of our investigation, Hiesho was considered not to be associated with Health-related QOL in male Hiesho subjects but to be associated with mental factors in female Hiesho subjects.<BR>[Conclusions]It was shown that we should consider the patient's sex in acupuncture therapy on Hiesho.

Effects of Acupuncture Electrotherapy to Lower Limbs on Hie Symptom (Vasomotor Dysfunction) / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Objective</b><br> We examined the effects of acupuncture electrotherapy in young women with hie symptoms (excessive sensitivity to cold), presented in conjunction with vasomotor dysfunction as determined by the postural change test.<br><b>Subjects and Methods</b><br> Subjects comprised 20 women (mean age, 20.6 years; range, 18-26 years) who exhibited symptoms of hie, evaluated as toe skin temperature after standing for 5 mins or a temperature difference between the right and left toes as compared to before standing. A stainless steel acupuncture needle (length, 40 mm; diameter, 0.2 mm) was inserted approximately 15 mm in SP6 (Shangqui). Acupuncture electrotherapy connected an acupuncture electrode to SP6 and a non-feeling electrode to lateral of the tibial tuberosity, and was undertaken at a frequency of 1 Hz for 20 mins. Therapy was provided as a total of 5 sessions, with 1 session each week, and the postural change test was performed before and after therapy. Thermal images from the medial aspect of the foot to the tibial aspect of the lower leg were captured using a medical thermography device, and mean skin temperature was calculated in selected regions of the toes, metatarsals, ankle, and tibial aspect of the lower leg. Therapy was evaluated using a questionnaire with two originally designed scales: a categorical scale of 14 symptoms including hie; and degree of hie on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Subjects completed the questionnaire every day during a period from 1 week before therapy sessions began until 1 week after completion of all 5 sessions. Scores for hie symptoms were calculated as mean values from the total score of the 14 symptoms and VAS each week. Changes in health-related quality of life with acupuncture were evaluated using the SF-8 Standard Edition.<br><b>Results</b><br> Toe skin temperature just after standing was not significantly increased by therapy as compared to before standing. Skin temperature on the tibial aspect of the lower leg 20 mins after standing was significantly increased as compared to the adaptation period. In terms of hie, VAS and SF-8, no significant changes were seen before and after therapy, but total score for the 14 symptoms decreased significantly.<br><b>Conclusions</b><br> Acupuncture electrotherapy to SP 6 did not appear to exacerbate hie symptoms after reductions in air temperature, while normalizing the postural vascular reflex and improving hie-related symptoms.

Effects of acupuncture treatment on lumbar disk herniation with phobia / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Objective:We successfully treated a patient suffering from pain and numbness in the waist and lower limbs with phobia. Sedative acupuncture treatment was performed in addition to somatic treatment.<BR>Case:A 64-year-old woman complained mainly of pain and numbness in the right waist and the lower limbs and had a sense of fear. Following the postoperative pain of lumbar disk herniation (L4-L5) in X-14 year, dorsal positioning without grasping anything frequently triggered a sense of fear with a scary feeling that her body was suspended in midair, which could not be alleviated by medication. As the symptoms in the waist and lower limbs recurred due to a fall in January of X year, she consulted an orthopedist in April. She was given a diagnosis of lumbar disk hernia (L5-S1) and hospitalized. Since the symptoms sustained, she consulted the department of acupuncture attached to the Kansai University of Health Sciences Clinic in November. The sense of fear triggered by dorsal position in the acupuncture treatment interfered with the treatment. When she was referred to the department of psychosomatic medicine, the diagnosis of "Other types"of the DSM-IV "300.29 specific phobia"was given. While low-frequency acupuncture electrotherapy on the same side and the same level as the hernia was provided, we applied sedative acupuncture treatment once a week 30 times using the following acupuncture points:GV23;PC6;CV17;and CV6. Before and after every acupuncture treatment after the 10th, the symptoms were evaluated with Finger Floor Distance (FFD), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain and mood (feelings) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). <BR>Results:The sense of fear during the acupuncture treatment slowly decreased after the 14th treatment. Decreases in FFD, VAS for pain and mood (feelings), and state anxiety score of STAI were observed. The pain and the numbness in the waist and the lower limbs decreased in parallel with the sense of fear. Furthermore, the dosage of hypnotic agent decreased gradually as sleep improved. <BR>Conclusion:Pain and numbness in the waist and the lower limbs with phobia were relieved by sedative acupuncture treatment.

Effect of acupuncture treatment in a schoolgirl with Asperger's disorder / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]Asperger's disorder, one of autism, is characterized by a limited radius of interest and activities and also difficulty in mutual social relationships. We treated a girl who developed school refusal due to general fatigue by directing our attention to the background of forming a symbiotic relationship with her mother, who had symptoms of depression. The symptoms of the both patients were improved by acupuncture treatment.<BR>[Case]A 12-year-old girl complained of general fatigue. Since May X (year), the patient had complained of general fatigue and had started refusing to attend school. In August, she consulted the psychiatry department and was diagnosed with Asperger's disorder. While receiving educational counseling by the city, she started undergoing acupuncture treatment from May X+1 (year). Prior to that treatment, her mother, who had complaints of joint pain due to pustulosis palmaris and depression, had started acupuncture treatment in September X (year). We applied acupuncture treatment once in 1-2 weeks with the aim of tonifying the heart and spleen, and unblocking yang, the governor vessel. We conducted fact-finding on the spot in minute detail for both patients. We asked them to use a categorical scale and provide scores for symptoms, particularly body (general) fatigue, feeling of sound sleep, glow of hands and feet, headache and dejection.<BR>[Result]We performed acupuncture treatment 28 times over 11 months and symptoms were a 30-50%improvement. The girl became able to go to classes for school-refusing children, which is managed autonomously, and also attended school events. Her mother's symptoms also scored similarly and stabilized.<BR>[Conclusion]The symptoms of the patient were related to the condition of her mother and also physical and mental imbalances due to adolescence. We concluded that acupuncture treatment for both the mother and girl improved the symbiotic relationship between mother and child, providing success in both acupuncture effects and countenancing acceptance.

Research of PSC (Phenomenon of the Propagated Sensation along Channels), Locations and Clinical Effects of the Meridian Point in Japan and China / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The Research Committee for the Meridian Point held its third workshop at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Kyoto. Evaluations and reports were presented on two topics.<BR><BR>The first topic:Study of PSC in Japan and China.<BR> 1) Literature search on PSC in China (Wang):A literature search on major studies on PSC in China since 1979 was conducted. The report introduces the definition, characteristics and the mechanism of PSC development together with meridian phenomena.<BR><BR> 2) PSC in reference to the ryodoraku (Morikawa):Development of the reactive ryodo point in patients under hemodialysis or those who have had a total gastrectomy and the cases in which reactive ryodo points or needle sensation developed when specific regions were stimulated were reported. The relationship between reactive ryodo points and PSC was examined. <BR><BR> 3) The mechanism by which PSC develops (Yamada):Neurotransmitter substances are released from sensory nerve endings during acupuncture stimulation. Absorbed by lymphatic vessels, these substances stimulate the smooth muscle of these vessels, thus causing the PSC. Based on factors such as transmission velocity and inhibitory factors, the mechanism by which PSC develops was investigated.<BR><BR>The second topic:Specific locations of meridian points and clinical effects of the meridian point.<BR> 1) Anatomical regions for GB 30 huantiao (Ozaki and Matsuoka):In establishing the international standard for the meridian points under the guidance of WHO, both Chinese and Japanese proposals were listed for GB 30. The clinical effects-presumably emanating from the subcutaneous structure when acupuncture stimuli are applied to these points in a direction perpendicular to the body surface-were comparatively evaluated. <BR><BR> 2) Transition in the regions and main effects of GB 30 (Sakaguchi):As stated above, both Japanese and Chinese definitions were cited in establishing the international standard for GB 30 under the guidance of WHO. By quoting the classic literature from China and Japan, changes in the regions and main effects of GB 30 were comparatively evaluated.

Commemorative Lecture Meeting for Publication of "WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region" / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The (First) Japan Acupuncture Point Committee was established in 1965 and the nomenclature for meridians and acupuncture points was standardized at the meeting in Geneva in 1989. After that the first Informal Consultation on Development of International Standard Acupuncture Points Locations was organized by WHO/WPRO and held in Beijing (2003). In Japan the (second) Japan Acupuncture Point committee started April in 2004. Japan, China and Korea held nine meetings and made a draft for the Locations of Acupuncture Points. According to the draft made at the official meeting of 'the Development of Standard Acupuncture Point Locations'held in Tsukuba, Japan (2006), Acupuncture Point Locations were further standardized. Finaly, the book "WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region"was published on May 16th, 2008. Here, we want to report on the Commemorative Lecture Meeting for Publication of WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations held on May 30th, 2008.

Quantitative Analysis of the Thermal Image of the Hand Dorsum in the Assessment of Peripheral Circulatory Impariment in Workers Exposed to Hand-Arm Vibration / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Infrared thermography was performed on 38 forestry workers. The thermograms were analyzed separately for the left and right hands of each subject. Of 75 hands evaluated, vibration-induced white finger was noted in 18 (VWF group), and no symptoms were noted in 57 (non-VWF group). In addition to the above two groups, 42 subjects (84 hands) who had no symptoms of vibration exposure were used as a control group. Based of the thermograms taken after a local warming of the hands for 5min, the temperature distributions of the dorsal aspect of subject's hands were evaluated, and the thermal images of the hand with VWF were categorized into three main patterns. To establish a quantitative evaluation index that incorporates the characteristic thermal image observed in the VWF group, we constructed the representative parameters for each of the three thermogram patterns, and a linear discriminant analysis was performed using the presence or absence of VWF symptoms as the dependent variable and the constructed parameters as the independent variables. A discriminant score derived from this model expression was used as the evaluation index. The accuracy of the index was estimated according to a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve of 0.942 was obtained (p<0.001). When the cutoff point was set at the maximum point in the Youden index, the sensitivity of the VWF group was 94.4%, and the specificity of the non-VWF group and control group was 84.2% and 89.3%, respectively. These findings suggest that this newly proposed quantitative analysis method, which uses the thermal distributions of the dorsal side of the hand as indicators, may be useful for evaluating peripheral circulatory impairment of HAVS.