Role of acupuncture in the present and future / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Currently, disease patterns in Japan are centered mainly on lifestyle-related diseases and diseases of the elderly, but in addition to these, mental illnesses, including stress and depression, are also increasing. This situation is expected to worsen in the future, and therefore, more efforts for health maintenance and its promotion, disease prevention, treatment of pre-symptomatic diseases, and care after illness are required more than ever before. Acupuncture and moxibustion have set "mibyo-chi" (treatment of pre-symptomatic diseases) as the highest behavioral health goal, and it recommends health maintenance and its promotion through "regimen." Acupuncture and moxibustion are based on the principle of maximum utilization of the body's self-control system through its natural healing power, which is, so to speak, the human body's renewable energy. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been trying to apply this power for the purpose of health maintenance and its promotion, disease prevention, treatment of pre-symptomatic diseases, and care after illness, respectively. The most important objectives of acupuncture and moxibustion have been health maintenance and its promotion and treatment of pre-symptomatic diseases. In the future, if society requires medical care that incorporates a social model, the era of acupuncture and moxibustion will have arrive. Acupuncture and moxibustion are based on the principle of maximum utilization of the body's self-control system through its natural healing power.

Nationwide survey on the business conditions of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction] During the 10-year period between 2006 to 2016, the number of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics has increased by 59%. There have been some nationwide surveys on the business conditions of massage-acupuncture-moxibustion clinics, but there have been no studies focusing on acupuncture-moxibustion clinics. It is necessary to investigate their actual business conditions as part of the basic data required for considering the future of such clinics. In this paper, we focus and report on the business conditions of the clinics from our nationwide survey data base.[Method] A survey was conducted on a total of 20,000 massage-acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan extracted with a stratified random sampling, including 15,000 private management clinics, 2,000 corporate clinics and 3,000 house call service suppliers. The survey was mailed out in October 2016. Replies from active acupuncture-moxibustion licensees were extracted and the questionnaires on the following items were analyzed; the number of patients, treatment fees, annual income, business type, and licenses. The calculated values are expressed as real values, percentiles, median values, and interquartile range.[Results and Conclusion] The average number of patients per month: 98, average treatment fee: 3,000 yen, and average annual income: 3,240,000 yen were shown to be the standard features of the business conditions for acupuncture-moxibustion clinics in Japan. The distribution of the aggregate values showed a large dispersion. Extreme bipolarization is shown in the annual income. It seemed to affect the low rate for receiving acupuncture-moxibustion treatments, and the unnecessary expenditure for judo therapies. More detailed analysis is required to clarify the actual business conditions of acupuncture-moxibustion clinics.

Literature Survey on Environmental Exposure to Antineoplastic Agents: / 医薬品情報学

Objective: In late 1970s, occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents was reported. Various countries, including Japan, have published guidelines for handling antineoplastic agents. Surveys are still being conducted to determine the levels of environmental exposure to antineoplastic agents at individual hospitals, and incidents of contamination are often reported. This study provides details regarding a literature survey conducted to evaluate the actual state of environmental contamination by antineoplastic agents and identify the related issues in order to promote environmental monitoring.Methods: The literature search was carried out from January 1, 1990 to July 31, 2017. PubMed and Ichushi-Web were searched with the following keywords: “antineoplastic agents,” “occupational exposure,” “surface contamination,” and “environmental monitoring.”Results: Following the literature search, 117 papers were included in the analysis. The findings showed that contamination by antineoplastic agents was widely reported in hospitals and places where antineoplastic drugs were not handled. The findings of this study regarding the actual state of environmental exposure are partial, as there is a lack of information on retail pharmacies and homes of outpatients who have received chemotherapy.Discussion: Therefore, further investigation is warranted. In addition, according to the current Japanese guidelines, published in 2015, environmental surveillance is not required to reduce contamination by antineoplastic agents. To promote environmental monitoring, we feel that it is necessary to determine a new survey method and the clarify optimum interval of environmental monitoring.

Comparison of the Habit of Bathing between Japanese Living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans Living in Los Angeles / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Purpose: Bathing habits are said to be affected by the country of residence. We investigated and compared bathing habits between Japanese living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans living in Los Angeles. Methods: 488 subjects living in Kyoto (Japanese) and 539 subjects living in Los Angeles (Japanese Americans) were enrolled. The survey items for bathing habits were as follows: frequency (times per week) and time (morning, afternoon, evening) of taking baths and showers, other styles of bathing, and bathing duration (both baths and showers). We performed a simple tabulation and cross tabulation, calculated 95% confidential intervals by simple tabulation, and compared the results using chi-square analysis. The survey was conducted in Los Angeles in October 2010 and in Kyoto in December 2013.Results: The percentage of subjects who took baths was 92.8% for Japanese and 56.0% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a bath was 36.8 points higher for Japanese compared with Japanese Americans. The percentage of subjects who took showers was 71.7% for Japanese and 82.6% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a shower was 10.9 points higher for Japanese Americans compared with Japanese. The most common response for frequency of bathing was “every day”, followed by “every other day” in both groups. The most common response for the time of taking a bath was “evening” in both groups. Among Japanese Americans, 21.8% took baths in the “morning”. Most Japanese indicated they took a shower “less than once a week” (48.0%), whereas most Japanese Americans took a shower “every day” (78%). The timing of taking a shower was in the “evening” for most Japanese, but in the “morning” or “evening” for most Japanese Americans. The most common response for bathing duration (both baths and showers) was “26-30 min” among Japanese and “6-10 min” among Japanese Americans.Discussion: For Japanese Americans, the purpose of bathing was suggested to be cleaning the body since their main style of bathing was taking showers of a short duration in the morning or evening. On the other hand, for Japanese, the purpose of bathing was thought to be cleaning and healing the body, but also maintaining health since their main style of bathing was taking baths of a long duration in the evening. We speculate that the country of residence affects bathing habits and that there are differences among people of the same race living in different countries.Conclusion: Bathing habits such as bathing style, the time of bathing and bathing duration were different between Japanese and Japanese Americans.

Comparison of the Habit of Bathing between Japanese Living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans Living in Los Angeles / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<p><b>Pur</b><b>pose:</b> Bathing habits are said to be affected by the country of residence. We investigated and compared bathing habits between Japanese living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans living in Los Angeles. </p><p><b>Methods:</b> 488 subjects living in Kyoto (Japanese) and 539 subjects living in Los Angeles (Japanese Americans) were enrolled. The survey items for bathing habits were as follows: frequency (times per week) and time (morning, afternoon, evening) of taking baths and showers, other styles of bathing, and bathing duration (both baths and showers). We performed a simple tabulation and cross tabulation, calculated 95% confidential intervals by simple tabulation, and compared the results using chi-square analysis. The survey was conducted in Los Angeles in October 2010 and in Kyoto in December 2013.</p><p><b>Results:</b> The percentage of subjects who took baths was 92.8% for Japanese and 56.0% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a bath was 36.8 points higher for Japanese compared with Japanese Americans. The percentage of subjects who took showers was 71.7% for Japanese and 82.6% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a shower was 10.9 points higher for Japanese Americans compared with Japanese. The most common response for frequency of bathing was “every day”, followed by “every other day” in both groups. The most common response for the time of taking a bath was “evening” in both groups. Among Japanese Americans, 21.8% took baths in the “morning”. Most Japanese indicated they took a shower “less than once a week” (48.0%), whereas most Japanese Americans took a shower “every day” (78%). The timing of taking a shower was in the “evening” for most Japanese, but in the “morning” or “evening” for most Japanese Americans. The most common response for bathing duration (both baths and showers) was “26-30 min” among Japanese and “6-10 min” among Japanese Americans.</p><p><b>Discussion:</b> For Japanese Americans, the purpose of bathing was suggested to be cleaning the body since their main style of bathing was taking showers of a short duration in the morning or evening. On the other hand, for Japanese, the purpose of bathing was thought to be cleaning and healing the body, but also maintaining health since their main style of bathing was taking baths of a long duration in the evening. We speculate that the country of residence affects bathing habits and that there are differences among people of the same race living in different countries.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> Bathing habits such as bathing style, the time of bathing and bathing duration were different between Japanese and Japanese Americans.</p>

Comparison of the Habit of Bathing between Japanese Living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans Living in Los Angeles / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<p><b>Purpose:</b> Bathing habits are said to be affected by the country of residence. We investigated and compared bathing habits between Japanese living in Kyoto and Japanese Americans living in Los Angeles. </p><p><b>Methods:</b> 488 subjects living in Kyoto (Japanese) and 539 subjects living in Los Angeles (Japanese Americans) were enrolled. The survey items for bathing habits were as follows: frequency (times per week) and time (morning, afternoon, evening) of taking baths and showers, other styles of bathing, and bathing duration (both baths and showers). We performed a simple tabulation and cross tabulation, calculated 95% confidential intervals by simple tabulation, and compared the results using chi-square analysis. The survey was conducted in Los Angeles in October 2010 and in Kyoto in December 2013.　</p><p><b>Results:</b> The percentage of subjects who took baths was 92.8% for Japanese and 56.0% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a bath was 36.8 points higher for Japanese compared with Japanese Americans. The percentage of subjects who took showers was 71.7% for Japanese and 82.6% for Japanese Americans. The frequency of taking a shower was 10.9 points higher for Japanese Americans compared with Japanese. The most common response for frequency of bathing was “every day”, followed by “every other day” in both groups. The most common response for the time of taking a bath was “evening” in both groups. Among Japanese Americans, 21.8% took baths in the “morning”. Most Japanese indicated they took a shower “less than once a week” (48.0%), whereas most Japanese Americans took a shower “every day” (78%). The timing of taking a shower was in the “evening” for most Japanese, but in the “morning” or “evening” for most Japanese Americans. The most common response for bathing duration (both baths and showers) was “26-30 min” among Japanese and “6-10 min” among Japanese Americans.</p><p><b>Discussion:</b> For Japanese Americans, the purpose of bathing was suggested to be cleaning the body since their main style of bathing was taking showers of a short duration in the morning or evening. On the other hand, for Japanese, the purpose of bathing was thought to be cleaning and healing the body, but also maintaining health since their main style of bathing was taking baths of a long duration in the evening. We speculate that the country of residence affects bathing habits and that there are differences among people of the same race living in different countries.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> Bathing habits such as bathing style, the time of bathing and bathing duration were different between Japanese and Japanese Americans.</p>

<b>A Study on the Association Between Skin Color and Health Condition</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

In Japanese traditional medicine, “<i>ganmenshin</i>” (facial diagnosis), which means assessment of a patient's health based on the color of his/her face, is frequently used in a clinical setting. However, little scientific evidence is available to substantiate such diagnoses. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between skin color and patient's health status to ascertain the clinical usefulness of the “<i>ganmenshin</i>” technique. We evaluated the color of the cheeks and forearms of 30 healthy study participants and also administered questionnaires to determine their health. A correlation was observed between skin color and work efficiency and the <i>inkyo </i>(yin-fluid deficiency) scores in all subjects. In male subjects, skin color was correlated with their bodymass index (BMI), self-rated health status, work efficiency, and <i>suitai </i>(fluid stagnation) scores. In female subjects, skin color was correlated with the patient's age, work efficiency, and <i>inkyo </i>scores. These results suggest that “<i>ganmenshin</i>” may be clinically useful because of the correlation between skin color and the health of patients.

Awareness Survey of Medical Representatives in Relation to Drug Information / 医薬品情報学

<b>Objective:</b> Beginning in October 2014 a drug risk management plan (RMP) will be authorized as a condition for drug approval and for this and other reasons the role the medical representatives (MRs) play regarding drug information will become even greater. We therefore decided to conduct drug information awareness surveys of the MRs who visit our hospital.<br><b>Methods:</b> We first conducted a questionnaire survey on RMP, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and postmarketing surveillance (PMS).　Following the survey we held a seminar for MRs in relation to RMPs, after which we conducted a questionnaire again.<br><b>Results:</b> The surveys revealed that most of the MRs were not actively gathering information provided by the PMDA.　They also revealed that after the seminar their knowledge regarding RMPs had increased and their understanding of the relationship between RMPs and PMS had deepened.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> Considering that the MRs gained a significantly deeper understanding after the seminar, participation by medical institutions, which are the recipients of the information, in the education of MRs can be said to be meaningful as a means of supporting proper information‐providing activities.

Series:Conveying Japan acupuncture to the future -in response to the Tokyo Declaration Past, present, and future of Japanese acupuncture / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

As a characteristic of traditional medicine, the direction of development of acupuncture and moxibustion would be headed towards localization. Whereas Western medicine has been developed along the road of globalization, traditional medicine has developed along the path of localization. <BR>So what are the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, which have been developed locally in Japan?Very delicate procedures for acupuncture and moxibustion, a variety of equipment, diagnosis that emphasizes heart pulse, and combination and compromise of various treatment methods are all such characteristics. These characteristics have been strongly influenced by Japanese culture, spirit, feelings, and mentality.<BR>It has been reported that acupuncture and moxibustion, as traditional medicine, were cultivated in close association with the people of each era. Since they are medical treatments that connote tradition, acupuncture and moxibustion should be able to meet the needs of people in any era. We need to reconfirm this and survey the future of acupuncture and moxibustion.

What do patients expect from Acupuncture? / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The concept of "patient's satisfaction"has become increasingly important among healthcare providers during the past decade. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapists have relatively longer contact time with patients, and a certain proportion of users of these remedies seek care for conditions that had not been satisfactorily managed with conventional care. Also, the comfortable process of the treatment is one of its beneficial characteristics. However, the characteristics and opinions of the users of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan have long remained unclear. We have conducted a series of nation-wide surveys between 2003-2007 with grants from the Foundation for Training and Licensure Examination in Anma-Massage-Acupressure, Acupuncture and Moxibustion. The questions in these surveys included utilization rates, patient satisfaction, reasons for discontinuation, opinions on costs, and so on. The results of these surveys are provided along with some discussion in this article.

Effect of acupuncture treatment on chronic allergic rhinitis / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective] Although allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic inflammatory disease, and many sufferers seek acupuncture and moxibustion treatments, the evidence that acupuncture therapy alleviates allergic rhinitis is uncertain. Symptoms of rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal obstruction are cardinal signs of chronic allergic rhinitis. Through a series of individual case studies, we investigated the clinical effects of acupuncture treatment on patients with chronic allergic rhinitis.<BR>[Method] Three patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis eachreceived 8 sessions of acupuncture treatments (two times per week for 4 weeks). Evaluations were performed during each treatment period (`period B`) and before and after each treatment period (‘period A’) (ABA design). Acupuncture treatment was performed on GV23, LI20, LI4, ST36, GB20, BL13, and BL23. The effects of the acupuncture treatments were assessed by the degree of allergic rhinitis severity, according to nasal mucosa observation, subjective nasal obstruction, and allergic rhinitis indicators in the blood (eosinophilis and non specific immunoglobulion E). <BR>[Results] During period B, one patient showed a general improvement of allergic rhinitis severity, and all three patients showed an improvement of allergic rhinitis symptom severities, especially nasal obstruction. The improvement of severity wasconfirmed by observation of nasal mucosae and the grade of subjective nasal obstruction. But blood indicators did not show a significant change.<BR>[Conclusion] This study indicated that acupuncture treatment was effective for alleviating allergic rhinitis symptoms, especially nasal obstruction.

<b>Randomized Controlled Study on Enhanced Cognitive Function </b><b>with Acupuncture and Improvements in Life Style </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Since it is supposed that the number of patients with dementia will increase as populations age in the near future, it is important to prevent dementia. In the present study, we examined whether acupuncture and life style improvements are able to enhance cognitive function.<BR>The subjects who worry about being forgetful were recruited and divided at random into two groups ; a group receiving acupuncture with transcutaneous electrical acupuncture-point stimulation (TEAS) and im provements in life style (20 subjects ; group A) and a group undergoing improvements in life style alone (20 subjects ; group B) for 12 weeks. The results showed that the cognitive functions assessed via a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, sleep time, and sleep efficiency were improved in all subjects included in groups A and B after the interventions. There were significant pre-to post-intervention differences in MMSE and sleep efficiency in group A only. It was found that these interven tions increased NK cells, NK activity and B cell numbers, and decreased T cell and helper T cell numbers.Thus, acupuncture and improvement of life style could enhance cognitive function and may be useful for the prevention of dementia.

Investigation of the beautification effects of acupuncture and acupressure / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]It was recently accepted that skin problems are aggravated in women who are stressed or neglect their health. For such conditions, acupuncture for the purpose of beautification and health improvement attracts attention, thus expanding the science of acupuncture into an entirely new field called "Beauty (Cosmetic) Acupuncture."<BR>Here, we investigated the beauty efficacy of acupuncture and acupressure on healthy women.<BR>[Methods]Fourteen healthy women (mean age, 43.0 ± 8.1 years) who had noticeable skin roughness were randomly divided into 2 groups:acupuncture group (n = 7) and acupressure group (n = 7). Both groups received their respective treatments twice a week for 4 weeks.<BR>Measurements for the subjective evaluation were based on self-rated health (SRH) and subjective physical and mental fatigue, which were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Nowlis mood checklist, and a questionnaire about skin condition. Measurements for the objective evaluation were the melanin index of the skin;the Hb index;the HbO2 index; 3D measurement of the face, determined from range images;wrinkle-area ratio, determined from replicas, corneocyte surface area, and skin color (L*, a*, b*);and facial impression rating.<BR>[Results]The acupuncture group showed a significant improvement in subjective measurement of skin condition (wrinkle, slack, and total condition) in addition to a slight decrease in wrinkle-area ratio, as determined by image analysis. The acupressure group showed a significant improvement in subjective measurement of skin condition (quantity of sebum secretion) and Nowlis mood checklist score, in addition to marginally significant improvement in skin color (L*, b*), HbO2 index, and amount of melanin in the skin.<BR>[Conclusion]Acupuncture and acupressure may bring about morphological changes in facial skin and improvement in skin color, respectively. We conclude that acupuncture and acupressure have different effects on skin condition.

Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation on repetitive exercise-induced oxidative stress / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]Daily repetitive exercise is known to be necessary for players in sports. In this study, to further explore the potential functions of acupuncture, we studied whether electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation has efficacy for repetitive exercise-induced oxidative stress.<BR>[Methods]Six healthy male volunteers participated in both the non-treatment control group and the EA group in a crossover design. EA stimulation was applied to both the medial vastus muscles at 2 Hz and optimum intensity for each subject during ten min just before each exercise period. The subject performed ergometer exercise for 20 min with 75%of maximal oxygen uptake each day. This exercise period was performed once a day for three consecutive days. Blood lactate level (BLL) and plasma lipid peroxide (LP) concentration were measured as the markers for metabolism and oxidative stress, respectively. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the individual level of fatigue due to exercise.<BR>[Results]During and just after the exercise period, each value of BLL in the EA group was lower than the same points in the control group. Whereas LP concentrations before the exercise period on the first day in the control group was higher than the values in the same points on the second and third days. LP concentrations before the exercise period in the EA group were almost the same levels for three days. Furthermore, after the exercise period for the three consecutive days, LP concentrations and VAS in the EA group were lower than each value of the same points in the control group, and especially, the alteration of VAS showed a significant difference. <BR>[Conclusion]The increased tendency of LP concentrations before the exercise period for three days in the control group indicated that repetitive exercise induced the accumulation of excess lipid peroxide. It might be suggested that EA stimulation suppressed subjective fatigue by an enhanced energy metabolic rate and decreased production of lipid peroxide. Hence the evidence strongly supported that EA stimulation might be useful for sports conditioning.

Japan-China-Korea communication on acupuncture and moxibustion / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

To improve integrative medicine in Japan, it is important to understand characteristics of Japanese medical care and acupuncture and advance consideration on them. Medical care including acupuncture and moxibustion is affected by society culture and history, so different countries have different characteristics. Many practitioners of acupuncture and moxibustion have few opportunities to know the circumstances of acupuncture and moxibustion in each country. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to contribute to the development of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion by understanding each country's medical systems, education, instruments used, technical skills, therapeutic approaches, clinical examination methods, and so on. Many people will recognize acupuncture and moxibustion's peculiarities and universalities, and broaden the network of mutual understanding that crosses borders.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Activity — Relation between autonomic nerve functions and anxiety — / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Background</b><br> Although acupuncture medicine has been used with the aim of maintenance or promotion of health as well as improvement and/or cure of disease, scientific evidences regarding the effect of the therapy on health maintenance or health promotion so far are limited. We evaluated the effect of electroacupuncture on oxidative stress, antioxidative activity, autonomic nerve functions and anxiety to investigate the usefulness of the therapy in terms of health maintenance and health promotion.<br><b>Methods</b><br> Subjects of the present study were nine healthy volunteers (six males and three females, mean age 29.3years). These subjects participated in two experimental conditions (with and without electroacupuncture) at random order with an interval of at least one week. Oxidative stress and antioxidative activity were determined with an automatic free radical analyzer (FRAS-4). Autonomic nerve functions were evaluated with heart rate valiability (HRV) analysis using an ECG monitoring system. Also, psychological statement was evaluated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). These evaluation were carried out immediately before and after electroacupuncture or resting period both of which the duration was set for 15 minutes. Electroacupuncture was carried out at LI4 (Hegu) and LI10 (Shousanli) at a frequency of 1.3Hz with a comfortable intensity for the subject. Comparison of the data between immediately before and after stimulation was performed with paired-t test. Repeated measures ANOVA was applied for comparison between groups. Correlation analysis was performed to estimate relation between outcomes. All the analysis was carried out using commercially available statistical software (SPSS ver. 11). A p-value less than five percents was considered statistical significance.<br><b>Results</b><br> Antioxidative activity was markedly increased under the condition of that electroacupuncture was carried out (p<0.05), which resulted in a statistically significnt difference when compared with those in the control condition, while no statistically significant difference was found between two conditions in the oxidative stress. No significant difference after electroacupuncture was found in any items of HRV analysis and the STAI. There was no significant correlation between changes in the antioxidative activity, items in HRV and STAI.<br><b>Discussion & Conclusion</b><br> Electroacupuncture was capable of increasing antioxidative activity but had no influence on the autonomic nerve functions and anxiety. We suggested that the mechanism underlying the effect of electroacupuncture to the antioxidative activity may not involve changes in the autonomic nerve functions or psychological factors, but rather depending on the micro injury in the tissue at the needling points or muscle contraction which had been evoked during stimulation.

Development of an <I>in vivo</I> Rat Model of Muscle Strain to Study the Effect of Electroacupuncture / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Aim</B><BR>  The study aimed to develop an appropriate <I>in vivo</I> rat model of muscle strain to investigate whether electroacupuncture is useful for improving muscle strain.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>  An <I>in vivo</I> muscle strain model was developed with Wistar rats by the eccentric contraction (EC) evoked by pulling their hind limb with a stainless-steel wire that was connected to a weight; the EC was given under anesthesia during tetanic contraction in their gastrocnemius evoking by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Development of muscle strain was evaluated by comparing the muscle tension induced by the twitch of the gastrocnemius, pain thresholds measured using the Randall-Selitto test, and the serum creatine kinase (CK) activity between the following three experimental groups : EC×1 group, EC was temporarily evoked to their hind limb only once (n=10); EC×5 group, EC was temporarily evoked to their hind limb five times consecutively (n=6); and control group, EC was not evoked to their hind limb (n=6). After confirming the absence of a significant difference in the parameters between the two EC conditions, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) was evaluated using the model of one-time EC (EA group n=10). At 12 hours after EC, EA was carried out at a frequency of 50 Hz and an intensity of 0.5 mA for 15 min; this stimulation was given for six consecutive days.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>  Muscle tension, pain thresholds, and the CK activity showed no remarkable changes in the control group during the experimental period. A significant decrease in the muscle tension was observed after EC in the EC×1 and EC×5 groups, and the decrease sustained until 48 and 24 hours after EC, respectively. Pain thresholds in the EC×1 and EC×5 groups were significantly lower than those in the control group at each of the time periods studied after EC, and were sustained at least until 120 hours after EC. The CK activity increased in the EC×1 and the EC×5 groups at 30 minutes after EC. Recovery in muscle tension after EC was faster in the EA group than in the EC×1 group. Pain thresholds also showed faster recovery in the EA group than in the EC×1 group, indicating statistically significant differences at 72, 96, and 120 hours after EC.<BR><B>Discussion</B><BR>  The <I>in vivo</I> rat model, which was developed in the present study, was considered to be an appropriate model of muscle strain because it clearly showed a decrease in the muscle tension and pain thresholds, and an elevation in the CK activity. EA was considered to be capable of accelerating the recovery of muscle strain as it was found to improve muscle tension and pain thresholds in the model.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Cardiac Performance in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Purpose</B><br> We assessed the effect of Electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on cardiac perfor-mance of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), analyzing left ventricular pressure-volume (PV) relationship.<br><b>Methods</b><br> SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) were anesthetized with isoflurane (1%). Conductance catheter (SPR-838, Millar instruments, Houston, Texas) was inserted into left ventricle via carotid artery. Steady state was maintained for at least 5 min before EA was started. <br> EA stimulation point was set on the right anterior side of hindlimb, corresponding to Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in humans. SHR and WKY underwent EA stimulation in a frequency of 2Hz and intensity of 6mA with a pulse generator (Han’s Healthronics Likon,Taipei, Taiwan) for 15 min. PV relationship was measured at baseline, 10min after the start of EA stimulation and at 0, 5, 10, 15 min after the end, then analyzed to obtain parameters for cardiac performance.<br><b>Result</b><br> In the basic state before EA stimulation, ESP, SW, PVA, Ea, dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin, Pmax, ESPVR and EDPVR in SHR was significantly higher than those in WKY(ESP, 109.6±8.3 vs. 175.0±14.6mmHg, p<0.01 ; SW, 5.7±1.6 vs. 8.8±3.7mmHg·ml, p<0.05 ; PVA, 11.7±4.0 vs. 19.3±6.4mmHg· ml, p<0.01 ; Ea, 1804.2±382.4 vs. 2625.3±629.3 mmHg/ml, p<0.01 ; dp/dtmax, 7512.9±1628.8 vs. 13406.3±1771.4mmHg/s, p<0.01 ; dp/dtmin, -7159.7±1236.8 vs. -12082.5±1280.2 mmHg/s, p<0.01 ; Pmax, 116.7±6.8 vs. 176.8±14.6mmHg, p<0.01 ; ESPVR, 1013.8±320.3 vs. 1520.1±494.8mmHg/ml, p<0.05 ; EDPVR 70.0±39.3 vs. 178.3±130.2 mmHg/ml, p<0.05, respectively), indicating increased systolic function and decreased diastolic function in SHR.<br> Significant change in parameters of WKY could not be observed after EA stimulation.In SHR, ESP, EDP, Ea, dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin, Pmax was significantly decreased at 10 min after EA started. ESPVR was not significantly affected by EA in both WKY and SHR, however, ESPVR tended to be increased in WKY and decreased in SHR at 10min after the start of EA stimulation.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> EA decreased indicators of systolic function in SHR that is significantly higher than WKY. This study suggests that EA improved enhanced systolic function in SHR, compared with WKY.

Relationship between katakori (shoulder stiffness) and shoulder hardness / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]The present study investigated the relationship between subjective symptoms of katakori (shoulder stiffness) and shoulder hardness which was examined both with clinical palpation and a mechanical device, as well as the correlation between these two measurements. <BR>[Methods]Subjects were enrolled to the study if they had a stiff shoulder on the day of the visit (katakori group, n = 60) or if they had no experience of katakori in their lifetime (non-katakori group, n = 10). The intensity of the katakori was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Shoulder hardness was evaluated at acupoint Jianjing (GB21) and at the point where the subject felt the most intensive symptom by both palpation of experienced acupuncturists who were unaware of the allocation and a hardness meter. The method of acupuncture treatment was decided by acupuncturists who were not an evaluator of the hardness.<BR>[Results and Discussion]There was no significant relationship in the hardness measured with the device and palpation between the katakori group and non-katakori group. Also, the intensity of katakori (VAS) and the changes after treatment showed no significant correlation with the hardness and its changes. These results support the validity of our clinical experience that patients who complain of severe shoulder stiffness do not always have a hard shoulder.

Effects of acupuncture stimulation at distal meridian point on ocular circulation -The comparison between LI4, GB20, BL18, GB37,and LI11- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]We researched the effect of five distal acupuncture points that is used for a treatment of eye disorders. [Method]This study was conducted on healthy non-smoking volunteers. We observed change at the time of the rest (Study 1, the control group n=65), and we observed effects of ocular circulation by acupuncture stimulation (Study 2, the stimulus group n=118). Stimulus groups were divided into five groups that are according to the acupoint stimulated as following:GB20 (Fuchi) group, LI4 (Gokoku) group, BL18 (Kanyu) group, GB37 (Komei) group and LI11 (Kyokuchi) group. Blood-flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) in the central retinal artery (CRA) of the eye were measured using color Doppler imaging. An acupuncture needle was retained for 15min at the selected point. Dates were obtained at intervals of 7.5 min for a total of seven times during a 45-minute period while the subject was in the sitting position. [Results]In the control group showed no significant changeas for all cases of blood-flow velocity and PI. In groups with the stimulus showed that blood-flow velocity in the CRA was increased significantly and PI was decreased significantly. Blood pressure and heart rate scarcely changed in two groups.[Conclusion]These results suggest that acupuncture on the distal acupuncture points that is used for a treatment of eye disorders changes the circulation of CRA. The effect on the ocular circulation was greater in GB37 or in LI4, and was comparatively smaller in GB20.