Effects of Acupuncture upon cerebral hemodynamics in cerebral small vessel disease: A pilot study.

Background and aims: Recent preclinical studies and meta-analysis of clinical trials suggested that acupuncture may improve cognition in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We investigated the cerebral hemodynamics of acupuncture in subjects with CSVD and compared its impact upon the cerebral hemodynamics in normal elderly subjects. Methods: 10 subjects with CSVD (CSVD group) and 10 aged-matched control subjects who had no or insignificant CSVD (control group) were recruited. A single session of acupuncture was applied for 30 min in both groups. We assessed the effect of our acupuncture intervention on cerebral hemodynamics by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and pulsatility index (PI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were assessed. Results: We observed that PSV increased by a maximum of 39% at 20 min (p<0.05), while there was no significant change in PI in the CSVD group during the acupuncture session. In the control group, although we observed no significant change in PSV during the acupuncture session, there was a significant decrease in PI by a maximum of 22% at 20 min (p<0.05). No adverse events were reported during or after the procedure. Conclusion: This study suggested that our acupuncture prescription was associated with an increase in cerebral blood flow in subjects with established moderate to severe CSVD yet without apparent impact on distal vascular resistance. While, in subjects with no or insignificant CSVD, it may reduce cerebral small vessel distal vascular resistance. A larger study is needed to confirm our findings.

Noneffectiveness of electroacupuncture for comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome are common and therapeutically challenging. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in relieving anxiety and bowel symptoms in Chinese adults with this form of comorbidity. METHODS: In a single-blind randomized sham-controlled trial, subjects with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome were randomly assigned to receive 10 weekly sessions of electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Patients were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and at 6-week follow-up. Primary outcome was anxiety (7-item Patient Health Questionnaire section for anxiety). Secondary outcomes included bowel symptoms (bowel symptoms questionnaire), depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire), somatic symptoms (15-item Patient Health Questionnaire), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5 Dimensions). RESULTS: Eighty subjects, 40 in each arm, were randomized. All but two in the sham group completed 10 weekly sessions. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients experiencing significant (≥ 50%) reduction of anxiety symptoms between the two groups immediately after intervention (32.4% vs 21.6%, P = 0.06) and at 6-week follow-up (25.7% in electroacupuncture vs 27% in sham, P = 0.65). Anxiety, depressive symptom, and bowel symptom severity did not differ significantly between electroacupuncture and sham groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings failed to support the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. Further studies are needed to identify effective acupuncture treatment protocols for such comorbidity.

Effects of auricular stimulation in the cavum conchae on glucometabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of auricular stimulation in cavum conchae on the glycemic control for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Seventy-one cases were treated with auricular electrical stimulator in the cavum choncha for 30 min, once daily for consecutive 3 months. The changes on the fasting plasma glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose after a 75 g oral glucose load (P2BG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), total cholesterol (TC) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were compared before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The level of the HbA1c was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and there were also statistically significant decreases in BUN, SCr, TC and AST after the treatment (P<0.05). A few patients (n=7) reduced the dose of the hypoglycemic agents in response to repeated hypoglycemia during the treatment. CONCLUSION: The stimulation in the cavum conchae of patients with types 2 diabetes mellitus may help decrease HbA1c, BUN, SCr, TC and AST, and may be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture: a multicentral controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess objectively the efficacy of migraine without aura treated by comprehensive auricular acupuncture. METHODS: Ninty patients of migraine without aura from three centers were selected as the observation subjects. Thirty cases from each center were treated with the comprehensive auricular acupuncture. This therapy included the retroauricular venous bleeding on the ears, the autologous blood injection at Fengchi (GB 20) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) and bleeding at the Nie (temporal), Zhen (occiput), Yidan (pancreas), Shenmen, Pizhixia (subcortex) and Neifenmi (endocrine) of auricular point. The therapy was applied once every 7-10 days. The continuous 3 treatments made one session. RESULTS: At the end of one session for the patients in three centers, the headache scores were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (all P< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in comparison among three centers (all P>0.05). The clinical total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30), 90.0% (27/30) and 93.3% (28/30) in three centers separately. There was no obvious difference in the efficacy in comparison among three centers (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive auricular acupuncture reduces apparently the headache score for migraine without aura and relieves the clinical symptoms of migraine. It is the simple and effective therapy for migraine without aura.

[Effects of stimulating in the cavum concha on glucometabolism in patients with diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the intervention effect of the auricular stimulator in the cavum concha for diabetes. METHODS: Forty-five cases were treated with auricular simulator in the cavum concha for 30 min, once daily for consecutive 3 months. The changes of the fasting plasma glucose (FBG), blood glucose load after 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (P2 BG)and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The level of the HbA1c was obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and there were also statistically significant differences in FBG and P2 BG after the treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: With the auricular stimulator, the stimulation in the cavum concha is benefit for the improvement of HbA1c of the diabetes.

Forty cases of insomnia treated by suspended moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20).

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of suspended moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) for insomnia. METHODS: 75 cases were divided randomly into two groups, with 40 cases in the treatment group treated by suspended moxibustion over Baihui (GV 20) and 35 cases in the control group treated by oral administration of Estazolam. RESULTS: The difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that suspended moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) is as effective as Estazolam for insomnia.