Moxibustion plus Acupuncture for the Treatment of Poststroke Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: In China, 45% of stroke patients suffer from poststroke shoulder pain, which brings about many obstacles to further rehabilitation. To date, there have been a few studies evaluating the effects of acupuncture or massage in treating poststroke shoulder pain, and good effects have been shown. However, better clinical treatments are still needed. OBJECTIVE: To explore a more effective treatment for poststroke shoulder pain, the clinical effects of moxibustion plus acupuncture were assessed. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into the control and intervention groups. The control group received a standard stroke treatment protocol including acupuncture, and the intervention group was given moxibustion combined with acupuncture. The visual analogue scale (VAS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, Barthel Index, and 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) were applied, and differences were analyzed. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, compared with the control group, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement in Fugl-Meyer motor assessment and HAMD-17 (both p < 0.01) as well as in the VAS, NIHSS, and Barthel Index (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion plus acupuncture treatment can alleviate poststroke shoulder pain, improve upper limb motor function and the ability to perform activities of daily living, and relieve patients' depression.

Xiaoyaosan Produces Antidepressant Effects in Rats via the JNK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Xiaoyaosan (XYS) has achieved definite curative effects in clinic. However, the mechanism is not clear. Previous studies of our team indicated XYS improved anxiety-like behaviors through inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway of hippocampus. OBJECTIVES: In the study, we explored whether the JNK signaling pathway is involved in the mechanism of XYS treating depression. METHOD: Forty-eight rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (n = 12): the control group (deionized water, p.o.), the model group (deionized water, p.o.), the fluoxetine group (2.08 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and the XYS group (3.9 g/kg/day, p.o.). All rats except for the control group were given continuous 21 days of chronic immobilization stress (CIS; 3 h/day). On day 29, the body weights and the behavioral tests, including the novelty suppressed feeding test, the open field test, and the elevated plus maze test, were measured. On day 30, all the rats were sacrificed, and three indices of the JNK signaling pathway were tested by Western blot. RESULTS: The body weight and behavioral tests of all groups indicated that 21 days of CIS induced depression-like behaviors. After 21 days of treatment with fluoxetine and XYS, changes were seen in body weight, behaviors, and JNK, phosphorylated JNK (P-JNK), and phosphorylated c-Jun (P-c-Jun) levels in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: XYS ameliorated the depression-like behaviors, potentially through affecting the JNK signaling pathway in the hippocampus.

[Effects of needle retaining at Zusanli (ST 36) on hemodynamic change of anterior tibial artery].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of needle retaining on hemodynamic change and investigate the significance of retaining needle. METHODS: Manual acupuncture was performed at the left Zusanli (ST 36) of 26 healthy adult volunteers who have not receiued acupuncture. 26 cases were randomly divided into a needle retaining group and a quick needling group, 13 cases in each group. Hemodynamic parameters of the anterior tibial artery were observed with color Doppler ultrasound before needling and 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needle manipulation. Hemodynamic parameters were also compared between the two groups 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needle manipulation. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in V(max) and Vm between 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes after needling manipulation (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle retaining can not change regional hemodynamic.