Observation on Short-Term Therapeutic Effect of Electroacupuncture on Compensatory Hypertrophy Of Gastrocnemius Muscle: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: In Oriental women, having thick and short legs is a common posture problem, and having an imperfect lower leg shape is one of the factors that can cause feelings of inferiority. To address this issue, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in improving compensatory hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle while also reducing side effects. The goal of this study is to improve the clinical treatment plan for this type of problem. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2020 and March 2022 at the Changhai Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China. This study included 80 patients who were divided into two equal groups - the infrared (IR) group and the electroacupuncture (EA) group, based on the type of treatment they received during the research. The EA group received electroacupuncture and infrared treatment, while the IR group used an infrared therapeutic instrument to irradiate their lower legs on both sides. The main outcome measures were 3 calf circumference levels and the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle in two-dimensional ultrasound. The secondary outcome measure was the incidence of adverse events. Results: According to the data, before the treatment there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in calf circumference and ultrasound gastrocnemius cross-sectional area. After the treatment, the value of each calf circumference level and ultrasound gastrocnemius cross-sectional area were significantly lower than the value collected before the treatment in the EA Group. However, there is no significant change in the data of the infrared therapeutic group before and after treatment. By comparing the data between the 2 groups we collected after the treatment, the value of each calf circumference level and ultrasound gastrocnemius cross-sectional area of the EA group is significantly lower than that of the IR group. Only 8 patients suffered from lower limb pain and other discomfort after treatment, and these symptoms did not cause dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture is an effective treatment for compensatory hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Comparison of femoral nerve block and acupuncture analgesia for acute preoperative pain in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to compare the efficacy of femoral nerve block (FNB) and acupuncture for acute preoperative pain in patients with femoral neck fracture (FNF). METHODS: From June 2017 to June 2019, 130 patients with FNF were included in this study. Sixty-six patients received FNB treatment (FNB group) and sixty-four patients received acupuncture treatment (Acupuncture group). The clinical information, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, nursing quality scores, sleep quality scores, delirium numbers, and perioperative complications were collected and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The resting VAS score and the exercise VAS score decreased after FNB or acupuncture in both groups. Thirty minutes after analgesia, the resting VAS scores in the FNB group and the acupuncture group were 27.3±8.0 and 27.9±7.8, respectively (P=0.67); while exercise VAS scores were 60.2±10.4 and 59.5±9.8, respectively (P=0.73). In addition, there was no statistical difference in the VAS score between the two groups on day 1 and day 2 after admission. There was no statistical difference in nursing quality, sleep rhythm disorder, sleep quality, or times of mental disorder between the two groups. CONCLUSION: FNB analgesia and acupuncture analgesia are safe and effective for the control of acute preoperative pain in senile patients with femoral neck fracture. Both methods have good analgesic effects, which can improve nursing and sleep quality, and reduce the incidence of delirium. As a traditional Chinese medicine method, acupuncture analgesia can effectively manage the acute preoperative pain in senile femoral neck fracture patients.

Mediating Role of Mental Resilience between Sleep Quality and Mindfulness Level of Pregnant Women Screened by Prenatal Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the status quo of psychological resilience, mindfulness level, the sleep quality of pregnant women by Prenatal Diagnosis Screening, and the mediating effect of psychological resilience on sleep quality and mindfulness. METHODS: A survey of 298 pregnant women was conducted using the psychological resilience scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and the concise version of the five-factor mindfulness scale. RESULTS: The total score of psychological resilience of pregnant women was (68.96 ± 17.27), mindfulness was (77.25 ± 12.65), the median of total sleep quality was 6, and the detection rate of sleep disorders was 31.9%. The sleep quality of pregnant women was negatively correlated with mindfulness level and psychological resilience (p < 0.01), and mindfulness level was positively associated with psychological resilience (p < 0.01). Bootstrap analysis showed that psychological resilience played an 14.1% mediating role between mindfulness and sleep quality. CONCLUSION: The psychological resilience of pregnant women is low, sleep quality is poor, and mindfulness is mild to moderate. Psychological resilience plays an important role in mediating between mindfulness level and sleep quality that suggests nursing staff should pay attention to and improve the psychological resilience of pregnant women screened by prenatal diagnosis to improve the mindfulness level and sleep quality of pregnant women screened by prenatal diagnosis.

Fire-needle acupuncture for upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fire-needle acupuncture, an important kind of acupuncture therapy, has been clinically used to treat upper limb spastic paralysis (ULSP) after stroke. Clinical experience has indicated that fire-needle acupuncture treatment takes less time, requires fewer visits, and has more rapid results and fewer side effects compared to chemical medicine alternatives. This study will evaluate the effects of fire-needle acupuncture for ULSP in the context of standardized clinical research and provide high-quality data to inform clinical procedures and future study design. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial will be carried out to evaluate the effects of fire-needle acupuncture therapy in patients with ULSP from stroke. ULSP patients (n = 120) will be recruited at Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China. Patients will be randomly divided into three groups, including fire-needle acupuncture group (FAG), filiform-needle acupuncture group (FFAG) and rehabilitation treatment group (RTG). During the 3-week treatment, the FAG will be treated every two days, while FFAG and RTG will be treated 5 d in a row and then rest for 2 d. The Simplified Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale will be used as the primary outcome measures. Statistical analysis will be conducted by an independent statistician. DISCUSSION: Through this study, the utility of fire-needle acupuncture in treating ULSP after stroke will be tested, and some specific claims of fire-needle acupuncture therapy will be evaluated, such as relieving spasm and muscular tension, improving activities of daily living, rapidity of response and less frequency of treatment compared with other treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR-IOR-17013875; registration date: 28 December 2016).