Bushen Huoxue Fang improves recurrent miscarriage in mice by down-regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHXF, a traditional Chinese medicine formula) for improving recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in mice and the role of tyrosine kinase (JAK2) and transcriptional activator (STAT3) signaling pathway in its therapeutic mechanism.@*METHODS@#Female CBA/J mice were caged with male DBA/2 mice to establish RSA mouse models, which were randomly divided into model group, dydrogesterone group and BSHXF group, with the female mice caged with male BALB/c mice as the control group (n=6). From the first day of pregnancy, the mice were subjected to daily intragastric administration of BSHXF, dydrogesterone, or distilled water (in control and model groups) for 12 days. After the treatments, serum levels of antithrombin III (AT-III), activated protein C (APC), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and estradiol (E2) were detected in each group using ELISA. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the endometrium of the mice. Western blotting was performed to determine the expressions of p-JAK2, p-Stat3 and Bcl-2 in the placenta of the mice.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control mice, the mouse models of RSA showed a significantly increased embryo loss rate with decreased serum levels of AT-III, T-PA, progesterone, APC and HCG, increased placental expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl-2 (P < 0.05). Treatments with BSHXF and dydrogesterone both increased serum levels of AT-III, t-PA and HCG in the mouse models; Serum APC level was significantly reduced in BSHXF group and serum progesterone level was significantly increased in dydrogesterone group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BSHXF can improve the prethrombotic state and inhibit cell apoptosis by downregulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to increase the pregnancy rate in mouse models of RSA.

Acupuncture-Neuroimaging Research Trends over Past Two Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify topics attracting growing research attention as well as frontier trends of acupuncture-neuroimaging research over the past two decades.@*METHODS@#This paper reviewed data in the published literature on acupuncture neuroimaging from 2000 to 2020, which was retrieved from the Web of Science database. CiteSpace was used to analyze the publication years, countries, institutions, authors, keywords, co-citation of authors, journals, and references.@*RESULTS@#A total of 981 publications were included in the final review. The number of publications has increased in the recent 20 years accompanied by some fluctuations. Notably, the most productive country was China, while Harvard University ranked first among institutions in this field. The most productive author was Tian J with the highest number of articles (50), whereas the most co-cited author was Hui KKS (325). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (92) was the most prolific journal, while Neuroimage was the most co-cited journal (538). An article written by Hui KKS (2005) exhibited the highest co-citation number (112). The keywords "acupuncture" (475) and "electroacupuncture" (0.10) had the highest frequency and centrality, respectively. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ranked first with the highest citation burst (6.76).@*CONCLUSION@#The most active research topics in the field of acupuncture-neuroimaging over the past two decades included research type, acupoint specificity, neuroimaging methods, brain regions, acupuncture modality, acupoint specificity, diseases and symptoms treated, and research type. Whilst research frontier topics were "nerve regeneration", "functional connectivity", "neural regeneration", "brain network", "fMRI" and "manual acupuncture".

Application of Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion in hospice care for terminal cancer patients / 中国针灸

To analyze the application feasibility of Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion in hospice care for terminal cancer patients. Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion adjusts the spirit to regulate emotions and fortifies the spleen to supplement and boost foundation of acquired (postnatal) constitution. And it could relieve adverse reactions after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alleviate pain and regulate emotions in hospice care for terminal cancer patients, so as to promote the progress of hospice care for terminal cancer patients.

Correlation between curative effect and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture for regulating / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the curative effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) between acupuncture for regulating @*METHODS@#A total of 231 patients with IBS-D were randomized into an acupuncture group (154 cases) and a western medication group (77 cases) at the ratio of 2 to 1. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to acupoint regimen for regulating @*RESULTS@#After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-SSS in the patients of the two groups were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture for regulating

Bidirectional regulation of acupuncture: a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture based on a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with @*METHODS@#A total of 519 patients were included in the analysis, including 137 patients with constipation type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) (92 cases in the acupuncture group and 45 cases in the polyethylene glycol [PEG] group), and 382 patients with diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) (252 cases in the acupuncture group and 130 cases in the pinaverium group). The patients in the acupuncture group were given acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) once every other day, 3 times a week. The patients in the PEG group received polyethylene glycol 4000 powder orally, and the pinaverium group received pinaverium bromide tablets orally. All were treated for 6 weeks. The IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) was assessed at baseline, treatment period (2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment) and 12 weeks of follow-up, and the IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) score was evaluated at the baseline period, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up.@*RESULTS@#The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-C patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and follow-up of 12 weeks were lower than those in the baseline period (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture with

Exploration on the relationship between acupuncture for mind-regulation and flow theory / 中国针灸

Based on the story of Chinese idiom, (a magical and skilled form of craftsmanship) as the breakthrough point, this paper discusses the both (cook) and the experienced acupuncture practitioner have the same high skills and explores the potential relationship between mind-regulation in treatment with acupuncture and flow theory. It is believed that the skills of ancient acupuncture practitioner in mind-regulation with acupuncture is not only a kind of "Tao" mode, but also a state of "flow". By the discussion on mind-regulation and flow theory, modern people may have more clear recognition on the mind regulation in treatment with acupuncture so as to better determine the therapeutic methods of acupuncture for mind-regulation.

Analysis on acupoint selection rules for reflux esophagitis / 中国针灸

The data mining technology was used to explore the acupoint selection rules for reflux esophagitis (RE), so as to provide references of clinical acupuncture for RE. The clinical literature of acupuncture for RE published before June 2019 was searched in Chinese journal full-text database (CNKI), SinoMed, Wanfang and VIP databases. The literature was selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and acupoint prescriptions were extracted. The software of IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 and Clementine 12.0 were used for descriptive analysis and association analysis. A total of 46 articles were selected and 60 acupoint prescriptions were extracted. The descriptive analysis indicated that the top five acupoints used for RE were Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), Weishu (BL 21), Neiguan (PC 6) and Gongsun (SP 4). The conception vessel, bladder meridian and stomach meridian were the most commonly selected meridians. In terms of specific acupoints, the crossing points, the front- points and five- points were mainly selected, and the acupoints were mainly distributed in limbs and chest-abdomen. The core acupoint combination for RE was "Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36)" and the core prescription was "Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), Weishu (BL 21) and Neiguan (PC 6)".

The value of acupuncture-moxibustion in enhance recovery after surgery / 中国针灸

Enhance recovery after surgery (ERAS) is an emerging discipline aiming to reduce perioperative stress response and postoperative complications and promote better and faster recovery of patients. In this study, the potential value and feasibility of acupuncture in ERAS is discussed from three aspects: acupuncture can reduce the demand of perioperative analgesic drugs, improve the postoperative gastrointestinal function, and prevent and treat postoperative complications. The combination of acupuncture and ERAS can better promote the rehabilitation of patients, complement the advantages of acupuncture and ERAS, and promote the development of acupuncture and ERAS.

Professor 's academic thoughts and acupoint selection experience for hot flashes / 中国针灸

Professor is a well-known national veteran doctor with over 70 years of clinical experience. He has unique academic thoughts and clinical experience for common diseases and some difficult and complicated diseases. This paper mainly introduces professor 's syndrome-differentiation thought and experience of acupoint selection for hot flashes. It is emphasized that common hot flashes, such as hot flashes and night sweats, are different between and . While regulating and , more attention should be paid to - harmony, which is not only suitable for women's perimenopausal syndrome, but also for a series of clinical diseases caused by refractory drugs such as endocrine therapy after breast cancer surgery. At the same time of acupoint selection based on syndrome differentiation, a more rational prescriptions should be made according to the duration of the disease and the experience acupoints to improve the clinical efficacy.

Correlation between referred pain distribution and acupoint sensitization in patients with intestinal diseases / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the correlation between referred pain distribution and acupoint sensitization in patients with intestinal diseases.@*METHODS@#In clinical research, 443 patients from 8 hospitals were recruited, including the outpatients and inpatients of Crohn's disease (=143), ulcerative colitis (=108), chronic appendicitis (=87) and other intestinal diseases (=105). The site with tenderness on the body surface and the morphological changes of local skin were observed and recorded in the patients. Using a sensory tenderness instrument, the pain threshold at the sensitization point was measured in 60 patients with ulcerative colitis. In animal experiment, SD rats were used and divided into a enteritis group (=8), in which the enteritis model were established, and a control group (=3), in which no any intervention was given. After the injection of Evans blue (EB) at caudal vein, the blue exudation points on the body surface were observed and the distribution rule was analyzed statistically.@*RESULTS@#The referred pain on the body surface in the patients with intestinal diseases was mainly located in the lower abdomen (93.9%, 416/443), the lumbar region (70.9%, 314/443) and the lower legs (33.0%, 146/443). The diameter of tenderness region was 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Compared with the region without sensitization, the pain threshold of the sensitization point in the patients with ulcerative colitis was reduced significantly (<0.001). The referred pain on the body surface in the patients with appendicitis was located in the right lower abdomen (97.7%, 85/87), the waist and back (54.0%, 47/87) and the right lower limbs on the medial side (71.3%, 62/87). The tenderness region was 1 to 2 cm in diameter and was irregular in form. After modeling of enteritis in the rats, the EB exudation points were visible from T to L.@*CONCLUSION@#Intestinal diseases induce referred pain on the body surface where is the same as or adjacent to the location of the spinal segment corresponding to the affected intestinal section. These sensitization regions are related to the locations of acupoints.

Effect of Acupuncture Combined Physical Training and Relearning on Stroke Rehabilitation: a Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture combined physical training and relearning on stroke patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-center, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. A total of 364 stroke patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (184 cases) and the control group (180 cases). Patients in the experimental group received acupuncture combined with physical training and relearning, while those in the control group only received physical training and relearning. All received four weeks of treatment. Effects on Fugl-Meyer motor function, neurological impairment, activities of daily living difference were compared before treatment, after treatment, 2 and 5 months after follow-ups between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 353 patients completed this trial, 179 in the experimental group and 174 in the control group. (1) compared with before treatment, brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scored obviously increased, and scores for neurological impairment obviously decreased in the two group. Besides, the increment of brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups; scores for neurological impairment was obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The increment of FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There was statistical difference in inter-group comparison of total Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores, or scores for neurological impairment (P < 0.01). The improvement of Fugl-Meyer motor functions grading and neurological impairment grading was obviously superior in the experimental group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups. The distribution of FIM grading was also better in the experimental group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning and physical training and relearning could effectively promote the rehabilitation of stroke patients, reduce their neurological impairment degrees, improve motor functions and independent capacities. Better long-term efficacy could be obtained by acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning.</p>

Effects and efficacy observation of acupuncture on serum 5-HT in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and discuss its action mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven cases were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group (29 cases) was treated with acupuncture at Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc., once a day and 5 times per week. The medication group (28 cases) was treated with oral administration of pinaverium (50 mg each time, 3 times a day) and live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablet (4 tablets each time, 3 times a day). Four weeks were taken as a treatment course in both groups. Before and after treatment ELISA method was applied to measure the level of serum 5-HT of the patients in two groups. The scores of clinical symptoms were observed before treatment, after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of serum 5-HT was significantly reduced in the acupuncture group and medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which had no statistical difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the medication group, the scores of clinical symptoms were obviously improved in the acupuncture group after one and four weeks of treatment and 3 months after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 89.66% (26/29) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 67.85% (19/28) in the medication group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efficacy of acupuncture is superior to that of medicine in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The acupuncture treatment could reduce the visceral sensitivity, improve the intestinal motility and regulate the imbalance of brain-intestine interactive function.</p>

Professor WU Xu's clinical experiences on acupuncture for acute upper abdominal pain / 中国针灸

The clinical experiences and proven cases of distinguished doctor of TCM, professor WU Xu, on acupuncture for acute upper abdominal pain is introduced. Professor WU's manipulation characteristics of acupuncture for acute upper abdominal pain, including acute cholecystitis, kidney stone, acute stomach pain, are one-hand shape but both hands in nature, moving like Tai Chi, force on the tip of needle, movement of qi mainly. The main technique posture is one-hand holding needle with middle finger for pressing, the needle is hold by thumb and index finger, and is assisted by middle finger. The special acupuncture experience of emergency is treatment according to syndrome differentiation, combination of acupuncture and moxibustion, selecting acupoint based on experience, blood-letting acupuncture therapy and so on.

Clinical observation on acupuncture for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients in syndrome of liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency and its impact on Th1/Th2 / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture for pattern of liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) and its impact on cell factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty cases were selected and divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases) in which acupuncture was applied and a medicine group (19 cases) in which oral administration of dicetel and bifidobacterium lactobacillus triple viable capsules were applied. The symptom scores, level of Th1-type cytokine (IFN-gamma, IL-2) and Th2-type cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) and ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-4 were compared in two groups before and after treatment to analyze acupuncture effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical symptoms were improved after one-week treatment in the acupuncture group (P<0.05), which had faster onset than the medicine group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.48% (19/21) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 78.95% (15/19) in the medicine group (P<0.05). Compared with medicine treatment, imbalanced condition of Th1/Th2 was turning towards the direction of Th2 after acupuncture, indicating a tendency to recover the balance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The clinical efficacy of acupuncture for D-IBS has close relationship with effectively improving balance of Th1/Th2 in patients with liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency.</p>

Impact of fish oil enriched total parenteral nutrition on elderly patients after colorectal cancer surgery / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids may beneficially influence healing processes and patient outcomes. The aim of this research was to study the clinical efficacy of fish oil enriched total parenteral nutrition in elderly patients after colorectal cancer surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven elderly patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. All patients received isocaloric and isonitrogenous total parenteral nutrition by continuous infusion (20 - 24 hours per day) for seven days after surgery. The control group (n = 28) received 1.2 g/kg soybean oil per day, whereas the treatment group (n = 29) received 0.2 g/kg fish oil and 1.0 g/kg soybean oil per day. Blood samples were taken pre-operatively, and at days one and eight after the operation. The plasma levels of CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured. Clinical outcomes were then analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups. At day eight post-surgery, IL-6, TNF-α and CD8 titres were lower in the treatment group when compared to the control group; these results reached statistical significance. In the treatment group, there were fewer infectious complications and incidences of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and shorter lengths of hospital stay were observed. The total cost of medical care was comparable for the two groups. No serious adverse events occurred in either group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fish oil 0.2 g/kg per day administrated to elderly patients after colorectal surgery was safe and may shorten the length of hospital stay and improve clinical outcomes.</p>

Meta analysis of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome systematically.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical randomized controlled trials on treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture-moxibustion were collected. Through retrieval of CNKI (1979 - December of 2011) and VIP (1979- December of 2011), randomized and quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials on treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with control study between acupuncture and sham acupuncture or western medication were included. The test bias risk and quality assessment of each experiment were carried out by two researchers in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 standard. And RevMan 5.1.6 software was adopted for the Meta analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven researches were included with totally 969 patients. Meta analysis shows that the effective rate of the combined methods of acupuncture and moxibustion [RR = 1. 27, 95% CI ( 1.09, 1.49)] is superior to conventional western medication treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture-moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome is better than the conventional western medication treatment.</p>

Clinical evaluation of Soothing Gan and invigorating Pi acupuncture treatment on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Soothing Gan and invigorating Pi (SGIP) acupuncture treatment on the clinical symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With a single-blinded randomized control study adopted, 63 patients who met the inclusion criteria were assigned by a random number table to two groups, 31 in the treatment group and 32 in the drug control group. The treatment group received SGIP acupuncture therapy; while the control group was treated orally with pinaverium bromide. The treatment duration of both groups was 28 days. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and compared by scoring patient's symptom and QOL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant difference was found by variance analysis in efficacies between the two groups (P<0.01), shown as the quicker initiation of effect (P<0.05) and the more evident clinical improvement in symptoms along the increase in treatment duration, as well as the more significant elevation of QOL in the acupuncture treatment group (P<0.01). SGIP displayed its superiority especially in improving dysphoria, conflict behavior, dietary restrictions, and social responses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SGIP acupuncture treatment could effectively alleviate the degree and frequency of symptoms' attack in IBS-D patients, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, etc., markedly relieve the tenesmic sensation, with the efficacy better than that of pinaverium bromide, showing a preponderance in improving patient's QOL.</p>

Effects on function rehabilitation of vocal cord after vocal cord polyps surgery treated with acupuncture at Sheng's four points of throat / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects on function rehabilitation of vocal cord after vocal cord polyps surgery treated with acupuncture at Sheng's Four Points of Throat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a combined therapy group of Four Points of Throat and medication (group 1, 30 cases) and a medication group (group 2, 30 cases). In group 1 Four Points of Throat were punctured and routine medication was applied; in group 2, only routine medication was applied. The scores of symptom-sign and status of voice were observed and analyzed before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 4th day after the surgery, the improvement of the symptom-sign scores in group 1 was more significant than that in group 2 (P < 0.05); and the voice analysis status in group 1 was superior to that in group 2 (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (25/30) in group 1, which was superior to that of 60.0% (18/30) in group 2 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect on function rehabilitation of vocal cord after vocal cord polyps surgery treated with the combined therapy group of Four Points of Throat and routine medication is favorable, superior to that with routine medication therapy.</p>

Observation on theraputic effect of five-needle-in-nape acupuncture for treatment of poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effect of five-needle-in-nape acupuncture treatment and the routine acupuncture treatment for poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a five-needle-in-nape (FNN) group and a routine acupuncture (RA) group (n=30 in each group). Ya-men (GV 15), Tianzhu (BL10), Zhiqiang acupoint (Extra) were needled and the training of swallowing was practiced when needling in FNN group. Lianquan (CV 23), Tongli (HT 5), Zhaohai (KI 6) were needled in RA group. The course of acupuncture treatment consisted of needling once time every day, six times a week for two weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after two courses of acupuncture treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 93.3% in FNN group, better than that of 80.0% in RA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect in FNN group was better than that of RA group for poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia.</p>

Transient therapeutic effect and safety of superficial needling therapy for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To scientifically assess effectiveness and safety of mono-use fu-needle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of periarthritis of shoulder were randomly divided into a fu-needle group and a routine acupuncture group. The fu-needle group were treated with fu-needle, and the routine acupuncture group were treated with a needle of 0.38 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. The articular mobility of the most limited direction, soft tissue pain self-rating score and self-rating score of shoulder tenderness before and after treatment, stabbing times and degree at inserting the needle, scattering and during retention of the needle, and bleeding at withdrawing the needle were compared in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The fu-needle group was better than the routine acupuncture group in improvement of mobility-related pain, tenderness, and the articular mobility of the most limited direction, indicating that the transient effect in the fu-needle group was better than the routine acupuncture group, and the stabbing times and degree at insertion of the needle were less than the routine acupuncture group. And there was no significant difference between the two groups in stabbing times and degree at scattering and retaining the needle and bleeding times in withdrawing the needle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The superficial needling therapy with mono-use fu-needle is more effective and more safe than the routine acupuncture for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder.</p>