[Minimal clinically important difference of the frequency of bowel movement for patients with chronic severe functional constipation treated with acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the frequency of bowel movement for the patients with chronic severe functional constipation treated with acupuncture so as to provide the evidence for the clinical decision. METHODS: In this study, 813 patients with chronic severe functional constipation treated with acupuncture in two previous randomized controlled trials were included. Through the anchor-based method (anchored by the item 28 "satisfaction with previous treatment" of the patient assessment of constipation-quality of life [PAC-QOL]) and the distribution-based method, the MCID of the weekly frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) and spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) was analyzed statistically in the patients. RESULTS: The MCID of the mean weekly frequency of CSBM and SBM was 1.3 times and 1.6 times in patients with chronic severe functional constipation treated with acupuncture, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mean increase of the weekly CSMB is ≥ 1.3 times and that of SBM is ≥ 1.6 times after treatment when compared with the baseline respectively, suggesting the clinical significance.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Motor Function in Patients with Ischemic Stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electro-elongated needle intervention on rehabilitation of upper limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 100 ischemic stroke patients were equally and randomly divided into manual acupuncture group and electro-elongated needle group (n=50 cases/group). For patients of the manual acupuncture group, filiform needles were respectively inserted into Jianyu (LI 15), Jiquan (HT 1), Shousanli (LI 10), Neiguan (PC 6) and Hegu (LI 4) on the affected side, manipulated with lifting-thrusting reinforcing or reducing method for 40 min, once daily for two weeks except the weekends, and for those of the electro-elongated needle group, elongated needles were repeatedly penetrated from LI 15 to Binao (LI 14), and from LI 10 to Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, followed by electrical stimulation for 40 min, once daily for two weeks except weekends. The therapeutic effect of manual acupuncture and electro-elongated needle for upper extremity rehabilitation was assessed according to the modified upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) separately. The surface electromyogram (sEMG) of the deltoid muscle was recorded by using a Megawin Surface Electrogram System and the root mean square (RMS) of the amplitude of sEMG was used to evaluate the functional state of the deltoid muscle. RESULTS: After the treatment, the score of FMA and WMFT in both manual acupuncture and electro-elongated needle groups were significantly increased compared with pre-treatment in the same one group (P<0.01), suggesting an improvement of the motor function of the upper limbs, but RMS ratios of the amplitude of sEMG were evidently decreased in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), suggesting a relief of the abnormal muscular tension. The therapeutic effects of the electro-elongated needle were obviously superior to those of manual acupuncture in up-regulating FMA and WMFT scores and down-regulating RMS ratio (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electro-elongated needle therapy can effectively improve the motor function of upper limb in ischemic stroke patients and has a better effect in comparison with simple manual acupuncture.

[Evidence of "who knows acupuncture believes the importance of the pressing hand" in ancient literatures and its clinical significance].

According to the records in ancient Chinese literatures such as Lingshu (Miraculous Pivot), Nanjing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of 81 Difficult Issues), Jinzhen fu (Odes to Golden Needles) and Zhenjiu Dacheng (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), the importance of pressing hand has been always stressed. The role of the pressing hand can irreplaceable by the puncturing hand. The touching and pressing with the pressing hand assist on the accurate location of acupoint. The plucking technique may invigorate meridian qi and promote the arrival of qi. Inserting the needle against the finger nail of the pressing hand avoids or alleviates pain to the largest extent. Detecting along meridian and pressing technique main induce qi getting to the affected area. This paper introduces the importance of pressing hand, aiming to suggest the clinical physicians pay more attentions to the effect of the pressing hand in acupuncture practice.

[On problems and thinking of methodology in the inheritance of the esteemed acupuncturists' experiences].

Based on the advantages and disadvantages of the esteemed acupuncturists' experiences, after analyzing the collection work on inheriting the esteemed acupuncturists' experiences, this paper proposes to apply the information technology to build a multimedia platform for the esteemed acupuncturists. Therefore, the precious clinical experiences of the esteemed acupuncturists are preserved. This paper states the potential future of the coming multimedia platform.