Manual acupuncture for neuromusculoskeletal disorders: The selection of stimulation parameters and corresponding effects.

As a minimally invasive method of physical stimulation, manual acupuncture (MA) is used globally as a sort of therapy for neuromusculoskeletal disorders. In addition to selecting appropriate acupoints, acupuncturists should also determine the stimulation parameters of needling, such as the manipulation (lifting-thrusting or twirling), needling amplitude, velocity, and stimulation time. At present, most studies focus on acupoint combination and mechanism of MA, the relationship between stimulation parameters and their therapeutic effects, as well as the influence on mechanism of action are relatively scattered, and lack of systematic summary and analysis. This paper reviewed the three types of stimulation parameters of MA, their common options and values, corresponding effects and potential mechanisms of action. The purpose of such efforts is to provide a useful reference for the dose-effect relationship of MA and the quantification and standardization of its clinical treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders to further promote the application of acupuncture in the world.

[Study on the quantitative evaluation parameter system for basic acupuncture manipulations based on 3D motion tracking technology].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a quantitative evaluation parameter system for basic acupuncture manipulations based on 3D motion tracking technology, and to further analyze the characteristics of acupuncture manipulation. METHODS: The motion tracking system Simi Motion Ver.8.5 was used to collect parameters of acupuncture manipulations, so as to establish a quantitative evaluation system mainly in spatial control parameters, time control parameters and stability parameters. Based on the evaluation parameter system, data of acupuncture manipulations (even reinforcing-reducing manipulation using lifting-thrusting technique and twirling technique) were collected from 19 teachers majored in acupuncture-moxibustion, of which the characteristics were analyzed and were compared with the results tested by traditional ATP-Ⅱ acupuncture manipulation parameter determination apparatus (ATP-Ⅱ). RESULTS: The evaluation parameter system could quantitatively analyze the basic acupuncture manipulations in 3 aspects, i.e. space, time and stability. Acupuncture manipulations were performed by shifting the needle body in a certain range along X, Y and Z axes. The amplitude and speed of thumb movement were greater than those of index finger. The time-history of lifting was similar to thrusting, while the time-history of twirling to left was similar to twirling to right in even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The coordinate-time curve of finger movement of the evaluation system had consistent wave pattern compared with the voltage-time curve generated by ATP-Ⅱ. CONCLUSION: The quantitative evaluation parameter system based on 3D motion tracking technology can objectively evaluate basic acupuncture manipulations, and show the characteristics of different manipulations and the movement details of finger joints.

Three-dimensional Finger Motion Tracking during Needling: A Solution for the Kinematic Analysis of Acupuncture Manipulation.

Three-dimensional (3D) motion tracking has been used in many fields, such as the researches of sport and medical skills. This experiment aimed to use 3D motion tracking technology to measure the kinematic parameters of the joints of fingers during acupuncture manipulation (AM) and establish three technical indicators "amplitude, velocity and time". This method can reflect the operation characteristics of AM and provide quantitative parameters along three axes of multiple finger joints. The current evidence shows that the method has great potential for future applications such as the study of the dose-effect relationship of acupuncture, teaching, and learning of AM, and the measurement and preservation of famous acupuncturists' AM.

Longxuetongluo capsule alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation by regulating multiple signaling pathways in BV2 microglia cells.

BACKGROUND: Longxuetongluo capsule (LTC), derived from the total phenolic compounds of Chinese dragon's blood, is now used in the treatment of ischemic stroke in convalescence. The aim of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of LTC from the perspective of neuroinflammation. METHODS: Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) and LDH assay kit. Proinflammatory mediators and cytokines production including Nitric Oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2, (PGE2), interleukin (IL-ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. In addition, western blot was used to detect the expression of inflammatory proteins associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of tranions (JAK/STAT), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB), and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related actor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathways. Moreover, immunofluorescence assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were performed to determine the Nrf2 translocation and the binding-DNA activity of NF-κB, respectively. RESULTS: LTC at 0.5 to 2 µg/mL significantly increased cell viability and decreased LDH, NO, PGE2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α production in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglia cells. Meanwhile, LTC not only decreased the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) but also down-regulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38, and up-regulated HO-1 expression via nuclear translocation of Nrf2. LTC can significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of JAK1/STAT3 and reduce the translocation of NF-κB from cytosol to nucleus as well as the binding-DNA activity. PC12 cell pretreated with LTC-condition medium (CM) significantly alleviated LPS-induced neurotoxicity and increased PC12 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that LTC exhibited a strong antineuroinflammatory activity and neuroprotective effects on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and PC12 cells.