[Selection of optimized treatment plan of acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis].

OBJECTIVE: To select the optimized treatment plan of acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis by using multiple indexes decision-making method based on the clinical evidence. METHODS: The randomized control trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis in the CNKI database, CBM database, WANFANG database, VIP database, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase published before December 31, 2017 were comprehensively collected. The modified Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of the RCTs. Then the evaluation indexes were selected and the dimensions of evaluation indexes were standardized by using extreme difference transformation method. The weight of each index was determined by using relative comparison method and the standardized matrix was weighted. Thus, the ideal solution and the negative ideal solution were obtained, and the relatively degree of each treatment plan to the ideal solution was calculated to propose the optimized plan of acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis. RESULTS: A total of 18 RCTs were included, the optimized plan of acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis was using thin fire needle to rapidly prick the abnormal skin region with fast needle insertion-withdrawal technique; the fire needle was applied repeatedly; intensive pricking to form a treatment area; the treatment was given once every 5 days. CONCLUSION: Based on the current clinical evidence, the optimized plan of acupuncture for lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis is using thin fire needle to prick the abnormal skin region; the multiple methods of plum-blossom needling met the characteristic of lateral femoral cutaneous neuritis and is suitable for clinical selection. The main acupoints are ashi points in the abnormal skin area or the acupoints in the foot-yangming meridian and foot-shaoyang meridian, combined with lumbar Jiaji (EX-B2) points.

[Clinical observation on combined acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for treatment of 160 cases of polyneuritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of combined acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on polyneuritis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty cases were treated with combined scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture (stimulating root of nerve as main), cupping and pricking at segmental root of nerve, and electric hot moxibustion, and their therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight cases were cured (86.3%) and the total effective rate was 100.0%. The average recovery time for clinical symptoms was 12.81 days, the average recovery time for nervous system signs was 19.76 days, the average recovery time for recovery of ocular muscular dyskinesia was 15.14 days. There was significant therapeutic effect for improvement of simple symptoms, with significant differences when the first and second therapeutic courses compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The combined acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on polyneuritis.

Clinical study on the wrist-ankle acupuncture treatment for 30 cases of diabetic peripheral neuritis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of wrist-ankle acupuncture for prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuritis. METHODS: Ninety cases of diabetic peripheral neuritis were randomly divided into 3 groups, and treated respectively with wrist-ankle acupuncture, body-acupuncture, and the western routine medical treatment, with 30 cases in each of the groups; and therapeutic effects and laboratory results compared. RESULTS: It is proved that the therapeutic effects of the wrist-ankle acupuncture group and body acupuncture group were significantly superior to those of the control group, with no significant differences between the former two groups. CONCLUSION: Wrist-ankle acupuncture has the actions of improving the metabolisms of blood sugar and blood-lipid, lowering down blood viscosity, and restoring the functions of peripheral nerve cells, thus giving definite therapeutic effects for diabetic peripheral neuritis.

Toxic neuropathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper examines recent research on toxic neuropathy and potential therapeutic developments. It also summarizes reports of new agents reported to cause peripheral neuropathy. RECENT FINDINGS: Gene therapy with vasoactive endothelial growth factor, neurotrophic substances such as nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 are reported to reverse or protect against neurotoxicity in animal models. The neuroprotective effects of more established therapeutic agents like vitamin E, tacrolimus (FK 506) and erythropoietin hold promise for the immediate future. Cisplatin and high-dose pyridoxine are used more frequently to produce robust models of peripheral neuropathy in animals. Statins do appear to cause peripheral neuropathy. The incidence is low, however, and compared to its benefits in terms of cardiovascular protection, relatively innocuous. The profile of thalidomide neuropathy is becoming clearer as the indications for this drug increases. The incidence of thalidomide neuropathy is high, up to three quarters in some series, and although the information on dose dependency is variable, lower cumulative doses appear to be less toxic. Like thalidomide bortezomib, a novel proteosome inhibitor, is reportedly effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma and is associated with peripheral neuropathy. Oxaliplatin and epothilone are emerging anticancer drugs with neurotoxic potential. Similarly, leflunomide, a new disease modifying-agent approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is reported to cause neuropathy. SUMMARY: The study of toxic neuropathy is not only enhancing our knowledge of the mechanisms of neurotoxicity but also the neurobiology of peripheral neuropathy in general; and is likely to reveal avenues for therapeutics.

[Mesodiencephalic modulation (transcranial electrostimulation of the brain) in neurology and psychiatry]. / Mezodiéntsefal'naia moduliatsiia (transkranial'naia élektrostimuliatsiia golovnogo mozga) v nevrologii i psikhiatrii.

The paper outlines the results of mesodiencephalic modulation (MDM) as therapy in adults and children with neurological and mental diseases in the out- and inpatient setting. MDM is a method of transcranial electric therapy that normalizes the performance of the hypothalamohypophyseal and opioid systems of the brain, which ultimately improves the body's adaptive response in disease.

[A differentiated approach to laser puncture in facial neuritis by using the methods of acupuncture diagnosis]. / Dyferentsial'nyi pidkhid do lazeropuntury pry nevryti lytsevoho nerva z vykorystanniam metodiv akupunkturnoï diahnostyky.

Overall 87 patients with neuritis of the facial nerve were studied by making use of methods of acupuncture diagnosis as recommended by Nakatani and Akabane. The parameters under investigation included the level of physiologic corridor, left-right asymmetry, the Yang and the Yin meridians sum ratio, maximum deviation from the physiological corridor in certain meridians. The results obtained permitted the identification of three groups of patients depending on the duration of their illness. This permitted the differentiated approach to the use of laser puncture in these patients securing good results of treatment which were confirmed by both the positive dynamics of acupuncture methods of investigation and data supplied by the electrophysiological techniques (EMG, EEG). With the purpose of performing laser puncture, the infrared laser puncture apparatus Biomed-001 (wavelength 0.89, average laser emissive power 20 mw) was employed.

[Infrared laser puncture in the treatment of facial neuritis]. / Infrachervona lazeropunktura u likuvannia nevrytu litsevoho nerva.

Overall eighty-seven patients with facial neuritis [correction of paralysis] received multimodality treatment involving infrared laser acupuncture procedures. The unit "Biomed-001" operating at wavelength 890 nm with intensity 20 mW served as a source of laser light. The acupuncture points (with 10 to 15 points in each treatment session, duration of exposure being 1 to 3 min) were selected according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine. One course of the infrared laser therapy acupuncture treatments is 12 to 16 sessions. The described treatment option applied in the above patients population was associated with a good clinical effect confirmed by results of studies made with the aid of electrophysiological modalities.

Uso de la magnetoterapia en afecciones articulares y periarticulares / Use of magnetotherapy in articular and periarticular disorders

Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en 200 pacientes tratados en el Policlínico Integral Docente Centro, de Camagüey, con diversas artropatías y enfermedades ortopédicas y reumatológicas. Se utilizó el campo magnético producido por el equipo TERAMAG-MT-200. Se obtuvo buen resultado en 189 casos (94,5 por ciento). Las afecciones más beneficiadas fueron las de la rodilla (osteoartritis, sinovitis, fibrosis y rigideces posquirúrgicas, condromalacia y enfermedad de Hoffa), la epicondilitis y otras lesiones del codo, la periatritis escapulohumeral, tendinitis, insercionitis, trocanteritis, síndrome de Barré-Liéou y los dedos en resorte. Se describen los métodos utilizados en cada afección(AU)

Uso de la magnetoterapia en afecciones articulares y periarticulares / Use of magnetotherapy in articular and periarticular disorders

Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en 200 pacientes tratados en el Policlínico Integral Docente Centro, de Camagüey, con diversas artropatías y enfermedades ortopédicas y reumatológicas. Se utilizó el campo magnético producido por el equipo TERAMAG-MT-200. Se obtuvo buen resultado en 189 casos (94,5 por ciento). Las afecciones más beneficiadas fueron las de la rodilla (osteoartritis, sinovitis, fibrosis y rigideces posquirúrgicas, condromalacia y enfermedad de Hoffa), la epicondilitis y otras lesiones del codo, la periatritis escapulohumeral, tendinitis, insercionitis, trocanteritis, síndrome de Barré-Liéou y los dedos en resorte. Se describen los métodos utilizados en cada afección

Prevention of impairment in leprosy; results from a collaborative project in China.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate programs of prevention and treatment of impairments due to leprosy in 8 geographical areas in the People's Republic of China. DESIGN: follow up of cohorts of leprosy patients receiving a range of different interventions. SETTING: 8 different geographical areas in China, varying in urban and rural characteristics from 6 provinces and 2 municipalities. SUBJECTS: leprosy patients who were receiving or had completed a course of antileprosy chemotherapy. INTERVENTIONS: a range of interventions, including steroids, self-care training, adapted footwear, surgery and provision of prostheses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: changes in eye, hand and foot impairments between baseline assessment and assessment at 2 years. RESULTS: 232 out of 3571 patients assessed monthly over 2 years developed acute neuritis and, in most areas, were promptly and adequately treated. Regular self care of eyes was established in 238 out of 313 patients with lagophthalmos and was associated with reduction in the prevalence of conjunctivitis. Regular self care of hands was established in 730 out of 1010 patients with neurological impairment of the hand; this was associated with a reduction (80%) in hand cracks and wounds. Regular self care of feet was established in 745 out of 1094 patients with neurological impairment of the feet; this was associated with a 83% reduction in patients with cracks and a 33% reduction in patients with sole wounds. A footwear program was established in all 8 areas providing footwear to 4698 patients over the 2-year period; this was associated with a reduction of 61% and 21% in patients with cracks and wounds, respectively. Management of complicated sole wounds in 256 patients resulted in 69% of these patients being free of sole wounds at 2 years. Targets for reconstructive surgery and amputations were not fully attained, but lower limb prostheses were provided for 306 patients. CONCLUSIONS: leprosy is a chronic disease characterized by peripheral neuropathies which can result in increasing secondary impairments and disabilities. The emphasis, in countries such as China where the chemotherapy programs have been effectively implemented, is shifting to prevention and treatment of impairments. This innovative program in China has successfully demonstrated that it is possible to prevent and reverse impairments due to leprosy.