Distribution of licensed acupuncturists and educational institutions in the United States in early 2015.

In recent decades, acupuncture has been used more widely and extensively in the United States (U.S.). However, there have been no national surveys or analyses reported in academic journals on the number of practicing or licensed acupuncturists. This study was conducted to identify the approximate number of licensed acupuncturists active in 2015. The Board of Acupuncture or Board of Medicine in each state or U.S. territory was contacted to collect data. Online license information searching was also performed in order to get accurate numbers of licensed acupuncturists for those states in which a board was unable to be contacted. The study found that the number of licensed acupuncturists in 2015 in the U.S. was 34,481. Of this, more than 50% were licensed in three states alone: California (32.39%), New York (11.89%) and Florida (7.06%). The number of licensed acupuncturists increased 23.30% and 52.09%, compared to the year 2009 (n = 27,965) and 2004 (n = 22,671), respectively; increasing about 1,266 per year. There were 62 and 10 accredited acupuncture institutions providing master and doctoral degrees, respectively. The West Coast comprised 51.39% of degree granting programs, while the East Coast comprised 29.17%; together the coastal states housed more than 80% of all programs, with the remainder sprinkled across the southern (9.72%), northern (8.33%), and the middle/central states (1.39%). Forty-four states and the District of Columbia regulated acupuncture practice by law at the time of data collection. Acupuncture continues to be a quickly growing profession in the U.S.

Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Integrative Oncology: A Survey of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicine is increasingly integrated into cancer care. We sought detail on the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) with acupuncture and oriental medicine (AOM) by surveying practitioners at integrative oncology (IO) sites across the United States. DESIGN: Online survey of licensed acupuncturists. SETTING/LOCATION: IO sites in the United States. SUBJECTS: Fifteen licensed acupuncturists who completed the survey between February 2014 and June 2014. OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, IO setting characteristics, AOM treatment characteristics, and practitioner-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Respondents reported an average of 31.3 ± 17.2 patients per week, and one-third (10.1 mean; 7.2 standard deviation [SD]) were treated for CIPN. Medical doctors (86.7%) were the most common providers with whom respondents worked. Traditional Chinese medicine style acupuncture was utilized by a majority of respondents (86.7%), and the most commonly used points were local, typically in the hands and feet, such as Ba Feng, Ba Xie, LV3, and LI4. In addition to acupuncture, nutritional advice was the most frequent auxiliary modality provided by respondents (85.7%). On average, respondents provided 12.75 ± 4.17 treatments for CIPN patients, and a majority (53%) reported treating patients once per week. Timing of the treatments relative to chemotherapy infusion was evenly distributed between "1-2 days after infusion" (60%), "at time of infusion" (53.3%), and "1-2 days before infusion" (46.7%). Sixty percent of respondents rated outcomes as "moderately successful with moderate improvement seen." CONCLUSION: This survey provides detail regarding IO sites using acupuncture for CIPN as well as real-world treatment patterns, including common point combinations, visit characteristics, and practitioner-reported outcomes. This information contributes to the emerging evidence on the use of acupuncture to address unmet needs of CIPN patients, and supports the development of best practice guidelines for the treatment of CIPN with acupuncture in the IO setting.

[Principles and Methods for Formulating National Standards of "Regulations of Acupuncture-nee- dle Manipulating techniques"].

The national standard of "Regulations of Acupuncture-needle Manipulating Techniques" is one of the national Criteria of Acupuncturology for which a total of 22 items have been already established. In the process of formulation, a series of common and specific problems have been met. In the present paper, the authors expound these problems from 3 aspects, namely principles for formulation, methods for formulating criteria, and considerations about some problems. The formulating principles include selection and regulations of principles for technique classification and technique-related key factors. The main methods for formulating criteria are 1) taking the literature as the theoretical foundation, 2) taking the clinical practice as the supporting evidence, and 3) taking the expounded suggestions or conclusions through peer review.

Communication of professional literature amongst European Acupuncturists affiliated to the ETCMA (European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association): explorative survey amongst Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of the survey was to explore the information needs and information seeking behavior amongst the ETCMA members concerning professional literature (scientific as well as practical background knowledge). METHODS: A web-based survey comprising of 18 questions with a total of 25 items was carried out in 15 affiliated associations in 14 countries in June 2012. The survey consisted out of 4 parts: (1) Demographics, (2) Level of interest in and availability of professional literature, (3) Insight, needs and opinions on EBM (Evidence Based Medicine), and (4) Awareness of the science workshop at the TCM Rothenburg Congress. RESULTS: 2590 (25%) from 10,428 members completed the questionnaire, of which 58.8% was female. More than 50% of the respondents from eleven out of fourteen countries indicate an interest in more education on reading scientific literature. Case studies (range 3.19/4-3.86/4) are preferred compared to scientific (range 2.78/4-3.59/4) or philosophical knowledge (range 3.0/4-3.56/4). Exchange with colleagues (range 2.95/4-3.64/4) is preferred compared to deepening knowledge (range 2.57/4-3.05/4) in the theoretical spectrum. 61% has no knowledge of the EBM model and base clinical decisions on personal experience (range 3.47-3.82) and practical skills (range 3.47-3.74) compared to clinical practice guidelines (range 2.6-3.27). CONCLUSIONS: Due to heterogeneity in structure and size of the affiliated associations no strict conclusions can be made. We can conclude though that TCM practitioners rely mostly on practical knowledge and have less tendency toward more scientifically oriented models like the EBM model. We find this reflected in information needs as well as information seeking behavior patterns.

[The trajectory of the introduction and regulation of acupuncture in Brazil: recollections of the challenges and struggles]. / A trajetória da introdução e regulamentação da acupuntura no Brasil: memórias de desafios e lutas.

Based on the life experiences of acupuncturists, the scope of this study was to examine the struggle to obtain regulation of the practice of acupuncture in Brazil. The method used was Oral Live History, the core issue being the dimension of the human experience involved in this trajectory of struggles and challenges. We conducted ten interviews, following the set of procedures demanded by the Oral History technique. The information contained in the narratives was analyzed and, taking the interpretive approach called immersion/crystallization as a benchmark, the central themes of the work were established, based on which which the discussion was developed. The results indicate the emergence of highly controversial themes involving political, corporate and cultural aspects, which constitute central elements within a historical process still under development.

A acupuntura enquanto prática complementar na atenção à saúde do trabalhador / Acupuncture as a complementary therapy in attention to workers' health

Em 2006, foi publicada a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares que contribuiu fortemente para o crescimento de práticas até então denominadas Alternativas, como homeopatia, acupuntura, fitoterapia e outros, no entanto, no que se refere à saúde do trabalhador, a oferta desses serviços pelo SUS ainda é escassa, principalmente a acupuntura, objeto desse estudo. Diante desse contexto, foi desenvolvido um primeiro artigo que versou sobre os saberes milenares que fundamentam a acupuntura e sua contextualização no mundo ocidental enquanto prática multiprofissional e em seguida foi desenvolvido um segundo artigo onde buscou-se desenvolver uma tecnologia de informação impressa que fornecesse subsídios e/ou conhecimento quanto à prática de acupuntura, enquanto sistema de intervenção terapêutico, aos trabalhadores do HUCAM. Além disso, foi proposto um serviço complementar de assistência de enfermagem tendo como dispositivo a acupuntura na atenção à saúde do trabalhador atendido pelo NASTH. Para confecção da tecnologia de informação impressa foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura em busca de estudos publicados nos últimos 10 anos, a fim de destacar os seguintes pontos: breve histórico sobre acupuntura; competência legal de profissionais para exercer a acupuntura no Brasil; indicações e contra-indicações da acupuntura; riscos e benefícios da prática de acupuntura; possíveis efeitos adversos da acupuntura; técnicas disponíveis de tratamento na acupuntura. Em seguida, foi realizado um encontro com os profissionais envolvidos com a gestão e/ou assistência no Nucleo de Atenção à Saúde do Trabalhador (NASTH) a fim de apresentar o instrumento desenvolvido por meio de uma exposição dialogada, onde os mesmos responderam a um questionário sobre o instrumento elaborado. Em relação à proposta de um serviço complementar de assistência de enfermagem, tendo como dispositivo de atenção à saúde a acupuntura, foi elaborada uma sistemática de intervenção contemplando todo o fluxo de atendimento, assim como descrição detalhada dos elementos mínimos para a instalação de um consultório de acupuntura. Acreditamos que este estudo irá contribuir para a difusão de uma gama de conhecimentos em acupuntura voltada à saúde do trabalhador; como também a melhoria da qualidade de vida do mesmo. Palavras chaves: Terapia por acupuntura, terapias complementares, saúde do trabalhador, Administração de serviços de saúde.

In 2006, the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices has been published and contributed strongly to the growth of practices until then named "alternatives", for instance: Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Phytotherapy and others. However, when it comes to workers' health, the offer of this service within SUS is still scarce, mainly Acupuncture, the object of this study which was divided into the following two productions presented: As a first desiring production, developed a article to create a printed information technology, commonly known as Manual, to provide scientific background information in relation to the practice of acupuncture, as being a therapeutic interventions system of a university hospital in the state of Espirito Santo. As a second production desiring drew up a proposal for intervention through which lists the subsidies necessary to implement a complementary service of nursing care as having acupuncture device in attention to workers' health. The purpose of this study is to provide a contribution to the spread of acupuncture focused on workers' health.(AU)

[The development of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies].

From cooperation between World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and World Health Organization, works of academics and standardization, acupuncture-moxibustion education, technique service, organization development, etc., the 27-year development of WFAS since 1987 was summarized and reviewed in details. The growth of WFAS witnesses and promotes the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world, so by learning the experience and lessons, WFAS could have a wider path, becoming a core organization for communicating and promoting the development of acupuncture, even the traditional medicine in the world.

[How to establish a good acupuncture-moxibustion standard?].

At the beginning of a standard item, the standardized objects and involved contents should be demonstrated thoroughly, which is the precondition of establishing a good standard. After the proposal of this standard, a high-level drafting group should be built, led by top specialists who also draft the standard, which is essential to guarantee the quality of the standard. Before drafting the standard, literature regarding this standard should be searched completely, and Directives for Standardization should be learned to understand the basic requirements of establishing a standard; in the meanwhile, selections on standardized contents and quantitative boundaries of technical indices should be comprehensively and deeply studied. At the stage of consultation, focus should be paid on the scope of the consultation departments, level and personnel quality. As for standard review, it should be precise and truth-seeking. At the stage of submitting and authorization, it is necessary to have timely communication. Only by full cooperations of all parties, and by strictly following the procedure, method and rule of standard establishment, can a high-quality acupuncture-moxibustion standard be established.

[History of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies].

The history of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) was reviewed through summarizing the background and process of the establishment of WFAS. The establishment background was explained in different aspects, named the recovery of acupuncture-Moxibustion in the world, the successive setup of world acupuncture-Moxibustion organizations, the divergences of International Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, striding forward of China reform and opening policy as well as the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), etc. The establishment of WFAS was introduced on the proposal from eight countries, the important time of the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, 1984, divergences and consensus as well as the final phase. The official establishment of WFAS represents the global benefits of acupuncture-Moxibustion colleagues. It is the international organization of acupuncture and moxibustion, contributing to the promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world.

Acupuntura no SUS: realidade e perspectivas / Acupuncture in SUS: Reality and Prospects

A acupuntura, uma importante modalidade terapêutica da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa, é utilizada em mais de 130 países, e o panorama atual evidencia que o desenvolvimento mundial da acupuntura necessita incluí-la nos sistemas nacionais de saúde e no suporte governamental e acadêmico para sua legalização, normatização e inserção nas políticas públicas. No Brasil, a acupuntura é contemplada pela Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC) no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) que inseriu o país na vanguarda das práticas integrativas no sistema oficial de saúde, no âmbito das Américas. A PNPIC, publicada na forma da Portaria Ministerial nº 971 de maio de 2006, por meio de seus objetivos, diretrizes e ações, tem possibilitado conhecer, apoiar, incorporar e implementar experiências que já vêm sendo desenvolvidas na rede pública de saúde, em municípios de praticamente todos os Estados. Embora a acupuntura já estivesse inserida nos serviços públicos de saúde de alguns municípios, antes da publicação da PNPIC, sua incorporação na rede pública estadual e municipal mostra que experiências têm ocorrido de modo desigual, descontinuado e, muitas vezes, sem o devido registro, com fornecimento inadequado de insumos ou ações de acompanhamento e avaliação. Nesse sentido, a presente investigação constitui-se em um estudo de natureza analítica, com abordagem qualitativa, cujo objetivo foi analisar o processo de implantação da acupuntura nos serviços públicos de saúde dos municípios integrantes do Departamento Regional de Saúde XIII (DRS XIII) do Estado de São Paulo, no período de 2001 a 2011. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de análise documental, onde nesse recorte temporal foram analisados instrumentos de gestão, entre eles os Planos Municipais de Saúde (PMS), Relatórios Anuais de Gestão (RAG) e as bases do Sistema de Informação do Departamento de Informação e Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), como o Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) e o Sistema de Informação Ambulatorial do SUS (SIA/SUS) e, também, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 11 sujeitos dos municípios onde a oferta da acupuntura no sistema público municipal da saúde foi identificada. Os dados da entrevista semiestruturada foram analisados a partir da matriz analítica formulada por Araújo e Maciel (2001), por meio das categorias: atores, conteúdo, contexto e processo. A análise do macro contexto possibilitou identificar semelhanças, guardando as devidas proporções, entre a PNPIC e o SUS, tanto no processo de criação quanto na implementação. A análise do micro contexto assinala que as PIC tiveram avanços, valendo-se das oportunidades do contexto político-social da saúde pública no Brasil, um exemplo é a própria elaboração e publicação da PNPIC. No entanto, seus princípios e diretrizes ainda estão distantes de serem considerados e valorizados como recursos tecnológicos em ascendência na conformação das práticas de saúde do SUS. Essas considerações sinalizam um cenário de fragilidades, contradições e contrassensos que podem comprometer a construção e a consolidação de espaços de ampliação da prática da acupuntura, nos serviços integrantes do SUS, incluindo os da Atenção Básica. Nesse sentido, destacamos a necessidade de se investir na definição do financiamento para a implantação e implementação das PIC, investir em estratégias de políticas indutoras, bem como envidar esforços na área de formação de saúde, contemplando desde a graduação até essas outras racionalidades. Também ressaltamos a importância de priorizar a acupuntura e as PIC na agenda política dos formuladores e implementadores, pautar a discussão sobre a acupuntura nos diferentes espaços de discussão e decisão, fomentar uma mobilização maciça com a participação de diversos atores e sujeitos sociais no desenvolvimento desse processo político. Nessa perspectiva, é fundamental induzir processos de implantação, implementação e avaliação, institucionalizar uma estratégia periódica de avaliação da incorporação ou não de ações das PIC/RM, assumindo publicamente, inclusive, por meio dos diferentes instrumentos de gestão, o compromisso político com a institucionalização das PIC/RM, no SUS. Esse processo de buscar fortalecer a acupuntura e demais PIC/RM no SUS pode se constituir em uma estratégia de fortalecimento de diversas políticas de saúde e, consequentemente, de fortalecimento e consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde.(AU)

Acupuncture, an important therapeutic modality of traditional Chinese medicine, is used in over 130 countries, and the current situation shows that the global development of acupuncture needs to include it in the national health systems and government and academic support for its legalization, standardization and integration in public policy. In Brazil, acupuncture is covered by the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) in the Unified Health System (SUS), which entered the country at the forefront of integrative practices in the public health system in the context of the Americas. The PNPIC, published in the form of Ministerial Decree No. 971 of May 2006, through its objectives, guidelines and actions, has allowed to know, support, incorporate and implement experiences that have been developed in the public health system in the municipalities of almost all states. Although acupuncture has been inserted in the public health services of some municipalities, before the publication of PNPIC, their incorporation into state and municipal public network shows that experiments have been uneven, discontinued, and so often with poor or lack of registration, with inadequate supply of inputs or actions of monitoring and evaluation. In this sense, this research consists in a study of analytical nature, with a qualitative approach whose objective was to analyze the process of deployment of acupuncture in public health services of member municipalities of the Regional Department of Health XIII (DRS XIII) of the State of São Paulo, in the period 2001-2011. Data were collected through documentary analysis, and at this time frame, management instruments were analyzed, including the Municipal Health Plans (PMS), Management Annual Reports (RAG) and the databases of the Information System of the Department of Information and Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), as the National Register of Health Service Establishments (CNES) and the SUS Ambulatory info System of SUS (SIA/SUS), and also through semi-structured interviews with 11 individuals of the municipalities where the offer of acupuncture in the municipal public health system was identified. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using the analytical framework formulated by Araújo and Maciel (2001), through the following categories: actors, content, context and process. The analysis of the macro- context enabled us to identify similarities, keeping the proper proportions, between PNPIC and the SUS, both in the creation process and the implementation. The analysis of the micro- context notes that the PIC had advances, taking advantage of the opportunities of the political and social context of public health in Brazil, one example is the actual preparation and publication of PNPIC. However, its principles and guidelines are still far from being considered and valued as technological resources in ascension in order to shape health practices of SUS. These considerations point to a scenario of weaknesses, contradictions and nonsense that can compromise the construction and consolidation of spaces of expansion of the practice of acupuncture, in those integrating services of SUS, including Primary Care. In this regard, we highlight the need to invest in setting funding for the deployment and implementation of PIC, invest in strategies of inducing policies as well as efforts in the area of health education, contemplating since undergraduation until these other rationalities. We note the importance of prioritizing acupuncture and PIC on the political agenda of policymakers and implementers, include the theme about acupuncture in different spaces for discussion and decision, promote a massive mobilization to encourage the participation of various actors and social individuals in the development of this political process. From this perspective, it is essential to induce processes of deployment, implementation and evaluation, institutionalize a strategy of periodic reviewing and evaluating of the incorporation or not of actions of PIC/RM, assuming publicly, including by means of different management tools, the political commitment to the institutionalization of the PIC / RM, in the SUS. This process of seeking to strengthen acupuncture and other PIC/RM in the SUS can serve as a strategy for strengthening various health policies and, consequently, strengthen and consolidate of the Unified Health System.(AU)

[An analysis of national projects of scientific research in Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion academia during recent 40 years].

Adopting bibliometrics research methods to categorize and analyze the acupuncture scientific research findings which has been published by the KAKEN Database of Grants-In-Aid for Scientific Research, and moreover compared results from some of the winning national research projects published by the Internet-based Science Information System of China in 2011. Upon evaluation, it is found that the applied logic of Japanese acupuncture academia is clearer and the fixed position is more accurate. The achivments and academic thought of Japan acup-mox cirde will in some way inspire the acupuncture researchers in China regarding project selection and help them to avoid invalid or duplicate research. Furthermore, it is concluded that Chinese acupuncture academia is focusing on basic research and is showing the spirit for the scientific research as the cradle of acupuncture and moxibustion. In comparison, Japanese acupuncture academia is re nowned for their focus on the subtle interplay of basic and clinical research, as well as attention to detail, serves as a testament to their straightforward, absence of pretense as a country of practical scientific research.

[Introduction and analysis on acupuncture education and qualification examination system in U.S.A].

Based on research of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the related public websites of acupuncture educational institutions, the first hand information was studied, summarized and sorted on the status quo of the educational qualification or the relative authentication of education programs of ACAOM as well as the status of professional qualification and examination of NCCAOM. The education curriculum of the Master degree of Acupuncture, Master degree of Oriental Medicine Science as well as the Doctor degree of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine were also introduced in this article including student enrollment and graduation in recent years. The developing tendency of the federal unified acupuncture education, management, professional qualification and examination system of U. S. A. were discussed and analyzed as well.

Análise das práticas integrativas em saúde na atenção básica no Distrito Federal / Health Integrative Practices in the Federal District Health Care System

Este é um estudo sobre práticas integrativas em saúde: Homeopatia, Acupuntura e Automassagem no Sistema Único de Saúde do Distrito Federal nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde das Regionais Planaltina, Sobradinho e Paranoá. Tomou-se como referência a base conceitual e diretrizes da Política Nacional das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no SUS e suas potencialidades e limites. Este estudo qualitativo adotou como critérios de seleção analisar as unidades básicas com alguma das três abordagem das práticas integrativas implantadas há pelo menos um ano. Foram entrevistadas vinte e nove pessoas, entre elas nove gestores, sete profissionais e treze usuários. Os dados foram coletados por meio de instrumento semiestruturado. A análise do material foi realizada por procedimentos de análise de conteúdo, o que possibilitou dar visibilidade a importantes objetivos da pesquisa: protagonismo de profissionais de saúde aliados a alguns gestores mais sensibilizados; fragilidades da sua inserção na rede: desconhecimento dessas práticas no sistema e na sociedade em geral; oferta pouco visível e incipiente. Foi identificado que essas práticas caminham em direção à promoção da saúde e da humanização da atenção, reafirmando os valores, princípios e bases organizativas da Estratégia Saúde da Família. O estudo aponta, sobretudo, para a necessidade de divulgar e informar sobre as PIS junto ao sistema de saúde do Distrito Federal e na sociedade em geral, bem como para a necessidade de sensibilizar gestores e profissionais para a melhoria da infraestrutura e incentivar a formação de profissionais que possam contribuir para a expansão com qualidade das ações e serviços das Práticas Integrativas. (AU)

This is a study on Health Integrative Practices, such as Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Self-massage within the Federal District Health Care System. The primary health clinics from Planaltina, Sobradinho e Paranoá regions where selected as objects. The Integrative and Complementary Practices National Policy was taken as the conceptual framework in observing its potentials and limits within the primary health care set. The study uses a qualitative approach to analyze some units where any of these three integrative approaches exist at least one year. Twenty nine persons were included in the research: nine managers, seven practitioners and thirteen patients. Data was collected by interviews using a semi-structured guideline. Data analysis allowed to illuminate some of the research objectives, such as the pratictioners effectiveness when supported by the managers; the weaknesses of the integrative practices inclusion in the health network and the ignorance of these practices values by the health network and by the majority of the society and the invisibility of its offer as a marginal set in the health system. Positive findings show that the integrative practices under study walk towards health promotion and humanized care, reaffirming the family medicine values, principles and organizational basis. The study points out specially the need to propagate and to inform about the integrative practices in the Federal District health care sets and in the society in order to sensitize managers and pratictioners, to improve infrastructure, and to encourage pratictioners formation aiming to expand quality of integrative health care actions and services.(AU)

[Analysis on research projects for acupuncture and moxibustion supported by NSFC during the 11th 5-year-plan].

In the present paper, the authors introduce the approved and finished research projects for acupuncture and moxibustion therapies supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) during the 11th 5-year-plan. A total of 194 research projects were subsidized by NSFC from 2006 to 2010. These projects include 6 aspects: meridian-collaterals, acupoint theory, acupuncture analgesia, mechanisms underlying improvement of different clinical problems, clinical trials, and moxibustion therapy. The research on acupoints has been becoming a new hotspot in recent years. Majority of the research projects focus on the mechanism of acu-moxibustion underlying improvement of different clinical problems, while fewer projects on clinical trials. During the 11th 5-year-plan, 119 projects were completed; most of them involved meridian-collateral theory, acupoint theory, mechanism of acu-moxibustion underlying improvement of clinical problems and acupuncture manipulations. Following analysis of the finished research projects, we find that 1) many neurobiological methods and techniques are commonly used in the research on meridian-collateral theory; 2) the research on acupoint theory is changing from observing the local morphological structure to identifying characteristics of the regional activated receptors, particularly under the circumstances of visceral pathological conditions and efficacies of acupoints; 3) researches on the underlying mechanism of acu-moxibusiton for improving clinical disorders mainly focused on its cerebral protective effects against cerebral ischemia, in addition, researches about other diseases on clinical conditions have been also carried out, but the related mechanisms are far from understanding; 4) In many research projects, various new methods and techniques, such as fMRI, position emission tomography, genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, nerve stem cell, etc. were widely used; 5) Randomized controlled multi-center clinical trials are definitely insufficient. Only two clinical projects were finished during the 11th 5-year-plan. Moreover, it should be noted that in the subject of acu-moxibustion, independent innovation researches are fewer; the foundation of competitive ability is relatively weaker; the supporting conditions for finishing the research projects are poorer in some institutes or districts; and the interrelations among the theoretical, experimental and clinical researches are not intimately close, leading to relative lag in the subject development.

[Brief introduction of TCM education in New England School of Acupuncture in the USA].

New England School of Acupuncture is the first Chinese Medicine School in the United States. From the aspects of school history, status of students and situation of teachers, curriculum design, clinical practice and scientific research, this present article makes a simple introduction for this school, and briefly compares the Chinese Medicine education between China and west. Different from China, the American education is more lively and vivid, open and flexible, but lacks enough attention on the study of classic and clinical practice. In a word, China and the West could learn from each other and make the best of the both worlds.

[U. S. acupuncturists qualification tests of clean needle technique (CNT) examination].

Clean needle technique (CNT) examination is required for all applicants seeking National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicines' (NCCAOM) certification. CNT examination is one of compulsory subjects of certification of professional competence to practice acupuncture safely and effectively for the sake of the health and safety of the public, which is developed by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM). The uniform standard of practice for acupuncture, the content of CNT course, application procedure and the requirements of CNT examination are introduced in this paper.