Electroacupuncture for acute transverse myelitis following viral infection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) has a positive effect on neurological repair and functional recovery following spinal cord disease. However, evidence of its effectiveness in acute transverse myelitis (ATM) cases is limited. PATIENT PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old woman experienced headache and fever for 5 days, followed by a sudden onset of back pain, lower limb paralysis, and urinary and bowel dysfunction. The patient received intravenous medications. However, she did not experience improvement in clinical symptoms. She subsequently underwent acupuncture treatment. She regained walking ability and experienced improved bladder function and bowel control after 36 sessions of EA treatment. METHODS: CARE guidelines informed the case study report. The MRC and ICIQ-UI-SF scores were used to verify changes in lower-extremity muscle strength and urination after EA treatment. Qualitative information was collected using feedback tables. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological treatment for ATM lacks clear advantages because of its complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Hence, EA could be recommended as a promising treatment modality for ATM.

Professor GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of using electroacupuncture for dry eye. / 高维滨电针治疗干眼临床经验撷要.

The academic thoughts of professor GAO Wei-bin regarding the use of electroacupuncture in the treatment of dry eye are introduced. Professor GAO believes that the occurrence of dry eye is mainly related to the stagnation of qi and blood in the eye meridians, leading to inadequate nourishment of the eyes. The acupuncture treatment principle focuses on promoting blood circulation, clearing and benefiting the eye orifices. By integrating traditional acupuncture theory with modern neuroanatomy, the treatment approach centers on stimulating the lacrimal gland, emphasizing the importance of promoting, addressing symptoms as a priority, and considering both the root cause and symptoms.The precise acupoint selection is emphasized. Acupoints of periocular region, such as Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Leixian point are selected along with Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue point to treat dry eye. Attention is also given to the use of electroacupuncture and the selection of its frequencies, emphasizing specific needling techniques based on the severity and classification of the disease.

A novel approach to the immediate effects of electroacupuncture on dry eye: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Dry eye disease (DED) is an inflammatory disorder that shares several features with autoimmune diseases. Research suggests that electroacupuncture (EA) is a promising alternative treatment option for this disorder; however, evidence of its immediate efficacy is limited. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients were diagnosed with DED, and used artificial tears or anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term relief of eye symptoms. However, the cure rates were low, and the side effects were high. To improve ocular symptoms, quality of life, and physical and mental health, the patients sought alternative complementary therapies and received electroacupuncture therapy. All patients showed significant improvements in fatigue and dryness of the ocular surface after 3-4 days of treatment, and follow-up after 4 weeks showed no tendency for recurrence. No adverse reactions or unexpected events were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: We propose an innovative electroacupuncture treatment aimed at fewer acupuncture points, shorter periods, and faster healing that improves the symptoms of patients with DED in the short term. Continuous current stimulation by anatomically positioned needles on both sides of the lacrimal gland and the creation of an electric field may improve the endogenous mechanisms of DED.

Immediate effects of electroacupuncture in oculomotor nerve palsy following brainstem infarction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Research has demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of paralyzed muscles significantly improves nerve regeneration and functional recovery. DESCRIPTION: An 81-year-old man with no history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension presented with a history of brainstem infarction. Initially, the patient had medial rectus palsy in the left eye and diplopia to the right in both eyes, which almost returned to normal after six sessions of EA. METHODS: The CARE guidelines informed the case study report. The patient was diagnosed with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) and photographed to document ONP recovery after treatment. The selected acupuncture points and surgical methods are listed in the table. DISCUSSION: Pharmacological treatment of oculomotor palsy is not ideal, and its long-term use has side effects. Although acupuncture is a promising treatment for ONP, existing treatments involve many acupuncture points and long cycles, resulting in poor patient compliance. We chose an innovative modality, electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles, which may be an effective and safe complementary alternative therapy for ONP.

[GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience in treatment of neurogenic bladder with acupuncture].

The paper introduces GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience in acupuncture treatment for neurogenic bladder. In association with the etiology, the location and types of neurogenic bladder and in accordance with nerve anatomy and meridian differentiation, the acupoints are selected accurately in treatment. Four acupoint prescriptions are allocated. For frequent urination and urinary incontinence, the foot-motor-sensory area of scalp acupuncture, Shenshu (BL 23) and Huiyang (BL 35) are used. For all kinds of urine retention, especially the patients who are not suitable for acupuncture at the lumbar region, Zhongji (CV 3), Qugu (CV 2), Henggu (KI 11) and Dahe (KI 12) are selected. For all kinds of urine retention, Zhongliao (BL 33) and Ciliao (BL 32) are applicable. For the patients with both dysuria and urinary incontinence, Zhongliao (BL 33), Ciliao (BL 32) and Huiyang (BL 35) are chosen. In treatment of neurogenic bladder, both biao (root causes) and ben (primary symptoms) are considered, as well as the accompanying symptoms; and electroacupuncture is combined accordingly. During the delivery of acupuncture, the sites where the acupoints located are detected and palpated so as to rationally control the depth of needle insertion and the operation of reinforcing and reducing needling techniques.

[GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience in treatment of medulla oblongata paralysis with nape acupuncture].

This paper introduces GAO Wei-bin's academic thought in treatment of medulla oblongata paralysis with acupuncture. Through analyzing the etiologies and locations of medulla oblongata paralysis, in accordance with "selecting the nearby acupoints of the affected area", the acupoints are selected from the nape region, the nape acupuncture therapy and the corresponding new points are developed. Based on the human anatomy of the nape region, the anatomic structures of new points (e.g. Gongxue, Tunyan-1, Tunyan-2, Fayin, Zhiqiang and Tiyan) and their effect mechanism are explained. The treatment principle, "distinguishing the symptoms from the root causes, mutual treatment for both symptoms and root causes", is proposed, and the importance of electric stimulation of nape acupuncture is suggested in treatment of medulla oblongata paralysis.

A meta-analysis of the effect of nape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke.

BACKGROUND: To systematically evaluate the general efficacy of nape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia and in the recovery of swallowing function. METHODS: Three English databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Library) and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, CQVIP) were searched using the date range January 1, 2001-January 1, 2022. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of nape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation for the treatment of dysphagia after stroke with appropriate evaluation methods were included in the study. RESULTS: The results indicated that nape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training led to higher clinical effectiveness (odds ratio (OR) =4.25 and 95% confidence interval (CI)=[2.94, 6.15]), higher videofluoroscopic swallowing study scores(VFSS) (weighted mean difference (WMD)=1.33; 95% CI=[1.09, 1.58]), and lower Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) scores (WMD = -2.57, 95% CI=[-3.51, -1.62]) in patients with post-stroke dysphagia compared with rehabilitation training alone. CONCLUSIONS: This Meta-analysis suggested that nape acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training is more effective in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke than rehabilitation alone.

[Professor GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electroacupuncture with dense wave at periotic points for neurotic tinnitus].

Professor GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience of electroacupuncture (EA) with dense wave at periotic points for neurotic tinnitus is introduced. Based on the basic theory of TCM and the perspective of neuroanatomy, EA with dense wave at new periotic points (four points at mastoid process) and Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19) could have the effects of qi reaching affected area, and play the treatment role of "where the acupoint is, where the efficacy is".