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Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with routine language and motor training on limb and language function,depression,and serum brain injury markers in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:A total of 86 patients with ischemic stroke were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group using the random drawing method,with 43 cases in each group.Both groups received routine stroke treatments.The control group was additionally treated with routine language and motor training,and the observation group was additionally treated with EA treatment on the basis of the intervention of the control group.Changes in the limb function score,language function score,depression score,and brain injury marker protein were compared between the two groups,and the treatment safety of the two groups was evaluated. Results:The Fugl-Meyer assessment scale scores of both groups were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score of limb function of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The language function score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).The Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale(MADRS)scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).The levels of brain injury markers heart-type fatty acid-binding protein(H-FABP),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and annexin a7(ANXA7)of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The incidence rate of adverse reactions in the two groups was 14.0%and 9.3%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with language and motor training is effective in the treatment of ischemic stroke.It can promote the recovery of limb motor function and language function,inhibit the occurrence of depression,and reduce the levels of brain injury markers,with good safety.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of pressing-kneading manipulation combined with herb-insulated moxibustion at Shuidao(ST28)for postpartum urinary retention after labor analgesia and its effect on bladder urination function. Methods:A total of 154 patients with postpartum urinary retention after labor analgesia were randomly divided into a Western medication group and a herb-insulated moxibustion group,with 77 cases in each group.In the Western medication group,neostigmine sulfate was injected into Zusanli(ST36).In the herb-insulated moxibustion group,after pressing-kneading manipulation at Shuidao(ST28),herb-insulated moxibustion was applied to Shuidao(ST28)with self-made Tong Quan San.Both groups were treated once,and the clinical efficacy was evaluated 5 h after treatment.The first urination time,first urination volume,average urinary flow rate,bladder residual urine volume,hospitalization days,and costs were recorded. Results:The total effective rate and markedly effective rate of the herb-insulated moxibustion group were higher than those of the Western medication group(P<0.05),the time to the first urination and residual urine volume in the bladder of the herb-insulated moxibustion group were shorter or smaller than those of the Western medication group(P<0.01),the first urination volume and average urine flow rate of the herb-insulated moxibustion group were larger than those of the Western medication group(P<0.01).There were no significant differences in the hospitalization days and costs between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:Pressing-kneading manipulation combined with herb-insulated moxibustion at Shuidao(ST28)can effectively treat postpartum urinary retention after labor analgesia and improve bladder urination function.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with exercise therapy on balance function in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods:Seventy patients with KOA were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with EA combined with exercise therapy.EA was applied to Dubi(ST35),Neixiyan(EX-LE4),Xuehai(SP10),Liangqiu(ST34),Yanglingquan(GB34),and Zusanli(ST 36).Exercise therapy(muscle strength training and knee mobility training)was applied after EA.The control group only received the same exercise therapy as the treatment group.The two groups were treated with the same course of treatment,3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks,12 times in total,and followed up for 1 month.The Pro-Kin254P balance test system was used to measure the balance function parameters at 4 time points,including before treatment,after 1 session of treatment,after 12 sessions of treatment,and at 1-month follow-up after treatment.The visual analog scale(VAS)and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)scores were recorded. Results:The markedly effective rate and total effective rate in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The Romberg area,Romberg length,and VAS scores of the two groups decreased significantly after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment,and the differences between different time points in the same group were statistically significant(P<0.01).There were significant differences between the two groups at the same time point(P<0.05).The total WOMAC scores of the two groups after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment decreased significantly,and there were significant differences between different time points in the same group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(P>0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with exercise therapy or exercise therapy alone can enhance the balance function,relieve joint pain,and improve joint function in patients with KOA.EA combined with exercise therapy is superior to exercise therapy alone in improving balance function and pain,but the two treatment protocols have similar effects in improving joint function.
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Objective:To observe the effects of kidney-tonifying and mind-calming acupuncture therapy on sleep,mood,sex hormone levels,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms in patients with perimenopausal insomnia(PMI). Methods:A total of 90 patients with PMI were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 45 cases in each group.Patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Shenshu(BL23),Taixi(KI3),Baihui(GV20),and Anmian(Extra).The control group was treated with sham acupuncture.Both groups were treated 3 times a week for 4 weeks.Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)and insomnia severity index(ISI)were used to evaluate the sleep quality of the subjects before treatment,after treatment,and 1 month after treatment(follow-up).Beck depression inventory(BDI)and Beck anxiety inventory(BAI)were used to evaluate the depression and anxiety of the subjects before treatment,after treatment,and at 1-month follow-up.The TCM symptom scale was used to evaluate the TCM symptoms of the subjects before treatment,after treatment,and 1 month after treatment.Serum levels of estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and luteinizing hormone(LH)were measured before and after treatment. Results:During the study,2 cases dropped out of the treatment group,and no cases dropped out of the control group.The PSQI scores of the treatment group were significantly lower after treatment and at 1-month follow-up compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant compared with that of the control group(P<0.05).In the control group,the PSQI score was significantly lower after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05),and the difference was not statistically significant at 1-month follow-up compared with before treatment(P>0.05).Compared with the pre-treatment,the ISI,BDI,BAI,and TCM symptom scale scores of the treatment group were lower after treatment and at 1-month follow-up(P<0.05),and the differences with the control group at the same time point were statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences in ISI,BDI,BAI,and TCM symptom scale scores of the control group before treatment,after treatment,and at 1-month follow-up were not statistically significant(P>0.05).After treatment,the serum E2 level in the treatment group was significantly higher than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the difference with the control group was statistically significant(P<0.05).The difference in the serum E2 level before and after treatment in the control group was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The differences in the serum FSH and LH levels between before and after treatment were not statistically significant in either group of subjects(P>0.05). Conclusion:Kidney-tonifying and mind-calming acupuncture therapy can improve sleep quality,relieve anxiety and depression,delay the decrease of serum E2 level,and improve related TCM symptoms in patients with PMI.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)combined with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang(Middle Jiao-supplementing and Qi-boosting Decoction)in the treatment of rectocele of Qi sinking due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 patients with rectocele(grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ)were randomly divided into a Chinese medicine group and a Tuina+Chinese medicine group,with 54 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang,and the Tuina+Chinese medicine group was treated with additional Tuina manipulation.The score of clinical symptoms and grade of rectocele were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:After treatment,39 cases were cured,10 cases were effective,and 5 cases failed in the Tuina+Chinese medicine group,making a total effective rate of 90.7%.In the Chinese medicine group,26 cases were cured,16 cases were effective,and 12 cases failed,making a total effective rate of 77.8%.The efficacy difference between the two groups was statistically significant,checked by the rank-sum test(P＜0.05).After treatment,the grades of rectocele in the two groups were statistically different from those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the score of each item and the total score of traditional Chinese medicine symptoms in the two groups were lower than those before treatment,and the differences within the group were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The score of each item and the total score of the Tuina+Chinese medicine group were lower than those of the Chinese medicine group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Tuina plus Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang has better clinical efficacy than Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang alone in the treatment of rectocele of Qi sinking due to spleen deficiency.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of skin pruritus in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:Eighty patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group was given loratadine orally,and the observation group was given acupuncture treatment in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The four-item itch questionnaire(FIIQ)score,indicators for skin barrier function,and serum interleukin(IL)-2 and IL-31 levels were compared.The efficacy was judged after the treatment ended.Results:The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the site,frequency,severity of pruritus,sleep impact sub-scores,and FIIQ total score in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and all scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The stratum corneum hydration(SCH)and transepidermal water loss(TEWL)in the V-shaped area of the chest,the flexor side of the forearm,and the extensor side of the lower leg were not significantly changed in the control group(P>0.05);the SCH and TEWL in the V-shaped area of the chest,the flexor side of the forearm,and the extensor side of the lower leg in the observation group were improved(P<0.05),and all were better than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05);the serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels in the observation group were both significantly decreased(P<0.05)and were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with loratadine is highly effective in the treatment of pruritus in maintenance hemodialysis patients,and it can relieve pruritus,improve skin barrier function,and reduce serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels.
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Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination plus Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome. Methods: A total of 88 patients with the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 44 cases in each group. The control group was treated with Tuina, and the observation group was treated with additional acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. The changes in the scores of physical signs, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Quebec back pain disability scale (QBPDS), and pain factors [including serum prostaglandin (PG) E2, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)] were observed. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 93.2％, higher than 75.0％ in the control group; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of physical signs and each low back pain scale, and the levels of serum pain factors in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination plus Tuina is effective in the treatment of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome; it can improve the patient's physical signs, relieve low back pain, and reduce the levels of serum pain factors.
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Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of accommodative myopia in children.Methods:A total of 76 children with accommodative myopia who met the inclusion criteria were divided into a control group or a test group according to the random number table method,with 38 cases in each group.The control group was given education on eye hygiene,and the test group was treated with acupuncture twice a week for 2 months in addition to the intervention used in the control group.The patient's uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),refraction,and axial length(AL)were measured before treatment and 1 month and 2 months after treatment.Results:After 1 month of treatment,there was no significant difference in the UCVA between the two groups(P＞0.05);after 2 months of treatment,the UCVA of the test group was better than that of the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the refraction of the two groups was significantly different from that before treatment(P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the AL in the control group was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in the test group(P＞0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment can improve UCVA in children with accommodative myopia.
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Objective:To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture on neurological function and limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:A total of 106 eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation.The treatment group was treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The National Institute of Heath stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,Berg balance scale score,lower limb main nerve conduction velocity,and total response rate were compared between the two groups. Results:The total response rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,and Berg balance scale score of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,only the conduction velocity of femoral nerve in the control group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the conduction velocity of femoral nerve,tibial nerve,sural nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the treatment group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve nerve and muscle function and the motor and living ability of patients with ischemic stroke,and its therapeutic effect is superior to that of conventional rehabilitation therapy alone.
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Objective:To observe the effect of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)combined with functional training in improving clinical symptoms and balance function in patients with meniscus injury. Methods:A total of 93 patients with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ meniscus injury were randomly divided into a functional training group,a Tuina group,and a combination group,with 31 cases in each group.The Tuina group received Tuina manipulation.The functional training group underwent functional training under the supervision of physicians.The combination group received Tuina manipulation in addition to the functional training.The treatment course of all three groups was 8 weeks.The clinical symptoms were observed before the intervention and after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions,and the changes in knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score(KOOS)and Y-balance test(YBT)were compared. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the total response rate among the three groups after treatment(P>0.05).The total and subscale KOOS in the three groups were significantly higher than those before treatment after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions(P<0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the total KOOS between the combination group and the functional training group after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions(P<0.05);there was a statistically significant difference in the score of daily living ability and sports and recreation function between the two groups after 8 weeks of interventions(P<0.05).The YBT balance coefficients of the affected and non-affected knees of the three groups were significantly improved after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions(P<0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference among the groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:Tuina,functional training,and their combination can improve clinical symptoms and balance function in patients with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ meniscus injury.Tuina combined with functional training is significantly effective in improving daily living ability and sports and recreation function.
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Objective: To investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of action of warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir in the treatment of compensated cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 patients in each group. The control group was given oral entecavir, and the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB) levels, portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness were compared before and after treatment. The serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C), interleukin (IL)-21, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels were also measured. Results: After treatment, the serum ALT and AST levels decreased (P<0.05), and the serum ALB levels increased (P<0.05) in both groups. The serum ALT and AST levels were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the ALB level was higher in the observation group (P<0.05). The portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness values were reduced in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The serum HA, LN, PCⅢ, and Ⅳ-C levels were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, the serum IL-21 level decreased (P<0.05), but the serum PDGF level did not change significantly (P>0.05); in the observation group, the serum IL-21 and PDGF levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir treatment can improve liver function, reduce the inner diameters of the portal vein and splenic vein, spleen thickness, and liver hardness, and improve liver fibrosis indicators in patients with CHB cirrhosis, which may be related to the reduction of serum IL-21 and PDGF levels.
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Objective: To investigate the effects of buccal acupuncture on analgesia, immune indicators, and expression levels of Survivin and Livin proteins in patients with advanced-stage primary liver cancer. Methods: Eighty patients with advanced-stage primary liver cancer were selected and divided into control and treatment groups according to the difference in treatment modalities, with 40 patients in each group. The control group received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and the treatment group received buccal acupuncture in addition to TACE. The recent efficacy, analgesic effect, liver function, serum tumor markers, Survivin and Livin protein expression levels in liver cancer tissue, and immune indexes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of the treatment group were 37.5％ and 77.5％, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (22.5％ and 52.5％), and the recent efficacy of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The onset of analgesia in the treatment group was significantly faster than that in the control group (P<0.05), the duration of analgesia was significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the numeric rating scale (NRS) score of pain after treatment was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin/globulin (A/G) were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the expression levels of Survivin and Livin in liver cancer tissue were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and CD8+ was significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Buccal acupuncture can reduce the degree of pain and liver function damage in patients with advanced- stage primary liver cancer and lower the serum tumor marker levels, and its mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of Survivin and Livin protein expression levels in the liver cancer tissue and the regulation of the immune function.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of mild moxibustion combined with arthroscopic meniscal repair in the treatment of meniscal injury and to explore its action mechanism. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with meniscal injury were divided into a surgery group and a moxibustion plus surgery group by the random number table method, with 49 cases in each group. Both groups received arthroscopic meniscal repair, and the moxibustion plus surgery group was treated with add-on mild moxibustion. The Lysholm score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and mobility of the affected knee were measured before and after treatment, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels were measured in the fluid of the affected knee joint. The healing of the meniscus was recorded at a follow-up visit 3 months after the surgery. Results: After treatment, the Lysholm score increased, the VAS score decreased in both groups, and the intra-group differences in both groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The Lysholm score was higher in the moxibustion plus surgery group than in the surgery group, and the VAS score was lower in the moxibustion plus surgery group than in the surgery group. The differences between groups in both scores were statistically significant (P<0.05). The mobility of the affected knee joint increased in both groups (P<0.05), and it was greater in the moxibustion plus surgery group than in the surgery group (P<0.05). When compared with pretreatment, the levels of TGF-β1 and PDGF in the fluid of the knee joint increased in both groups (P<0.05), and the levels of TGF-β1 and PDGF in the fluid of the affected knee joint were higher in the moxibustion plus surgery group than in the surgery group (P<0.05). The healing of the meniscus in the moxibustion plus surgery group was significantly better than that in the surgery group at the follow-up visit 3 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion: The effect of mild moxibustion combined with arthroscopic meniscal repair is better than the surgery alone in improving knee function, relieving pain, increasing mobility of the affected knee, and promoting meniscal healing, which may be related to the up-regulation of TGF-β1 and PDGF levels in the fluid of knee joint.
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Objective: To observe the safety of the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation in treating patients with prediabetes and its effects on blood glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods: One hundred and two patients with prediabetes were divided into a manipulation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 51 cases in each group. All patients received the general behavioral intervention for prediabetes, with additional Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation in the manipulation group and oral metformin hydrochloride tablets in the control group. Both groups received the intervention for six months. Results: Fourteen patients dropped out during the treatment, and a total of 88 patients completed the trial, including 45 cases in the manipulation group and 43 cases in the control group. After the treatment, the prediabetes control rate was 93.3％ in the manipulation group and 74.4％ in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05); no patient in the manipulation group progressed to diabetes, while the rate of conversion to diabetes in the control group was 6.9％, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload plasma glucose (2hPG) level during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment-2 of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) decreased in both groups versus baseline, with significant differences within the groups; the levels of all indicators were lower in the manipulation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the differences between the two groups were more prominent at the sixth month (P<0.01). At the sixth month, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the manipulation group was increased, while there was no significant change in the control group. In the control group, three patients reported mild gastrointestinal reactions at the initial dosing, which improved after medication adjustment. No other adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion: Both metformin hydrochloride tablets and the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation can improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism and reduce insulin resistance and clinical discomfort in patients with prediabetes, but the Song-Relaxing and Zhen-Vibrating abdomen manipulation has higher efficacy and safety.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in controlling myopia in children and its effect on retinal blood flow. Methods: Sixty-eight myopic children were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group was given auricular acupressure treatment alone, and the observation group was treated with EA once a week in addition to the treatment used in the control group. The spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline, and after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to measure the vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in the surface layer of the retina. Results: After 3 months and 6 months of treatment, the changes in SER between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the changes in AL between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05); after 6 months of treatment, the change amount of AL in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05); after 3 months and 6 months of treatment, the changes in VD and PD in the surface layer of the retina in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA treatment once a week for 6 months can delay the increase of AL and improve the retinal surface blood flow in myopic children.
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Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB). Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 105 participants were randomized 1:1:1 into an acupuncture group, a herbal medicine group and an acupuncture plus herbal medicine group. Participants in the acupuncture group received manual acupuncture treatment, twice a week. Participants in the herbal medicine group received Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang, oral administration, once a day. Participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group received both treatments. The therapeutic effects of the three groups were evaluated after four weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was the Jankovic rating scale (JRS) score, and the secondary outcome was the blepharospasm disability index (BSDI) score. Results: After four weeks of treatment, the JRS total scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05). A greater reduction in the JRS total score was reported in participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the herbal medicine group (P>0.05). The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group had a greater decrease in the JRS severity score than the herbal medicine group (P<0.05). The reduction in the JRS frequency score was not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). The BSDI scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05), but the reduction in the BSDI score was insignificantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is effective in the treatment of BEB either to use acupuncture and Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang alone or in combination. The combination therapy shows a more significant effect than either of the treatment alone.