[Observation of acupoint thread-embedding on refractive amblyopia in children].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding on visual acuity and morphology of retina in children with refractive amblyopia. METHODS: A total of 60 children with refractive amblyopia were randomized into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the control group, comprehensive therapy of eye covering of intact side and family refined performance was adopted. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupoint thread-embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) in the observation group, once every 2 weeks. The treatment for 2 months was required in the both groups. The corrected vision and the variations of macular thickness of retina and average thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) before and after treatment were observed, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in the both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the corrected vision was increased compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of corrected vision in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05); the macular thickness of retina and the average thickness of RNFL were thinner compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05), and the macular thickness of retina and the average thickness of RNFL in the observation group were thinner than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 92.9% (26/28) in the observation group, which was superior to 79.3% (23/29) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupoint thread-embedding can effectively increase the corrected vision in children with refractive amblyopia, and has improvement in retina morphological damage to a certain extent.

[Comparative observation of acupoint thread-embedding and acupuncture therapy of Shugan Tiaoshen for insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Shugan Tiaoshen (soothing the liver and regulating mind) acupoint thread-embedding therapy and Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy for insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupoint embedding group (34 cases) and an acupuncture group (34 cases). Two groups were respectively treated with acupoint thread-embedding and acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Ganshu (BL 18) and Xinshu (BL 15). The treatment in the acupoint embedding group was given once a week, and in the acupuncture group was given once every other day for 6 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), TCM syndrome scores before and after treatment and medical expenses were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the PSQI total scores, each sub-item score and SAS and SDS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the sleep quality, time during fall asleep, sleep time, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction scores and PSQI total score in the acupoint embedding group after treatment were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, except for constipation and yellowish urine, the sub-item scores and total scores of TCM syndromes in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the sleep disturbance score of the acupoint embedding group was lower than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The medical expenses in the acupoint embedding group was lower than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the acupoint embedding group was 85.3% (29/34), and the acupuncture group was 82.4% (28/34), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Shugan Tiaoshen acupoint thread-embedding therapy and Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy both have significant curative effect on insomnia of liver depression and qi stagnation, but acupoint thread-embedding therapy is better than acupuncture therapy in improving sleep quality and reducing medical expenses.