[Consideration and analysis on "Effect of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture on live births among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a randomized clinical trial" in JAMA].

The article "Effect of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture on live births among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a randomized clinical trial", published in JAMA in May 2018, has concluded that acupuncture does not improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF. Through careful study of the article, the author analyzes its reliability from acupuncture therapeutic plan and specific acupuncture operation. As a result, although the research showed no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group, it could not prove no therapeutic effect in the sham acupuncture group, so the conclusion that the acupuncture did not improve the therapeutic effect could not be drawn; the compatibility of acupoints was inconsistent with the previous protocol, and its rationality was controversial; whether the frequency and duration of acupuncture treatment could highlight the live birth rate should be further discussed. In addition, the selection of acupuncturists may be another reason for the failure of the research aim.

Effects of acupuncture in treating insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome and its influence on intestinal microbiome: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common complaint that is closely related to gastrointestinal symptoms, which is consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine classical theory of "stomach disharmony leading to restless sleep." Acupuncture is an effective complementary and alternative medicine therapy to improve gastrointestinal function and restore the normal sleep-wake cycle. However, studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome are limited to case reports and few randomized controlled trials; deeper research on its mechanism is still lacking. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the treatment efficacy of "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture for insomnia and its influence on the intestinal microbiome. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study. Sixty eligible patients with insomnia due to spleen-stomach disharmony syndrome will be randomly divided into two groups (1:1 allocation ratio). The intervention group will use "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture, and the control group will receive sham acupuncture. Participants will receive 5 acupuncture treatment sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment by making assessments at baseline, the end of treatment and the end of the follow-up. High-throughput 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing will be performed to detect changes in the intestinal microbial composition before and after treatment. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial are expected to confirm that "harmonizing stomach to tranquilize mind" acupuncture can effectively relieve insomnia and alter the intestinal microbiome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR1800017092.

[Analysis on Randomized Controlled Trials for Acupuncture Treatment of Simple Obesity Collected from PubMed].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze studies published in journals included in PubMed in terms of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for simple obesity, so as to provide a reference for subsequent RCT-related designs and results. METHODS: RCT literature about acupuncture treatment of simple obesity from the PubMed database and from 2000 to 2016 was retrieved by using keywords of "obesity" "fat" "acupuncture" "joint application of acupuncture and herbal medicine" or "auricular point" "electroacupuncture", "acupoint application", or "cupping", followed by screening, extraction and evaluation of the design methodology and outcomes using Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). RESULTS: Fourteen articles from six countries in Asia examining the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of simple obesity mainly by using acupoints of the Stomach Meridian were included. Generally, acupuncture was found to be more effective than sham acupuncture. However, PubMed did not include any RCTs comparing acupuncture with western medicine for weight loss and many problems (as details of needling manipulation, etc.) remained in the the research reports available in the database. CONCLUSION: All the existing RCTs generally affirm the positive efficacy of acupuncture for simple obesity, but high-quality RCTs, particularly those comparing acupuncture with western medicines for weight loss are lacking.

Electroacupuncture is Beneficial for Primary Dysmenorrhea: The Evidence from Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Electroacupuncture (EA) is considered to be a promising alternative therapy to relieve the menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea (PD), but the conclusion is controversial. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis specifically to evaluate the clinical efficacy from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of EA in patients with PD. PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, CENTRAL, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched to identify RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of EA for PD. The outcome measurements included visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS), COX retrospective symptom scale (RSS), and the curative rate. Nine RCTs with high risk of bias were included for meta-analysis. The combined VAS 30 minutes after the completion of intervention favoured EA at SP6 when compared with EA at GB39, nonacupoints, and waiting-list groups. EA was superior to pharmacological treatment when the treatment duration lasted for three menstrual cycles, evidenced by significantly higher curative rate. No statistically significant differences between EA at SP6 and control groups were found regarding the VRS, RSS-COX1, and RSS-COX2. The findings of our study suggested that EA can provide considerable immediate analgesia effect for PD. Additional studies with rigorous design and larger sample sizes are needed.

[Effect of Acupuncture at Points in Heel Vessel for Circadian Clock Genes of Period 1 and Period 2 mRNAs in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Insomnia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence and mechanism of acupuncture at the points in Heel Vessel for the circadian clock genes of Period (Per) 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in insomnia rats. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model, acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each group. Insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of PCPA (suspension, 1 mL/100 g). Acupuncture at "Shenmai" (BL 62) and "Zhaohai" (KI 6) was used in the acupuncture group for continuous 7 days, 15 min/day and once daily. The circadian rhythm was observed; the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in SCN were examined with real time-PCR. RESULTS: The activity in the model group in rest period everyday increased compared with that in the blank group, and the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in SCN decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the activity in the acupuncture group in rest period decreased and the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the SCN increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at BL 62 and KI 6 can increase the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the SCN, so as to decrease the activity in rest period, and improve the quality of sleep in insomnia rats.

[Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in wetlands surrounding reservoirs in hilly areas in Danling County].

OBJECTIVE: To master the Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in wetlands surrounding reservoirs in hilly areas in Danling County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the reference for improving the snail control in these areas. METHODS: A medium-sized reservoir (Meiwan Reservoir) and a small-sized reservoir (Zhulinkan Reservoir) were chosen respectively , and the snail situation of the environments surrounding the reservoirs were investigated , the indexes such as the occurrence rate of frames with snails and the density of living snails at the upstream and downstream of the reservoirs as well as the surrounding environments were calculated and compared. Meanwhile , the data of the snail situation of the adjacent villages in the irrigation district at the downstream of the reservoirs year by year were collected to analyze the variation trend. RESULTS: The Meiwan Reservoir was located in the deep hill, the occurrence rate of frames with snails was 4.29%, the highest and average densities of living snails were 28.00 snails/0.1 m2 and 0.38 snails/0.1 m2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the occurrence rates of frames with snails at the upstream and downstream, which were 0.17% and 22.16%, respectively (χ2 = 1,267.40, P < 0.05), and the rate of spillway was the highest (51.69%). The highest and average densities of living snails in the downstream were 7.00 and 656.10 times higher than those in the upstream respectively. The Zhulinkan Reservoir was located in the shallow hill, the occurrence rate of frames with snails was 17.29%, and the highest and average densities of the living snails were 38.00 snails/0.1 m2 and 0.61 snails/0.1 in 2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the occurrence rates of frames with snails at the upstream and the downstream, which were 12.95% and 50.92% respectively (χ2 = 194.68, P < 0.05), and the rate of spillway was the highest (65.74%). The highest and average densities of living snails in the downstream were 5.43 and 10.00 times higher than those in the upstream respectively. After the construction of the two reservoirs, the snail area in the irrigation districts of the adjacent villages at the downstream was 57.26% of that before and after the construction (398,030 m2/695 160 m2). The snail area showed a down-ward tendency with repeatedly rebound since the 1990s. CONCLUSIONS: The wetland surrounding the reservoir in hilly region is suitable for snail breeding, and the snail situation in the shallow hill is more serious than that in the deep hill. There exists a risk for the repeatability of snail situation in this type of area where the snails can easily diffuse.

[Acupoint combination method of five-door and ten-change and its clinical application].

According to two kinds of acupoint combination methods for Huahe and Huhe in five-door and ten-change theory proposed by the deceased Taiwanese famous acupuncturist Mr. ZHOU Zuo-yu, the origin of the change theory proposed by the deceased Taiwanese famous acupuncturist Mr. ZHOU Zuo-yu, the origin of the acupoint combination method of five-door and ten-change is introduced. This method combines traditional philosophy of Yi with medicine, which is featured with casual timing, casual pattern, capacity to be combined with TCM syndrome differentiation, specific application scope and pertinence. Some clinical cases are additionally presented to verify this method. Huhe method is mostly used for Bi-syndrome while Huahe method has better effects on internal medicine diseases. They open the new thinking methods for clinical acupoint selection.

[Analysis on the application and evaluation of the case-based learning of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Techniques].

The feasibility of the case-based learning (CBL) of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Techniques is discussed in the aspects of the connotation application, implementation process and effect evaluation of CBL in teaching this course. The result shows that compared with the traditional teaching model, CBL achieves the same effects on the mastery of theoretic knowledge on the techniques of acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping for the undergraduates. Moreover, CBL presentes the obvious advantages on the improvements of the ability of the manipulation selection based on the clinical symptoms and the practical manipulative skills of the students. Hence, CBL is deserved to be promoted as an experimental unit in the professional technique courses of acupuncture-moxibustion.

[Chuzhen therapy for sub-health: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on intervention of sub-health with pestle needle (Chuzhen). METHOD: Randomized controlled trail was adopted for this research. One hundred and fifty-three cases were randomly divided into two groups of a Chuzhen group (79 cases) and a massage group (74 cases). Acupoint of Bazhen (Baihui Bazhen, Shendao Bazhen, Zhiyang Bazhen, Mingmen Bazhen, Yaoyangguan Bazhen), Hechelu on the head, the neck and the lumbar area were adopted in Chuzhen group. While regular whole-body massage was applied in the massage group. The human sub-health score, the cornell medical index (CMI) and thermal texture maps system (TTM) technology of the two groups before and after the intervention were observed. RESULTS: 1) After treatment, sub-health condition score, the CMI score, the M-R score and the TTM index were all increased in both groups (all P<0.01) 2) Comparison of D-value of the two groups before and after the intervention: the level of the sub-health score, the total score of CMI, and the index of sleep, pressure, Governor Vessel, Hukou (first web), blood lipid, viscosity of blood, microcirculation of TTM index of the Chuzhen group changed more obvious (all P<0.01), but there was no statistic significances in the M-R score and blood sugar of the TTM (both P>0.05). 3) The sub-health condition score in Chuzhen group was higher than that in the massage group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Chuzhen therapy has definite effect on intervention of sub-health, which is better than regular general massage.

Clinical studies on treatment of earthquake-caused posttraumatic stress disorder using electroacupuncture.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in 138 patients with earthquake-caused PTSD using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). 138 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an electro-acupuncture group and a paroxetine group. The electro-acupuncture group was treated by scalp electro-acupuncture on Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), and Fengchi (GB 20), and the paroxetine group was treated with simple oral administration of paroxetine. The efficacy and safety of the electro-acupuncture on treatment of 69 PTSD patients were evaluated using Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) according to clinical data. The total scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA in the two groups after treatment showed significant efficacy compared to those before treatment. The comparison of reduction in the scores of CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA between the two groups suggested that the efficacy in the treated group was better than that in the paroxetine group. The present study suggested that the electro-acupuncture and paroxetine groups have significant changes in test PTSD, but the electro-acupuncture 2 group was more significant.

[Effect of ecological civilized homestead construction on schistosomiasis control].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Ecological Civilized Homestead Construction on schistosomiasis control. METHODS: The data of ecological civilized homestead construction and schistosomiasis control were collected and analyzed in Meiwan Village, Shuangqiao Town, Danling County, Sichuan Province from 2004 to 2010. RESULTS: Ecological Civilized Homestead Construction was carried out from 2004 to 2010. Totally 454 bio-gas pools were built. All the farmers used well water. The popularized rates of the household bio-gas pool, sanitary toilet, sewage treatment pool reached 100%. The number of cattle was 4, which decreased by 91.30% compared with that in 2004, and all the cattle were fed in captivity. The schistosome infection rates of populations were 0.26% and 0.30% in 2005 and 2008, respectively, and nobody was infected in other years. The infection rate of cattle was 0 from 2004 to 2010. The awareness rate of knowledge about schistosomiasis control achieved 100% in the population over 6 years old. Most of the farmers could use certain protective measures while they were farming. CONCLUSION: The effect of ecological civilized homestead construction on schistosomiasis control is remarkable.

[Modern documentary research on disease menu of acupuncture-moxibustion for mental and behavioral disorder].

OBJECTIVE: Dominant disease menu of mental and behavioral disorder of acupuncture therapy was summarized and obtained in this article. METHODS: Literatures on clinical treatment of mental and behavioral disorder with acupuncture were picked up from CBMdisc and CNKI during 1978 to 2007. Types of mental and behavioral disorder and report frequency of each disease treated with acupuncture were counted. And dominant diseases which were favorable to be treated with acupuncture were acquired through analysis and inductive method. RESULTS: Twenty-nine diseases of mental and behavioral disorder are favorable to be treated with acupuncture which were mentioned in totally 1967 related documents. It is found that the number of reports of sleep disorder, depression, hysteria aphronesia, dementia and sexual disorder are ranked as the top five. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the preponderant diseases of mental and behavioral disorder treated by acupuncture are dementia, withdrawal syndrome, mental retardation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal neurosis (gastrointestinal disorders), depression, alcoholism and globus hystericus.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of Chuzhen therapy on insomnia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chuzhen therapy on insomnia through clinical randomized controlled trials. METHODS: Sixty cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a Chuzhen group (n=30) and an acupuncture group (n=30). Acupoints of Bazhen (Baihui Bazhen, Fengfu Bazhen, Shendao Bazhen) and Hechelu [from Dazhui (GV 14) to Mingmen (GV 4)] in the Chuzhen group, and Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. in the acupuncture group were selected, respectively. Four weeks treatments were carried out in the two groups, once daily for 5 times on week days. Three months after treatment, they were followed up and the therapeutic effects were assessed by the effective rate of sleep improvement and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: After treatment, the sleep quality in the two groups was improved, but there were no differences in the effective rate of sleep improvement and PSQI between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Three months after treatment, the total effective rate of 85.2% in the Chuzhen group was better than 78.6% in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The total cumulative score of PSQI, sleep effectiveness and the factors of sleep obstacle in the Chuzhen group were significantly different from those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chuzhen therapy can increase long-term sleep quality and living quality through improving the effective rate of sleep and reducing the score of PSQI in the patients of insomnia.

The needle-rolling therapy for treatment of non-organic chronic insomnia in 90 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of needle-rolling therapy for chronic insomnia. METHODS: In the present multi-central randomly controlled clinical study, 180 cases of chronic insomnia were randomly divided into the following two groups, a treatment group (90 cases) treated by the needle-rolling therapy and a control group (90 cases) treated with clonopin. The treatment course for both the two groups was 4 weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated based on improvement of the TCM symptoms and the Pittsburgs's sleep-quality index (PSQI). RESULTS: After treatment, there were significant differences between the two groups in the effective rate (P<0.05), and in the total score of PSQI and in the scores of the 4 sub-items, i.e. sleep-quality, sleep-efficiency, hypnotic and daytime function (P<0.05). Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in the effective rate after a 3-month follow-up period, significant differences still existed in the 3 sub-items of sleep-efficiency, hypnotic, and daytime function of the PSQI (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As compared with hypnotics of the second generation, the needle-rolling therapy may show better therapeutic effects for chronic insomnia patients.

[Discussion of some problems in the new centurial planning material the therapeutics of acupuncture and moxibustion].

Some problems were found for argument in the teaching of The Therapeutics of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, the new centurial national advanced Chinese medical school's planning material, including errors in compiling, some concepts lacking definition, and some acupuncture treatment methods in the material deviating off clinical practice, etc.. Study on these problems so as to make the teaching material more perfect, more scientific, accurate and authoritative.

[Effect of rolling needle therapy on quality of life in the patient of non-organic chronic insomnia: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To probe therapeutic effect of rolling needle therapy on insomnia and standardize the therapeutic program. METHODS: Multi-central randomized blind controlled trials were used, and 180 cases were randomly divided into a rolling needle group and a medication group, 90 cases in each group. The rolling needle group were treated with rolling needle therapy at the Urinary Bladder Channel line 1 and 2 at the back and the Governor Vessel, and the medication group with clonopin 4-6 mg, for 4 weeks. Effective rates for sleep disturbance improvement and Spitzer index of life quality were evaluated after 4 weeks' treatment and 3 months' follow-up. RESULTS: The effective rate was 82.2% in the rolling needle group and 60.0% in the medication group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and with a significant difference between the two groups in Spitzer index of life quality (P < 0.05). After 3 months' follow-up, the effective rate was 40.0% in the rolling needle group and 30.3% in the medication group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in Spitzer index of life quality. CONCLUSION: Rolling needle therapy can treat chronic insomnia and increase life quality of the patient.

[Application of morpheme translation method in english translation of TCM].

In this paper, application of morpheme translation method in English translation of TCM was introduced, and its superiorities and limitations were analyzed in order to promote the standardization and improve the confused current status of the English translation of TCM.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of rolling needle therapy on insomnia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect-increasing action of rolling needle therapy on insomnia. METHODS: Sixty-four cases were randomly divided into a rolling needle treatment group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. The control group were treated with oral administration of clonazepam 4 mg, once each night, for 4 consecutive weeks. The rolling needle therapy group were treated with the same treatment as the control group, plus the rolling needle stimulation of the back. The therapeutic effect was assessed by effective rate of sleep improvement and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). RESULTS: After treatment there was a significant difference between the two groups in the score of PSQI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The rolling needle therapy can increase the improving action of clonazepam on insomnia, and increase life quality of the patient.