[Application of the holism of body-qi-spirit in needle knife treatment for cervical vertigo].

This paper introduces Professor WANG Haidong's approach to treat cervical vertigo with needle knife based on the holism of body-qi-spirit. Professor WANG Haidong, considering the etiology and pathogenesis of cervical vertigo, starting from the holism of body-qi-spirit, based on the anatomical structure, employs the "seven-neck points" technique to improve local blood supply and address the physical issue; guided by the Jingjin theory, he utilizes the "knot releasing technique" to disperse knots and relax sinews, thereby regulating qi. In addition, he uses the "bone puncturing technique at governor vessel" to uplift yang-qi and nourish the brain, thereby nurturing the spirit.

[ZHANG Weihua's experience in treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with ulna-tibia needling therapy combined with decompression-loosening manual manipulation].

The paper introduces professor ZHANG Weihua's experience in treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) with ulna-tibia needling therapy combined with decompression-loosening manual manipulation. Using "palpating, detecting and imaging observing", professor ZHANG Weihua gives the accurate diagnosis for the location, the stage and the severity of the disease. According to the nature of the disease, CSR is treated in three stages. He proposes the academic thought, "taking the tendons as the outline, regarding the meridians as the essential, rooting at qi and blood, co-regulating tendons and bones". The ulna-tibia needling therapy and decompression-loosening manual manipulation are combined in treatment. In the ulna-tibia needling therapy, the acupuncture is delivered at the lower 1/3 of the cutaneous regions of taiyang and shaoyang meridians, on the ulnar region (belt-like distribution). The decompression-loosening manual manipulation is operated in 3 steps, i.e. relaxing the nape region, decompressing and relaxing (includes positioning rotational wrenching, upward and backward elevation) and supination wrenching, and analgesia and regulating tendons; and the manipulation for analgesia and regulating tendons is supplemented to enhance the effect.

[Design and application of a disposable self-destructed and sheath-encased sterile acupuncture needle].

A kind of disposable self-destructed and sheath-encased sterile acupuncture needle is designed to efficiently solve the issues of safety and sterilization encountered in the routine operation of acupuncture. The needle consists of three components, i.e. the needle body, the sheath and the locker. The needle body is movable and rotatable in the sheath, but can not be separated from the sheath. It is convenient for the operator to perform the lifting-thrusting and twisting techniques, and to prevent the non-punctured portion of the body from being out off the sheath so that a sterile confined room is formed between the needle and the skin of the operated area. With a locker installed between the sheath and the needle handle, after needle removal, the needle body can be returned and locked in the sheath, avoiding the exposure of needle tip, obtaining the self-destruction of needle and preventing from needling accident and reuse of needle. The devise is operated easily, which is effectively reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of medical staffs in practice.

[Effects of Shugan Tiaoshen intradermal needling intervention on attentional networks in subthreshold depression: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of Shugan Tiaoshen (regulating liver and harmonizing spirit) intradermal needling protocol on the attentional networks of patients with subthreshold depression using the attention network test (ANT). METHODS: Eighty patients with subthreshold depression were randomly divided into an intradermal needling group (40 cases) and a sham needling group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped out), with an additional 43 healthy subjects as a normal group. The intradermal needling group received intradermal needling treatment, while the sham needling group received sham intradermal needling, with the needle tip not penetrating the skin. The bilateral Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18), Shentang (BL 44) as well as auricular points Xin (CO15) and Gan (CO12) were selected alternately. Treatments were administered twice a week for a total of 6 weeks in the two groups. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) scores were observed before treatment, after 3 weeks of treatment, after treatment, and at 1 month after the end of treatment (follow-up), and the ANT of the two groups of patients with subthreshold depression before and after treatment as well as the normal group of healthy subjects was compared. RESULTS: The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of the patients with subthreshold depression were decreased after 3 weeks of treatment, after treatment, and in follow-up in the two groups (P<0.05), the differences in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores before and after treatment were greater in the intradermal needling group than those in the sham needling group (P<0.01). Before treatment, the executive control network reaction time of the subthreshold depression group (the intradermal needling group and the sham needling group) was higher than that of the normal group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the executive control network reaction time of the patients in the intradermal needling group and the sham needling group was decreased after treatment (P<0.05), and the alerting network reaction time of the intradermal needling group was increased after treatment (P<0.05); the difference in alerting network reaction time before and after treatment was greater in the intradermal needling group than that of the sham needling group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Regulating liver and harmonizing spirit intradermal needling protocol could effectively improve depressive and anxious symptoms in patients with subthreshold depression, and enhance the efficiency of the alerting network.

[Multiple verruca plantaris treated with modified fire-needle technique and herbal bathing-repairing therapy of TCM: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of modified fire-needle technique and herbal bathing-repairing therapy of TCM on multiple verruca plantaris. METHODS: Seventy patients with multiple verruca plantaris were randomly divided into an observation group (35 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped out). In the control group, the herbal bathing-repairing therapy of TCM was adopted. In the observation group, besides the treatment as the control group, fire needling and cauterization were delivered on the base of skin lesion or the sites with rich blood vessels under the dermoscope. The intervention was provided once a week, one course of treatment was composed of 3 weeks, and two courses were required in each group. The score of the self-designed symptom scale, the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the area of typical skin lesion were observed before and after treatment. The clinical effect was evaluated after treatment and the recurrence was assessed 2 months after treatment completion in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of the self-designed symptom scale and DLQI were lower and the area of typical skin lesion was smaller compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). The scores of the self-designed symptom score and DLQI in the observation group were reduced (P<0.05), and the area of typical lesion was smaller (P<0.05) in comparison with those in the control group. The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the observation group, higher than that in the control group (60.6%, 20/33, P<0.05). The recurrence rate was 6.5% (2/31) in the observation group, lower than that in the control group (35.0%, 7/20, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified fire-needle technique combined with herbal bathing-repairing therapy ameliorates clinical symptoms and the quality of life in the patients with multiple verruca plantaris and reduces the recurrence of the disease.

Fragmented acupuncture needle as a linear metallic foreign body near the proximal interphalangeal joint of a horse.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a fragmented, migrating acupuncture needle near the palmar proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) of a horse. ANIMAL: A 9-year-old Warmblood cross mare. CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES: The mare presented for evaluation of a linear metallic foreign body on the palmar lateral aspect of the PIPJ following acupuncture treatment. The mare had a pinpoint puncture wound and sensitivity to palpation over the lateral aspect of the PIPJ region. The referring veterinarian performed radiographs and found a linear metallic foreign body near the lateral palmar PIPJ. Ultrasonographic examination demonstrated a hyperechoic lesion consistent with a metallic object in the soft tissues of the palmar lateral aspect of the PIPJ. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The horse was anesthetized, and the linear metallic foreign body was removed. The use of intraoperative ultrasound and digital radiographs assisted in determining the location of and surgical approach to remove the foreign body. The linear metallic foreign body was the fragmented segment (body) of an acupuncture needle. The mare recovered from surgery uneventfully and returned to the previous level of activity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This report demonstrates the potential risks of prolonged retention and or delayed removal of acupuncture needles in the form of needle fragmentation and migration. It also demonstrates the use of imaging in determining the location and position of small, thin metallic foreign bodies to aid in surgical approach and removal.

Operation Procedure and Precautions of Lingnan Fire-Needle Therapy in Osteoporosis Model Rats.

Compared to filiform needle therapy, fire-needle therapy has both the stimulation of needles and the warming effect of heat, making it have unexpected effects on some chronic diseases and incurable diseases. Osteoporosis (OP) has a high incidence in postmenopausal women and middle-aged and elderly men, and the treatment cycle is long. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lingnan fire-needle therapy has shown potential in treating osteoporosis. However, there is still a long way to go before it can be widely used. This article focuses on the application of Lingnan fire-needle therapy in the intervention of OP in rats. It covers the selection of needle tools, acupuncture point selection, positioning of rats' bodies, and fixation methods. We also outline the steps and precautions to be taken during and after needling with fire needles. The experiment was done with three groups: a normal group, a model group, and a fire-needle group, each containing 10 rats. The rats in the fire-needle group were treated with fire-needle intervention for six sessions. After the intervention period, we collected femoral specimens and performed micro-CT scans. The results suggest that fire needling can enhance bone morphology and mineral density in OP rats. This information can serve as a methodological basis for conducting basic research on fire-needle therapy.

[Exploring the treatment strategy of liver-regulating wood-softening acupuncture method for psoriasis vulgaris based on the theory of "liver as the thief of five organs"].

Inspired by the theory of "liver as the thief of five organs", the authors believe that although psoriasis vulgaris manifests externally, its root cause lies internally in liver disharmony. During the active and stable phases, conventional acupuncture combined with liver-regulating wood-softening acupuncture method is used to regulate blood and harmonize the liver, addressing both the symptoms and the root cause. During the remission phase, liver-regulating wood-softening acupuncture method is employed to soothe the liver and restrain the yin, while also regulating and nurturing the emotional state. This study provides a clinical approach to acupuncture treatment for psoriasis vulgaris.

[Mechanism of acupotomy on chondrocyte ferroptosis in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis based on HSPA5/GPX4 signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy on heat shock protein A family member 5 (HSPA5)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway in the chondrocytes of the rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore the mechanism of acupotomy on chondrocyte ferroptosis in KOA. METHODS: Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and an acupotomy group, with 9 rabbits in each group. The left hind limb was fixed by the modified Videman method for 6 weeks to establish KOA model. After modeling, acupotomy was given in the acupotomy group, once a week and for consecutive 3 weeks. Using Lequesne MG score, the local symptoms, physical signs and functions of knee joint were evaluated. With HE staining and saffrane-solid green staining adopted, the morphology of chondrocytes and cartilage tissue was observed. Under transmission electron microscope, the mitochondrial structure of chondrocytes was observed. The iron content of cartilage tissue was detected by iron ion kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in cartilage tissue were determined by flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial damage rate was calculated. The mRNA expression of HSPA5, GPX4, type Ⅱ collagen α1 chain (COL2A1), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3 and MMP13 was detected by the real-time quantitative PCR; and the protein expression of HSPA5, GPX4, type Ⅱ collagen (COL-Ⅱ), MMP3 and MMP13 was detected by Western blot. The mean flourscence intensity of HSPA5 and GPX4 in cartilage tissue was determined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Before intervention, compared with the normal group, the Lequesne MG scores were increased in the model group and the acupotomy group (P<0.01). After intervention, the Lequesne MG score in the acupotomy group was decreased when compared with that in the model group. In comparison with that in the normal group, the number of chondrocytes was reduced and the cells were disarranged; the layers of cartilage structure were unclear, the tide lines disordered and blurred; the mitochondria were wrinkled and the mitochondrial crista decreased or even disappeared in the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of chondrocytes was increased, the layers of cartilage structure were clear, the tide lines recovered, the number of mitochondria elevated, with normal structure and more crista in the acupotomy group. The iron content of cartilage tissue was increased (P<0.01), the Δψm of chondrocytes was declined, the mitochondrial damage rate was increased (P<0.01), the average fluorescence intensity of ROS was increased (P<0.01); the mRNA and corresponding protein expression of HSPA5, GPX4 and COL2A1 was decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA and protein expression of MMP3 and MMP13 was increased (P<0.01) and the average fluorescence intensity of HSPA5, GPX4 was decreased (P<0.01) in the model group when compared with those in the normal group. Compared with the model group, the iron content in cartilage tissue was reduced (P<0.01), the Δψm of chondrocytes was increased, the mitochondrial damage rate was decreased (P<0.01), and the average fluorescence intensity of ROS was decreased (P<0.01); the mRNA and corresponding protein expression of HSPA5, GPX4 and COL2A1 was higher (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expression of MMP3 and MMP13 was lower, and the average fluorescence intensity of HSPA5, GPX4 was increased (P<0.01) in the acupotomy group. CONCLUSION: Acupotomy can alleviate cartilage injury of KOA rabbits, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of HSPA5/GPX4 signaling pathway to maintain iron homeostasis in articular cartilage, thus inhibiting chondrocyte ferroptosis and relieving extracellular matrix degradation.

Efficacy of fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder. This work is performed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy in treating vitiligo. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone for vitiligo were included. The Cochrane Collaborative Network Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Statistical analysis was completed using RevMan5.3 software and Stata 15.0 software. The GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for outcomes. RESULTS: In this study, 10 RCTs and 1333 patients were included. The results showed that compared with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone, fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is more effective in improving clinical effective rate (RR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.24, 1.50], p < 0.00001), serum CD4+ level (MD = 3.12, 95% CI [2.50, 3.74], p < 0.00001), CD4+/CD8+ ratio (MD = 0.24, 95% CI [0.09, 0.39], p = 0.001), and quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (MD = 3.76, 95% CI [3.33, 4.19], p < 0.00001), and reducing the Vitiligo Area Score Index (VASI) (MD = -5.47, 95% CI [-6.56, -4.37], p < 0.00001). The reported adverse events, including redness, swelling, pain, blisters, and itching, were controllable, and all these events were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The current evidence indicates that fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is effective and safe for vitiligo. However, owing to the suboptimal quality of the included studies, more high-quality and large-scale RCTs are needed for comprehensive analysis and further validation.

Press Needle: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Myopia Patients with Dry Eye.

Most patients with myopia have dry eye, which has been shown to adversely affect ocular symptoms, myopia progression, and quality of life in patients with myopia. Needle prickling has been shown to be effective in providing symptom relief in patients with myopia and dry eye. Press needle is a long-lasting, easy-to-operate, and inexpensive traditional Chinese medicine treatment. The standard practice of needle insertion is very important for the treatment of myopia and dry eye. The specific steps include selecting the appropriate acupoints, piercing them with appropriate needles, and fixing them in the skin or subcutaneously at the acupoints, burying them for 2 days, resting for 1 day; the course of treatment lasts for 2 weeks. Specifically, the following indicators were assessed: uncorrected visual acuity and the ocular surface disease index. This article will explain how to standardize the operation of a press needle in the treatment of myopia and dry eye.

Plum-blossom needle tapping enhances the efficacy of ALA photodynamic therapy for facial actinic keratosis in Chinese population: a randomized, multicenter, prospective, and observer-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a reliable treatment for actinic keratosis (AK), but its effect needs to be enhanced in thick lesions. Plum-blossom needle is a traditional Chinese cost-effective instrument for enhancing the transdermal delivery of ALA. However, whether it could improve the efficacy of AK treatment has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of plum-blossom needle-assisted PDT in facial AK in the Chinese population. METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective study, a total of 142 patients with AKs (grades I-III) were randomized into the plum-blossom needle-assisted PDT group (P-PDT) and control PDT group (C-PDT). In the P-PDT group, each AK lesion was tapped vertically by a plum-blossom needle before the application of 10% ALA cream. In the C-PDT group, each lesion was only wiped with regular saline before ALA cream incubation. Then, 3 hours later, all the lesions were irradiated with light-emitting diode (LED) at a wavelength of 630 nm. PDT was performed once every 2 weeks until all lesion patients achieved complete remission or completed six sessions. The efficacy (lesion response) and safety (pain scale and adverse events) in both groups were evaluated before each treatment and at every follow-up visit at 3-month intervals until 12 months. RESULTS: In the P-PDT and C-PDT groups, the clearance rates for all AK lesions after the first treatment were 57.9% and 48.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). For grade I AK lesions, the clearance rates were 56.5% and 50.4%, respectively (P = 0.34). For grade II AK lesions, the clearance rates were 58.0% and 48.9%, respectively (P = 0.1). For grade III AK lesions, the clearance rates were 59.0% and 44.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, grade III AK lesions in the P-PDT group required fewer treatment sessions (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pain score between the two groups (P = 0.752). CONCLUSION: Plum-blossom needle tapping may enhance the efficacy of ALA-PDT by facilitating ALA delivery in the treatment of AK.

Práticas integrativas e complementares na odontologia / Integrative and complementary practices in dentistry / Prácticas integradoras y complementarias en odontología

As Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PICs) apresentam-se como métodos coadjuvantes, auxiliando na obtenção de sucesso em determinados tratamentos clínicos e/ou cirúrgicos, atuando na prevenção, auxiliando na cura e no equilíbrio psicossomático com a finalidade de reestabelecer concordância entre mente e corpo. O Conselho Federal de Odontologia (CFO) regulamentou práticas como acupuntura, hipnose, terapia floral e fitoterapia, entretanto, suas aplicabilidades dependem da emissão de uma habilitação e seu devido registro no Conselho (Resolução CFO 82/2008). Para a Odontologia, as PICs proporcionam novas ferramentas para exercer um atendimento integral do ser humano. Neste trabalho, propõe-se fazer uma revisão de literatura sobre as PICs e Odontologia. Esta revisão de literatura foi realizada por meio de busca de artigos na base de dados Scielo, PubMed e Scholar Google no período de 2000 a 2021. Foram encontrados artigos sobre as seguintes PICs atuando conjuntamente com a Odontologia: terapias florais, acupuntura, hipnodontia, ozonioterapia, laserterapia, fitoterapia, homeopatia e odontologia antroposófica. Essas práticas apresentam grande valia, pois promovem o bem-estar sem causar dano ao indivíduo, apresentando poucos ou nenhum efeito colateral possibilitando maior segurança aos pacientes, além de favorecer a relação entre paciente e cirurgião-dentista, otimizando o tempo de trabalho no consultório odontológico e reduzindo custos.

Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICs) are presented as supporting methods, helping to achieve success in certain clinical and/or surgical treatments, acting in prevention, assisting in healing and psychosomatic balance in order to reestablish agreement between mind and body. . The Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO) has regulated practices such as acupuncture, hypnosis, floral therapy and herbal medicine, however, their applicability depends on the issuance of a license and its proper registration with the Council (Resolution CFO 82/2008). For Dentistry, PICs provide new tools to provide comprehensive care to human beings. In this work, we propose to review the literature on PICs and Dentistry. This literature review was carried out by searching articles in the Scielo, PubMed and Scholar Google databases from 2000 to 2021. Articles were found on the following PICs working together with Dentistry: floral therapies, acupuncture, hypnodontics, ozone therapy , laser therapy, phytotherapy, homeopathy and anthroposophic dentistry. These practices are of great value, as they promote well-being without causing harm to the individual, presenting few or no side effects, allowing greater safety for patients, in addition to favoring the relationship between patient and dentist, optimizing working time in the dental office and reducing costs.

Las Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (PIC) se presentan como métodos coadyuvantes, ayudando a obtener el éxito en determinados tratamientos clínicos y/o quirúrgicos, actuando en la prevención, ayudando en la cura y en el equilibrio psicosomático con el fin de restablecer la concordancia entre mente y cuerpo. El Consejo Federal de Odontología (CFO) ha regulado prácticas como la acupuntura, la hipnosis, la terapia floral y la fitoterapia, sin embargo, su aplicabilidad depende de la emisión de un título y su correcto registro en el Consejo (Resolución CFO 82/2008). Para la odontología, los PIC aportan nuevas herramientas para la atención integral del ser humano. En este trabajo, nos proponemos hacer una revisión bibliográfica sobre los PIC y la Odontología. Esta revisión bibliográfica se realizó mediante la búsqueda de artículos en las bases de datos Scielo, PubMed y Scholar Google desde el año 2000 hasta el 2021. Se encontraron artículos sobre los siguientes CFP que actúan conjuntamente con la Odontología: terapias florales, acupuntura, hipnodoncia, ozonoterapia, terapia láser, fitoterapia, homeopatía y odontología antroposófica. Estas prácticas tienen un gran valor porque promueven el bienestar sin causar daño al individuo, presentando pocos o ningún efecto secundario, proporcionando mayor seguridad a los pacientes, y favoreciendo la relación entre el paciente y el dentista, optimizando el tiempo de trabajo en el consultorio y reduciendo los costos.

[An auxiliary device for double-blind placebo acupuncture research].

This device is an auxiliary device with reasonable design for placebo acupuncture research, so as to make double-blind placebo acupuncture control possible. This new auxiliary acupuncture device includes an acupuncture device and a placebo acupuncture device with exactly the same appearance. Both of them are composed of a hemispherical base and a telescopic tube. Through the rotation of the telescopic tube in the notch of the base, the insertion angle of needles can be adjusted from 15 degrees to 165 degrees. The operation of twisting and lifting and inserting can be carried out through the horizontal rotation and vertical sliding of the telescopic tube. A silicone needle pad is arranged in the base, which can simulate the blocking feeling of skin and muscle during needle insertion. The bottom of the base is attached with hydrogel, which has good fixity. The auxiliary device is applicable to multiple parts of the human body and can effectively reduce the risk of unblinding.

An auxiliary device for double-blind placebo acupuncture research / 中国针灸

This device is an auxiliary device with reasonable design for placebo acupuncture research, so as to make double-blind placebo acupuncture control possible. This new auxiliary acupuncture device includes an acupuncture device and a placebo acupuncture device with exactly the same appearance. Both of them are composed of a hemispherical base and a telescopic tube. Through the rotation of the telescopic tube in the notch of the base, the insertion angle of needles can be adjusted from 15 degrees to 165 degrees. The operation of twisting and lifting and inserting can be carried out through the horizontal rotation and vertical sliding of the telescopic tube. A silicone needle pad is arranged in the base, which can simulate the blocking feeling of skin and muscle during needle insertion. The bottom of the base is attached with hydrogel, which has good fixity. The auxiliary device is applicable to multiple parts of the human body and can effectively reduce the risk of unblinding.

The efficacy and safety of fire needle for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is one of the most common types of cervical spondylosis, and its treatments are mainly for relieving radicular pain and improving dysfunction. The existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that fire needle may be a potential therapy in the treatment of CSR, but there is no evidence-based medical evidence to date. Therefore, this study will systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needle in the treatment of CSR. METHODS: We will search for 7 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Sinomed, and Wanfang Database) and 2 trial registration platforms (ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinic Trials.gov) to collect eligible studies. The RCTs related to fire needle for CSR and published up to June 30, 2021 will be included, regardless of language. We will consider the visual analogue scale as the primary outcome and the secondary outcome will include cervical range of motion, assessment of muscle strength, neck disability index, the MOS item short from health survey, activities of daily living, total efficiency, and adverse reactions. We will use the standard proposed in Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 to assess the quality and bias risk of every RCT, and all analyses will be conducted through RevMan software V5.3 (Copenhagen: Nordic Cochrane Center, Cochrane, Collaborative Organization, 2014). RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide a convincing synthesis of existing evidences on the efficacy and safety of fire needle for CSR, and the results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide high-quality evidence of fire needle in the treatment of CSR for clinical decision-making. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202170041.

Laser acupuncture versus oral glucose administration for pain prevention in term neonates: an observer-blinded non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Neonates undergoing intensive care are routinely submitted to minor painful procedures such as heel lances. Pharmacological treatment is limited in neonatal care and not recommended for minor painful interventions. Hence, non-pharmacological acute pain management is an important subject. Acupuncture could be a new strategy for neonatal pain prevention. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether laser acupuncture is non-inferior to oral sweet solutions in pain prevention. METHODS: In total, 96 healthy term neonates were randomly assigned to receive either laser acupuncture with 10 mW at LI4 bilaterally (AG, acupuncture group) or 30% oral glucose solution (GG, glucose group) before heel lance for metabolic screening. The primary outcome was the difference in premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score between groups in a non-inferiority concept. Secondary outcomes were changes in heart rate and crying time. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) PIPP scores were comparable in the AG and GG (12 (10-14) vs 12 (9-14), p = 0.981). Nevertheless, the 95% confidence interval (CI) of location shift exceeded the predefined margin for non-inferiority of 1 (95% CI: -1.000006 to 1.000059). Heart rate was found to be significantly lower after intervention (p = 0.048) and after heel lance (p = 0.015) in the AG versus GG. There was no difference in crying time between groups (p = 0.890). CONCLUSION: Laser acupuncture was not shown to be non-inferior to an oral glucose solution, possibly due to the higher than expected variability in PIPP scores within the studied groups. Future neonatal laser acupuncture studies for pain prevention with higher sample sizes are therefore warranted.

The efficacy and safety of silver needle in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a kind of chronic crippling disease, the condition is complex, the course of the disease is repeated, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Adverse reactions and drug resistance associated with conventional treatment can no longer meet the clinical need. Therefore, complementary and alternative therapies need to be explored. The evidence shows that silver needle therapy has advantages in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but there is a lack of standard clinical studies to verify this conclusion. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy and safety of silver needles in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our hospital. The patients are randomly divided into a treatment group (silver needle treatment group) or control group (routine western medicine treatment group). The patients are followed up for 2 months after 4 weeks of treatment. Observation indicators include: TCM symptom score, HAQDI score, DAS-28 score, laboratory indicators, adverse reactions and so on. Data will be analyzed using the statistical software package SPSS version 18.0 (Chicago, IL). DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the clinical efficacy of a silver needle in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results of this study will provide a reliable reference for the clinical use of a silver needle in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/4X5QB.

Acupuncture for blunt chest trauma: A protocol for a double-blind randomized control trial.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt chest trauma (BCT) accounts for up to 65% of polytrauma patients. In patients with 0 to 2 rib fractures, treatment interventions are typically limited to oral analgesics and breathing exercises. Patients suffering from BCT experience symptoms of severe pain, poor sleep, and inability to perform simple daily life activities for an extended period of time thereafter. In this trial, we aim to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture as a functional and reliable treatment option for blunt chest trauma patients. METHODS: The study is designed as a double-blind randomized control trial. We will include 72 patients divided into 2 groups; the acupuncture group (Acu) and placebo group (Con). The acupuncture group will receive true acupuncture using a uniquely designed press tack needle. The control group will receive placebo acupuncture treatment through the use of a similarly designed press tack needle without the needle element. The acupoints selected for both groups are GB 34, GB 36, LI 4, LU 7, ST 36, and TH 5. Both groups will receive 1 treatment only following the initial visit to the medical facility and upon diagnosis of BCT. Patient outcome measurements include: Numerical Rating Scale, Face Rating Scale, respiratory function flowmeter, Verran Snyder-Halpern sleep scale, and the total amount of allopathic medication used. Follow-up time will be scheduled at 4 days, 2 weeks, and lastly 3 months. EXPECTED OUTCOME: The results of this study can potentially provide a simple and cost-effective analgesic solution to blunt chest trauma patients. This novel study design can serve as supporting evidence for future double-blind studies within the field of acupuncture. OTHER INFORMATION: The study will be conducted in the thoracic surgical department and acupuncture department in China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. The study will be conducted on blunt chest trauma patients and is anticipated to have minimum risk of adverse events. Enrollment of the patients and data collection will start from March 2020. Study completion time is expected in March 2022. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: (CMUH109-REC1-002), (NCT04318496).