Clinical practice guideline for acupuncture and moxibustion: Allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture is one of the most effective complementary therapies for allergic rhinitis (AR) and has been recommended by several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for AR. However, these CPGs mentioned acupuncture without making recommendations for clinical implementation and therapeutic protocols, therefore limiting the applicability of acupuncture therapies for AR. Hence, for the benefit of acupuncture practitioners around the world, the World Federation of Acupuncture-moxibustion Societies have initiated a project to develop the CPG for the use of acupuncture and moxibustion to treat AR. This CPG was developed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, referring to the principles of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. During the development of the CPG, the guideline development group (GDG) played an important role. The clinical questions, recommendations and therapeutic protocols were all formulated by the GDG using the modified Delphi method. The CPG contains recommendations for 15 clinical questions about the use of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions. These include one strong recommendation for the intervention based on high-quality evidence, three conditional recommendations for either the intervention or standard care, and 11 conditional recommendations for the intervention based on very low quality of evidence. The CPG also provides one filiform needle acupuncture protocol and five moxibustion protocols extracted based on the protocols presented in randomized controlled trials reviewed by the GDG. Please cite this article as: Du SH, Chen S, Wang SZ, Wang GQ, Du S, Guo W, Xie XL, Peng BH, Yang C, Zhao JP. Clinical practice guideline for acupuncture and moxibustion: Allergic rhinitis. J Integr Med. 2024; Epub ahead of print.

Clinical practice guideline for acupuncture and moxibustion: Female urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem worldwide. It has a major impact on physical and social activities and interpersonal relationships. UI is common in women, but is under-reported and under-treated. It affects the quality of life of female patients severely. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proposed as potentially effective interventions for female UI. Hence, for the benefit of acupuncture practitioners around the world, the World Federation of Acupuncture-moxibustion Societies initiated a project to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the use of acupuncture and moxibustion to treat female UI. This CPG was developed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, referring to the principles of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. During the development of the CPG, the guideline development group (GDG) played an important role. The clinical questions, recommendations and therapeutic protocols were all formulated by GDG using the modified Delphi method. This CPG contains ten recommendations about the use of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions for ten clinical questions, which include nine conditional recommendations for the intervention and one conditional recommendation for either the intervention or the comparison. This CPG also provides one protocol for conventional filiform needle therapy, two therapy protocols for deep needling stimulation on lumbosacral acupoints, and four moxibustion therapy protocols, based on the protocols presented in randomized controlled trials reviewed by the GDG. Please cite this article as: Yang C, Wang SZ, Chen S, Du S, Wang GQ, Guo W, et al. Clinical practice guideline for acupuncture and moxibustion: Female urinary incontinence. J Integr Med. 2024; Epub ahead of print.

Exploring the application value of the modified Delphi method in the development process of acupuncture and moxibustion guideline recommendations based on the WFAS Clinical Practice Guideline for Female Urinary Incontinence. / 基于制定WFASã€Šå¥³æ€§å°¿å¤±ç¦ä¸´åºŠå®žè·µæŒ‡å—ã€‹æŽ¢è®¨æ”¹è‰¯å¾·å°”è²æ³•åœ¨é’ˆç¸æŒ‡å—æŽ¨èæ„è§ç ”åˆ¶è¿‡ç¨‹ä¸­çš„åº”ç”¨ä»·å€¼.

Taking the recommendations development of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) standard Clinical Practice Guideline for Female Urinary Incontinence as an example, this study analyzed the consensus expert composition, specific consensus process, and results in the development of the guideline's recommendations. It systematically examined the advantages of using the modified Delphi method in the formation of recommendations for acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice guideline, with the aim of providing reference for the development of acupuncture and moxibustion guidelines in the same field.

[Regularity of meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the meridian-acupoint reactions of foot three yin meridians in primary dysmenorrhea(PD) and secondary dysmenorrhea(SD) patients, so as to summarize the rules of meridian-acupoint reaction and acupoints selection. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with PD (PD group), 34 patients with SD (SD group) and 35 healthy subjects (healthy group) were recruited. The compression method was used to examine the lower leg segment of the foot three yin meridians. Positive reactions(palpable skin changes, including cords, nodules, depressions) and tenderness of meridians and acupoints were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the tenderness severity of acupoints. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy group, the probability of positive reactions and tenderness in foot three yin meridians were higher in PD and SD groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions in Spleen and Liver Meridians were higher in the SD group, with higher probability of tenderness in Liver Meridian(P<0.05). The probability of positive reactions and tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of PD and SD groups was significantly higher than that in the Kidney Meridian (P<0.01), while the probability of tenderness in the Spleen Meridian of the PD group was significantly higher than that in the Liver Meridian (P<0.05). Positive reactions and tenderness were concentrated at Yinlingquan (SP9), Diji (SP8) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) of Spleen Meridian and Xiguan (LR7) and Ligou (LR5) in Liver Meridian of PD and SD groups. In comparison with the PD group, the probability of positive reactions, tenderness and VAS score of SP8 and LR5 of the SD group were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The positive reaction occurs most frequently in the Spleen Meridian, followed by the Liver Meridian, and least frequently in the Kidney Meridian. The acupoints with positive reaction are different between PD and SD, which suggests that the Spleen Meridian acupoints should be the main acupoints when treating the two kinds of dysmenorrhea, and acupoints should also be selected according to the meridian and acupoint examination results.

[Application of meridian and acupoint diagnosis of three yin meridians of foot in the treatment for gynecological diseases with acupuncture and moxibustion].

With three representative types of gynecological diseases (dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, polycystic ovary syndrome) as examples, the application methods of meridian and acupoint diagnosis for gynecological diseases treated with acupuncture and moxibustion are discussed. During clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended to examine the patient's leg segment along the three yin meridians of foot, aiming to explore the positive reactions of the meridians and acupoints (color, shape, skin temperature, sensory abnormalities, etc.). Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment at this positive reaction place can improve the clinical efficacy. Meridian and acupoint diagnosis could provide basis for meridian syndrome differentiation, thus guiding the selection of acupoint prescriptions; it is also helpful to clarify the deficiency, excess, cold and heat of the disease nature, thus guiding the selection of acupuncture and moxibustion methods. In addition, it is an auxiliary method to estimate the prognosis and outcome of the disease.

[From the body-mind holism to psychosomatic medicine: theory and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion].

The traditional life concept of "body-mind holism" in Chinese medicine has drawn a special attention with the development of modern psychosomatic medicine. The "body-mind holism" is valuable in the guidance for clinical acupuncture practice, but, it is only remained on the theoretical significance by the medical masters in the past dynasties. In the paper, based on the understanding of Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic), the similarities and differences are compared between the body-mind theory and psychosomatic medicine. In association with clinical observation, from three aspects, i.e. body-mind pathogenesis, acupoint detection and observing the mind, and body-mind treatment, the guidance of "body-mind holism" is explored for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion; the referents of "body" and "mind" are clarified in views of disease, diagnosis and treatment; and the treatment strategies of acupuncture and moxibustion are discussed in the perspective of "body-mind holism".

Should acupuncture therapy be used for acute facial paralysis? A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) results in functional disorder and social dysfunction, when it is under a severe condition at onset, long-term poor outcomes do occur. Different acupuncture methods have been reported to be potentially effective for shortening the disease course and reducing the occurrence of sequelae when they are applied at an early stage. Neuro edema is a common pathological feature in the acute phase, and many clinical studies have suggested its effect of reducing facial nerve edema. It is of value to estimate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment at the onset, and to assess the most suitable acupuncture method for the acute period. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: All the RCTs and quasi-RCTs on acupuncture therapy for patients who is during acute stage of PFP will be included. The recovery rate of facial function, the time it takes to restore facial function and the odds of sequelae occurring will be the key parts we focus on. Psychological well-being and quality of life will also be evaluated. Literature searching will be conducted until December 31th, 2022 from eight databases systematically. Two reviewers will screen the literature and extract the data independently. RevMan software will be used for data analysis, and the version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) will be used to assess the certainty of evidence. Forest plots and summary findings will be generated. If data permits, a meta-analysis will be conducted. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Since this study will not involve clinical treatment of patients, ethics approval is not required. The result of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and as a proposal for clinical practice and further study on acupuncture treatment at the early stage of PFP. DISCUSSION: This review will summarize the evidence on the different type of acupuncture therapy for acute Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. We anticipate that it would be safe and effective when applied to the acute phase of PFP, and some specific suitable acupuncture methods would be found resulting from this review. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42020205127.

[Acupuncture for prevention of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for prevention of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into an observation group (53 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (52 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Yintang (GV 24+), Yingxiang (LI 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengchi (GB 20), Feishu (BL 13), etc. 4 weeks before the seizure period, once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group were not given any intervention before the seizure period. Emergency drugs can be given appropriately during the seizure period in both groups. After seizure period, the seizure rate was recorded in the two groups; before treatment and on week 1, 2, 4, 6 of seizure period after treatment, the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) were observed in the two groups; the rescue medication score (RMS) was recorded on week 1-6 of seizure period in the two groups. RESULTS: The seizure rate of the observation group was 84.0% (42/50), which was lower than 100.0% (48/48) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of RQLQ and TNSS at each time point of seizure period were decreased compared with before treatment in the observation group (P<0.01), which were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The RMS score at each time point of seizure period in the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can reduce the incidence of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis, relieve the symptoms, improve the quality of life and reduce the use of emergency drugs.

MRI comparative study of diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered and glioma in the midline without H3 K27-altered.

PURPOSE: The MRI features of Diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered and glioma in the midline without H3 K27-altered were compared and analyzed, and the changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the two groups were quantitatively analyzed. METHODS: The MRI images of 35 patients with Diffuse midline gliomas, H3 K27-altered and gliomas in the midline without H3 K27-altered were analyzed retrospectively. The location, edge, signal, peritumoral edema and enhancement characteristics of the lesions were observed, and the changes in ADC values were analyzed. RESULTS: In the H3 K27-altered group, 85.7% (12/14) of the tumors were located in the thalamus and brainstem compared with 28.6% (6/21) in the no H3 K27-altered group. In the H3 K27-altered group, for tumors only located in the midline area, only 14.3% (1/7) had irregular shapes and unclear boundaries, while for tumors also invaded the extramidline tissues 85.7% (6/7) had irregular shapes and unclear boundaries.The"basilar artery wrapped sign" was found in 6 patients with tumors located in the pons in the H3 K27-altered group, but none in the no H3 K27-altered group had this sign. In the H3 K27-altered group, only 14.3% (1/7) of the tumors confined to the midline area had small cystic degeneration and necrosis, while for tumors also invaded the extramidline tissues, 100% (7/7) of the tumors had cystic degeneration and necrosis, and the cystic degeneration and necrosis only located in the extramidline region of the tumor in 6 cases.A total of 78.6% (11/14) of tumors in the H3 K27-altered group showed mild to moderate enhancement, while 47.6% (10/21) of tumors in the no H3 K27-altered group showed mild to moderate enhancement. The average peritumoral edema index was 1.13 in the H3 K27-altered group and 1.75 in the no H3 K27-altered group. The average ADC value of tumor in the H3 K27-altered group was 7.83 × 10- 4 mm2/s, and the ratio to normal brain tissue was 0.844, while the values in the no H3 K27-altered group were 13.5 × 10- 4 mm2/s and 1.75, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with gliomas in the midline without H3 K27-altered, The MRI findings and ADC value of Diffuse midline gliomas, H3K27-altered have some characteristics, which can help improve the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Filiform needle acupuncture for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Filiform needle acupuncture (FNA), the most classical and widely applied acupuncture method based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, has shown a promising effect in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient preference of FNA in the treatment of AR by comparing FNA with sham acupuncture, no treatment, and conventional medication. SEARCH STRATEGY: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to October 14, 2021. Additional studies were acquired from clinical trial registration platforms and reference lists. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials were included if they compared FNA with either sham acupuncture, no treatment or conventional medication for AR. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two researchers extracted data independently of each other using a predesigned data acquisition form, and results were cross-checked after completion. The primary outcome was symptom score (Total Nasal Symptom Score or Visual Analogue Scale), and the secondary outcomes were the AR control questionnaire, quality of life (QoL) score (Different versions of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire), medication score (use of rescue medication), mental health score, total IgE, adverse event rate, clinical economic indicators, and patient satisfaction score. Standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval was used to calculate the effect size for continuous data, while risk ratio with 95% CI was used for dichotomous data. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included in this review. Compared with sham acupuncture, FNA significantly reduced the symptom score (SMD: -0.29 [-0.43, -0.15]), AR's impact on QoL (SMD: -0.23 [-0.37, -0.08]) and medication score (SMD: -0.3 [-0.49, -0.11]). Compared with no treatment, FNA dramatically reduced the symptom score (SMD: -0.8 [-1.2, -0.39]) and AR's impact on QoL (SMD: -0.82 [-1.13, -0.52]). There were no increased rates of adverse events with FNA compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. FNA increased patient satisfaction and may be cost-effective. Most pieces of evidence from the above two comparisons were of high confidence. Moreover, FNA significantly outperformed conventional medication in reducing the symptom score (SMD: -0.48 [-0.85, -0.1]) and displayed a lower rate of adverse events, but the quality of evidence was very low. CONCLUSION: FNA is an effective and safe intervention for AR and can help with symptom relief, QoL improvement, reducing medication usage, and increasing patient satisfaction. Further studies are needed to verify its cost-effectiveness and superiority over conventional medication and the best therapeutic strategies.

[Effect of acupuncture intervention at different time points on the pregnancy rate of frozen embryo transfer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference in the efficacy of acupuncture intervention at different time points on the pregnancy rate of in vitro fertilization-frozen embryo transfer (IVF-FET). METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with secondary infertility who were going to receive IVF-FET were divided into a transplantation-day acupuncture group, a transplantation cycle acupuncture group, and a non-acupuncture group according to their wishes, with 33 cases in each group. All three groups of patients received conventional IVF-FET treatment. The transplantation-day acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment 1 h before and 30 min after the embryo transfer, and the transplantation cycle acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment 5 weeks before the FET (once a week, 5 times) and on the day of transplantation, Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guanyuan (CV 4), Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), etc. were selected in the two groups. The biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the three groups were compared. RESULTS: The biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the transplantation cycle acupuncture group were higher than those in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate between the transplantation cycle acupuncture group and the transplantation-day acupuncture group, and between the transplantation-day acupuncture group and the non-acupuncture group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture during the transplantation cycle can effectively improve the pregnancy rate of secondary infertility patients receiving IVF-FET.

[Using modified Delphi method to determine the clinical questions in the Practice Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Urinary Incontinence in Women].

With the expert consensus during the clinical questions determination in the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) standard Practice Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Urinary Incontinence in Women as an example, this paper focused on the specific process and results of three rounds of Delphi survey on clinical issues by experts of the guideline development group, and systematically analyzed the consistency of the modified Delphi method with the consensus of acupuncture and moxibustion experts, as well as the reflection and limitation of this consensus process, hoping to provide reference for the development of acupuncture guidelines in the same field.

[Consolidating the foundation, highlighting the practice and strengthening the training of clinical thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion: the thoughts of compiling the China national standardized training textbook Acupuncture and Moxibustion for residents of traditional Chinese medicine].

Based on the clinical needs and examination requirements of standardized training students, the China national standardized training textbook Acupuncture and Moxibustion for residents of traditional Chinese medicine has made innovations in the textbook content and form. In the part of meridians and acupoints, the classic original text is introduced and the main indications and operation methods of 200 commonly-used acupoints are summarized in the form of tables. In the part of acupuncture and moxibustion technique, the operating procedures are standardized and the core technical points of 20 commonly-used acupuncture and moxibustion techniques are summarized in the form of flow chart. In the part of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, 48 typical diseases are introduced in the form of case discussion, highlighting the problem orientation and demonstrating the diagnosis and treatment procedures.

[Acupoint selection rules of acupuncture and moxibustion for stroke-related pneumonia].

Using data mining technology, the rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion were explored in treatment of stroke-related pneumonia. The clinical articles of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of stroke-related pneumonia were retrieved from CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang and VIP databases from their inception through to January l 2021, and then, the acupuncture-moxibustion prescription database was set up for stroke-related pneumonia. SPSS Modeler 18.0 Apriori algorithm was adopted to analyze the association rules of acupoints and draw complex network diagrams. SPSS26.0 was used in clustering analysis of acupoints. Finally, a total of 44 articles were included, with 51 acupoint prescriptions and 82 acupoints extracted. The total frequency of acupoints was 340 times. The high-frequency acupoints in treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion for stroke-related pneumonia were Feishu (BL 13), Fenglong (ST 40), Hegu (LI 4), etc. These acupoints were mainly distributed on the limbs and back and mostly from yang meridians. Of these extracted acupoints, the five-shu points, convergent points and back-shu points were selected specially. Regarding acupoint combination, the association of Quchi (LI 11) had the highest support with Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The core prescription of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for stroke-related pneumonia could be composed of Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taichong (LR 3).

[Factors associated with positive results in English literature of acupuncture for chronic pain].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the main factors affecting the positive results of acupuncture for chronic pain in English literature of randomized controlled trial (RCT), in order to provide reference for the design of acupuncture clinical research. METHODS: The RCTs of acupuncture for chronic pain published before March 26, 2020 were searched in PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library by computer. A total of 21 factors were analyzed by single-factor analysis, and the factors with statistically significant difference were selected for multivariate Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 69 RCTs were included, including 47 RCTs (68.12%) with positive results and 22 RCTs (31.88%) with non-positive results. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed with the three screened factors (publication year, treatment frequency and intervention form) selected by single-factor analysis, and the results showed that the positive results were related to the frequency of acupuncture treatment. The positive rate of RCT with frequency≥2 times a week was 3.24 times of that with frequency<2 times a week (OR=3.24, 95%CI =[1.07,9.83], P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture frequency may be the main factor affecting the positive results of RCT in English literature of acupuncture for chronic pain. More researches are needed in the future to explore the influence of acupuncture frequency on the curative effect.

[Consideration on the construction of acupuncture and moxibustion clinical diagnosis and treatment system with the core of "differentiation of disease location": taking "treatment" of Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an example].

Based on the difference between disease and syndrome differentiation of acupuncture and moxibustion and each department of TCM, i.e. internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology and pediatrics, it is believed that "differentiation of disease location" is the key of disease and syndrome differentiation of acupuncture and moxibustion. According to the disease location, in the section "treatment" of Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the disorders/illness are classified as zangfu disorder, disorders of limbs and meridians, dermatological disorder, ophthalmological and otorhinolaryngological disorder, gynecological disorder, as well as qi, blood and body fluid disorder. Besides, the rules of disease and syndrome differentiation, as well as treatment characteristics of each category are explained separately. It is considered that the clinical diagnosis and treatment system of acupuncture and moxibustion should be constructed by focusing on "differentiation of disease location".

Effect of Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Middle-Aged Obesity: A Multicentre, Randomised, Sham-Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for obesity over a 16-week treatment period using sham stimulation as the control. Methods: A multicenter, randomised, parallel, sham-controlled trial was conducted from February 10, 2017, to May 15, 2018. Men with waistlines ≥85 cm and women with ≥80 cm at three sites were randomised to receive eight sessions (over 16 weeks) of ACE (n = 108) or sham ACE (n = 108) with skin penetration at sham acupoints. The catgut was embedded once every two weeks using two alternating sets of acupoints. The follow-up lasted for an additional 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the percentage waistline reduction from baseline to week 16. Results: We included 216 individuals in the intention-to-treat analysis. At 16 weeks, the rate of waistline reduction was 8.80% (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.93% to 9.66%) in the ACE group and 4.09% (95% CI, 3.18% to 5.00%) in the sham control group, with a between-group difference of 4.71% (95% CI, 3.47% to 5.95%; P < 0.0001). This difference persisted throughout the entire follow-up period (between-group difference after 24-week additional weeks, 4.94% (95% CI, 3.58% to 6.30%); P < 0.001). The subgroup analyses of waistline by sex (male/female) revealed treatment effects of 1.93 (95% CI, -0.37 to 4.23, P = 0.1) in the male group and 3.19 (95% CI, 1.99 to 4.39, P < 0.001) in the female group. The adverse event analysis suggested that ACE and laboratory tests confirmed the safety of ACE. Discussion. ACE for 16 weeks could decrease the waistline and weight and was safe for the treatment of obesity. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and sex differences. This trial is registered with NCT02936973.

[Study on positive reaction of foot three yin-meridians in patients with typeâ ¢ chronic prostatitis based on meridian diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between typeⅢ chronic prostatitis and the positive reaction of foot three yin-meridians based on meridian diagnosis. METHODS: Using the traditional meridian diagnosis combined with tenderness meter detection, the positive reaction rate of meridians and acupoints of crural foot three yin-meridians and tenderness pain threshold of standard acupoint location were compared in the typeⅢ chronic prostatitis patients (prostatitis group, 32 cases) and healthy subjects (health group, 30 cases). RESULTS: The positive reaction rate of the spleen meridian was higher than those in the kidney meridian and the liver meridian in the prostatitis group (P<0.001). The positive reaction rates of the spleen meridian, the kidney meridian and the liver meridian and the total positive reaction rate of foot three yin-meridians in the prostatitis group were higher than those in the health group (P<0.001). In the prostatitis group, the positive reaction rates of Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Taixi (KI 3), Ligou (LR 5), Diji (SP 8), Ququan (LR 8), Shangqiu (SP 5) and Zhongfeng (LR 4) were higher than those in the health group (P<0.001), the tenderness pain threshold of acupoints of crural foot three yin-meridians was lower than the health group (P<0.001). The positive reaction rate of the spleen meridian was positively correlated with the pain score and the total score of National Institute of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), and the positive reaction rate of the kidney meridian was positively correlated with age and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) in the prostatitis group. CONCLUSION: The positive reactions of foot three yin-meridians, especially the spleen meridian, are closely related to the pathological state of typeⅢ chronic prostatitis, pain and urination symptom are significantly correlated with the spleen meridian and the kidney meridian respectively.

[Acupoint selection rules and characteristics of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture].

The published literature of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture was retrieved in CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from the date of establishment to December 31, 2019. Association rule analysis and cluster analysis were used to summarize the acupoint selection rules of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture. A total of 37 articles were included, involving 60 acupuncture prescriptions. The most commonly used acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Anmian (Extra), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), Xinshu (BL 15) and Taixi (KI 3). The most commonly used acupoint combinations were Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Anmian (Extra)-Baihui (GV 20)-Sishencong (EX-HN 1)-Shenting (GV 24)-Shenmen (HT 7)-Xinshu(BL 15), Xinshu(BL 15)-Pishu (BL 20)-Shenshu (BL 23)-Shenting (GV 24), Zhaohai (KI 6)-Shenmai (BL 62), Taichong (LR 3)-Ganshu (BL 18), Daling (PC 7)-Taixi (KI 3), Neiguan (PC 6)- Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4)-Qihai (CV 6)-Zhongwan (CV 12). On the basis of acupoint selection according to disease differentiation, the acupoint selection rules and characteristics of insomnia in the elderly treated with acupuncture are regulating and supplementing the spleen and kidney and treating according to spleen-kidney.

[Analysis on specific effect of acupoints at the upper arms in treatment of scrofula and goiter].

Through analyzing the indication distribution of the different acupoints located at the upper limbs recorded in Science of Acupoints and Science of Meridians and Acupoints, the industry planning teaching materials of traditional Chinese medicine, it is discovered that the acupoints located at the upper arms are commonly selected for the treatment of scrofula and goiter, while the acupoints below the elbow at the hand meridians and those at the lower limbs of the foot meridians which running through the neck, do not have the similar indications. Based on a further analysis on the literature at ancient and modern times, it is believed that the acupoints located on the lateral side of the upper arms, especially those at the large intestine meridian of hand-yangming perhaps have the specific effect in treatment of scrofula and goiter.