[Design and development of a multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine based on heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy].

A multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine is designed and developed to assist the heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy. Through the motion control of the stepping motor by programmable logic controller (PLC), the automatic control is obtained for the acupoint detection of heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy and the manual operation of moxibustion. The skin temperature is monitored in real-time, using infrared non-contact temperature measurement technology. Based on the deviation of the temperature set value and the monitoring one, the distance between the moxibustion device and the exerted region is adjusted automatically by PLC so that the temperature is controlled practically. The multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine based on the heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy is capable of the operation control of mild moxibustion, circling moxibustion, sparrow-pecking moxibustion and along-meridian moxibustion techniques, as well as real-time monitoring of skin temperature. The temperature change curve of this machine is coincident with that obtained by the manual operation of heat-sensitive moxibustion. This multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine assists the delivery of heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy and it is satisfactory in temperature control and precise in operation.

Effect of Moxibustion Treatment on Degree Centrality in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common neurological disorder. Moxibustion has been shown to be effective in treating MCI, but its therapeutic mechanisms still remain unclear. This study mainly aimed to investigate the modulation effect of moxibustion treatment for patients with MCI by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: A total of 47 patients with MCI and 30 healthy controls (HCs) participated in resting-state fMRI imaging (rs-fMRI) scans. Patients with MCI were randomly divided into true moxibustion group (TRUE, n = 30) and sham moxibustion group (SHAM, n = 17). The degree centrality (DC) approach was applied to distinguish altered brain functions. Correlation analysis was then performed to examine the relationships between the neuroimaging findings and clinical symptoms. Results: Compared with HCs, patients with MCI mainly showed decreased DC in the left middle frontal cortex (MFC) and bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC). After moxibustion treatment, the SHAM group had no significant DC findings, while TRUE group mainly showed significant increased DC in the bilateral MFC and MCC, as well as decreased DC in the left middle occipital cortex (MOC). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant interactions between the two groups of patients with MCI. In addition, the higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was significantly positively correlated with increased DC in the right MFC and left MCC after moxibustion treatment. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the potential value of moxibustion treatment on MCI, which adds new insights into the popular view that moxibustion treatment may slow cognitive decline in patients with MCI.

Effects of different courses of moxibustion treatment on intestinal flora and inflammation of a rat model of knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine the effects of different courses of moxibustion on a rat knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model, and explore the dose-effect relationship of moxibustion on KOA from the perspectives of intestinal flora and inflammatory factors. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, moxibustion for 2 weeks, moxibustion for 4 weeks and moxibustion for 6 weeks groups (n = 5 each group). A KOA rat model was induced by monosodium iodoacetate, and moxibustion intervention was performed at the acupoints "Dubi" (ST35) and "Zusanli" (ST36), once every other day. Pathologic changes in the cartilage of rat knee joints were assessed after intervention, and fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing for microbial diversity analysis. RESULTS: Damage to the knee articular cartilage was obvious in the model group, which also had increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors, decreased levels of anti-inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora disorders with decreased diversity. The degree of cartilage damage in the 4 and 6 weeks of moxibustion groups was significantly improved compared with the model group. The 4 and 6 weeks of moxibustion groups also demonstrated reduced levels of interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α and increased levels of interleukin-10 (P < 0.05). Both the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora were increased, approaching those of the normal group. Abundances of probiotics Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 increased, while that of the pathogenic bacteria Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group decreased (P < 0.05). Although the abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group decreased in the 2 weeks of moxibustion group compared with the model group (P < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in serum inflammatory factors, flora species diversity or degree of pathological damage compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion treatment led to significant improvements in the intestinal flora and inflammatory factors of rats with KOA. Moxibustion treatment of 4 and 6 weeks led to better outcomes than the 2-week course. Moxibustion for 4 and 6 weeks can regulate intestinal flora dysfunction with increased probiotics and reduced pathogenic bacteria, reduce pro-inflammatory factors and increase anti-inflammatory factors. No significant differences were seen between the effects of moxibustion for 4 weeks and 6 weeks.

Construction of a human body model for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment by colored Petri nets.

Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment has been widely spread all over the world because it has few side effects and is effective for ahead sick and incurable disease. However, the treatment is often performed empirically and clinically, and the mechanism and process of the treatment are not yet scientifically elucidated. Therefore, it is required to establish objective and unified research methods and evaluation criteria that incorporate modern Western medicine and scientific and technological viewpoints. In this paper, a human body model is constructed, which includes the internal organs and the meridians for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine using colored Petri nets. This model aims at expressing the relationship between acupoints and internal organs realistically and accurately in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, and leading to realization of an objective analysis method of the mechanism and process of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Firstly, the calculation of the acupoints' efficacy on internal organs is discussed, and measurement equations and model construction methods are proposed. Next, an interface is established as a bridge to connect the internal organs and the meridians with acupoints. By Java language, a simulation system is developed based on the proposed Petri net model. Finally, simulations of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment are performed to verify the validity of model.

[Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of "transformation of yin and yang" for premature ovarian insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy between acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages and femoston for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS: A total of 66 patients with POI were randomly divided into an observation group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group, based on the theory of "transformation of yin and yang", were treated with acupuncture-moxibustion by stages in the postmenstrual period, ovulatory period, premenstrual period and menstrual period, once every other day, 3 times a week. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of femoston (estradiol tablets/estradiol and dydrogesterone tablets, 1 tablet per day). Both groups were treated for 3 menstrual cycles. The ovarian function (serum follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], estradiol [E2], anti-mullerian hormone [AMH] and antral follicle count [AFC]) and perimenopausal symptoms [modified Kupperman index (KI) scale score] were observed before and after treatment, and the menstrual improvement of the two groups was compared. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the serum levels of FSH and LH were decreased (P<0.01), the levels of E2 were increased (P<0.01) in the two groups after treatment; the serum level of AMH and AFC in the observation group were increased after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the serum level of AMH and AFC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no significant difference in the menstrual return rate and menstrual regularity rate between the amenorrhea patients of the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the modified KI scale scores in the two groups were reduced (P<0.01), and the modified KI scale score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture- moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of "transformation of yin and yang" has similar efficacy with femoston in improving serum sex hormone level and menstrual symptoms in patients with POI, and has advantages in improving serum AMH level, AFC and perimenopausal symptoms.

[Instructive significance of "treatment in accordance with time factor" for the idea of clinical diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion].

"Treatment in accordance with time factor" is one of the key principles of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. In clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, the connotation of "timing/time factor" should be fully understood and the temporal rule on physiology and pathology affected by the changes of four seasons and day and night be grasped. Based on the change law of qi, blood, yin and yang and the rise and fall rules of pathogens and antipathogenic qi, the intervention is exerted timely. The dynamic law of acupoints should be associated with the changes in pathogenesis and illness location, thus, the acupoint selection, needle manipulation and needle withdrawal can be operated precisely. The idea of time factor should be considered in the whole process of clinical diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion so as to provide some guidance for clinical analysis and practice.

[CHENG Dan-an's diagnosis and treatment characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion for facial diseases].

Based on the three books of Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion Therapeutics (1931), Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion Lectures (1940) and Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion (1955) written by Mr. CHENG Dan-an, the classification of facial diseases as well as the records and evolution process of Chinese and western disease names are summarized and analyzed to discuss Mr. CHENG Dan-an's understanding of facial diseases in different periods. Through the systematic analysis and comparison in the trilogy of acupuncture and moxibustion, the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and diagnosis-treatment of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for facial diseases by Mr. CHENG Dan-an are summarized, including clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment, which is adjusted with syndrome changes; simplified selection of acupoints, with attention on empirical acupoints; the strength of acupuncture is based on efficacy; acupuncture and moxibustion has specific indication; combination of acupuncture and medication could bring out the best in each other.

[Clinical trials of treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder by plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion in the treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder(PSNB). METHODS: A total of 60 PSNB patients were equally randomized into control group (16 men and 14 women, 65.6±7.9 years in age, 10.1±6.3 months in the duration of disease) and treatment group (18 men and 12 women, 63.8±8.5 years in age, 9.8±6.5 months in the duration of disease). Patients of the control group were treated by asking the patients to make a pelvic muscular exercise and passive intermittent urethral catheterization. For patients of the treatment group, a plum-blossom needle was used to alternatively tap the bilateral Shenshu(BL23), Qihaishu(BL24), Guanyuanshu(BL26), Xiaochangshu(BL27), Pangguangshu(BL28), Huiyang(BL35), Shangliao(BL31), etc., followed by performing moxibustion over the skin of Shenque(CV8), Guanyuan(CV4), Qihai(CV6) and Zhongji(CV3), etc. about 15 min. In addition, patients without spontaneous urination were also received urethral catheterization as those in the control group. The treatment was given once every day except the weekends and for two months. The integrated symptom score was assessed. The frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence, and the urination volume every time were respectively recorded for consecutive 3 days before and after the treatment, and the residual urine volume was also measured. The therapeutic effect was evaluated based on the status and frequency of diurnal urination and residual urine volume each time. RESULTS: Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2(6.7%) and 5(16.7%) were cured, 8(26.7%) and 12(40.0%) experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 13(43.3%) and 11(36.7%) were improved, 7(23.3%) and 2(6.7%) failed, with the effective rates being 76.7% and 93.3%, respectively. The effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). After the treatment, the integrated symptom score, residual urine volume, and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence were significantly decreased, and the diurnal urination volume was obviously increased in comparison with their own pre-treatment in both groups(all P<0.05)． The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in reducing the integrated symptom score, residual urine volume, and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence(P<0.05), and in increasing the diurnal urination volume(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion is an effective option for the treatment of PSNB in improving symptoms, in reducing the residual urine volume and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence, and in increasing the diurnal urination volume, deserving being promoted in primary care.

A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture at Jiaji points for treatment of lumbar disc herniation under ultrasonic guidance / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:In the research on acupuncture treatment for lumbar disc herniation,most acupuncture treatments are performed under CT guidance or without guidance.The precise control of the target site and the effective acupuncture location are not clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture at Jiaji points under ultrasonic guidance in treating lumbar disc herniation. METHODS:A total of 70 cases of lumbar disc herniation,36 males and 34 females aged 18-65 years old,were selected from Chinese PLA General Hospital and Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.They were divided into trial group and control group by random number table method,with 35 cases in each group.The control group received acupuncture at Jiaji points.The trial group received acupuncture at Jiaji points under ultrasonic guidance.The patients were treated once on the day of treatment and 4,7 days after treatment.Visual analog scale score,Oswestry disability index,Japanese Orthopaedic Association score,and MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36)were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with before treatment,the visual analog scale scores of both groups were decreased after treatment(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the visual analog scale scores of the trial group were decreased on days 2,3,6,7 of treatment and 1,2 weeks after the end of treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01).(2)Compared with before treatment,Oswestry disability index after treatment was decreased in both groups(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,Oswestry disability index of the trial group was decreased from days 1 to 7 of treatment and 1,2 weeks after treatment(P<0.01).(3)Compared with before treatment,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores of both groups were increased after treatment(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores of the trial group were increased on days 3,7 of treatment and 1,2 weeks after treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01).(4)Compared with before treatment,SF-36 scores in both groups were increased after treatment(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in SF-36 scores between the two groups after treatment(P>0.05).(5)These results show that acupuncture at Jiaji points has curative effect on lumbar disc herniation,and ultrasonic guidance could improve the clinical curative effect of acupuncture at Jiaji points for lumbar disc herniation.

Acupoint Compatibility Law and Application Characteristics of Acupuncture Moxibustion Treatment of Depression Based on Complex Network Analysis / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the acupoint compatibility law and the application characteristics of acupuncture moxibustion treatment for depression based on complex network technology;To provide a basis and ideas for formulating prescriptions of acupuncture antidepressant therapy.Methods Related clinical literature about acupuncture for the treatment of depression was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,and Web of Science from the establishment of the databases to 21st,Sep.2022.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,the literature was screened,and the clinical literature database of acupuncture in anti-depression was established.Excel 2010 was used for frequency analysis of acupoints.SPSS Modeler 18.0 was used for association rule analysis,and Gephi 0.9.5 was used for complex network analysis.Results Totally 579 articles were included,involving 172 acupoints,with a total frequency of 3 222.The results of descriptive analysis showed that the main meridians of acupoints were Governor Vessel,bladder meridian and liver meridian,and the specific acupoints such as Yuan-primary point,Shu-stream point,Back-shu point,Luo-connecting point,Eight confluence points,Front-mu point,He-sea point were frequently used.Association rules analysis showed that the combination of the highest correlation acupoints were"Yintang(GV29)-Baihui(GV20)".Through the complex network k-core analytic hierarchy process and community analysis,two core acupoint groups were finally obtained.The acupuncture angle,depth and direction were based on safety and meridian circulation direction,the tonifying and reducing method was based on syndrome differentiation,and the prescription was based on syndrome differentiation and symptomatic selection.Conclusion Acupuncture for depression has the following characteristics:the principle of acupoint selection is based on meridian selection and specific acupoints,the selection of core acupoints focuses on the treatment of spirit and the regulation of viscera,channels and functions,and the emphasis on syndrome differentiation and symptomatic acupoint selection in clinical treatment.While,it was important to pay more attention to the specificity of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Design and development of a multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine based on heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy / 中国针灸

A multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine is designed and developed to assist the heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy. Through the motion control of the stepping motor by programmable logic controller (PLC), the automatic control is obtained for the acupoint detection of heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy and the manual operation of moxibustion. The skin temperature is monitored in real-time, using infrared non-contact temperature measurement technology. Based on the deviation of the temperature set value and the monitoring one, the distance between the moxibustion device and the exerted region is adjusted automatically by PLC so that the temperature is controlled practically. The multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine based on the heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy is capable of the operation control of mild moxibustion, circling moxibustion, sparrow-pecking moxibustion and along-meridian moxibustion techniques, as well as real-time monitoring of skin temperature. The temperature change curve of this machine is coincident with that obtained by the manual operation of heat-sensitive moxibustion. This multifunctional moxibustion treatment machine assists the delivery of heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy and it is satisfactory in temperature control and precise in operation.

MOXIBUSTION ALLEVIATES GASTRIC PRECANCEROUS LESIONS IN RATS BY PROMOTING CELL APOPTOSIS AND INHIBITING PROLIFERATION-RELATED ONCOGENES.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that gastric mucosa dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia are gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). Moxibustion treatment of Liangmen (ST21) and Zusanli (ST36) alleviated the inflammatory response and dysplasia of gastric mucosa in our previous study. The purpose of this study was to further examine the underlying mechanism of moxibustion treatment of ST21 and ST36 on GPL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty SD rats were divided into five groups and rats with GPL were treated with either moxibustion (ST), moxibustion (Sham), or vitacoenzyme. B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), tumor protein p53 (P53) and cellular Myc (C-MYC), which are related to cell apoptosis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region proteins (Ag-NORs), which are associated with cell proliferation, and cell signaling proteins, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK), were measured after moxibustion treatment. RESULTS: Compared with Control group, gastric mucosa in GPL group showed abnormal mucosal proliferation and pathological mitotic figure, the mRNA expression of bcl-2, P53 and C-MYC increased significantly (P < 0.01), the protein expression of PCNA, VEGF, Ag-NORs and the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins also increased significantly (P < 0.01). Moxibustion treatment decreased gastric mucosal proliferation and pathological mitotic figure, down-regulated the mRNA expression of bcl-2, P53, C-MYC (P < 0.01), decreased the protein expression of PCNA, VEGF, Ag-NORs and the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins significantly (P < 0.01). But moxibustion treatment of Sham didn't show the same effect on GPL. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion treatment inhibited cell apoptosis and reduced gastric mucosa dysplasia by inhibiting the expression of bcl-2, P53, C-MYC and decreased the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins.

[Teaching countermeasures on the student problems in the practice and training course of the science of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment].

The student problems existing in the practice and training course of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment include unsolid basic knowledge, inexperienced basic skills and poor comprehensive utilization ability. The writers proposed the effective countermeasures accordingly. Firstly, the students are required to go over the related knowledge in advance, targeting the weakness, and complement the basic knowledge. Secondly, the teachers provide the demonstration and guidance for the practice to improve the basic skills. Thirdly, the clinical simulation is adopted for the comprehensive training to enhance the comprehensive utilization ability. The countermeasures mentioned above improve effectively the basic skills and comprehensive ability in the students and lay the foundation for the future clinical work.

Effects of different courses of moxibustion treatment on intestinal flora and inflammation of a rat model of knee osteoarthritis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This study was done to determine the effects of different courses of moxibustion on a rat knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model, and explore the dose-effect relationship of moxibustion on KOA from the perspectives of intestinal flora and inflammatory factors.@*METHODS@#Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, moxibustion for 2 weeks, moxibustion for 4 weeks and moxibustion for 6 weeks groups (n = 5 each group). A KOA rat model was induced by monosodium iodoacetate, and moxibustion intervention was performed at the acupoints "Dubi" (ST35) and "Zusanli" (ST36), once every other day. Pathologic changes in the cartilage of rat knee joints were assessed after intervention, and fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing for microbial diversity analysis.@*RESULTS@#Damage to the knee articular cartilage was obvious in the model group, which also had increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors, decreased levels of anti-inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora disorders with decreased diversity. The degree of cartilage damage in the 4 and 6 weeks of moxibustion groups was significantly improved compared with the model group. The 4 and 6 weeks of moxibustion groups also demonstrated reduced levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α and increased levels of interleukin-10 (P < 0.05). Both the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora were increased, approaching those of the normal group. Abundances of probiotics Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 increased, while that of the pathogenic bacteria Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group decreased (P < 0.05). Although the abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group decreased in the 2 weeks of moxibustion group compared with the model group (P < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in serum inflammatory factors, flora species diversity or degree of pathological damage compared with the model group.@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion treatment led to significant improvements in the intestinal flora and inflammatory factors of rats with KOA. Moxibustion treatment of 4 and 6 weeks led to better outcomes than the 2-week course. Moxibustion for 4 and 6 weeks can regulate intestinal flora dysfunction with increased probiotics and reduced pathogenic bacteria, reduce pro-inflammatory factors and increase anti-inflammatory factors. No significant differences were seen between the effects of moxibustion for 4 weeks and 6 weeks.

Instructive significance of "treatment in accordance with time factor" for the idea of clinical diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

"Treatment in accordance with time factor" is one of the key principles of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. In clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, the connotation of "timing/time factor" should be fully understood and the temporal rule on physiology and pathology affected by the changes of four seasons and day and night be grasped. Based on the change law of

Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of "transformation of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy between acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages and femoston for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients with POI were randomly divided into an observation group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group, based on the theory of "transformation of @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the serum levels of FSH and LH were decreased (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture- moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of "transformation of

-'s diagnosis and treatment characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion for facial diseases / 中国针灸

Based on the three books of - (1931), - (1940) and - (1955) written by Mr. -, the classification of facial diseases as well as the records and evolution process of Chinese and western disease names are summarized and analyzed to discuss Mr. -'s understanding of facial diseases in different periods. Through the systematic analysis and comparison in the trilogy of acupuncture and moxibustion, the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and diagnosis-treatment of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for facial diseases by Mr. - are summarized, including clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment, which is adjusted with syndrome changes; simplified selection of acupoints, with attention on empirical acupoints; the strength of acupuncture is based on efficacy; acupuncture and moxibustion has specific indication; combination of acupuncture and medication could bring out the best in each other.

Clinical trials of treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder by plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion in the treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder(PSNB). METHODS: A total of 60 PSNB patients were equally randomized into control group (16 men and 14 women, 65.6±7.9 years in age, 10.1±6.3 months in the duration of disease) and treatment group (18 men and 12 women, 63.8±8.5 years in age, 9.8±6.5 months in the duration of disease). Patients of the control group were treated by asking the patients to make a pelvic muscular exercise and passive intermittent urethral catheterization. For patients of the treatment group, a plum-blossom needle was used to alternatively tap the bilateral Shenshu(BL23), Qihaishu(BL24), Guanyuanshu(BL26), Xiaochangshu(BL27), Pangguangshu(BL28), Huiyang(BL35), Shangliao(BL31), etc., followed by performing moxibustion over the skin of Shenque(CV8), Guanyuan(CV4), Qihai(CV6) and Zhongji(CV3), etc. about 15 min. In addition, patients without spontaneous urination were also received urethral catheterization as those in the control group. The treatment was given once every day except the weekends and for two months. The integrated symptom score was assessed. The frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence, and the urination volume every time were respectively recorded for consecutive 3 days before and after the treatment, and the residual urine volume was also measured. The therapeutic effect was evaluated based on the status and frequency of diurnal urination and residual urine volume each time. RESULTS: Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 2(6.7%) and 5(16.7%) were cured, 8(26.7%) and 12(40.0%) experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 13(43.3%) and 11(36.7%) were improved, 7(23.3%) and 2(6.7%) failed, with the effective rates being 76.7% and 93.3%, respectively. The effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). After the treatment, the integrated symptom score, residual urine volume, and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence were significantly decreased, and the diurnal urination volume was obviously increased in comparison with their own pre-treatment in both groups(all P<0.05)． The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in reducing the integrated symptom score, residual urine volume, and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence(P<0.05), and in increasing the diurnal urination volume(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plum-blossom needle tapping plus moxibustion is an effective option for the treatment of PSNB in improving symptoms, in reducing the residual urine volume and frequencies of diurnal urination and urinary incontinence, and in increasing the diurnal urination volume, deserving being promoted in primary care.

Teaching countermeasures on the student problems in the practice and training course of the science of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment / 中国针灸

The student problems existing in the practice and training course of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment include unsolid basic knowledge, inexperienced basic skills and poor comprehensive utilization ability. The writers proposed the effective countermeasures accordingly. Firstly, the students are required to go over the related knowledge in advance, targeting the weakness, and complement the basic knowledge. Secondly, the teachers provide the demonstration and guidance for the practice to improve the basic skills. Thirdly, the clinical simulation is adopted for the comprehensive training to enhance the comprehensive utilization ability. The countermeasures mentioned above improve effectively the basic skills and comprehensive ability in the students and lay the foundation for the future clinical work.

Clinical Study on Medicinal-cake-separated Moxibustion Treatment for Mild-to-moderate Ulcerative Colitis of Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Type / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To explore clinical efficacy and mechanisms of medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) of spleen deficiency and dampness type.Methods Totally 60 cases were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to a random digits table, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was inserted into the anus with mesalamine suppository 1 g once a day, while the observation group was given medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment once a day based on the treatment for the control group. Medicinal cake (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata: Codonopsis Radix: Coptidix Rhizoma: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma: Corydalis Rhizoma: Aucklandiae Radix=3:3:2:2:2:1) was put on the acupoints (Pishu, Zhongwan and Zusanli for the first group, Dachangshu, Tianshu and Shangjuxu for the second group, one group for each time, and 2 groups were used interchangeably). One wormwood cylinder was put on medicinal cake, 5 min each time, 3 doses each time, once a day. The treatment course for all was 8 weeks. The main symptom scores (diarrhea, bellyache, pus and blood stool) and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) expression level were compared between before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and the adverse reactions were observed.Results The total effective rate in observation group was 93.33% (28/30) and significantly higher than that of the control group of 76.67% (23/30). After the treatment, the main symptom scores and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CCL20 expression level were significantly lower than those of pre-treatment in the same one group (P0.05).Conclusion Medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment is effective and safe in patients with mild-to-moderate UC of spleen deficiency and dampness type, which effects might be involved in regulating the expression of serum CCL20.