The effects of acupressure on post-dressing pain in burn patients: A clinical randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Burns often cause severe pain, especially during dressing changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on pain during dressing changes in burn patients. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 76 burn patients. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups after obtaining informed consent. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups by blocking. The study was conducted over two days using the same method. Before entering the dressing room, acupressure was performed in the intervention group for 10 min in acupressure points and the control group in other points. Pain intensity was measured in two groups 30 min before entering the dressing room and 15 and 30 min after leaving the dressing room using VAS. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software 25th edition. RESULTS: Pain scores were similar for the two groups before the dressing change. The results of this study revealed a significant decrease in the patient's pain intensity mean in the test group following acupressure compared to the control group on day one which remained on day two (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering the experience of severe pain in burn patients, acupressure is recommended as a complementary method along with modern medicine to reduce these patients' pains.

Combined effects of acupuncture and auricular acupressure for relieving cancer-related fatigue in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been paid to acupuncture and auricular acupressure as alternative strategies for cancer related fatigue (CRF) management. Therefore, we design this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and auricular acupressure for relieving CRF in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy. METHODS: From the inception to August 2021, the Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched using the key phrases "acupuncture", "auricular acupressure", and "lung cancer" for all relevant trials. Trials that compared acupuncture (including electroacupuncture) and auricular acupressure with acupuncture alone were included. The primary outcome was the measurement of the CRF symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were physical activity, quality of life, and adverse events. A P value of <.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: It will be the first such study and will obtain evidence for utilizing acupuncture and auricular acupressure for lung cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Combined acupuncture and auricular acupressure may be effective for relieving CRF in patients during lung cancer chemotherapy.

Effectiveness and safety profiling of zolpidem and acupressure in CKD associated pruritus: An interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) contributes to poor quality of life, including reduced sleep quality and poor sleep quality is a source of patient stress and is linked to lower health-related quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of zolpidem 10 mg and acupressure therapy on foot acupoints to improve the sleep quality and overall quality of life among hemodialysis patients suffering from CKD-aP. METHOD: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, parallel-design, open label interventional study to estimate the effectiveness of zolpidem (10 mg) oral tablets versus acupressure on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with CKD-aP on hemodialysis. A total of 58 hemodialysis patients having sleep disturbance due to CKD-aP completed the entire 8-week follow-up. The patients were divided into a control (acupressure) group of 28 patients and an intervention (zolpidem) group of 30 patients. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients having CKD-aP and sleep disturbance were recruited. In the control group there was a reduction in the PSQI score with a mean ±â€ŠSD from 12.28 ±â€Š3.59 to 9.25 ±â€Š3.99, while in the intervention group the reduction in PSQI score with a mean ±â€ŠSD was from 14.73 ±â€Š4.14 to 10.03 ±â€Š4.04 from baseline to endpoint. However, the EQ5D index score and EQ-visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline for the control group with a mean ±â€ŠSD was 0.49 ±â€Š0.30 and 50.17 ±â€Š8.65, respectively, while for the intervention group the values were 0.62 ±â€Š0.26 and 47.17 ±â€Š5.82, respectively. The mean EQ5D index score in the control group improved from 0.49 ±â€Š0.30 to 0.53 ±â€Š0.30, but in the intervention group there was no statistical improvement in mean EQ5D index score from 0.62 ±â€Š0.26 to 0.62 ±â€Š0.27 from baseline to week 8. The EQ 5D improved in both groups and the EQ-VAS score was 2.67 points higher at week 8 as compared to baseline in the control group, while in the intervention group the score was 3.33 points higher at week 8 as compared to baseline. Comparing with baseline, the PSQI scores were significantly reduced after week 4 and week 8 (P =  < .001). Furthermore, at the end of the study, the PSQI scores were significantly higher in the control as compared to the intervention group (P = .012). CONCLUSION: An improvement in sleep quality and quality of life among CKD-aP patients on hemodialysis has been observed in both the control and intervention groups. Zolpidem and acupressure safety profiling showed no severe adverse effect other that drowsiness, nausea and daytime sleeping already reported in literature of zolpidem.

Clinical Evidence for Association of Acupuncture and Acupressure With Improved Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Research into acupuncture and acupressure and their application for cancer pain has been growing, but the findings have been inconsistent. Objective: To evaluate the existing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for evidence of the association of acupuncture and acupressure with reduction in cancer pain. Data Sources: Three English-language databases (PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL) and 4 Chinese-language biomedical databases (Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang) were searched for RCTs published from database inception through March 31, 2019. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials that compared acupuncture and acupressure with a sham control, analgesic therapy, or usual care for managing cancer pain were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data were screened and extracted independently using predesigned forms. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Random-effects modeling was used to calculate the effect sizes of included RCTs. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was pain intensity measured by the Brief Pain Inventory, Numerical Rating Scale, Visual Analog Scale, or Verbal Rating Scale. Results: A total of 17 RCTs (with 1111 patients) were included in the systematic review, and data from 14 RCTs (with 920 patients) were used in the meta-analysis. Seven sham-controlled RCTs (35%) were notable for their high quality, being judged to have a low risk of bias for all of their domains, and showed that real (compared with sham) acupuncture was associated with reduced pain intensity (mean difference [MD], -1.38 points; 95% CI, -2.13 to -0.64 points; I2 = 81%). A favorable association was also seen when acupuncture and acupressure were combined with analgesic therapy in 6 RCTs for reducing pain intensity (MD, -1.44 points; 95% CI, -1.98 to -0.89; I2 = 92%) and in 2 RCTs for reducing opioid dose (MD, -30.00 mg morphine equivalent daily dose; 95% CI, -37.5 mg to -22.5 mg). The evidence grade was moderate because of the substantial heterogeneity among studies. Conclusions and Relevance: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupuncture and/or acupressure was significantly associated with reduced cancer pain and decreased use of analgesics, although the evidence level was moderate. This finding suggests that more rigorous trials are needed to identify the association of acupuncture and acupressure with specific types of cancer pain and to integrate such evidence into clinical care to reduce opioid use.

Efficacy of acupressure for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Establish the utility of acupressure for chronic low back pain (CLBP). DESIGN: A systematic review of English articles using PubMed and Embase was conducted from 01/2004-01/2020. Search terms included: "acupressure" and "chronic pain" or "low back pain". Articles included were randomized control trials evaluating acupressure in adult patients with CLBP. RESULTS: 150 studies met initial criteria; 6 were included (n = 468). The average total treatment length was 4 weeks. The main treatment outcomes were changes in pain, disability, and sleep. All studies found a clinically significant reduction (, ≥30% decrease) in pain for the treatment groups. All studies found a clinically significant and/or statistically significant improvement in disability in at least one of the treatment groups. All studies found a statistically significant improvement in sleep. No study found significant adverse events. CONCLUSION: Acupressure is a feasible, effective, safe, low cost nonpharmacologic method to treat CLBP.

Time-effective analgesic effect of acupressure ankle strip pressing wrist and ankle acupuncture point on primary dysmenorrhea: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant).

BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhea seriously affects the ability of women to perform normal social activities and decreases their quality of life. Primary dysmenorrhea can be effectively treated with acupuncture. Based on the wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) theory, we designed a portable WAA point compression treatment strap that treats diseases by automatically applying pressure to acupuncture points. The proposed study aims to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect of the acupressure wrist-ankle strap in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: The study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted from May 1, 2019 to May 30, 2020 that includes 78 students from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine who have primary dysmenorrhea and meet the eligibility criteria. Participants will be randomly divided into 2 groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will use the acupressure wrist-ankle strap equipped with tip compression component parts on the internal side; the control group will use the nonacupressure wrist-ankle strap with the tip compression parts removed. All participants will be treated for 30 minutes on the 1st day of menstruation. The primary outcome is the pain intensity score measured by the visual analog scale. The secondary outcomes are the onset time of analgesia, the pain threshold at Yinlingquan (SP 9), skin temperature at Guanyuan (CV 4), and expectations and satisfaction of patients as investigated via the expectation and treatment credibility scale. DISCUSSION: This trial will be the 1st study to evaluate the analgesic effect of the acupressure wrist-ankle strap in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. The quality of this study is ensured by the randomization, nonacupressure control, and blinded design. The results may provide evidence for a potential alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea and evidence-based proof of the analgesic effect of WAA.

Self-administered acupressure for allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomized, single-blind, non-specific controlled, parallel trial.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE-mediated inflammatory disease. Current conventional therapies for AR are unsatisfactory. Acupuncture has been recommended as an optional treatment for AR patients who are interested in non-pharmacotherapy in the new clinical practice guidelines for AR. Acupressure is a sub-type of acupuncture which is non-invasive with a low risk and can be self-administered. However, the current limited evidence is compromised by the high risk of bias and heterogeneity of methodology. Therefore, rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed. This proposed RCT aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-administered acupressure for the management of AR. METHODS/DESIGN: We have designed a randomized, single-blind, non-specific controlled, two-arm, parallel clinical trial involving a 2-week run-in period, a 4-week intervention period and an 8-week follow-up period. The eligible participants will be randomized into either a specific or a non-specific acupressure group. They will be required to perform self-administered acupressure on either five specific acupressure points or five non-specific acupressure points, 1 min for each point, twice a day for 4 weeks. Participants will be asked to complete self-administered questionnaires for outcome measures including a 7-point scale of symptom severity, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire with Standardized Activities (RQLQs), relief medication scores, adverse events and participants' opinion of this study at the different assessment points throughout the trial period. Data will be analyzed by the chi-square or t test using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study should provide scientific evidence for the efficacy and safety of self-administered acupressure for the management of AR. This study may assist the development of a non-cost, non-invasive self-management method for AR sufferers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ID: ACTRN12617001106325 Registered on 28 July 2017.

Auricular acupressure as a complementary therapy for psoriasis vulgaris: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by persistent localized erythematous scaly plaques, typically on the elbows, knees, and scalp. It is an immune-abnormal disease that progresses slowly over a long period with frequent symptom recurrence. Current studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective therapy for psoriasis. However, the scientific evidence of the efficacy of auricular acupressure treatment for patients with psoriasis is still insufficient. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the effect, safety, and cost-effectiveness of auricular acupressure in addition to medication in patients with psoriasis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This on-going study is a two-arm parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial in which 180 participants with psoriasis will be recruited and then randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Equal randomization will be conducted using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Participants in the intervention group will receive auricular acupressure treatment once per week for 4 weeks, and calcipotriol betamethasone ointment for topical use once daily for 4 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive only calcipotriol betamethasone ointment treatment once daily for 4 weeks. All patients will be followed up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is relapse rate. The secondary outcomes include time to relapse, rebound rate, time to new onset, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score improvement rate, body surface area affected, a visual analogue scale, and Dermatology Life Quality Index. Cost-effectiveness analysis will be carried out from a health and community care provider perspective. DISCUSSION: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will provide important clinical evidence for the effect and safety of auricular acupressure as a complementary therapy in patients with psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-14004916 . Registered on 20 May 2014. This protocol is version 3.0 which was updated on 24 September 2016.

An update and systematic review on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVES: Primary dysmenorrhea is a painful uterine contraction caused by endometrial laceration. Drug therapies and complementary medicine have been used to treat dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate and offer an updated perspective on the treatments for dysmenorrhea. METHODS: The present study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The required information was collected based on searches for the following keywords: treatment, primary dysmenorrhea, medicinal plants, chemical drugs, and herbs. Searches were performed on databases Pubmed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Iran medex, and SID by March 2018 to find literature in the English and Persian languages on this subject without a time limit. RESULTS: This review included 17 papers, 10 of which on complementary medicine, three on drug therapies, and four on acupuncture and acupressure. The largest and smallest samples had 303 and 24 patients, respectively. Length of treatment ranged from one to six months and the measures most commonly used in the studies were the visual analogue scale and clinical efficacy. Reported complications included gastrointestinal events, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and liver and kidney disorders. CONCLUSION: Medicinal plants, drugs, and acupressure seem to suppress pain by reducing the level of prostaglandins, mediating nitric oxide, increasing beta-endorphin levels, blocking the calcium channel, and enhancing circulatory flow through the uterine pathway. Further trials are required to confirm the benefits of the procedures described and ensure the absence of complications.

Acupressure for insomnia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a public sleep disorder defined as a deficiency of sleep quantity or quality. Acupressure is a low-cost treatment that has potential as an insomnia therapy. METHODS: Four databases will be searched from inception to date. The researchers will screen clinical randomized trials of acupressure and auricular acupuncture for insomnia. The screening of the study, data extraction will be carried out independently by 2 researchers. The specific process will refer to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review. RESULTS: The results of the study will be published in a scientific journal after peer-review. We integrate the latest study about acupressure for insomnia. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence for assessing the improvement of acupressure for insomnia. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print.PROSPERO registration: CRD42018104155.

Acupuncture reduces the time from extubation to 'ready for discharge' from the post anaesthesia care unit: results from the randomised controlled AcuARP trial.

Acupuncture may improve peri-operative care as it reduces post-operative symptoms, such as pain, nausea and vomiting, or sedation. This patient-assessor blinded, randomised trial in 75 women undergoing gynaecologic laparoscopy evaluated the effects of acupuncture combined with a standardised anaesthetic regimen (ACU) on post-anaesthetic recovery, when compared to acupressure (APU) or standard anaesthesia alone (CON). Main outcome measure was the time from extubation to 'ready for discharge' from recovery as assessed by validated questionnaires. The main outcome differed significantly between groups (p = 0.013). Median time to ready for discharge in the ACU group (30 (IQR: 24-41) min) was 16 minutes (35%) shorter than in the CON group (46 (36-64) min; p = 0.015) and tended to be shorter than in the APU group (43 (31-58) min; p = 0.08). Compared to CON (p = 0.029), median time to extubation was approximately 7 minutes shorter in both, the ACU and the APU group. No acupuncture or acupressure-related side-effects could be observed. A difference in time to recovery of 16 minutes compared to standard alone can be considered clinically relevant. Thus, results of this study encourage the application of acupuncture in gynaecological laparoscopy as it improves post-anaesthetic recovery.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Using Acupuncture and Acupressure for Uremic Pruritus.

INTRODUCTION: Uremic pruritus is characterized by an uncomfortable and unlimited sensation which leads to scratch, which strongly reduces the quality of life. Pruritus is a common symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease. Various clinical trial studies have examined the effects of acupuncture and acupressure on treatment of uremic pruritus. This systematic review meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness based on published studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted to identify appropriate trial studies. The results for continuous outcomes were presented as weighted mean difference, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 5 articles, including 6 trials, were enrolled in this systematic review. Only 3 of the six trial studies used a visual analogue scale score for assessing pruritus and acupressure for intervention regime, which were considered for meta-analysis. The combined results showed that acupuncture or acupressure was effective in treatment of uremic pruritus (pooled mean difference, -1.994; 95% confidence interval, -2.544 to -1.445). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that using acupuncture and acupressure is effective in treatment of uremic pruritus. However, further vigorous studies are needed to verify these findings.

[Bilateral cerebellar infarction caused by intracranial dissection of the vertebral artery after long periods of "Shiatsu"].

For five years, a 56-year-old woman had undergone "Shiatsu" (a technique that uses fingers and the palm of the hand to apply pressure to particular sections of the body's surface to correct neck stiffness and body imbalances in order to maintain and promote health). She suddenly developed neck pain, dizziness, dysphagia, and speech and gait disturbances during treatment. A neurological examination detected bradylalia and truncal and mild bilateral limb ataxia of the cerebellar type. Diffusion-weighted brain MRI showed multiple hyperintense signal lesions at the bilateral cerebellar hemisphere in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory. Three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) revealed irregular stenosis of the intracranial right vertebral artery (string sign). Dissection of the intracranial portion of the vertebral artery owing to trauma is rare. Physicians need to be aware of patients who have acute dissecting infarction after long periods of repeated trivial pressure such as "Shiatsu". 3D-CTA is a very useful diagnostic procedure for arterial dissection.

[Increases of intracranial pressure and changes of blood flow velocity due to acupressure, needle and laser needle acupuncture?]. / Intrakranieller Druckanstieg nach zerebralen Blutflussgeschwindigkeitsänderungen durch Akupressur, Nadelakupunktur und Lasernadelakupunktur?

BACKGROUND: Pressure on the acupoints St.7 and SJ.22 can lead to significant, reversible increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with elevated ICP. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated whether changes in cerebral parameters in healthy volunteers can also be registered, when the mentioned acupoints associated with ICP, are stimulated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated a total of 34 volunteers (24 females, 10 males) and a 15-year-old intensive care patient after severe head injury. The mean age of volunteers was 25.2 +/- 3.4 years (range 20-35). Stimulation was performed using acupressure techniques, manual needle and laser needle methods. We evaluated the main parameter of mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (left and right) as well as the pulsatility index. In addition, near infrared spectroscopy and blood pressure parameters were registered. RESULTS: Acupressure, manual needle acupuncture and laser needle acupuncture partially led to significant changes in the main goal values. CONCLUSION: Acupressure as well as acupuncture (needle and laser needle) can evoke reproducible functional changes in the brain. These accompanying effects are not to be ignored, in particular in patients with increased ICP.

Wrist acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting (WrAP): A pilot study.

Post-operative nausea and vomiting are undesirable complications following anaesthesia and surgery. It is thought that acupressure might prevent nausea and vomiting through an alteration in endorphins and serotonin levels. In this two-group, parallel, superiority, randomised control pilot trial we aimed to test pre-defined feasibility outcomes and provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of PC 6 acupoint stimulation vs. placebo for reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting in cardiac surgery patients. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention PC 6 acupoint stimulation via beaded intervention wristbands group (n=38) or placebo sham wristband group (n=42). The main outcome was assessment of pre-defined feasibility criteria with secondary outcomes for nausea, vomiting, rescue anti-emetic therapy, quality of recovery and adverse events. Findings suggest that a large placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of PC 6 stimulation on PONV in the post-cardiac surgery population is feasible and justified given the preliminary clinically significant reduction in vomiting in the intervention group in this pilot. The intervention was tolerated well by participants and if wrist acupressure of PC 6 acupoint is proven effective in a large trial it is a simple non-invasive intervention that could easily be incorporated into practice.

Acupressure Bead in the Eustachian Tube.

In this article, we aim to enlighten practitioners and patients involved with acupressure beads and to contribute to their safer use by reporting a unique case of insidious intrusion of an acupressure bead into the eustachian tube. A metallic object was found in the eustachian tube of a patient while conducting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The object was later confirmed to be an auricular acupressure bead, and was successfully removed by performing a tympanoplasty and a canal wall down mastoidectomy. The bead was assumed to have passed through an existing perforation of the tympanic membrane. According to previously published literature, tympanic membrane perforations exist in ∼1% of the population. Therefore, middle-ear foreign bodies are relatively common occurrences for otolaryngologists. However, metallic objects such as acupressure beads are especially important in the sense that they can cause severe burns during MRI. To avoid potential complications, acupressure-bead practitioners should be aware of the possibility that intrusions through the tympanic membrane could go unnoticed.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation potentiates analgesic effect of morphine.

Pain is the major complaint of patients who choose acupuncture treatment. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) provides a safe, standardized technique without needle insertion. TEAS can be tested with the cold-pressor test, a simple, reliable, and widely used model in humansfor the induction of tonic pain. In this controlled study, the effects of TEAS on cold-pressor-induced pain were evaluated in 20 healthy human subjects. Electrical stimulation electrodes were applied to He-Gu (LI 4) and Nui-Guan (P 6) acupoints. The effects of saline plus no TEAS, 15-minute TEAS alone, 0.05 mg/kg morphine alone, and 15-minute TEAS plus morphine were assessed. Pain score ratings were evaluated at four time points from 30 to 170 seconds during the cold-pressor test. The authors observed analgesic effects in both TEAS-alone and morphine-alone sessions, and pain score rating reductions were statistically significant compared to unstimulated control (both p < 0.01). The degree of TEAS analgesia combined with 0.05 mg/kg morphine was significantly higher than TEAS alone (p < 0.01). The results support the efficacy of TEAS analgesia and suggest that combination of TEAS with low-dose morphine can achieve better pain control in a variety of clinical settings.

Use acupuncture to relieve perimenopausal syndrome: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Whether acupuncture is effective for relieving perimenopausal syndrome has been controversial recently. In this article, we report the protocol of a randomized controlled trial using acupuncture to treat perimenopausal syndrome, aiming to answer this controversy. DESIGN: A multicenter randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms is underway in China. Two hundred and six women with perimenopausal syndrome will be randomly assigned to a treatment group using acupuncture plus auricular acupressure (AA group) and a control group using Climen (Bayer Healthcare Company Limited, Guangzhou, China), a 28-day sequential hormone replacement therapy, in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the AA group will receive three acupuncture sessions per week in the first 4 weeks and two sessions per week in the following 8 weeks, for a total of 28 sessions over 12 weeks. Auricular points will be plastered by Semen Vaccariae twice per week for a consecutive 12 weeks, with both ears used alternately. The Climen control group is prescribed a tablet containing estradiol valerate 2 mg/day for the first 11 days, and a tablet containing estradiol valerate 2 mg/day plus cyroterone acetate 1 mg/day for the following 10 days. The total treatment period of the control group is three cycles. The post-treatment follow-up period will last 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed at baseline and 4, 12, 16, 24 and 36 weeks after randomization. The secondary outcomes are Menopause-Specific Quality of Life, average hot flash score during 24 hours, serum estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone level. The first two secondary outcomes are measured at the same point as the MRS. Other secondary outcomes are measured at baseline and 12, 24 weeks after randomization. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial, which will be available in 2015, will clarify whether acupuncture is effective to relieve perimenopausal syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01933204 (registered 9 August 2013).

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupressure for the control and management of chemotherapy-related acute and delayed nausea: Assessment of Nausea in Chemotherapy Research (ANCHoR), a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting remain difficult symptoms to manage in clinical practice. As standard antiemetic drugs do not fully eliminate these symptoms, it is important to explore the adjuvant role of non-pharmacological and complementary therapies in antiemetic management approaches. Acupressure is one such treatment showing highly suggestive evidence so far of a positive effect, meriting further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of self-acupressure using wristbands compared with sham acupressure wristbands and standard care alone in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea. Secondary objectives included assessment of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the wristbands in relation to vomiting and quality of life and exploration of any age, gender and emetogenic risk effects. DESIGN: Randomised three-arm sham-controlled trial (Assessment of Nausea in Chemotherapy Research or ANCHoR) with an economic evaluation. Arms include the wristband arm, the sham wristband arm and the standard care only arm. Randomisation consisted of minimisation with a random element balancing for gender, age (16-24, > 24-50, >50 years) and three levels of emetogenic chemotherapy (low, moderate and high). Qualitative interviews were incorporated to shed more light on the quantitative findings. SETTING: Outpatient chemotherapy clinics in three regions in the UK involving 14 different cancer units/centres. PARTICIPANTS: Chemotherapy-naive cancer patients receiving chemotherapy of low, moderate and high emetogenic risk. INTERVENTION: The intervention was acupressure wristbands pressing the P6 point (anterior surface of the forearm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Rhodes Index for Nausea/Vomiting, the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Antiemesis Tool and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G). At baseline participants completed measures of anxiety/depression, nausea/vomiting expectation and expectations from using the wristbands. RESULTS: In total, 500 patients were randomised in the study arms (166 standard care, 166 sham acupressure and 168 acupressure) and data were available for 361 participants for the primary outcome. The primary outcome analysis (nausea in cycle 1) revealed no statistically significant differences between the three arms, although the median nausea experience in patients using wristbands (both real and sham ones) was somewhat lower than that in the antiemetics only group (median nausea experience scores for the four cycles: standard care arm 1.43, 1.71, 1.14, 1.14; sham acupressure arm 0.57, 0.71, 0.71, 0.43; acupressure arm 1.00, 0.93, 0.43, 0). A gender effect was evident (p= 0.002), with women responding more favourably to the use of sham acupressure wristbands than men (odds ratio 0.35 for men and 2.02 for women in the sham acupressure group; 1.27 for men and 1.17 for women in the acupressure group). This suggests a placebo effect. No significant differences were detected in relation to vomiting outcomes, anxiety and quality of life. Some transient adverse effects were reported, including tightness in the area of the wristbands, feeling uncomfortable when wearing them and minor swelling in the wristband area (n= 6).There were no statistically significant cost differences associated with the use of real acupressure bands (£70.66 for the acupressure group, £111.13 for the standard care group and £161.92 for the sham acupressure group). In total, 26 subjects took part in qualitative interviews. The qualitative data suggested that participants perceived the wristbands (both real and sham) as effective and helpful in managing their nausea during chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences between the three arms in terms of nausea, vomiting and quality of life, although apparent resource use was less in both the real acupressure arm and the sham acupressure arm compared with standard care only; therefore; no clear conclusions can be drawn about the use of acupressure wristbands in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. However, the study provided encouraging evidence in relation to an improved nausea experience and some indications of possible cost savings to warrant further consideration of acupressure both in practice and in further clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN87604299. SOURCE OF FUNDING: This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 17, No. 26. See the HTA programme website for further project information.

Fracture and collapse of balloon-expandable stents in the bilateral common iliac arteries due to shiatsu massage.

We report a case of stent fracture and collapse of balloon-expandable stents caused by shiatsu massage. A 76-year-old man presented with complaints of intermittent claudication of the right lower extremity. Stenoses of the bilateral common iliac arteries (CIAs) were detected. Balloon-expandable stents were deployed in both CIAs, resulting in resolution of symptoms. Five months later, pelvis x-ray showed collapse of both stents. Despite the stent collapse, the patient was asymptomatic, and his ankle brachial index values were within the normal range. Further history showed that the patient underwent daily shiatsu therapy in the umbilical region, which may have triggered collapse of the stent. Physicians should advise patients to avoid compression of the abdominal wall after implantation of a stent in the iliac artery.