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Objective:To explore the effects of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu Decoction on intestinal flora in cerebral blood flow hypo perfusion model rats with carotid artery stenosis.Methods:Totally 40 rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, TCM treatment group and acupuncture and drug combination treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. Except the sham-operation group, the other groups were prepared cerebral ischemia model by needle control and thread embolism method. TCM treatment group received Buyang Huanwu Decoction 100 mg/kg for gavage, once a day, and the intervention lasted for 2 weeks. In the acupuncture and drug combination group, based on the TCM treatment group, Baihui and its left and right sides of 2 mm were selected for acupuncture, once a day, and continuous intervention was performed for 2 weeks. Neurological function evaluation and behavioral function score were performed 7 and 14 days after administration, respectively. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to comprehensively characterize the structure and composition of fecal microflora of rats in each group. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) was used to analyze the difference of intestinal bacteria among groups.Result:On the 7th and 14th day after administration, compared with the model group, the neurological function score in the TCM treatment group and the acupuncture and drug combination group decreased ( P<0.05), and the behavioral function score increased ( P<0.05). Compared with model group, the Shannon index of TCM treatment group and acupuncture and drug combination group increased ( P<0.05). The abundance of Firmicutes increased ( P<0.05), and the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased ( P<0.05); the abundance of Clostridia increased ( P<0.05), and the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria decreased ( P<0.05). The abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides decreased ( P<0.05); the abundance of lactobacillus significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve the symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion model rats with carotid artery stenosis, and the mechanism may be to increase the abundance of probiotics.
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Objective:To observe the effects of warming triple needling plus Chinese medication on inflammatory responses and daily functioning ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)due to wind-cold-dampness Bi-impediment. Methods:A total of 101 patients with KOA due to wind-cold-dampness Bi-impediment were divided into an acupuncture-medication group and a Chinese medication group using the random number table method.Fifty cases in the Chinese medication group took oral Fang Feng Xi Bi Tang for treatment,and 51 cases in the acupuncture-medication group received additional warming triple needling therapy.The symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),inflammatory factor levels,and motor function of the knee joint were compared before and after treatment.The clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups after treatment. Results:Three cases in the acupuncture-medication group and 2 cases in the Chinese medication group dropped out during the study,and the two groups each had 48 cases being included in statistical analysis ultimately.The total effective rate was 95.8%in the acupuncture-medication group,higher than 79.2%in the Chinese medication group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the TCM symptom score dropped in both groups(P<0.05)and was lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Chinese medication group(P<0.05).The levels of interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and IL-1β dropped after the intervention in both groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Chinese medication group(P<0.05).The scores of knee pain intensity,knee joint stiffness,and diurnal functioning decreased after treatment in the two groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Chinese medication group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Warming triple needling plus Fang Feng Xi Bi Tang can reduce inflammatory responses,improve daily functioning ability,and enhance the quality of life in patients with KOA due to wind-cold-dampness Bi-impediment.
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The article summarizes the clinical experience of Professor JIA Chunsheng in treating cubital tunnel syndrome with various traditional Chinese medicine therapies,including superficial point-toward-point auricular acupuncture,ordinary acupuncture,fire-needle therapy,and oral Chinese medication,to inherit his academic characteristics,such as meridian-identified and stage-identified treatments,stressing the patient's body constitution and state,and emphasizing the holistic treatment,and to provide references for the popular science education and clinical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of skin pruritus in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:Eighty patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group was given loratadine orally,and the observation group was given acupuncture treatment in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The four-item itch questionnaire(FIIQ)score,indicators for skin barrier function,and serum interleukin(IL)-2 and IL-31 levels were compared.The efficacy was judged after the treatment ended.Results:The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the site,frequency,severity of pruritus,sleep impact sub-scores,and FIIQ total score in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and all scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The stratum corneum hydration(SCH)and transepidermal water loss(TEWL)in the V-shaped area of the chest,the flexor side of the forearm,and the extensor side of the lower leg were not significantly changed in the control group(P>0.05);the SCH and TEWL in the V-shaped area of the chest,the flexor side of the forearm,and the extensor side of the lower leg in the observation group were improved(P<0.05),and all were better than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05);the serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels in the observation group were both significantly decreased(P<0.05)and were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with loratadine is highly effective in the treatment of pruritus in maintenance hemodialysis patients,and it can relieve pruritus,improve skin barrier function,and reduce serum IL-2 and IL-31 levels.
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Objective: To observe the effect of the combination of acupuncture and medication on orthostatic hypotension after incomplete cervical spinal cord injury. Methods: Ninety-two patients with orthostatic hypotension after incomplete cervical spinal cord injury were divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 46 cases in each group. The control group was treated with oral midodrine hydrochloride on the basis of conventional treatment, and the observation group was treated with acupuncture in addition to the intervention used in the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The changes in supine and orthostatic blood pressures, motor and sensory scores, quadriplegic function index score, clinical efficacy, and safety evaluation were observed. Results: During the treatment, 2 cases dropped out in the observation group, and 3 cases dropped out in the control group. After 4 weeks of treatment, the clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the supine systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the two groups had no significant changes (P>0.05), while the orthostatic systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, the motor and sensory scores, and the quadriplegic function index score were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Adverse reactions were mild in both groups. Conclusion: The combination of acupuncture and medication can significantly improve the orthostatic blood pressure, motor and sensory function and daily living ability of patients with orthostatic hypotension after incomplete cervical spinal cord injury, and it is safe and reliable.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of treating somatoform pain disorder(SPD)with electroacupuncture(EA)at the Governor and Conception Vessel points plus duloxetine.Methods:Eighty-two SPD patients were randomly allocated to an observation group and a control group,with 41 cases in each group.The control group was intervened by oral administration of duloxetine hydrochloride enteric capsules at a dose of 60 mg per time once a day;based on the medication,the observation group received additional EA treatment by selecting points from the Governor and Conception Vessels.Clinical efficacy was evaluated after 8 weeks of treatments;changes in the scores of the short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ),self-report symptom inventory,symptom check list-90(SCL-90),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),and generic quality of life inventory-74(GQOLI-74)were also compared.Results:After the intervention,the observation group surpassed the control group in comparing the total effective rate(P＜0.05).The SF-MPQ score,SCL-90 somatization score,and PSQI score dropped notably in both groups after treatment,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05);the three scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The GQOLI-74 score got an increase in each dimension in both groups after treatment,and the intra-group differences were also statistically significant(P＜0.05);the GQOLI-74 dimension scores were all significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:For patients with SPD,combining EA at the Governor and Conception Vessel points and duloxetine hydrochloride enteric capsules can markedly improve their clinical symptoms and quality of life.
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Objective:To observe the effect of combined acupuncture and medication on hyperarousal state and serum copeptin(CPT)in patients with chronic insomnia(CI),and to explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods:A total of 70 CI patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given estazolam tablets before bedtime,1 mg/time,once a day.The observation group was treated with additional Yi Nao An Shen acupuncture therapy(acupuncture for benefiting the brain and tranquillization)on the basis of the medication treatment,4 times a week.After 4 weeks of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score,insomnia severity index(ISI)score,pre-sleep arousal scale(PSAS)score,hyperarousal scale(HAS)score,and the change in serum CPT level were compared between the two groups.Results:During the study,there were 2 dropout cases in the observation group and 1 dropout case in the control group.After treatment,the PSQI,ISI,PSAS,and HAS scores and the serum CPT level in both groups decreased compared with the same group before treatment,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,changes in each above scale score and the serum CPT level in the observation group were much more significant and were statistically different from those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture plus medication can improve sleep quality,reduce the degree of insomnia,and regulate hyperarousal state in patients with CI,and its mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of serum CPT level.
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Objective: To observe the effect of the acupuncture plus medication on the expression of silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1) and transcription factor forkhead box protein O3a (FOXO3a) in the hippocampus, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of rats with Alzheimer disease (AD), and to explore the possible mechanism of combining acupuncture and medication in improving AD-related neurological symptoms. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group, a drug group, and an acupuncture-medication combined group by the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The model was established by micro-injection of streptozotocin into the bilateral lateral ventricles. After successful modeling, rats in the EA group received EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Dazhui (GV14), those in the drug group received intragastric administration of resveratrol at a dose of 44 mg/(kg·bw), and those in the acupuncture- medication combined group received the combined intervention of EA and resveratrol. Rats in each group received intervention once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Morris water maze was used to detect the rat behavioral changes. Nissl staining method was used to observe the cell morphology and changes in the number of rat hippocampal neurons. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining methods were used to observe the expression changes of SIRT1 and FOXO3a. The thiobarbituric acid method was used to detect the MDA content. SOD activity was determined by the hydroxylamine method. Results: Compared with the normal group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged (P<0.05); the percentage of stay in the target quadrant was reduced (P<0.05), the hippocampal neuronal cells were shrunken, nucleoli were unclear, and cell number was reduced (P<0.05); the SIRT1 expression and SIRT1 positive cell number were decreased, while the FOXO3a expression and FOXO3a positive cell number were increased significantly (P<0.05); the MDA content was increased significantly, and the SOD activity was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened (P<0.05); the percentage of stay in the target quadrant was increased (P<0.05); the shape and number of hippocampal neurons tended to be normal (P<0.05); the SIRT1 protein expression and the SIRT1 positive cell numbers were increased, the FOXO3a protein expression and the FOXO3a positive cell number were decreased (P<0.05); the MDA content was significantly decreased, and the SOD activity was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the EA group, the drug group, and the acupuncture-medication combined group. The changes in the acupuncture-medication combined group were more obvious (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both EA and resveratrol improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats by regulating the expression of SIRT1 and FOXO3a and improving the levels of MDA and SOD in the hippocampus and protect the hippocampal neurons, while the combined use of EA and medication is more effective than EA or resveratrol alone, suggesting that this combined treatment is more effective in AD treatment.
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Objective: To investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of action of warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir in the treatment of compensated cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 patients in each group. The control group was given oral entecavir, and the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB) levels, portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness were compared before and after treatment. The serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C), interleukin (IL)-21, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels were also measured. Results: After treatment, the serum ALT and AST levels decreased (P<0.05), and the serum ALB levels increased (P<0.05) in both groups. The serum ALT and AST levels were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the ALB level was higher in the observation group (P<0.05). The portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness values were reduced in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The serum HA, LN, PCⅢ, and Ⅳ-C levels were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, the serum IL-21 level decreased (P<0.05), but the serum PDGF level did not change significantly (P>0.05); in the observation group, the serum IL-21 and PDGF levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir treatment can improve liver function, reduce the inner diameters of the portal vein and splenic vein, spleen thickness, and liver hardness, and improve liver fibrosis indicators in patients with CHB cirrhosis, which may be related to the reduction of serum IL-21 and PDGF levels.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for hip involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 60 patients with hip involvement in AS were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given an intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, once a week. The patients in the observation group were given additional warm needling moxibustion, once a day, with a 2-day interval after five consecutive days of treatment. After 5 weeks, changes in such indicators as visual analog scale (VAS) score, Harris score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin (IL)-17 were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Six months after treatment, Bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology index-hip (BASRI-hip) was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Harris scores of both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Six months after treatment, the BASRI-hip score of the control group was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), while the score of the observation group was not significantly different from that before treatment (P>0.05) and was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of BASDAI and BASFI of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum COMP and IL-17 of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for hip involvement in AS is better than the intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate alone. This combined approach can alleviate hip pain, improve hip functions, delay the destruction of the hip, prevent AS development, and reduce the levels of serum COMP and IL-17.
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Objective: To observe the impact of mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil on the cognitive ability, mean cerebral blood flow velocity, event-related potential P300, and activities of daily living (ADL) in the aged patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods: Sixty senile AD patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group following the envelope method for random allocation, with 30 cases in each group. Based on the conventional treatment of the internal medicine, the control group received oral donepezil, and the treatment group received oral donepezil plus mind-regulating acupuncture. After 4-week treatment, the two groups were evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive part (ADAS-Cog), and ADL; changes in P300 and the mean cerebral blood flow velocity were also observed.Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the scores of MMSE, ADAS-Cog, or ADL between the two groups (P>0.05). The MMSE score increased after treatment in both groups and was notably higher in the treatment group than in the control group, showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). After treatment, the ADAS-Cog and ADL scores dropped in both groups and were markedly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, also showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with the same group before treatment, the latency of P300 was shortened and the amplitude was extended in both groups, all with statistical significance (P<0.05); the latency was shorter and the amplitude was larger in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment, presenting significant between-group differences (P<0.05). The mean blood flow velocity accelerated after the intervention in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the improvement in the treatment group was more notable than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil can regulate the latency and amplitude of P300, increase cerebral blood flow, and improve the learning and memory abilities of AD patients.
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Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB). Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 105 participants were randomized 1:1:1 into an acupuncture group, a herbal medicine group and an acupuncture plus herbal medicine group. Participants in the acupuncture group received manual acupuncture treatment, twice a week. Participants in the herbal medicine group received Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang, oral administration, once a day. Participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group received both treatments. The therapeutic effects of the three groups were evaluated after four weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was the Jankovic rating scale (JRS) score, and the secondary outcome was the blepharospasm disability index (BSDI) score. Results: After four weeks of treatment, the JRS total scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05). A greater reduction in the JRS total score was reported in participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the herbal medicine group (P>0.05). The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group had a greater decrease in the JRS severity score than the herbal medicine group (P<0.05). The reduction in the JRS frequency score was not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). The BSDI scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05), but the reduction in the BSDI score was insignificantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is effective in the treatment of BEB either to use acupuncture and Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang alone or in combination. The combination therapy shows a more significant effect than either of the treatment alone.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with naloxone hydrochloride in the treatment of coma after surgery for cerebral hemorrhage and to explore its possible mechanism of action. Methods: Seventy-two patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. The control group was treated with intravenous naloxone hydrochloride, and the observation group received additional acupuncture treatment. After 1 month of treatment, the awakening rate, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, cerebral edema volume, mean velocity (Vm) of the middle cerebral artery, and cerebrospinal fluid Caspase-3, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels were compared between the two groups. Results: During the study, there were 2 cases of shedding in the control group and 34 remaining valid cases; 1 case of shedding in the observation group and 35 remaining valid cases. After treatment, the awakening rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the GCS score increased in both groups compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the volume of cerebral edema decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and was smaller in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the middle cerebral artery Vm increased in both groups (P<0.05), and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the cerebrospinal fluid Caspase-3 and MIF levels decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05) and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with naloxone hydrochloride for the treatment of coma after surgery for cerebral hemorrhage can promote patients' awakening, improve the degree of coma, reduce the volume of cerebral edema, and enhance cerebral blood flow velocity, producing a better effect than naloxone hydrochloride used alone; it may be related to its reduction of cerebrospinal fluid Caspase-3 and MIF levels.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Zhi Shen Tiao Sui (regulating the mind and marrow) needling in treating depression after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 145 patients with depression after ischemic stroke were recruited between January 2016 and January 2018 and divided into two groups using random number table method, with 72 cases in the control group and 73 cases in the observation group. The control group received conventional treatment for ischemic stroke and medication, while the observation group was given additional Zhi Shen Tiao Sui acupuncture. The two groups were treated for 4 successive weeks. Clinical efficacy was analyzed after treatment. The neurological function pertinent scores [Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), clinical neurological deficit score (CNDS), activities of daily living (ADL), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and Barthel index (BI) scores], as well as the levels of cortisol (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were recorded in the two groups. Adverse reactions that occurred during treatment were also observed. Results: The clinical total effective rate was 82.2％ in the observation group, significantly higher than 66.7％ in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the HAMD and CNDS scores were markedly reduced in both groups (all P<0.05), and the ADL, FMA and BI scores were markedly increased (all P<0.05). The HAMD and CNDS scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group after treatment (both P<0.05), and the ADL, FMA and BI scores were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The levels of CORT and ACTH declined significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), and were markedly lower in the observation group than in the control group (both P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate was 2.7％ in the observation group, versus 4.2％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with sole use of Western medication, medication combined with Zhi Shen Tiao Sui acupuncture can promote the recovery of neurological function, down-regulate the levels of CORT and ACTH and enhance the clinical efficacy in treating patients with depression after ischemic stroke, with a relatively high safety rating.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus medicine in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency. Methods: A total of 70 patients were divided into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional medications, and the observation group was treated with additional acupuncture therapy. The reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) were evaluated. Esophageal motility indicators such as lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and upper esophageal sphincter pressure (UESP), and salivary pepsin level were measured. The clinical efficacy was also compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the RSI and RFS scores in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the RSI and RFS scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). There were no significant changes in the LESP and UESP in the control group (both P>0.05), while LESP and UESP in the observation group increased significantly (both P<0.05), and higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The salivary pepsin levels in both groups decreased (both P<0.05), and the salivary pepsin level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus medicine can improve symptoms and signs in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux due to liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, and regulate esophageal motility and salivary pepsin level. Its efficacy is more significant compared with medicine alone.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence, with 40 cases in each group. The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally, 75 mg each time, twice a day. The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance. The treatment lasted for 5 weeks. The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face, and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture, once every other day, for 5 weeks in total. Results: Prior to treatment, there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and QOL scores between the two groups (both P>0.05). After treatment, VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P<0.01), and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.01). The total effective rate was 67.5％ in the Western medication group, versus 92.5％ in the acupuncture-medication group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on oral administration of pregabalin, needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN, notably improve patients' QOL, and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation plus oral hiccup decoction in treating intractable hiccup. Method One hundred patients with intractable hiccup were allocated, using a random number table, to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each. In addition to oral hiccup decoction in the two groups, the treatment group received scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation at the stomach and chest areas and the control group, electroacupuncture, for two courses of treatment. The times to produce the effect and the symptom frequency scores were compared between the two groups. Result After one course of treatment, the cure rate, the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 42％, 66％ and 78％, respectively, in the treatment group and 24％, 40％ and 68％, respectively, in the control group. There were statistically significant difference in the cure rate and the cure and marked efficacy rate (P<0.05) but no in the total efficacy rate (P>0.05) between the two groups. After two courses of treatment, the cure rate, the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 68％, 78％ and 88％, respectively, in the treatment group and 40％, 60％ and 74％, respectively, in the control group. There were statistically significant difference in the cure rate (P<0.05) but no in the cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate (P>0.05) between the two groups. After one and two courses of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the hiccup frequency score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The time to produce the effect was 2-5 hrs in the treatment group and 5-8 hrs in the control group. Conclusion The total efficacy rate of scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation for intractable hiccup is not significantly different from that of electroacupuncture, but the cure rate of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter. Scalp acupuncture with strong stimulation can produce a quick effect, reduce the frequency of hiccups and relieve symptoms accompanying hiccup.
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Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Luohua Anshen oral liquid for patients with perimenopausal insomnia. Methods: A total of 66 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial and allocated to a treatment group and a control group at a ratio of 1:1, with 33 cases in each group. Both groups were given Luohua Anshen oral liquid as a basic treatment. The treatment group was additionally given EA every other day, three times a week. Both groups were treated for four weeks and a four-week follow-up was conducted. The scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Kupperman index (KI) and traditional Chinese medicine sleep syndrome scale (TCMSSS) were recorded at pre- and post-treatment, and at the follow-up. Meanwhile, adverse effects were monitored and recorded. Results: After four-week treatment, the global scores of PSQI, KI and TCMSSS in both groups declined significantly (all P<0.05), and the decreases in the treatment group were more significant than those in the control group (allP<0.05). The global scores of PSQI, KI and TCMSSS in both groups at the follow-up visit were significantly different from the corresponding baseline (allP<0.05), while insignificantly different from those assessed at post-treatment (allP>0.05). The total effective rate was 93.9％ in the treatment group, significantly higher than 72.2％ in the control group (P<0.05). No significant adverse event was reported in this trial excepted one patient experienced slight dizziness in the first acupuncture treatment. Conclusion: EA plus Luohua Anshen oral liquid is safe for perimenopausal insomnia with satisfactory short- and long-term effectiveness, and it shows certain advantage compared with using Luohua Anshen oral liquid alone.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy plus Chinese medical decoction as assistant in treating liver cirrhosis ascites. Method Ninety-five patients with liver cirrhosis ascites were divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (47 cases) by the random number table. The control group was given Chinese medical decoction, while the observation group was additionally given acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. The clinical effects were compared after treatment. The alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB), clinical symptom score, 24-h urine volume, abdominal circumference, and body weight were recorded before and after treatment. The patient's satisfaction rates after treatment were also compared.Result The total effective rate was 93.8％ in the observation group, significantly higher than 74.5％ in the control group (P<0.05); the levels of ALT and TBIL dropped after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); the ALB level increased after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group was markedly higher than the control group (P<0.05); the clinical symptom score dropped after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05); the 24-h urine volume increased after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group was markedly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The abdominal circumference and body weight dropped after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05); the satisfaction rate was 87.5％ in the observation group after treatment, significantly higher than 68.08％ in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy plus Chinese medical decoction can improve the relevant symptoms, liver function and patient's satisfaction rate in the treatment of liver cirrhosis ascites.
RESUMO
Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture plus Chinese medication on the therapeutic efficacy and digestive function in treating patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Method A retrospective analysis was carried out by targeting 68 FD patients admitted during August 2015 and August 2017. According to the treatment protocol the patients received, they were divided into an observation group and a control group. The control group (33 cases) received Chinese medication, and the observation group (35 cases) was intervened by acupuncture plus Chinese medication. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical efficacy, and post-treatment changes in dyspepsia symptom score, gastric emptying, and the levels of motilin and neuropeptide in serum. Result The total effective rate in the observation group (85.7％) was higher than that in the control group (63.6％), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the scores of bloating discomfort, early satiation, upper abdominal pain, and upper abdominal burning sensation (P>0.05), while the scores of the dyspepsia symptoms mentioned above were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in gastric emptying between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05), while the gastric emptying evaluation was better in the observation group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05); the between-group differences in the serum levels of motilin and neuropeptide were statistically insignificant before treatment (P>0.05), while the levels of motilin and neuropeptide in serum of the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture plus Chinese medication can effectively increase the levels of motilin and neuropeptide in serum, boost gastric emptying, and improve dyspepsia symptoms and gastrointestinal motility in treating FD.