YNSA im Kontext zu anderen MAPS: – 3 Fallbeispiele über Patienten mit Schmeck- und Riechstörungen unterschiedlicher Genese

Background

During the first German Acupuncture Congress in May 2007, various methods of therapy for gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions were discussed. The aim of this case report is to investigate the efficacy of YNSA in the treatment of such disorders.As these disorders also affect the area of head and neck, it is of interest whether the results can be influenced by additional acupuncture of the ventral lymph belt as described by Gleditsch.

Objectives

Therapy of gustatory and olfactory disorders, improving quality of life

Methods

Three patients with gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions of different etiology were treated with YNSA. During the first five sessions, they only received acupuncture on the 9^th and 10^th cerebral nerve points. In the course of five further sessions, other YNSA-points were added according to the findings conceived through the various diagnostic means employed in YNSA (Hegu-test, neck- and abdominal pressure test). During the last five sessions, needling of the ventral lymph belt according to Gleditsch was added.Successful treatment consisted of an improvement of the sense of taste and/or smell and quality of life, and was quantified using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = minor improvement, 10 = maximum improvement or complete restitution).

Results

In all patients, treatment with YNSA lead to a clear improvement of gustatory and olfactory functions, as well as of quality of life.Acupuncture of the ventral lymph belt in all three cases additionally benefitted the outcome

Conclusion

YNSA is an effective treatment in the therapy of gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions. With additional acupuncture of the ventral lymph belt as described by Gleditsch additional improvement could be achieved     

Kortikale Aktivierungen durch Yamamoto Neue Schädelakupunktur (YNSA) in der Behandlung von Schlaganfallpatienten: Eine Sham-kontrollierte Studie mit Hilfe der funktionellen Kernspintomographie (fMRI)

Background

Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture was first introduced 35 years ago. Today, it is the most often used microsystem in acupuncture next to auriculotherapy .

Aims

Can the efficacy of YNSA – by means of cortical activation – be visualized in fMRI? The neurological correlates of YNSA were studied with the aid of fMRI in 17 patients with ischemic stroke damage in the right hemi-sphere suffering from residual paresis of the left hand versus 19 healthy volunteers. A new acupuncture needle for magnetic resonance imaging developed by Schockert was used in this study.

Methods

The study was performed in a 1.5 tesla Philips MRI system (TR 3000 ms, TE 50 ms, FA 90 °) in a box-car design. Patients were instructed via video goggles to open or close their left hand for five seconds. The data were analyzed by the SPM 2 evaluation program. All patients and volunteers were first subjected to sham acupressure and then YNSA. The sham acupuncture consisted of a single application of pressure by a finger nail in the centre of an imaginary line between SJ 23 and Gb 14. In the verum YNSA, needles were applied to the yin points of the basal ganglia, cerebellum and basic point C.

Results

Of the 17 patients, only five measurements could be evaluated due to motion artefacts. It was not possible to make a group analysis because of the inhomogeneous lesions. The cortical activations were different in each patient. In contrast to the sham acupuncture, verum acupuncture displayed significant cortical activation in the motor, premotor and supplemental motor cortex of the patients.It was possible to evaluate the measurements of the volunteers as a group analysis. In contrast to the patients, the volunteers displayed a decrease in cortical activation during YNSA.

Conclusions

Eight patients in this study experienced a perceptible improvement in mobility and a reduction of spasticity as a result of stroke treatment with YNSA. These motor improvements positively correlate to cortical activity which can be visualized by functional magnetic resonance imaging.Further more extensive clinical and fMRI studies are necessary in order to investigate YNSA-induced cortical activation in stroke patients in deeper detail.     

Was ist möglich mit YNSA?: – Expertenbefragung DZA

Objective

In this survey of experts, therapists were asked which indication for YNSA they regarded as the most important, and were also asked to share their clinical experience with this method.

Method

Forty-two physicians from all over the world with special experience in applying YNSA were asked to respond to 11 questions with respect to their experience with YNSA concerning indications, neck/abdominal diagnosis, choice of acupuncture points, Huneke phenomena, personal preferences, literature, studies and case studies from their own practice. 29 therapists responded.

Results

The experts were in agreement in reporting that they had successfully applied YNSA for pain of the locomotor system, neurological syndromes, internal syndromes, for the relief of pain and for many other illnesses.YNSA abdominal diagnostics and neck diagnostics are regularly applied by the 29 YNSA therapists. All therapists observed Huneke phenomena in their work with YNSA. The experts' responses emphasized the rapid and reliable action of YNSA. The basal points are the generally preferred points for YNSA. Side effects were observed by fourteen experts. Seven therapists identified contraindications for YNSA.

Discussion

In spite of the very different preferences with respect to the points and somatotopes used, the various therapists reached almost complete agreement on the good results of the treatment. The frequently observed Huneke phenomena, and the rapid and reliable results of treatment are closely related to the use of abdominal and neck diagnosis, which are at the heart of YNSA. These diagnostic points enable the therapist to check the correct position of the needles with respect to basal points, Y points, brain and cranial nerve points. Since the therapy points can generally be located rapidly and reliably by considerable tenderness to pressure, the application of YNSA requires a very precise examination, a careful search for the points and a close exchange of information with the patient.

Conclusions

The rapid and reliable effect of YNSA is emphasized in the experts' responses. YNSA should find global application in integrative medicine. Further and more extensive studies on the effectiveness of YNSA are both necessary and desirable.     

Junge Patientin mit Harninkontinenz

Background

A nine-year-old girl suffered from urinary incontinence eight weeks after she had a severe infection with varicella. During jumping and bending down she lost urine and she complained about burning sensations during micturition. Western medicine did not find any reason for the incontinence and there was no sign of urinary tract infection. Oxybutynin had to be removed due to severe side effects.

Objective

Elimination of incontinence, improvement of quality of life.

Methods

Acupuncture with thin needles (0,15 mm) once a week for ten weeks

Results

Although acupuncture started not before one and a half year after the onset of symptoms, the incontinence improved by about 70 %, meaning a minor urine loss only if the bladder was full during body exercises. The girl's quality of life – at the beginning of treatment graded „poor” – improved to „good”. Concentration also had become better.

Discussion

In this case of childhood urinary urgency western medicine could not improve the symptoms so acupuncture was a good alternative. Beside the improvement of incontinence acupuncture also benefited quality of life and concentration. The girl had no problem in tolerating the thin needles.     

Patientin mit diversen vegetativen Beschwerden seit der Strumektomie

Background

Since her strumectomy two years ago, a 56 year old female patient has suff ered from sleep disorder, exhaustion, fl uctuation of blood pressure and palpitations. Family problems constitute an additional burden for the patient. The substitution of thyroxin and additional psychotherapy has not been able to improve the patient's status.

Objective

Improvement of sleep and stress tolerance, dehabituation from nicotine

Methods

Beside drugs and psychotherapy we used needle acupuncture. In the acupuncture outpatient service, patients usually receive one treatment per week over a period of ten weeks. Following this period, the patient received an ear acupuncture treatment with permanent needles to help her stop smoking.

Results

Improvement of the patient's general condition after the 4th treatment, VAS (0–10) before acupuncture 9,3. VAS at the end of treatment: 2,8.

Discussion

The improvement of her general condition gave the patient the feeling of “being reborn”. After considerable reluctance at the beginning of therapy, she gladly accepted the off ering of an additional intervention to help her stop smoking after the tenth treatment.     

Patientin mit Postzosterneuralgie

Background

The risk of developing a postherpetic neuralgia increases with a patient's age. As conventional therapies mostly do not bring satisfactory results, and as there is a considerable danger of pharmacological interactions especially in elderly, multi-morbid patients, new therapeutic options for treating neuralgic pain are in high demand.Based on a case example, two specialists discuss the possibilities of using acupuncture and related techniques in elderly patients.

Objective

Pain reduction in general, nocturnal pain reduction to improve sleep and quality of life, to reduce the need of analgetic drugs in order to avoid side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods

10 treatments once a week, needle acupuncture after TCM-criteria plus micro systems acupuncture like YNSA (Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture), and a 12 mW Softlaser.

Results

Only slow improvements initially, but an overall satisfactory result after the ninth treatment session with a pain-free interval of almost one year. After 5 years, therapy had to be re-initialized, again leading to a good result within 10 weeks of treatment (reduction of pain intensity from VAS 8.2 to VAS 1.3).

Discussion

While receiving the first treatment series, the patient was almost eighty years old and eighty-five while receiving the second treatment series. In spite of the patient's old age, which is often held to lessen the effect of acupuncture, both treatment series were able to produce satisfactory results.     

Patientin mit allergischer Rhinitis: Female Patient Suffering from Allergic Rhinitis

Background

Any allergic problem is a functional disease and therefore accessible to functional therapies such as acupuncture. This case report of a 25 year-old female patient who in her childhood suffered from eczema and rhinitis due to cat-hair allergy and who over the recent years has developed a mite allergy causing persistent pain in the sinuses demonstrates how allergic problems can be treated using acupuncture and related techniques. In addition to well-established acupuncture points, three experts will show further methods to alleviate allergic symptoms.

Objective

The aim of treating patients with allergic disposition is to reduce symptoms as well as the use of anti-histaminic drugs. Treatment should also prevent an aggravation of symptoms, for instance from allergic rhinitis to allergic asthma.

Methods

One acupuncture session per week over the course of 10 weeks.

Results

The patient's symptoms in the present case could be reduced by about 50 %. This result remained stable throughout the following 6 months. There was no follow-up.

Discussion

Acupuncture can alleviate allergic symptoms but should always be combined with the appropriate diet as well as physical exercise. Clinical studies have brought inhomogenous results. However, long-term observations collected at the Kaiserin Elisabeth-Hospital in Vienna suggest that acupuncture administered as a therapy against allergic rhinitis should be initialized pre-seasonally and be administered annually over the course of 10 weeks.     

Warum Patientinnen und Patienten Akupunktur oder Qi Gong wählen,und was sie von der Behandlung erwarten

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and especially acupuncture are popular complementary treatment modalities in Switzerland. However, little is known about why patients choose these methods, and what they expect from the treatment.

Objective

A qualitative survey was used to identify reasons for choosing TCM, knowledge about its range of indications, and patients' expectations towards method and therapist.

Methods

38 patients newly enrolled for treatment in 7 different practices for TCM (6 for acupuncture, 1 for qigong) agreed to fill out a questionnaire. Questions were asked in an open way, i.e. without predetermined answers. Answers were then categorised and analysed by frequency.

Results

The most common reason for choosing TCM is recommendation by friends, followed by the desire to try a new treatment and the perception of TCM as a gentle and natural method. The majority of respondents have poor knowledge about methods associated with TCM and the possible range of conditions to be treated. Therapists are expected to have professional competence, provide information and empathy.

Conclusions

Patients in this survey have partially given other reasons for choosing acupuncture or qigong as treatment modalities than patients who participated in previous studies in the UK and the United States. Results from other countries can therefore not directly be transferred. The present qualitative survey can be used as starting point for future studies which could provide a better understanding of patients' expectations and the need for more precise information about TCM.     

Wirksamkeit der Akupunktur bei der Therapie von idiopathischen Schmeckstörungen: Eine randomisierte Placebo-kontrollierte Studie

Background

At present, the state-of-the-art medication in treating idiopathic taste disorder (gustatory dysfunction) is zinc. If zinc medication was unsuccessful, not tolerated or if it is contraindicated the persons affected can hardly be helped.

Objectives

In a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial an attempt was made to determine the efficacy of acupuncture.

Methods

The treatment group was treated with acupuncture needles, the placebo group with an inactive acupuncture-laser. Endpoints of the study were changes in the taste test, the quality of life and the severity of symptoms of depression (BDI) as well as mood changes (ZMS). Satisfaction with the success of the respective therapy was also evaluated. Data were collected before and after therapy and again for the treatment group 10 weeks after completion of the treatment period.

Findings

Treatment with real acupuncture showed a significant improvement in gustatory function as well as a significant improvement in psychological symptoms. Greater satisfaction with the treatment results was evident in the treatment group. The treatment results of acupuncture remained stable over a period of ten weeks after completion of the treatment.

Conclusion

Acupuncture was effective in the therapy of idiopathic taste disorders and therefore it is an effective alternative when zinc medication is not tolerated or unsuccessful. But it is also suitable as a therapy of first choice. Acupuncture can be considered as an extension of the therapeutic spectrum in the difficult treatment of taste disorders.     

Patientin mit Migräne und Cervicalsyndrom nach Hysterektomie

Background

In 2005, Mrs ES, a 54 year-old patient, consulted our acupuncture outpatient service for the first time, having suffered from intense headaches and permanent tensions in the shoulder and neck region for 7 years. The clinical symptoms were exacerbated by all kinds of stress. Although the patient had worked the same stressful job for years, the headaches only first manifested after she'd had a hysterectomy.

Aim

Pain reduction and improvement of stress tolerance at the work place

Methods

acupuncture, analysis of life style, means of stress prophylaxis

Results

Between the 4th and 10th treatment session, only one migraine episode occurred which was related to the consumption of red wine. For the following three years, the patient remained free of symptoms. Then tensions and headache attacks returned.

Discussion

According to TCM, long-term exposure to emotional stress situations can lead to the stagnation of liver qi. 7 years ago, this manifested as a blood stagnation of the lower heater (myomatous uterus). From the point of view of western medicine, the problem was solved by hysterectomy – however, stagnation now came to appear elsewhere in the body, this time, in the head. In this case, western medicine could offer only symptom-oriented therapeutic interventions whereas TCM enabled us to work on the underlying problem and reach, if only temporarily, an improvement of the clinical situation.     

Fallbericht: Patientin mit Schlafstörung

Background

Since the onset of her menopause about ten years ago, a sixty-year old patient has been suffering from hot flashes and sleep disorders causing her to become increasingly anxious and nervous. As the patient's mother had died of breast cancer, substitution of hormones was not advisable. Relaxation methods such as Yoga and Autogenic Training could only mildly alleviate the symptoms.

Objective

To effectively treat the sleep disorder, improve quality of life, lessen frequency and severity of hot flashes

Methods

Weekly sessions with ear- and body acupuncture for ten weeks

Results

After the third acupuncture session the patient reported a decrease of nightly waking episodes but suffered from acute pain in the neck as well as shoulder region. After nine therapy sessions, the patient reported a 50% decrease of nightly waking episodes. The hot flashes, however, remained unchanged.

Discussion

In this case, acupuncture significantly improved the patient's sleeping disorder. It also reduced the symptoms of anxiety and nervousness. Other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and dryness of mucous tissues, could not be influenced.     

Appetitmangel/Ernährungsstörung im Kindesalter: Klinisches Zeichen eines Milz-Qi-Mangels und seine Behandlung mit Ein-Punkt-Akupunktur

Background

Lack of appetite in young children is a symptom often encountered in pediatric practice. Acute incidents within the course of or shortly after an infection as well as chronic forms – so called “bad eaters” – are a well-known phenomenon. Chinese medicine sees these symptoms as signs of spleen qi deficiency and suggests a therapeutic approach by strengthening the spleen.

Objectives

The study investigates the impact of the acupuncture treatment of Sp 6 on the lack of appetite in young children. Results after 1-5 treatment sessions were rated by the parents subjectively describing the effect as excellent, good, moderate, or no effect.

Methods

In a multicentre trial in Germany and Switzerland children at the age of 10 weeks up to 5 years (n = 42) were treated with needle (n = 35) and laser acupuncture (n = 7) at acupoint Spleen 6. The needling technique used was tonifying at one (n = 7) or both sides (n = 28) for approx. 4 seconds and then removing the needle immediately. Laser acupuncture was applied to both sides with 630 nm and 0,1–0,2 Joule at each point which equals 20–40 seconds at 5 mW.

Results

Needle acupuncture as well as laser acupuncture at Sp 6 has a positive impact on the appetite of children, according to their parents' observations.

Discussion

Acupuncture of Sp 6 seems to be an advisable therapeutic approach in children with lack of appetite, resembling a cost and time-effective, safe option that could even be performed by non-acupuncturists, especially since there is no alternative treatment in western medicine and since the technique is easy to be acquired. The good results encourage even a single-point therapy. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

Neurophysiologische Korrelate der Wirkung von YNSA bei Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen des Bewegungsapparates: YNSA-Grundlagenforschung mittels PET-CT

Background

The practical and clinical application of YNSA yields rapid and permanently positive results for patients experiencing pain of the locomotor system. The target structures in the central nervous system prone to influence by YNSA in cases of acute and chronic pain have not yet been identified. The study presented here was motivated by the promising results obtained by acupuncture research using imaging methods.

Aim

The aim of the presented study was to investigate potential areas of the central nervous system influenced by YNSA in the treatment of patients with chronic pain resulting from diseases of the locomotor system by measuring changes in the cerebral glucose metabolism via PET-CT scan.

Methods

Positron emission tomography (PET) uses radioactively labelled glucose molecules to measure the metabolic activity in selected regions of the human body. In the brain, the method has the advantage of permitting the indirect quantification of brain activity. In the present study, two PET-CT scans were performed at a few days' intervals on each of three patients suffering from chronic pain of the locomotor. While the first scan served as a reference, YNSA treatment was applied shortly before the second scan. The results of the two scans subsequently were compared. Additionally, changes in the pain experienced were measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results

On average, YNSA led to a significant increase in neural activity in cortical and subcortical areas. Activated areas were located in the periaqueductal grey, thalamus, insular cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, lateral frontal and prefrontal cortex, as well as in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. For all three patients, a comparison of the VAS values indicated considerable pain relief after YNSA.

Conclusion

All patients profited perceptibly from one single application of YNSA and experienced significant pain relief. The areas of increased activity can be assigned to the nociceptive and the motor system, which represents a possible explanation for the most frequently observed effects of YNSA.     

Akupunktur-Therapie eines dissoziativen Mutismus,einer psychogenen Aphonie

Background

A 49-year old female patient was referred to us. Two weeks ago and all of a sudden she had lost her ability to speak after waking up in the morning. Somatic diagnostics showed no pathological results.

Aim

Regain ability to speak.

Method

Acupuncture, in combination with hypnotherapy and speech therapy.

Result

Regained ability to speak.

Conclusion

Acupuncture may serve as an adjuvant treatment for psychogenic aphonia.     

Beim apoplektischen Insult nicht nur Bewegungsstörungen mit YNSA behandeln - Fallbericht

Background

An 85-year old patient suffered her third apoplectic stroke in spite of anticoagulant therapy she was administered due to atrial fibrillation. The ischemia occurred in the region of the anterior and medial cerebral arteries. Three weeks later, still in hospital, the patient suffered a subcortical cerebral hemorrhage on the right temporal side. In consequence of this acute event, she showed a flaccid paralysis of the left side of the body, dysarthria, and a severe case of dysphagia. The disability to swallow lead to an aspiration with a consecutive pneumonia, which was treated and cured in hospital within a few days. At time of release, the patient was able to take in pulpy food, but she was unable to swallow. She could walk with the help of two nurses, but her speech defect and a depression remained unchanged.

Aim

It seemed unlikely to recover from dysphagia with the help of conventional therapy, but the aim was for the patient to be able to swallow pulp food by the spoonful. Mobility and mood should improve, and the ability to speak should be positively influenced.

Method

Twice a week the patient received YNSA during a home visit. After half an hour, the patient´s daughter removed the needles. She also took note of any change in the condition of her mother.

Results

After three months of treatment, the patient was able to swallow two spoonfuls of semolina porridge. After four months of needling, a noticeable improvement of speech was achieved as in that short sentences became understandable. Six months after discharge from the hospital, patient had regained her ability to swallow. First the patient had to use a feeding cup. Later on, she was able to drink out of a drinking glass. Three months later the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy could be removed. Depression improved, the postural control was according to age.

Conclusion

In post stroke rehabilitation, YNSA can improve more than movement disorders.     

Patientin mit chronisch rezidivierenden Gelenks- und Wirbelsäulenschmerzen

Background

Acupuncture as a regulative therapy is well-suited for the treatment of functional, reversible disorders. Additionally, the WHO recommends its application for pain therapy in cases of arthritis and back pain due to various causes. This case study should clarify which paths to take in the case of a multi-morbid patient suffering from chronic pains due to polyarthrosis.

Objective

Pain reduction and improvement of quality of life as well as improvement of sleep quality.

Methods

Annual treatment series consisting of 10 sessions each, one session per week.

Results

short-term pain reduction before undergoing endoprosthetic surgery; considerable improvement of general status and sleep.

Conclusions

Acupuncture may bring temporal relief in cases of chronic pain due to osteoarthritis and should therefore be applied in combination with western medicine. Acupuncture is particularly well-suited to treat the co-emergent vegetative symptoms.     

Cephalea,Lumbago und Tinnitus als psychosomatische Manifestation

Background

For three years, a 40 year-old male patient had been suffering from headache after having lost his job. His permanent pain could not be influenced by analgetic drugs. Additionally, he suffered from lower back pain and tinnitus (ringing in both ears). All these problems affected his general condition in a way that he didn't feel capable of looking for a new job.

Objectives

Improvement of pain and reduction of tinnitus, to enable the patient to find a new employment.

Methods

YNSA, ear and body acupuncture

Results

After ten treatments, there was no significant improvement of the headache and the lower back pain. There was also no change in general condition and regarding the tinnitus. The patient quit acupuncture after the tenth session, as he felt he could not relax in the busy surroundings of the outpatient service of the hospital. Within the following weeks the patient felt better little by little without any further treatment. Finally, the ringing in the ears only reoccurred in stressful situations. He found a new job and needed no consultations for 4 years until after an argument with his son, the headache reappeared.

Conclusion

For a positive reaction to manifest, chronic disease sometimes needs more than 10 treatments with acupuncture. Still, it may be justified to stop therapy, especially if the patient doesn't feel comfortable with it and longs for the end of the treatment series. A sudden improvement may as well happen within the weeks following the termination of therapy. There can be a delayed reaction causing the desired effect to manifest in a period of “no treatment”.     

Akupunktur in der Dermatologie – Stand der wissenschaftlichen Forschung

Background and Aims

The impact of application of acupunture has grown within the last years. This review lists the current state of clinical research regarding the evidence of acupuncture in the treatment of selected dermatological diseases and symptoms.

Methods

The literature review was based on thorough screening of the databases of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until July 2008.

Results

Due to the limited number of studies so far no recommendation can be given regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture as a means to treat dermatological diseases.

Conclusions

However, using acupuncture to treat such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, postoperative pain and itch has shown beneficial effects. Further studies should be carried out addressing the many open questions.     

Patientin mit klimakterischen Beschwerden

Background

Hormone substitution in the treatment of perimenopausal symptoms should be regarded with caution due to possible side effects. Patients with a family history of breast cancer as well as patients suffering from fibroadenoma are not eligible for hormone substitution and therefore need alternative options without side effects.

Objective

To determine if and how acupuncture can improve the quality of life in women with perimenopausal symptoms, using the present case report as well as data base literature research.

Method

The patient received 12 weekly sessions of acupuncture combined with ear-acupuncture.

Results

After 10 weeks of treatment, the patient reported a slight improvement of symptoms, but was still far from showing satisfactory results. Therefore, she received two more treatment sessions. A breakthrough improvement only occurred after the series of 12 sessions was discontinued. The visual analogue scale (VAS) showed a reduction from 10 to 4.5 within 6 months after the first session. However, the improvement didn't last – 12 months later, the patient reported an aggravation of symptoms (VAS 8), which lead to another treatment series.

Discussion

Acupuncture may be able to alleviate perimenopausal symptoms such as sleep disorders or hot flashes, but has to be repeated on a regular (at least yearly) basis.     

Spezifische physiologische und unspezifische psychische Effekte bei der Akupunkturtherapie des Reizdarmsyndroms: Ergebnisse einer randomisierten kontrollierten Studie

Background and aims

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture (AC) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated psychological and neuroendocrinological parameters to meet the demands of the psychosomatic paradigm. In addition, we wanted to examine the impact of perception of bodily sensations on treatment response.

Methods

43 patients with IBS were randomly assigned to receive either AC (n = 22) or sham acupuncture (SAC) (n = 21) using the ”Streitberger needle„. Primary outcome measure was quality of life (QoL) measured with the functional digestive diseases quality of life questionnaire (FDDQL) and a general quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). QoL was measured before AC treatment (t1), after ten treatment sessions (t2) and three months after treatment (t3). Secondary outcome measures were parameters of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which were evaluated with tilt-table manoeuvres at t1 and t2. Additionally, salivary cortisol was measured at t1 ant t2. Perception of bodily sensation was measured at t1 with the ”Perception of Bodily Sensation„ (PBS) questionnaire.

Results

QoL improved in both groups (p = 0,022). However, there were no group differences in QoL improvements between AC and SAC. Salivary cortisol decreased in both groups (F = 10,55; p = 0,006). However, the decrease was more pronounced in the AC group (F = 4,07; p = 0,033). Heart rate response decreased during orthostatic stress in the AC group while it increased in the SAC group (group difference: F = 9,23; p = 0,005), indicating an increased parasympathetic tone in the AC group. Improvement of pain was positively associated with increased parasympathetic tone in the AC group (r² =0,40; F = 10,1; p = 0,006), but not in the SAC group. High PBS was associated with lower QoL before and after treatment (p = 0,033).

Conclusions

The psychosomatic study design made it possible to detect differentiated acupuncture effects. QoL improvement seems to be due to unspecific effects and physiological changes are likely to be induced specifically by AC. Thus, different mechanisms may be involved in sham and real-AC mediated improvements. Patients with high PBS show a more unfavourable course of treatment independently of the kind of acupuncture treatment.