肌壁间子宫肌瘤对体外受精-胚胎移植临床结局的影响

目的:探讨宫腔形态无改变的肌壁间子宫肌瘤对体外受精/卵胞质内单精子注射-胚胎移植(in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer,IVF/ICSI-ET)临床结局的影响。方法:选择行IVF/ICSI-ET治疗伴单发或多发肌壁间子宫肌瘤且宫腔形态正常的93例不孕症患者作为研究对象,共行胚胎移植104个周期(研究组);按对照组与研究组1:3比例随机抽取同期行IVF/ICSI-ET且无子宫肌瘤的308例患者作为对照组,共行IVF/ICSI-ET周期312个,分析控制性超促排卵(COH)、体外受精参数和妊娠结局。结果:研究组患者的年龄、不孕年限显著高于对照组(P0.05),促性腺激素(Gn)使用天数、获卵数显著低于对照组(P0.05);体质量指数(BMI)、Gn用量、双原核(2PN)率、卵裂率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、着床率、异位妊娠率、早期流产率、晚期流产率、活产率、单胎活产率、双胎活产率、早产率、低体质量儿率、出生缺陷率组间均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:宫腔形态无改变的肌壁间子宫肌瘤对IVF-ET的临床结局无明显不良影响。     

控制性超促排卵刺激中子宫内膜息肉对体外受精-胚胎移植妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨在控制性超促排卵(controlled ovarian hyperstimulation,COH)刺激过程中新诊断的子宫内膜息肉(endometrial polyp,EP)对体外受精/卵胞质内单精子显微注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)新鲜周期妊娠结局的影响。方法:选择行IVF/ICSI-ET新鲜周期的3 003例患者的3 003个周期进行回顾性分析。IVF/ICSI-ET术前行相关检查诊断宫腔形态正常,根据在COH过程中是否新发现EP将其分为研究组(新发现息肉,n=60)和对照组(未发现息肉,n=2 943)。观察患者妊娠结局。结果:患者的临床妊娠率、自然流产率、继续妊娠率组间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组和对照组生化妊娠率(20.0%vs 9.8%)、异位妊娠率(3.3%vs 0.1%),差异有统计学意义(P=0.035,P0.000 1)。结论:在COH刺激过程中新诊断的与生化妊娠和异位妊娠的发生相关,但不影响IVF-ET新鲜周期的最终临床妊娠率、继续妊娠率以及早期流产率的发生。     

来曲唑/FSH促排卵中GnRHa与hCG诱发卵泡成熟效果的比较

目的:比较曲普瑞林和hCG在来曲唑(LE)/FSH促排卵行IVF-ET治疗中诱发卵泡成熟的效果。方法:391个IVF-ET治疗周期随机分成促性腺激素激动剂(GnRHa)组(n=267)和hCG组(n=124),所有患者均采用LE/FSH促排卵方案,当主导卵泡平均直径达18～20mm时,GnRHa组患者采用达菲林0.1mg诱导卵泡成熟,hCG组采用hCG10000IU诱导卵泡成熟,比较组间的获卵数、MII卵率、受精率、卵裂率、优胚率、临床妊娠率和中-重度卵巢过度刺激综合症(OHSS)发生率。同时比较两组患者诱导日(d0)、取卵日(d2)、胚胎移植前日(d4)和胚胎移植后第4日(d9)的血清E2、P、LH水平。结果:hCG组Gn使用总量、MII卵率、卵裂率、中-重度OHSS发生率显著高于GnRHa组(P<0.05)。Gn使用天数、获卵数、受精率、种植率、临床妊娠率、流产率组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。GnRHa组d0LH、d2LH、d9LH水平显著高于hCG组(P<0.05),而d2P、d4E2、d4P、d4LH、d9E2、d9P水平显著低于hCG组(P<0.05)。结论:在LE/FSH促排卵方案中可以用GnRHa替代hCG诱导卵泡成熟,而不影响IVF结局,并显著降低OHSS发生率。GnRHa诱导卵泡成熟的IVF周期其黄体期存在黄体功能不全,需适当补充外源性hCG加强黄体支持。     

hCG注射日和取卵后48h雌激素下降幅度与体外受精-胚胎移植结局的关系

目的:探讨控制性超促排卵(COH)周期中注射hCG日与取卵(OPU)后48 h雌激素(E2)下降幅度与体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)结局的关系。方法:回顾性分析1 271个IVF/ICSI-ET助孕周期患者hCG注射日和OPU后48 h时血清E2水平,并根据血清E2下降幅度、年龄及助孕结局分组比较。结果:①E2下降幅度在未妊娠组、早期流产组和继续妊娠组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。②hCG注射日与OPU后48 h E2下降幅度>80%时,胚胎着床率和临床妊娠率均明显下降(P<0.05),早期流产率无明显变化(P>0.05)。结论:hCG注射日与OPU后48 h E2下降>80%时,影响子宫内膜容受性,胚胎着床率及临床妊娠率下降,但不增加早期流产率。     

超长方案在卵巢储备良好前次IVF/ICSI-ET失败患者中的应用分析

目的:评估超长降调节方案在卵巢储备良好前次IVF/ICSI-ET失败患者中的应用效果。方法:回顾分析246例卵巢储备功能良好前次IVF/ICSI-ET常规长方案失败再次行助孕治疗的患者,其中超长方案治疗52例为研究组,常规长方案治疗194例为对照组。结果:研究组Gn时间及获卵数均高于对照组(P<0.01);但优质胚胎数、Gn量、注射HCG日孕酮水平、移植日子宫内膜厚度、中-重度OHSS发生率与对照组比较均无明显统计学差异(P>0.05);研究组HCG阳性率、临床妊娠率均明显高于对照组,分别是:79.1%vs 61.1%,P=0.03;69.8%vs 54.9%,P=0.048,胚胎种植率有上升趋势(39.5%vs 31.5%,P=0.18)。结论:在前次卵巢反应良好IVF/ICSI-ET失败患者中超长方案较长方案子宫内膜容受性可能更好,妊娠结局明显改善,是值得推荐的治疗方案。     

脱氢表雄酮(DHEA)预治疗在体外受精-胚胎移植周期中的应用

目的:探讨脱氢表雄酮(DHEA)预治疗在卵巢储备低下妇女的体外受精/卵胞质内单精子注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)周期治疗中的作用。方法:对173例卵巢储备功能低下进行IVF/ICSI-ET的患者进行随机对照研究。DHEA预治疗组(n=81)患者口服DHEA,连用3个月,对照组为未服用DHEA预治疗者(n=92)。观察患者的一般情况、超促排卵情况及胚胎发育和妊娠结局。结果:患者一般情况、hCG注射日子宫内膜厚度及E2水平、Gn使用量和Gn使用天数组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。DHEA组IVF受精率、优质胚胎率及临床妊娠率均高于对照组(P<0.05)。但在胚胎种植率、早期流产率、周期取消率组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:DHEA预治疗可以改善卵巢储备功能低下妇女的IVF结局。     

不同超促排卵方案对高龄患者体外受精结局影响的研究

目的:探讨两种不同超促排卵方案对接受体外受精胚胎移植(IVF-ET)手术的高龄不孕患者卵泡液中IL-15、IL-18、IL-12/IL-23亚基p40水平及妊娠结局的影响,以及高龄患者最佳的超促排卵方案。方法:选择2008年4月～2008年12月在我院行IVF-ET手术的40例年龄35～43岁的不孕妇女为研究对象,随机分为两组,A组用促性腺激素激动剂+促性腺激素(GnRH-a+Gn)短方案,B组用促性腺激素拮抗剂+促性腺激素(GnRH-ant+Gn)的超促排卵(COH)方案,测定两组患者HCG注射日、取卵日、胚胎移植日外周血甾体激素水平及取卵日卵泡液IL-15和IL-12/IL-23亚单位p40的浓度,比较两组患者的周期结局。结果:B组患者的HCG注射日血清E2值和卵泡液IL-15含量低于A组,移植日P水平高于A组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A组Gn用药天数、剂量、移植日E2水平高于B组,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05);两组卵泡液E2和P水平、获卵数、受精率、优质胚胎率、流产率和卵泡液细胞因子IL-18、IL-12/IL-23亚基p40含量无统计学差异(P0.05)。B组临床妊娠率高于A组(45%vs 35%),但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:接受IVF-ET手术的高龄不孕患者,临床选择促性腺激素拮抗剂+促性腺激素的超促排卵方案可获得较好的妊娠结局。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者初次IVF/ICSI-ET助孕临床方案选择

目的:探讨多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者初次进行体外受精/卵胞质内单精子注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)助孕时最佳方案的选择。方法:≤45岁初次行IVF/ICSI-ET助孕的PCOS患者1 407名,按照超长方案(A组)、长方案(B组)、短方案(C组)和拮抗剂方案(D组)分成4组,比较各组患者基本临床特征、控制性超促排卵(COH)特征、重度卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)发生率及临床结局。结果:除A组年龄偏大外,各组体质量指数(BMI)、基础血清性激素水平相当;A组与B组促性腺激素(Gn)使用天数、剂量高于C组和D组,C组与D组h CG注射日血清LH、E2水平明显高于A组和B组,h CG注射日内膜厚度A组与B组明显高于C组和D组,A组临床妊娠率、持续妊娠率和活产率明显高于其他各组(P0.05)。重度OHSS、异位妊娠率、早期流产率各组间无统计学差异(P0.05)。多元因素回归显示IVF方案(OR=0.813,95%CI=0.667~0.991)、h CG注射日内膜厚度(OR=1.262,95%CI=1.148~1.388)和空腹血糖水平(OR=1.395,95%CI=1.021~1.905)可能影响PCOS患者临床妊娠率(P0.05)。结论:PCOS患者在初次尝试IVF助孕时,选择超长方案可获得更佳的子宫内膜容受性,提高临床妊娠率、持续妊娠率以及活产率,且不增加重度OHSS发生率。不足之处是Gn应用时间较长、剂量较大,可能增加临床治疗费用。     

黄体期使用生长激素在高龄卵巢储备功能减退患者中的临床应用

目的探讨黄体期使用生长激素(GH)对高龄卵巢储备功能减退(DOR)患者超促排卵治疗的影响。方法选择接受体外受精/卵胞质内单精子显微注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)且高龄(年龄≥35岁)DOR不孕患者156例为研究对象,均采用拮抗剂方案,分为研究组(加用GH)和对照组(不加用GH)。分析GH对促性腺激素(G n)使用总量、G n使用时间、获卵数、移植前内膜厚度、双原核(2 P N)率、优质胚胎率、着床率的影响。结果 Gn使用时间、Gn使用总量、移植前内膜厚度组间有统计学差异(P0.05)。h CG注射日E 2水平、获卵数、2 P N受精率、优质胚胎率、着床率、临床妊娠率及累积妊娠率组间无统计学差异(P0.05)。研究组临床妊娠率为28.0%、对照组为19.4%,研究组累积妊娠率为33.3%、对照组为20.0%,组间均无统计学差异(P0.05),但研究组临床妊娠率及累积妊娠率有上升趋势。结论 GH对年龄≥35岁DOR患者可明显降低Gn的使用总量及使用时间,增加子宫内膜的厚度,临床妊娠率及累积妊娠率有提高的趋势。     

不同促排卵方案来源胚胎冻融胚胎移植妊娠结局分析北大核心CSCD

目的探讨不同促排卵方案来源胚胎冻融胚胎移植(FET)的妊娠结局。方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2021年5月在南通大学附属医院生殖医学中心接受体外受精或卵泡浆内单精子注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)治疗,因鲜胚移植失败或全胚冷冻而要求FET的252个周期,根据刺激周期方案的不同将其分为5组:高孕激素促排卵(PPOS)组(n=26)、枸橼酸氯米芬+人绝经期促性腺激素(CC+hMG)组(n=50)、超短方案组(n=57)、拮抗剂组(n=78)及长方案组(n=41),分析各组的临床结局。结果 252个FET周期中,各组体重指数(BMI)、不孕年限、不孕类型、刺激周期时扳机日E2水平/扳机日直径≥14mm卵泡数、移植周期时转化日内膜厚度、转化日E2水平、移植D3胚胎或囊胚比例,差别均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各组间患者年龄、基础FSH、获卵数、刺激周期Gn总量及平均移植胚胎数,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。各组间hCG阳性率、临床妊娠率、流产率及继续妊娠率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。但CC+hMG组hCG阳性率、临床妊娠率及继续妊娠率数值上最低,长方案组hCG阳性率、临床妊娠率及继续妊娠率数值上均最高。多因素logistic回归分析发现CC+hMG组FET临床妊娠率低于长方案组,差别有统计学意义(P<0.05),但与其他各组比较差异无统计学意义。其他4组间比较妊娠结局无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论 PPOS、超短方案、长方案、拮抗剂促排卵方案来源胚胎FET妊娠结局在数值上优于CC+hMG促排卵方案,其中长方案显著优于CC+hMG促排卵方案。     

Acupuncture versus pharmacological approach to reduce Hyperemesis gravidarum discomfort

AIM: Several reports have suggested the use of acupuncture as a useful treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), in particular the effects on nausea intensity was underlined. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of acupuncture sessions plus acupressure with a metoclopramide/vitamin B12 treatment. METHODS: In this study we randomized 88 pregnant patients suffering from HG to receive either acupuncture sessions plus acupressure (acupuncture group) or metoclopramide infusion (metoclopramide group) supplemented by vitamin B12 complex. Somatic symptoms and the ability to achieve the daily routine activity (functioning) were evaluated. Acupuncture sessions were performed at the hospital twice a week for 2 weeks according to the traditional Chinese medicine criteria. Acupression was applied for 6-8 h/day. In the metoclopramide group, patients received at hospital metoclopramide infusion (20 mg/500 mL saline for 60 min) twice a week for 2 weeks. An oral supplementation with vitamin B12 complex (30 mg/day) was also prescribed. RESULTS: Both treatments reduced vomiting episodes and then nausea intensity with a consequent improvement in the rate of food intake. The effect of acupuncture seems to be progressive, increasing at the end of treatment whereas pharmacological approach has a prompt effect in responders remaining stable thereafter. Moreover, acupuncture was significantly more effective than drugs in improving functioning. CONCLUSIONS: In our study for the first time acupuncture, applied accordingly to Chinese formula, was compared to drugs demonstrating the same effect of both treatments on HG symptoms. Interestingly, functioning was significantly improved just by acupuncture. Even if the effect of acupuncture on HG discomfort remains to be confirmed, the reports on the effect of acupuncture on psychosocial variables could represent a further advantage of acupuncture application and provide an incentive to widen the base of the research.     

Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing a group of patients receiving acupuncture treatment shortly before and after embryo transfer with a control group receiving no acupuncture. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Fertility center. PATIENT(S): After giving informed consent, 160 patients who were undergoing ART and who had good quality embryos were divided into the following two groups through random selection: embryo transfer with acupuncture (n = 80) and embryo transfer without acupuncture (n = 80). INTERVENTION(S): Acupuncture was performed in 80 patients 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. In the control group, embryos were transferred without any supportive therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of a fetal sac during an ultrasound examination 6 weeks after embryo transfer. RESULT(S): Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group. CONCLUSION(S): Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART.     

针刺百会穴防治Norplant皮下埋植后出血性月经紊乱的临床观察

目的 :临床观察针刺单穴百会方法防治 Norplant导致的出血性月经紊乱。方法 :在要求埋植Norplant避孕的 3 90例无禁忌症的育龄妇女中 ,随机分组 ,实验观察组共 1 93例对象 ,于埋植前针刺百会穴并留针 3 0 min;空白对照组共 1 97例对象 ,不给予针刺 ,其它常规处置两组相同 ,进行预防效果观察。对空白对照组中埋植 Norplant后发生较严重月经紊乱的 1 1 9例对象 ,包括 1 4例月经稀发和闭经 ,再次随机分组 :针刺治疗组 5 9例 ,于发病后仅给予每日 1次连续 3天的针刺 ;另 6 0例仅作常规药物治疗。结果 :(1 )预防效果 :一年内月经紊乱发生率对照组为 6 0 .4%,研究组为 3 5 .2 %(χ2 =2 4 .75 ,P<0 .0 1 ) ,其中研究组月经频发、经期延长和点滴出血发生率为 2 9.0 %,对照组为 5 3 .2 %(χ2 =2 2 .73 ,P<0 .0 1 ) ;Norplant一年连续使用率对照组为 90 .9%,研究组为 98.4%(χ2 =1 1 .0 0 ,P<0 .0 1 )。(2 )治疗效果 :针刺治疗组 79.7%的病例月经基本恢复 ;常规药物治疗组月经基本恢复为 48.3 %(χ2 =1 2 .6 5 ,P<0 .0 1 )。结论 :提示针刺防治 Norplant导致的出血性月经紊乱有较明确的临床效果和可行性 ,值得深入研究。     

Acupuncture therapy for the treatment of stable angina pectoris: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and purposeStable angina pectoris is a common symptom imperiling patients’ life quality. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture alone or acupuncture plus medicine for the treatment of stable angina pectoris.MethodsSeven databases were searched ranging from 1959 to February 2018. Quantitative analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed by RevMan 5.3 software and STATA 12.0 program, and Cochrane criteria for risk-of-bias was used to assess the methodological quality of the trials.ResultsA total of 12 RCTs involving 974 patients were enrolled in this study. The pooled results showed that both acupuncture group (RR: 0.35, P < 0.00001; RR: 0.49, P < 0.00001) and acupuncture plus medicine group (RR: 0.26, P < 0.00001; RR: 0.52, P = 0.03) were associated with a higher percentage of improved anginal symptoms as well as electrocardiographic (ECG) results compared to medicine group. The acupuncture plus medicine group also had a lower intake rate of nitroglycerin than medicine group (Non-event RR: 0.79, P = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the reduction or discontinuation of nitroglycerin intake between acupuncture group and medicine group. No acupuncture-related adverse effects were observed or reported in the included trials.ConclusionAcupuncture therapy may improve anginal symptoms and ECG results in patients with stable angina pectoris, and can serve as an adjunctive treatment for this condition.     

A prospective randomized study comparing acupuncture with physiotherapy for low-back and pelvic pain in pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and compare it with physiotherapy. METHODS: Sixty pregnant women were allotted to acupuncture or physiotherapy. The women estimated the severity of their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10 and disability in performing twelve common daily activities using a disability-rating index (DRI) from 0 to 10. RESULTS: In the acupuncture group all 30 women completed the study (two exclusions), in the physiotherapy group only 18. Before treatment the two study groups were rather similar with respect to pain and disability. After treatment the mean morning VAS had declined from 3.4 to 0.9 (p<0.01) in the acupuncture group and from 3.7 to 2.3 (NS) in the physiotherapy group. The corresponding evening values had declined from 7.4 to 1.7 (p<0.01) and 6.6 to 4.5 (p<0.01), respectively. The mean VAS values were lower after acupuncture than after physiotherapy both in the morning (p=0.02) and in the evening (p<0.01). After treatment also the mean DRI values had decreased significantly in the acupuncture group for 11 of 12 activities and the values were significantly lower for all activities than in the physiotherapy group where no significant changes had taken place. Overall satisfaction was good in both groups. There were no serious adverse events in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture relieved pain and diminished disability in low-back pain during pregnancy better than physiotherapy.     

针灸联合宫内人工授精(IUI)治疗多囊卵巢综合征所致不孕——65例疗效观察

目的:观察针灸与药物促排卵配合宫腔内人工授精(IUI)治疗多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)所致不孕的临床疗效。方法:125例PCOS患者随机分为2组:治疗组65例,在药物促排卵基础上于IUI术前、后加针灸治疗;对照组60例,在IUI术前单以药物促排卵治疗。结果:治疗组的周期排卵率为83.9%,妊娠率为36.9%,黄素化未破裂卵泡(LUF)发生率为4.1%,周期取消率为6.3%;对照组周期排卵率为69.9%,妊娠率为20%,LUF发生率为23.1%,周期取消率为21.4%,组间比较均有显著差异(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:针灸配合IUI治疗PCOS可有效提高临床妊娠率,降低了LUF及卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)等并发症的发生率。     

Electrodermal activity as a possible physiological marker for acupuncture

Change in amplitude of skin potential is one of the physiological indicators of electrodermal activity (EDA) and has been associated with the onset of a variety of sensory, cognitive and emotional stimuli. This study investigated the EDA physiological response to manual acupuncture.

A group of 60 healthy female volunteers were recruited into the study of which 30 were randomly assigned to a control group (no acupuncture) and 30 to the experimental group (received acupuncture). The experimental group attended three sessions in which acupuncture intervention consisting of unilateral manual stimulation of acupuncture points LU7 and KD6.

Results showed that the insertion, stimulation and withdrawal of the acupuncture needles were associated with significant changes in EDA. The insertion of the needle was associated with the highest change in skin potential while the three consecutive manipulations of the needles showed a decline in EDA amplitude, thought to be consistent with physiological habituation. Anxiety level and previous familiarity with acupuncture did not influence outcomes.

It is postulated that the change in EDA during needle insertion is non-specific to the type and the function of acupuncture points; however, EDA response may be associated with the precise location of the acupuncture point. If further studies confirm such findings, then EDA may become a valuable physiological marker for the acupuncture phenomenon.     

Receiving or not receiving acupuncture in a trial: The experience of participants recovering from breast cancer treatment

ObjectiveTo explore the experience of breast cancer patients who either received acupuncture or were allocated to the control group.MethodsFocus group/interviews nested within our multi-site randomised controlled trial. Participants were recruited from the standard care and experimental arm. The interviews/focus groups were transcribed and analysed thematically.ResultsOf the 302 eligible participants 13% (n = 40) contributed to the focus groups/interviews, across three study sites in the UK. Five common themes were identified, including: drivers to take part, the experience of receiving acupuncture, being allocated standard care (control) and reflections on taking part in the trial. The subgroup of control group participants (n = 9) reported disappointment on hearing their allocation, but recognised the value of their role to the study.ConclusionsRecipients of acupuncture reported beneficial effects in managing fatigue and related symptoms. The finding that control participants were disappointed warrants further investigation and consideration when designing interventional studies.     

Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect and possible adverse effects of acupuncture for pelvic and low-back pain during the last trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Following individual informed consent, 72 pregnant women reporting pelvic or low-back pain were randomized during pregnancy weeks 24-37 to an acupuncture group (n = 37) or to a control group (n = 35) at three maternity wards in southern Sweden. Traditional acupuncture points and local tender points (TP) were chosen according to individual pain patterns and stimulated once or twice a week until delivery or complete recovery in acupuncture patients. Control patients were given no sham stimulation. Throughout the study period each patient made weekly visual analog scale (VAS) evaluations of maximal and minimal pain intensity as well as three-point assessments of pain intensity during various activities. RESULTS: During the study period, VAS scorings of pain intensity decreased over time in 60% of patients in the acupuncture group and in 14% of those in the control group (p < 0.01). At the end of the study period, 43% of the acupuncture patients were less bothered than initially by pain during activity compared with 9% of control patients (p < 0.01). No serious adverse effects of acupuncture were found in the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all in the infants. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.     

A randomized controlled trial of electroacupuncture at body acupoints and Fenglong for regulating serum lipids in dyslipidemic patients in Thailand

The primary objective of this randomized, controlled, open-label study was to compare the efficacy of body acupuncture and Fenglong method in controlling serum lipids in patients with dyslipidemia in Thailand. Patients were randomized into two treatment groups (body acupuncture and Fenglong) and a control group. By the end of intervention period, serum lipid level in both treatment groups was significantly lower than its baseline value while in the control group serum lipid levels significantly increased during the same period. At follow-up visit, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in both treatment groups when compared to the control group. The effect of both acupuncture interventions was seen in both obese and non-obese patients. In conclusion, body acupuncture and Fenglong method have a positive impact on the regulation of serum lipids that is sustained after the treatment regardless of patient's baseline weight.