Effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction

Objective： To observe the effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction. Methods： Sixty-eight eligible subjects with post-stoke upper limb dysfunction were randomized into 2 groups by the random number table, 34 in each group, to respectively receive relaxing needling method or ordinary needling method in addition to rehabilitation training for 2 months. FugI-Meyer assessment of upper limb motor function, neurological defect score, and clinical efficacies were observed and compared. Results： The two groups both showed effects. The total effective rate in the relaxing needling group was 93.8% versus 84.9% in the ordinary needling group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The relaxing needling group was better than the ordinary needling group in improving the motor function of upper limb and neurological defect （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training can significantly improve the post-stroke motor dysfunction of upper limb, better than ordinary needling plus rehabilitation training.     

Applying tuina to exterior-interiorly connected meridians for post-stroke upper limb spasticity

Objective

To observe the effect of applying tuina to exterior-interiorly connected meridians for post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Methods

A total of 150 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=75) and a control group (n=75) by the random number table. Patients in the treatment group received tuina on exterior-interiorly connected meridians, whereas patients in the control group received standard rehabilitation therapy. The therapeutic efficacies in both groups were observed after 3 weeks of treatment.

Results

The total effective rate in the treatment group was 89.3%, versus 61.3% in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After the treatment, the muscle tones by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) were significantly improved in both groups (both P<0.05); and the improvement of muscle tone was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Applying tuina to exterior-interiorly connected meridians can obtain an exact efficacy for post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

     

Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of contralateral needling plus rehabilitation for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Methods： Thirty-six patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 18 cases in each group. The two groups were all given rehabilitation training. The contralateral needling was adopted in the treatment group on the acupoints group of brain-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method. The routine acupuncture was applied in the control group on the same acupoints. Respectively before and after the treatment, the modified Ashworth scale （MAS） and clinical spasticity index （CSi） were used to assess the therapeutic effects. Results： The total effective rate was 94.4% in the treatment group and 67.7% in the control group, with a statistical difference in comparison of the two groups （P〈0.05）. In comparison of MAS and CSI scores after the treatment between the treatment group and control group, the differences were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The contralateral needling plus rehabilitation training is an effective method for the treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.     

Treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia by acupuncture plus rehabilitation training

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Methods： Eighty patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia in conformity with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Both two groups were given treatments of routine Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Those in the treatment group were treated by puncturing antagonistic muscles, and those in the control group were given routine acupuncture treatment, to observe the changes in the scores of modified Ashworth scale （MAS）, Fugl-Meyer assessment （FMA） and Barthel index （BI） after treatments in the two groups. Results： After treatment, the scores of MAS, FMA and BI in the two groups were statistically different from those of the same group before the treatment （all P〈0.02）. After treatment, the differences in the scores of MAS, FMA and BI were all statistically significant （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture of antagonistic muscles plus rehabilitation training is better than routine acupuncture plus rehabilitation in the treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.     

Acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing for edema of the stroke-affected limb

Objective： To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in treating edema of the affected limb in post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods： Two hundred patients with edema of the stroke-affected limb from our hospital were randomized into two groups according to their visiting sequence. In the observation group, 100 subjects were intervened by acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in addition to oral administration of diuretics, while the other 100 subjects in the control group were only given diuretics. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after successive 2-week treatments. Results： The total effective rate was 90.0% in the observation group, significantly higher than 66.0% in the control group, indicating that there was a significant difference in comparing the overall therapeutic effect（P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in addition to oral administration of diuretics is effective in treating edema of the affected limb in post-stroke hemiplegia.     

Effect of combining acupuncture and functional training on post-stroke functional impairment of hand

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of combining acupuncture and functional training on post-stroke functional impairment of hand. Methods： A total of 165 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a treatment group （85 cases） and a control group （80 cases）. Cases in the treatment group were treated with routine acupuncture points plus Shixuan （EX-UE 11） and Xiaohai （SI 8）, whereas cases in the control group were treated with routine acupuncture points alone. After acupuncture, cases in both groups conducted functional training in upper limbs. The finger grip strength and hand function were assessed before and after 3-course treatment. Results： Cases in the treatment group obtained better finger grip strength and hand function than those in the control group （both P〈0.05）. Conclusion： In addition to functional training, adding Shixuan （EX-UE 11） and Xiaohai （SI 8） to traditional acupuncture formulae works better for post-stroke functional impairment of hand.     

Clinical Study on Puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） for Post-stroke Dysfunction of the Lower Limbs

Objective： To observe the clinical effects in the treatment of post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40）. Methods： One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） plus functional rehabilitation training, once every day. Those in the observation group were treated by Shi Xue-min＇s needling technique, while others in the control group were treated with routine needling technique. The therapeutic effects were assessed by the scores of lower limb functions of Lovett scale of grading muscle strength （LSGMS） and short-form FugI-Meyer assessment （SFFMA）. Results： The instant and post-treatment effective rates in the observation group were 83.3% and 93.3%, versus 6.7% and 53.3% in the control group, indicating that the therapeutic effect was better in the observation group （P〈0.01）. The instant and post-treatment scores of Lovett muscle strength grading scale were better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. SFFMA score of lower limbs function was better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.0s）. Conclusion： Different needling methods at Weizhong （BL 40） can produce different therapeutic effects in treating post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb, and Shi＇s needling technique has obvious instant effect and therapeutic function.     

Effect of acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan on the recovery of neurological function and depression state in post-stroke depression patients

Objective

To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) in recovering the neurological function and treating depression state in post-stroke depression patients, together with a 12-month follow-up.

Methods

A total of 105 eligible post-stroke depression patients were randomized into an acupuncture plus Tai Ji group (53 cases) and a control group (52 cases) based on their visiting sequence. The patients all received routine treatment and rehabilitation training for stroke. In addition, the control group was given oral administration of citalopram hydrobromide tablets, 1 month as a course of treatment, for 3 courses in total. Meanwhile, the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group received acupuncture and practiced Tai Ji Quan, for 1 month and 12 months respectively. Before the intervention, after 1-month intervention and 12 months later, the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) were adopted for efficacy evaluation.

Results

Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in HAMD, NIHSS and BI scores between the two groups (all P>0.05); after 1-month intervention, there were significant between-group differences in NIHSS, BI and HAMD scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the 12-month follow-up revealed significant between-group differences in NIHSS, BI and HAMD scores (all P<0.01). In the treatment of stroke, the total effective rate was 84.4% in the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group, significantly higher than 68.9% in the control group (P<0.05); in the treatment of depression, the total effective rate was 86.7% in the acupuncture plus Tai Ji group, significantly higher than 77.8% in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture plus Tai Ji Quan can produce a significant efficacy in improving the limb motor function and depression in post-stroke depression patients.

     

Clinical observation on scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia after stroke

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of the scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia. Methods： One hundred and thirty-six cases with hemiplegia after stroke who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups according to visiting sequence. Forty-eight cases in the observation group were treated by scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, 35 cases in the medicine group were treated by Chinese and Western medicines, and 53 cases in the medicine plus rehabilitation group were treated by Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Patients＇ consciousness, speech and limb functions were scored before and after treatment, and the results were compared. Results： After treatment, the scores of consciousness, speech and limb functions after treatment were lower than those before treatment. And their decrease in the observation group were more statically significant than that in the medicine group and the medicine plus rehabilitation group （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rates of the three groups were significantly different （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the other two groups （both P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy has better effect for stroke hemiplegia.     

Observation on warm needling therapy for third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome

Objective： To observe the effect of warm needling therapy plus acupuncture on third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome. Methods： Sixty cases of third lumbar vertebra transverseprocess syndrome were randomly divided into a warm needling groupor an acupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. Cases in the acupuncture group were treated by routine points and needle sticking manipulation, while those in the warm needling group were treated by moxibustion plus needling as same as the acupuncture group. Japanese orthopedic association scores （JOA） in the two groups were observed and compared after 2 treatment courses. Results： After treatment, the JOA score in the warm needling group was higher than that in the acupuncture group （P〈0.01）; subjective symptom, clinical syndromes, activity of daily living （ADL） in the warm needling group were all higher than those in the acupuncture group （allP〈0.05）; the score of pain in the warm needling group was significantly lower than that in the acupuncture group （P〈0.01）; the total effective rate in the warm needling group was 76.7%, versus 70.0% in the acupuncture group, showing a statistically significant difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Warm needling therapy is more effective thannormal acupuncture in treating third lumbar vertebra transverseprocess syndrome.     

Clinical observation of acupuncture plus patent Chinese medicine for post-stroke constipation

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus patent Chinese medicine in treating post-stroke constipation. Methods： Sixty eligible patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus Ma Zi Ren pill, while the control group was by Ma Zi Ren pill alone. The symptoms of constipation were observed before and after intervention. Results： After 2-week treatment, the constipation condition was improved in both groups, and the improvement in the treatment group was statistically more significant than that in the control group（P〈0.05）; respectively two weeks and a month after the intervention, the treatment group was superior to the control group in comparing the constipation score（P〈0.05）. However, acupuncture didn＇t show marked effect in improving defecation speed, initial defecation time, and spontaneous discharge frequency. The treatment group had a significantly higher short-term markedly-effective rate compared with the control group（P〈0.05）; the long-term therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group（P〈0.05）. The adverse events happened in the treatment group were significantly less than those in the control group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture at specific acupoints plus patent Chinese medicine can produce a content therapeutic efficacy.     

Therapeutic efficacy observation on point-toward-point acupuncture combined with herbs iontophoresis for knee osteoarthritis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of point-toward-point acupuncture combined with herbs iontophoresis in treating knee osteoarthritis. Methods： A total of 100 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each. Patients in the treatment group received point-toward-point acupuncture with long needle combined with herbs iontophoresis treatment; while those in the control group were only treated by point-toward-point acupuncture with long needle. Clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared after treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 92.0% in the treatment group, versus 82.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈O.05）. Conclusion： The point-toward-point acupuncture with long needle combined with herbs iontophoresis treatment for knee osteoarthritis has a significant effect.     

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for post-stroke flaccid paralysis

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating post-stroke flaccid paralysis. Methods:Forty patients with post-stroke flaccid paralysis were randomized by the random number table into a treatment group and a control group, 20 cases in each. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1), Tianquan (PC 2), Ququan (LR 8), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and Yongquan (KI 1), and the control group was treated by acupuncture with conventional acupoint selection. Barthel index (BI) was adopted for evaluating the activities of daily living (ADL), and therapeutic efficacy was analyzed. Results:The two groups both had marked increases of BI score after treatment. Compared to the control group after 1 treatment course and 2 treatment courses respectively, the treatment group had significant differences in BI score (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group versus 90.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion:EA at Jiquan (HT 1), Tianquan (PC 2), Ququan (LR 8), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yongquan (KI 1) is an effective approach in treating post-stroke flaccid paralysis.     

针刺配合雷火灸治疗颈型颈椎病临床研究

目的：观察针刺配合雷火灸治疗颈型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法：将符合纳入标准的60例颈型颈椎病患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组采用针刺配合雷火灸治疗;对照组采用单纯针刺治疗。观察治疗前后症状、体征积分及视觉模拟量表（Visual Analogue Scale,VAS）评分的变化。结果：治疗组在提高临床疗效、降低VAS评分,改善临床症状、体征积分方面均优于对照组（P〈0.01 或P〈0.05）。差异均有统计学意义。结论：针刺配合雷火灸能明显减轻颈型颈椎病患者的疼痛症状,改善颈椎功能。     

腹针结合体针治疗轻中度抑郁症的疗效观察

目的:观察薄氏腹针结合体针对轻中度抑郁症临床症状的影响.方法:将62例轻中度抑郁症患者随机分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组采用薄氏腹针结合体针治疗,对照组仅采用常规体针治疗,两组患者分别在治疗前后用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,HAMD-17)和抑郁自评量表(Self-Rating Depression Scale,SDS)进行测评.结果:两组患者HAMD-17和SDS量表评分与自身治疗前比较,均明显减低(P＜0.01);治疗后两组间HAMD-17项和SDS量表评分相比较,治疗组评分降低更明显(P＜0.01).结论:薄氏腹针结合体针能明显减低抑郁症患者HAMD-17项和SDS量表评分,能够更为明显地改善抑郁症状.     

Clinical observation on treatment of chronic eczema with acupuncture plus acupoint injection therapy

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture combined with acupoint injection therapy in treating chronic eczema. Methods： Seventy patients were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-six cases in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture, acupoint injection therapy and tapping with plum-blossom needle, while 34 cases in the control group were treated with oral administration of Loratadine plus topical application of Halometasone Cream. Results： After a three-week treatment, the curative and remarkable effective rate and the total effective rate were respectively 80.6% and 97.2% in the treatment group, versus 47.1% and 79.4% in the control group. The differences in the curative and remarkable effective rate and total effective rate between the two groups were statistically significant （all P〈O.05）. No obvious adverse reaction appeared in the two groups during the treatment. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus acupoint injection therapy is effective for chronic eczema with high in safety.     

Effect of needle-retaining time on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia

Objective： To observe the effect of needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods： A total of 82 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into a control group （22 cases）, a short-time needle- retaining group （30 cases） and a long-time needle-retaining group （30 cases）. Conventional Bobath therapy was employed in the control group while the scalp acupuncture was combined in the short-time （0.5 h） needle-retaining group and long-time （24 h） needle-retaining group. Then functional assessments were made 1 month and 3 months after treatment using FugI-Meyer motor scale {FMMS）, FugI-Meyer assessment of balance （FMA-B） and modified Barthel index （MBI） score. Results： Cases in the long-time needle-retaining group obtained better effects in motor function of the limbs and activities of daily living （ADL） than the other two groups （P〈0.05）. In addition, there was no statistical significance between the short-time needle-retaining group and the control group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture is substantially associated with the effect for post-stroke hemiplegia and long-time needle-retaining is more advisable.     

Diverse needling methods for dry eye syndrome: A randomized controlled study

Objective:To explore a proper acupuncture treatment protocol for dry eye syndrome(DES),by comparing the therapeutic effects between ordinary acupuncture and electroacupuncture(EA).Methods:Forty-seven eligible subjects with DES were randomized into an acupuncture group(n=23)and an EA group(n=24).With the same acupoint formula,the acupuncture group was treated with ordinary acupuncture,and the EA group was treated with ordinary acupuncture plus electrical stimulation.After a treatment course,eye symptom score,Schirmer I test(SIT),Break-up Time(BUT)of tear film,Corneal Fluorescein Staining(CFS),and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)were adopted in evaluation and comparison of the two groups.Results:The total effective rate was 79.2%in the EA group versus 56.5%in the acupuncture group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,both groups had marked improvements in eye symptom score,SIT,BUT,CFS,and VAS values(P<0.001);the EA group was better than acupuncture group in improving eye symptom score and SIT value(both P<0.05);the differences were insignificant in comparing VAS,BUT and CFS results between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Both EA and ordinary acupuncture are effective in treating DES,but EA is better than ordinary acupuncture in improving eye symptom and SIT score.     

Clinical observation on comprehensive treatment on cutaneous region for low back pain

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of comprehensive treatmenton cutaneous region for low back pain. Methods： One hundred and twenty outpatients with low back pain who met the diagnostic criteria were randomly divided into a cutaneous region group or a medication group, 60 cases in each group. The cases in the cutaneous region group were treated by Nie-pinching up the skin of the lumbosacral region, cupping and acupuncture. Those in the medication group were treated by oral administration of Celecoxib capsule. The visual analogue scale （VAS） and Oswestry disability index （ODI） were used to assess the therapeutic effects. Results： After treatment, the VAS scores of both groups were different from those before treatment, showing statistical significances （allP＆lt;0.01）. The D-valuse of VAS scores of both groups were different from those before treatment, showing statistical significances （allP＆lt;0.01）. The D-value of OID scores in the cutaneous region group was significantly different from that in the medication group（P＆lt;0.01）. After treatment, the total effective rate was 91.7% in the cutaneous region group versus 76.7% in the medication group, there was a significant difference in comparing the clinical effect （P＆lt;0.01）. Conclusion： Both comprehensive treatment on the cutaneous region and Celecoxib capsule can obviously relieve low back pain. But comprehensive treatment on the cutaneous region is better than Celecoxib capsule in the therapeutic effects.     

Clinical study on abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping for primary insomnia

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping for primary insomnia.

Methods

A total of 66 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=33) and a control group (n=33). Cases in the observation group received abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping, whereas cases in the control group received abdominal acupuncture alone. After 2, 6 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks after end of treatment, the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and measure your medical outcome profile (MYMOP) based on the patients’ self-report.

Results

After 2 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate was 90.9% in the observation group, versus 63.6% in the control group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in total effective rate (P>0.05). After 6 weeks, the sleep quality and efficiency scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group. Four weeks after end of treatment, the scores of sleep quality and MYMOP in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping can obtain fast, accurate effect for primary insomnia and improve patients’ sleep quality and efficiency.