The efficacy of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupressure versus CBT for insomnia: a three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThis pilot study aimed to examine the efficacy of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupressure in treating insomnia and its daytime impairments in a Chinese adult population.Methods40 eligible participants with insomnia were randomly assigned to either the integrated CBT and acupressure (CBTAcup) group (n = 14), the CBT group (n = 13), or the waitlist control (WL) group (n = 13). Participants in the CBTAcup group attended a 2-hour integrated CBT and self-administered acupressure group treatment once per week for six consecutive weeks, while participants in the CBT group attended six weekly 2-hour CBT for insomnia. Sleep, mood, daytime impairments, quality of life, and treatment credibility and adherence were assessed at baseline, immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 4-week post-treatment (Week 11).ResultsLinear mixed-effects models showed that both the CBTAcup and CBT groups had significantly lower insomnia severity (d = −1.74 and d = −2.61), dysfunctional beliefs related to sleep (d = −2.17 and −2.76), and mental fatigue (d = −1.43 and −1.60) compared with the WL group at Week 7. The CBTAcup group provided additional benefits in reducing total fatigue (d = −1.43) and physical fatigue (d = −1.45). Treatment credibility was found to be improved in the CBTAcup group from baseline to Week 7.ConclusionsIntegrated CBT and acupressure demonstrated comparable efficacy to pure CBT in treating insomnia symptoms, with additional advantages to improve fatigue symptoms and acceptability in the Chinese population. Further methodologically rigorous studies on a larger scale and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.     

穴位按摩腹带联合中药贴敷的应用对维持性血透病人便秘疗效的观察

目的 探讨利用穴位按摩腹带进行穴位按摩联合中药贴敷对维持性血透便秘病人的效果。方法 将60例长期维持性血液透析的便秘病人按透析日期的单双号分成两组,观察组用穴位按摩腹带联合中药贴敷,对照组服用大黄粉,两组其余治疗方法相同。观察两组便秘治疗的有效率和首次排便时间并进行比较。结果 观察组总有效率93.33%,对照组总有效率66.67%;观察组首次排便时间（4.83±2.67）h,对照组首次排便时间（8.15±5.67）h,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论 穴位按摩腹带的应用联合中药贴敷可以使维持性血液透析病人保持大便通畅,减少因便秘引起的不适,提高生活质量,且使用简单方便,患者能自行操作。     

赤小豆贴敷按摩水道穴预防肛肠病术后尿潴留的临床观察与护理

目的观察赤小豆贴敷按摩水道穴预防肛肠病术后尿潴留的临床效果。方法将655例肛肠病术后尿潴留患者随机分为实验组和对照组,对照组采用单纯水道穴按摩,实验组采用赤小豆贴敷水道穴进行按摩。结果实验组自行排尿总有效率为80.3%,对照组自行排尿总有效率为20%。实验组效果明显优于对照组(P0.05)。结论赤小豆贴敷按摩两侧水道穴预防肛肠病术后尿潴留疗效显著,患者易于接受和掌握,值得临床推广运用。     

中药泡足与穴位按摩对产后宫缩痛临床疗效的应用研究

目的 研究分析中药泡足及穴位按摩减轻经产妇产后宫缩痛的临床疗效.方法 入组2013年阴式分娩的经产妇200例,随机分成4组各50例,中药泡足组选用艾叶加宽筋滕粉热水泡足,穴位按摩组选用三阴交、足三里和血海穴位按摩,中药泡足+穴位按摩组采用艾叶加宽筋滕粉热水泡足加三阴交、足三里和血海穴位按摩,对照组给予基础治疗如改变体位、腹部热敷或按摩等,采用视觉模拟量表评分(visual analog scale,VAS)对4组产妇在产后第1～3天进行疼痛强度评估.结果 中药泡足组、穴位按摩组、中药泡足+穴位按摩组在产后第1天产后宫缩痛疼痛评分显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 对经产妇选用中药泡足、穴位按摩或联合使用能有效减轻产后宫缩痛,增加产妇舒适度,促进产妇康复.     

The effect of GB21 acupressure on pain intensity in the first stage of labor in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial

IntroductionLabor pain is one of the most intensive pains experienced by women; it results in physical, emotional, and physiological changes in women’s body. The present study aimed to examine the effect of GB21 acupressure on labor pain.DesignIn this randomized clinical trial, 174 primiparous women in their first stage of labor were selected and assigned to three groups: GB21 acupressure group (n = 58), sham group (n = 58), and control group (n = 58).InterventionsThe acupressure and sham groups received routine labor care and acupressure in three different phases of cervical dilations to 3−5 cm, 6−7 cm, and 8−10 cm. The control group received routine care in labor.Main outcome measuresPain severity was measured using a pain scale ruler in three cervical dilations before and after intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, paired-t test and Mann–Whitney tests.ResultsPain reduction was significantly higher in GB21 groups compared with sham and control groups (P = 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the three groups in terms of delivery outcomes.ConclusionsIn this study, GB21 acupressure was effective in pain relief during labor, hence recommended as a practical, effective, inexpensive, and accessible method for labor pain management.     

Effects of acupressure on the childbirth satisfaction and experience of birth: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundComplementary and alternative medicines have been used to increase comfort and relaxation in mothers during labor. Comforting and preparing the mother in labor can create a positive birth experience. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure on childbirth satisfaction and the experience of giving birth in women with full-term pregnancy, before the onset of labor.MethodsIn 2016, a randomized clinical trial study was conducted in Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, enrolling 120 pregnant women at 39–40 gestational weeks with no signs of the onset of labor. They were divided randomly into acupressure, sham acupressure, and control groups. Acupressure points including SP6, BL 60, and BL 32 were pressured bilaterally. Interventions were performed by the researcher, the mother and her relative (husband). Childbirth satisfaction was measured 24 h after delivery. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and comparing tests were Chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA tests (P ≤ 0.05).ResultsThe total childbirth satisfaction did not differ significantly among the three groups (P = 0.460), but the acupressure group had a higher level of satisfaction than the other two groups. Moreover, statistical tests regarding the expectations of the childbirth experience showed a significant difference among the groups (P = 0.033). The actual birth was closest to the expectations of subjects in the acupressure group.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that acupressure may be used as a method in order to attempt to provide a good birth experience and satisfaction of childbirth.     

按压推拿治疗慢性疲劳综合征疗效观察

目的:探寻治疗慢性疲劳综合征(CFS)的有效疗法。方法:将85例CFS患者采用推拿按压背俞穴为主配合按压头面部穴位治疗,观察疗效。结果:经3个疗程治疗后,显效26例,有效52例,无效7例,显效率为30.6%,总有效率为91.8%。结论:按压推拿治疗慢性疲劳综合征可以有效改善患者临床症状。     

CASE STUDIES OF THE TREATMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM BY MERIDIAN THEORY OF CHINESE MEDICINE

Some patients with hypothyroidism still remain symptom after prolonged treatment with thyroxine. Alternative treatment needs to be explored. The treatment is described as overlapof acupunture, supplemented with electric acupuncture, magnetic acupuncture, ear acupuncture, herbaltreatment, and acupressure of thyroid. The result of two case studies will be discussed in the presentation.The theoretical basis for the approach will also be explored.In Chinese medicine, hypothyroidismis often defined as spleen deficiency in the early stage and can be treated with ISRQ recipes (Invigorating the Spleen and Replenishing the Qi). In the chronic stage, hypothyroidism can be seen as kidneydeficiency and can be treated with KRR (Kidney Reinforcing Regimen). Hypthyroidism symptoms aresometimes diffcult to treat. However, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis and treatmentare based on an overall analysis of the illness according to patients' condition. After successful treamentof TCM, patients can stop taking Thy     

Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end-stage renal disease--a randomized controlled trial

The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of acupressure on sleep quality of end-stage renal disease patients. The study was a randomized controlled trial; qualified patients in the dialysis centers of four major hospitals were randomly assigned into an acupressure group, a sham acupressure group, and a control group. A total of 98 participants were included in the study. The main outcomes measured were the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the sleep log. Data were collected at pretreatment and following treatment. Primary statistical analysis was by means of Analysis of Covariance, the Kruskal-Wallis Test and repeated measure ANOVA. The results indicated that PSQI scores of the acupressure group have a significantly greater improvement (p < 0.01) than the control group. However, there were no differences between the acupressure group and the sham group or the sham group and the control group (p > 0.05). Subscales of PSQI were further analyzed. Results demonstrated significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group in subjective sleep quality (p = 0.009), sleep duration (p = 0.004), habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.001), and sleep sufficiency (p = 0.004). Significant differences in the subscale of subjective sleep quality (p = 0.003) between the sham acupressure group and the control group were also observed. Sleep log data showed that the acupressure group significantly decreased awake time and improved quality of sleep over time more than the control group (p < 0.01). The improvement could be seen as soon as the acupoints massage was implemented, and it was maintained through the post intervention.