Effects of Acupuncture on Alzheimer’s Disease: Evidence from Neuroimaging Studies

As the worldwide population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) increases. However, the results of promising medications have been unsatisfactory. Chinese acupuncture has a long history of treating dementia, but lack of evidence from well-designed randomized controlled trials that validate its efficacy and safety, as well as its lack of clear underlying mechanisms, contribute to its limited application in clinical practice. In recent years, brain imaging technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, have been used to assess brain responses to acupuncture in a dynamic, visual, and objective way. These techniques are frequently used to explore neurological mechanisms of responses to acupuncture in AD and provide neuroimaging evidence as well as starting points to elucidate the possible mechanisms. This review summarizes the existing brain imaging evidence that explains the effects of acupuncture for AD and analyzes brain responses to acupuncture at cognitive-related acupoints [Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), and Taixi (KI 3)] from perspectives of acupoint specificity and acupoint combinations. Key issues and directions to consider in future studies are also put forward. This review should deepen our understanding of how brain imaging studies can be used to explore the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in AD.     

Acupuncture Points for Treating Parkinson's Disease Based on Animal Studies

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a well-known neurodegenerative disease caused by dopaminergic cell death in the nigrostriatal pathway. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be a potential therapy for the treatment of PD, but it is not clear which acupuncture points (acupoints) play major roles in reliving symptoms of PD. Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengfu (GV 16), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14) acupoints have frequently been to investigate the effectiveness and action mechanism of acupuncture for treating PD, but it is not clear why they were selected. This review summarizes the current understanding of the acupoints for PD treatment based on Oriental medicine theories and on the accumulated findings from previous animal studies. The results of this study will be useful to development of a strategy for future research in this field.     

Evidence and Expert Opinions: Drying Needling versus Acupuncture (Ⅰ)—The American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS) White Paper 2016

In the last twenty years, in the United States and other Western countries, dry needling (DN) became a hot and debatable topic, not only in academic but also in legal fields. This White Paper is to provide the authoritative information of DN versus acupuncture to academic scholars, healthcare professional administrators, lawmakers, and the general public through providing the authoritative evidence and experts' opinions regarding critical issues of DN versus acupuncture, and then reach consensus. DN is the use of dry needles alone, either solid filiform acupuncture needles or hollow-core hypodermic needles, to insert into the body for the treatment of muscle pain and related myofascial pain syndrome. DN is sometimes also known as intramuscular stimulati on, trigger points (TrP) acupuncture, TrP DN, myofascial TrP DN, or biomedical acupuncture. In Western countries, DN is a form of simplified acupuncture using biomedical language in treating myofascial pain, a contemporary development of a portion of Ashi point acupuncture from Chinese acupuncture. It seeks to redefine acupuncture by reframing its theoretical principles in a Western manner. DN-like needling with filiform needles have been widely used in Chinese acupuncture practice over the past 2,000 years, and with hypodermic needles has been used in China in acupuncture practice for at least 72 years. In Eastern countries, such as China, since late of 1800s or earlier, DN is a common name of acupuncture among acupuncturists and the general public, which has a broader scope of indications, not limited to treating the myofascial pain.     

头针治疗帕金森病：一项随机对照试验的系统评价

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture (SA), a modern acupuncture technique specialized to neurological disorders, in managing motor function and symptoms for Parkinson''s disease (PD) patients. Methods: Two independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of SA for PD compared with conventional therapies (CTs). Sixteen electronic databases were searched. The risk of bias was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and the reporting of the included studies was evaluated by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 checklist and the revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines. Results: In total, 4 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. As assessed by the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), 2 RCTs showed that SA combined with CTs proved superior to CTs alone [60 cases; weighted mean difference, –3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), –6.05 to –1.84, P=0.01; I2=0%]. Based on the Webster scale, however, 3 RCTs showed no superior effect of SA when combined with CTs with high heterogeneity (154 cases; risk ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.79 to 2.12, P=0.30; I2=84%). The Cochrane risk of bias, adherence to the CONSORT and the STRICTA checklist showed that the quality of all the included RCTs was generally low. Conclusions: The result of our systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the effectiveness of SA for PD is promising, however, the evidence is not convincing. A sham-controlled RCT design that adheres to the CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines to overcome methodological weakness and that includes a large sample size is strongly recommended to confirm the precise effect of SA on PD.     

外伤性脊髓损伤患者康复护理中临床护理路径的应用对患者生存质量的影响

目的 探讨外伤性脊髓损伤患者康复护理中临床护理路径的应用对患者生存质量的影响。方法 选取2019年2月至2020年2月我院收治的外伤性脊髓损伤患者50例,按照随机数字法分为两组,对照组25例,应用常规方式护理,研究组25例,接受临床护理路径,观察并记录两组排便障碍、下肢深静脉血栓以及肌肉挛缩等并发症发生率、住院时间、下床活动时间、生存质量评分等情况。结果 研究组排便障碍、下肢深静脉血栓以及肌肉挛缩等并发症发生率为4.0%明显低于对照组16.0%(P0.05);研究组下床活动时间为(7.2±2.1)d、住院时间为(15.3±2.9)d明显短于对照组(11.2±3.2 d、20.6±3.7 d),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组社会功能(66.0±2.5分)、心理功能(65.8±5.1分)、躯体功能(60.9±7.6分)评分均高于对照组(57.0±3.6分、58.3±4.4分、42.5±6.6分),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 外伤性脊髓损伤患者应用临床护理路径方式进行康复护理效果显著,在一定程度上降低并发症发生率,恢复时间短,进而可以提高患者的生存质量,临床上应当进一步应用。     

Rules of Meridians and Acupoints Selection in Treatment of Parkinson''s Disease Based on Data Mining Techniques

Objective: To help selecting appropriate meridians and acupoints in clinical practice and experimental study for Parkinson''s disease (PD), the rules of meridians and acupoints selection of acupuncture and moxibustion were analyzed in domestic and foreign clinical treatment for PD based on data mining techniques. Methods: Literature about PD treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in China and abroad was searched and selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure and MEDLINE. Then the data from all eligible articles were extracted to establish the database of acupuncture-moxibustion for PD. The association rules of data mining techniques were used to analyze the rules of meridians and acupoints selection. Results: Totally, 168 eligible articles were included and 184 acupoints were applied. The total frequency of acupoints application was 1,090 times. Those acupoints were mainly distributed in head and neck and extremities. Among all, Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (DU 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4) and Chorea-tremor Controlled Zone were the top five acupoints that had been used. Superior-inferior acupoints matching was utilized the most. As to involved meridians, Du Meridian, Dan (Gallbladder) Meridian, Dachang (Large Intestine) Meridian, and Gan (Liver) Meridian were the most popular meridians. Conclusions: The application of meridians and acupoints for PD treatment lay emphasis on the acupoints on the head, attach importance to extinguishing Gan wind, tonifying qi and blood, and nourishing sinews, and make good use of superior-inferior acupoints matching.     

Effect of Thick-Needle Therapy in Patients with Bell''s Palsy at Recovery Stage: A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of thick-needle therapy (TNT) and acupuncture therapy(AT) on patients with Bell''s palsy (BP) at the recovery stage. Methods: A total of 146 eligible participants from 3 hospitals in China were randomized into the TNT group (73 cases) and the AT group (73 cases) using a central randomization. Both groups received Western medicine thrice a day for 4 weeks. Moreover, patients in the TNT group received subcutaneous insertion of a thick needle into Shendao (GV 11) acupoint, while patients in the AT group received AT at acupoints of Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Jiache (ST 6), Yingxiang (LI 20) and Hegu (LI 4), 4 times a week, for 4 weeks. Both groups received 2 follow-up visits, which were arranged at 1 month and 3 months after treatment, respectively. The primary outcome measure was House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System (HBFNGS) grade. And the clinical recovery rates of both groups were evaluated according to the HBFNGS grades after treatment. The secondary outcome measures included the facial disability index (FDI) and electroneurogram (EnoG). The adverse events were observed and recorded in both groups. Results: Three cases withdrew from the trial, 2 in the TNT group and 1 in the AT group. There was no significant difference in the clinical recovery rates between the TNT and AT groups after 4-week treatment [40.85% (29/71) vs. 34.72% (25/72), P>0.05]. At the 2nd follow-up visit, more patients in the TNT group showed reduced HBFNGS grades than those in the AT group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in FDI score, EnoG latency and maximum amplitude ratio at all time points (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The clinical effect of TNT was equivalent to that of AT in patients with BP at recovery stage, while the post-treatment effect of TNT was superior to that of AT. (Registration No. ChiCTR-INR-16008409)     

Parkinson's disease and primate research: past, present, and future

Scientific research involving non-human primates has contributed towards many advances in medicine and surgery. This review discusses its role in the progress made towards our understanding of Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Established medical treatments like dopamine agonists continue to need primate models to assess their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action. The recently developed treatment of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus required validation in primates before entering the clinic. Controversies surrounding future treatments such as gene therapy show the need for properly evaluated preclinical research using appropriate animal models before progression to clinical trials. Research on primates has played--and continues to play--a crucial part in deepening our understanding of Parkinson's disease, improving current therapies, and developing new treatments that are both safe and effective. In animal research, the "three Rs" of humane technique--reduction, refinement, and replacement--should be adhered to.     

田丽颖主任运用调和冲任针法治疗妇科病临证经验研究

[目的]介绍田丽颖主任医师运用调和冲任针法治疗妇科疾病的临证经验。[方法]通过跟师学习、整理医案、复习相关文献,总结分析田丽颖主任运用调和冲任针法治疗妇科疾病的理论和临证特色,并列举医案加以验证。[结果]田主任认为多数妇科病基本病机为冲任失调及肝脾肾三脏受损。临证运用调和冲任针法,取穴以循冲任二脉的经穴为主,善取冲任与肝脾(胃)肾交会穴,另加子宫经验用穴,穴少义精,远近并重;辨证加取百会、三阴交等一两穴,阴阳相引,益气补血;同时注重针刺顺序及针刺方向;强调冲任为先,兼顾疏肝补脾益肾,极具异病同治之妙。本篇病案患者属继发性不孕,辨证为肾阳虚证,伤及冲任,胞脉失于温煦,导致不能摄精成孕,治疗上采用调和冲任针法,调和冲任、温肾助阳,使胞脉气血通调,患者成功受孕。[结论]田丽颖主任从冲任失调及肝脾肾三脏受损的基本病机出发,运用调和冲任针法治疗妇科疾病,可调节女性生殖内分泌环境,改善患者临床症状,具有调经助孕止痛等作用,疗效较好,值得临床推广。     

围绝经期综合征的针灸治疗

提供一个新的针灸治疗围绝经期综合征的治疗方案,包括选穴和手法有异于传统治疗方案。围绝经期综合征以选取任脉、督脉穴位及阳明经在面部的穴位为主穴,并在手法上浅刺及深刺并用,针及灸并用。通过临床和中西医理论研究,作者认为新的针灸治疗方案能够更有效地调整阴阳,补益气血,从而更有效地治疗围绝经期综合征,建议广泛使用和验证。     

A Survey of Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Chinese Patients with Parkinson''s Disease: A Pilot Study

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) application and its related-factors in Parkinson''s disease (PD) patients in China. Methods: A structured questionnaire regarding the use of CAMs was administered to PD patients by face-to-face interview. Demographic and social variables, clinical characteristics and treatments, and the related factors of PD were also surveyed. Results: Ninety out of 113 patients (79.6%) reported that they had received CAMs treatment, of which 48.6% (55/113) patients had received CAMs treatment for PD. The top 3 kinds of CAMs for PD were Chinese materia medica, rehabilitation exercise, and acupuncture ordinally. The source of information regarding CAMs treatment mainly came from relatives and friends (51.8%, 73 cases), followed by physicians (31.9%, 45 cases), and medias such as television, newspapers or the internet (16.3%, 28 cases). Fifty percent of CAM users reported a good therapeutic efficacy, whereas 39% patients reported that they felt neither better nor worse after the treatment, while 11% patients claimed worsening of symptoms. Multiple correspondence analyses survey found the main factors affecting the selectivity of CAMs ranked in the following order: income, education, occupation, habitation, age at onset, Hoehn and Yahr staging, PD duration, and gender. Conclusion: CAMs, especially Chinese materia medica, rehabilitation exercise, and acupuncture, are widely used for PD patients in China.     

张子和《儒门事亲》针药并用思想浅析

张子和在《儒门事亲》中探讨了针灸方面特别是刺血方面诸多理论依据和成功案例。针灸和服药在本书中经常联合运用,疗效甚佳。文章从张子和临床辨证联合运用针药的5个特点即治分主辅、法有先后、互补救弊、灸药兼施、注重时机来分析讨论,以供针灸临床参考。     

基于数据挖掘探讨国内外针灸治疗阿尔茨海默病的选穴规律*

目的 运用数据挖掘技术分析国内外针灸治疗阿尔茨海默病的选穴规律。方法 检索建库至2020年12月31日中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）、维普中文期刊服务平台（VIP）、万方数据知识服务平台（Wanfang）、Web of Science、Pubmed、Embase、Cochrane Library数据库收录的针灸治疗阿尔茨海默病的相关文献,采用Microsoft Excel 2019建立针灸处方数据库,对腧穴、经脉进行频数统计,并运用IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0软件对腧穴、经脉进行关联规则分析。结果 共纳入182篇文献,包括308个针灸处方、96个腧穴,腧穴使用总频次为1 928次。其中,主要选取的经脉为督脉及足三阳经;腧穴主要分布于头面、下肢和上肢;累计应用频次最高的腧穴为百会、四神聪、足三里;特定穴多使用交会穴;腧穴配伍以大椎→百会最为常见。结论 国内外针灸治疗阿尔茨海默病重视督脉及足三阳经的使用;取穴以近部取穴及远近配穴为主;重视特定穴使用,尤其是交会穴。     

Chinese Medicine for Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: A Meta Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese medicine(CM) adjunct to conventional medications for idiopathic Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:Electronic English and Chinese databases including PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Chinese Medical Current Contents,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,China Science and Technology Journal Database,Wanfang Med Database,and Traditional Chinese Medical Database System were used for key words searching in a highly sensitive search strategy.The extracted data was analyzed by the Review Manager 5.0.Results:Twelve trials involving 869 participants were included in the meta-analysis.Unified PD Rating Scale(UPDRS) I,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ scores and UPDRS Ⅰ-Ⅳ total scores were used to be the primary outcomes,Parkinson Disease Question-39(PDQ-39) and Scores of Chinese Medical Symptoms were the secondary outcomes.CM adjunct therapy had greater improvement in UPDRS Ⅰ[2 trials;standardized mean difference(SMD)-0.40,95%confidence interval(CI)-0.71 to-0.09;Z=2.49(P=0.01)],Ⅱ[5 trials;SMD-0.47,95%CI-0.69 to-0.25;Z=4.20(P0.01)],Ⅲ[5 trials;SMD-0.35,95%CI-0.57 to-0.13;Z=3.16(P=0.002)],Ⅳ scores[3 trials;SMD-0.32,95%CI-0.60 to-0.03;Z=2.17(P=0.03)],UPDRS Ⅰ-Ⅳ total scores[7 trials;SMD-0.36,95%CI-0.53 to-0.20;Z=4.24(P0.05)].PDQ-39 and Chinese medical symptoms compared to the conventional medication only.Conclusion:CM adjunct therapy has potential therapeutic benefits by decreasing UPDRS scores and reducing adverse effect.     

应用fMRI技术探讨针刺治疗Alzheimer病机制的研究

Alzheimer病(AD)是引起老年痴呆的最常见原因,已成为全社会关注的热点,针刺治疗AD已取得了一定的临床疗效,但其治疗机制尚未明确.fMRI作为日趋成熟的脑功能成像手段,为研究针刺机制提供了技术支持,并能够将针刺治疗的机制及疗效客观化,为指导临床合理治疗提供依据.     

焦氏头针结合言语训练对脑卒中后失语症患者语言功能的影响

目的 观察焦氏头针结合言语训练对脑卒中后失语症 (post-stroke aphasia, PSA)患者语言功能康复的影响。方法 将60例PSA患者随机分为治疗组（焦氏头针联合言语训练）及对照组（神经系统电刺激仪联合言语训练）,每组30例,每周治疗6次,共治疗6周。治疗前后分别采用汉语标准失语症检查(China rehabilitation research center aphasia examination, CRRCAE)量表评定语言功能,采用日常生活交流能力(communication abilities in daily living, CADL)量表评定交流能力,采用简易智力状态检查(mini-mental state examination, MMSE)量表评定认知功能,并通过波士顿诊断性失语症检查法(Boston diagnostic aphasia examination, BDAE)评价临床疗效。结果 与治疗前比较,治疗后两组患者CRRCAE量表各领域评分均明显升高(P＜0.05),CADL、MMSE评分也明显升高(P＜0.05);治疗组治疗前后MMSE量表评分差值明显大于对照组(P＜0.05),CRRCAE量表的听、说、朗读、抄写评分差值显著大于对照组(P＜0.05)。结论 焦氏头针结合言语训练的治疗方案能够提高PSA患者语言功能、日常生活交流能力以及认知功能,尤其在改善听、说、朗读及抄写方面疗效显著。     

三种老年痴呆动物模型行为学比较

目的老年大鼠、基底前脑损伤大鼠及注射东莨菪碱大鼠常作为老年性痴呆的动物模型，本研究对这三种模型的行为表现进行比较研究。方法采用水迷宫及旷场分析法对这三种模型及青年对照和假手术对照进行了研究。结果老年大鼠、基底前脑损伤大鼠和注射东莨菪碱大鼠的学习记忆能力显著减弱，老年大鼠对新环境的紧张程度增强；基底前脑损伤大鼠和注射东莨菪碱大鼠的空间认知能力显著下降；注射东莨菪碱大鼠的兴奋性异常增强，（Ｐ＜００５）。结论基底前脑损伤动物的行为表现最符合老年痴呆患者的早期临床症状。     

殷克敬教授“发蒙针法”治疗美尼尔氏综合征验案举隅

美尼尔氏综合征在中医归属“眩晕”范畴,殷克敬教授总结该病为本虚标实之疾,以本虚为主,并兼杂风火痰瘀上扰清窍,治疗上重视辨证与针刺手法的重要性。殷教授古法今用以经典“发蒙针法”为基础,并融合补泻、吐纳之道。该针法可通调耳窍气血,调整内耳状态,改善内耳膜迷路水肿,解决眩晕、耳鸣之症,治疗美尼尔氏综合征疗效较为显著,具有较高的临床价值。     

Modifications to Norman's procedure for hypermobility of the TMJ

Background

Norman''s procedure is a well known surgical technique for the hypermobility of temporomandibular joint. In this procedure after performing glenotemporal osteotomy the augmentation of the zygomatic root of the temporal bone is done by placing a bone graft from the iliac crest to prevent forward movement of the condyle beyond the eminence. This paper describes the clinical outcome of two modifications added to Norman''s procedure. In addition to the conventional procedure inferiorly based pedicled flap from the temporal fascia was sutured to the antero-lateral aspect of the capsule. Intraorally pterygoid disjunction was carried out only in those case in which hypermobility was associated with painful temporomandibular joint disorder.

Methods

Modified Norman’s procedure was performed in 10 patients (4 females & 6 males), 7 of them were bilateral and 3 cases were unilateral under general anesthesia.

Results

After one year follow up in none of the cases graft failed or rejected though recurrence along with TMJ pain was noticed in 2 cases.

Conclusion

This technique is versatile but long-term follow up on a larger number of patients is necessary to be able to draw definitive conclusions.     

针刺对痴呆小鼠大脑神经元超微结构的影响

[目的] 研究三焦针法对痴呆小鼠皮质和海马CA1区神经元线粒体结构的影响。[方法] 选取雄性SAMP8小鼠30只(随机分成模型组、非穴组、穴位组)和10只SAMR1小鼠(正常对照组)。持续治疗30日后,采用电子显微镜对小鼠大脑皮质顶叶和海马CA1区进行观察。[结果] R1组皮质顶叶和海马CA1区超微结构正常;SAMP8模型组小鼠神经元部分线粒体肿大、部分变性、部分脂肪化和坏死;SAMP8三焦针刺组线粒体肿大减少,少数线粒体变性,脂肪化和坏死;非经穴针刺组线粒体少数介于两者之间。[结论] 三焦针法能有效改善SAMP8小鼠大脑皮质和海马CA1区神经原线粒体病理性损伤。