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.     

Therapeutic Observation of Point-towards-point Electroacupuncture for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy简

Objective： To compare the therapeutic efficacies of point-towards-point electroacupuncture（EA）, EA with Jiaji points（EX-B 2）, and Jing Fu Kang in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy（CSR）, and to explore the optimal treatment protocol. Methods： Totally 160 patients with CSR were randomized into three groups： a point-towards-point group（n=60） treated with EA with point-towards-point method; a Jiaji group（n=60） treated with EA at cervical Jiaji（EX-B 2） points; a medicine group（n=40） treated with oral administration of Jing Fu Kang alone. The clinical efficacies were compared afterwards. Results： After treatment, the recovery rate and total effective rate of the point-towards-point group were significantly better than that of the Jiaji group and medicine group（both P〈0.01）. After 1-week treatment, the symptom and function score of the point-towards-point group was significantly better than that of the Jiaji group and medicine group（both P〈0.01）; the point-towards-point group and Jiaji group both achieved significant improvements in the symptom and function score（P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. After 2-week treatment, the three groups all achieved marked improvements in the symptom and function score（P〈0.01）. At the end of treatment, in comparing the symptom and function score, the point-towards-point group was significantly different from the medicine group（P〈0.01） and Jiaji group（P〈0.05）; the difference between the Jiaji group and medicine group was also statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Point-towards-point EA can rapidly improve the symptoms and function of CSR patients, and it＇s superior to EA at Jiaji（EX-B 2） and oral administration of Jing Fu Kang in comparing the clinical efficacy.     

针刺治疗后循环缺血性眩晕临床疗效观察(英文)

目的:观察针刺治疗后循环缺血性眩晕的临床疗效。方法:将 71 例后循环缺血性眩晕患者按就诊顺序随机分为2组,针刺组37例,采用针刺治疗;药物组34例,采用口服盐酸氟桂利嗪治疗。治疗6星期后观察疗效。结果:治疗后,针刺组椎动脉(Vertebral Artery ,VA)、基底动脉(Basilar Artery,BA)的平均血流速度(Mean Blood Flow Velocity, VM) 均明显增加,与本组治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血管搏动指数(Pulsatility Index,PI) 虽有降低,但与治疗前差异无统计学意义。治疗后,药物组VA、BA的平均血流速度有所增加,与本组治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);PI与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。针刺组VM的改善程度优于药物组,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组 PI改善程度差异无统计学意义。从临床疗效上分析,针刺组及药物组均有效,但针刺组要优于药物组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:针刺治疗后循环缺血性眩晕疗效优于口服盐酸氟桂利嗪。     

Therapeutic observation on swift needling with fire needle plus medication for herpes zoster

Objective： To discuss the effectiveness and safety of swift needling with fire needle plus medication in treating herpes zoster and the change of substance P. Methods： Seventy-nine patients with herpes zoster were selected and randomized into a fire-acupuncture group （41 cases） and a Western- medication group （38 cases）. The fire-acupuncture group was intervened by swift needling with fire needle, and simultaneously prescribed with Valaciclovir Hydrochloride tablets and Vitamin B1; the Western-medication group was by the same oral medicines alone. The therapeutic efficacies were evaluated afterwards. Results： The total effective rate was 95.1% in the fire-acupuncture group versus 89.5% in the Western-medication group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. After treatment, the concentration of substance P and visual analogue scale （VAS） score dropped significantly in both groups （both P〈0.05）; the inter-group differences were statistically significant （both P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Swift needling with fire needle plus medication has better therapeutic efficacy than medication alone in treating herpes zoster.     

Clinical study on acupoint injection for primary osteoporosis

Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint injection in treating primary osteoporosis. Methods:A hundred and fourteen eligible subjects were randomized at 2:1 into two groups. Seventy-six subjects in the observation group were intervened by acupoint injection, and 38 subjects in the control group were intervened by oral medication. Symptom and signs scores were observed before and after treatment. A two-year follow-up study was conducted to compare the long-term therapeutic efficacy between the two groups. Results:The recovery and markedly effective rate was 68.4% in the observation group versus 47.4% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). During the 2-year follow up study, 5 subjects in the observation group and 8 in the control group had new fracture, occupying 6.6% and 21.1% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:In treating primary osteoporosis, acupoint injection has better short and long term therapeutic efficacies compared to oral medication, and it’s convenient with high security evaluation.     

Clinical study on acupuncture plus medication for chronic atrophic gastritis due to spleen-stomach deficiency

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of combining acupuncture and medication in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） due to spleen-stomach deficiency.
Methods： Totally 176 patients with CAG were randomized into two groups by the random number table. The 91 subjects in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture and oral Chinese patent medication; the other 85 subjects were by oral Chinese patent medication alone. The clinical efficacies were compared at the end of intervention.
Results： After a treatment course, the total effective rate was 87.9% in the treatment group versus 75.3% in the control group; according to the gastroscopy and pathological biopsy examinations, the total effective rate was 85.7% in the treatment group versus 74.1% in the control group. There were significant differences in comparing the clinical efficacy, gastroscopy and pathological examinations between the two groups （P〈0.05）.
Conclusion： Combining acupuncture and medication can produce a better therapeutic efficacy than medication alone in treating CAG due to spleen-stomach deficiency.     

Therapeutic observation on tuina plus electroacupuncture for lateral humeral epicondylitis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina combined with electroacupuncture（EA） in treating lateral humeral epicondylitis. Methods： Totally 118 patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 59 cases in each. The patients in the treatment group were treated with tuina combined with EA treatment, while those in the control group were treated by EA alone. Clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared after the treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 93.2% in the treatment group, versus 84.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Tuina combined with EA treatment for lateral humeral epicondylitis has a significant effect.     

Electroacupuncture in treating depression: A randomized controlled study

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating depression. Methods: By a randomized controlled study method, sixty patients with depression were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 in each. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture, and the medication group was orally administrated Paroxetine tablets. They were evaluated by using Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) before and after treatments and the safety was also assessed. Results: The total effective rate was 83.3% in the electroacupuncture group versus 60.0% in the medication group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The electroacupuncture group was superior to the medication group in comparing the improvement of HAMD scores after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture is an effective approach in treating depression.     

Clinical Study on Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy plus Electroacupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome简

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of extracorporeal shock wave plus electroacupuncture（EA） on myofascial pain syndrome（MPS） and to investigate its treatment mechanism. Methods： Ninety cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into an EA group, an extracorporeal shock wave therapy（ESWT） group and a combined therapy group, 30 in each group. EA was employed in the EA group, extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the ESWT group and EA plus extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the combined therapy group. The VAS, tenderness threshold and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated after three months of treatment. Results： After 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 3 months of treatment, the VAS scores in all three groups were significantly reduced and the tenderness threshold significantly elevated. The recovery rate and total effective rate were 23.3% and 83.3% respectively in the EA group, versus 40.0% and 90.0% in the ESWT group and 63.3% and 96.7% in the combined therapy group, showing statistical differences（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA combined with EWST works remarkably well for MPS.     

Tuina is superior to electroacupuncture in treating thoracic facet joint disorder

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina in treating thoracic facet joint disorder, and compare it to the efficacy of electroacupuncture （EA）. Methods： Eighty patients were randomized into a tuina group and an EA group, 40 in each. The tuina group was intervened by tuina manipulations, and the EA group was by EA treatment. Visual analogue scale （VAS）, symptoms and physical signs were evaluated before, and after 5 and 7 treatment sessions respectively, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups. Results： After treatment, the recovery and markedly effective rate was 92.5% in the tuina group versus 47.5% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.01）. The total effective rate was 100.0% in the tuina group versus 85.0% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. After 5 treatment sessions, the recovery and markedly effective rate was 91.9% in the tuina group versus 68.4% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The VAS scores, and total symptoms and physical signs scores were significantly reduced in both groups after treatment （P〈0.01）, and the scores in the tuina group were significantly lower than those in the EA group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Compared to EA, tuina is more efficient and effective in treating thoracic facet joint disorder and has obvious analgesic effect.     

Effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture on pancreatic endocrine system in patients with simple obesity

Objective

To observe different efficacies of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic endocrine system in male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency-related dampness.

Methods

A total of 80 simple obesity patients were assigned to a male group (n=37) and a female group (n=43). Both groups received a 30-minute low-frequency EA at Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. Patients in both groups were treated for 2 courses. Then the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin level in the two groups were observed and analyzed.

Results

After treatment, the BMI, serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the BMI and serum insulin concentration were more significantly reduced in the male group than those in the female group (both P<0.01); and the leptin level was more significantly reduced in the female group than that in the male group (P<0.01).

Conclusion

EA can significantly regulate BMI and pancreatic endocrine system in both men and women with simple obesity; however, there is a gender difference: better effect for men in reducing BMI and serum insulin and better effect for women in reducing serum leptin level.

     

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on Combining Foot Bath and Massage with Auricular Point Sticking for Community Senile Insomnia简

Objective： To observe the therapeutic efficacy of combining foot bath and massage with auricular point sticking for community senile insomnia. Methods： A total of 210 cases treated in our community health center were randomized into an observation group and a control group by their visit sequence numbers, 105 cases in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with foot bath and massage plus auricular point sticking, whereas cases in the control group were treated with auricular point sticking alone. After four courses of treatment, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated. In addition, the sleep quality was also assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI）. Results： The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.2%, versus 68.6% in the control group, showing a statistical significance（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining foot bath and massage with auricular point sticking could obtain better effect for community senile insomnia than auricular point sticking alone.     

Effect of combining tuina with balance training on balance functions of stroke patients

Objective： To observe the effect of combining tuina with balance training on balance functions of stroke patients. Methods： A total of 120 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group. In addition to routine medical and rehabilitation treatment in both groups, balance training was used in the control group, versus combining tuina with balance training in the observation group. The therapeutic efficacies in two groups were evaluated using the Balance Subscale of the FugI-Meyer Test （FM-B） before and after treatment. Results： After 3 courses of treatment, the FM-B scores were significantly improved in both groups （P〈O.01）; and there was statistical difference in FM-B scores between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Tuina manipulation of regulating the Governor Vessel can improve the balance function of stroke patients and benefit the patients＇ self-care abilities.     

Therapeutic efficacy observation on combining acupuncture, tuina and functional exercise for transverse process syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of combining acupuncture, tuina and functional exercise for transverse process syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra. Methods： A total of 90 cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a medication group. The 48 cases in the observation group were treated with acupuncture, tuina and functional exercise, whereas the 42 cases in the medication group were treated with Ibuprofen sustained release capsules. Before and after treatment, the short-form McGill pain questionnaire （SF-MPQ） was employed to observe the changes in pain rating index （PRI）, visual analogue scale （VAS） and present pain intensity （PPI）. In addition, therapeutic efficacies were compared between two groups. Results： The total effective rate in the observation group was 97.9%, versus 61.9% in the medication group, showing a statistical difference （P〈O.05）. After treatment, there were statistical differences between the two groups in sensory PRI score, affective PRI score, total PRI score, VAS score and PPI score （P〈O.05）; and there were also statistical differences between two groups in clinical sign scoring （P〈O.05）. After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, there was a statistical difference between the two groups in re~apse rate （P〈O.05）. Conclusion： Combining acupuncture, tuina and functional exercise can obtain better effects and has a lower relapse rate than Ibuprofen sustained release capsules for transverse process syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.     

Effect of acupuncture on NSE and Hcy levels and magnetic resonance spectrum in cerebral infarction patients

Objective： To observe the effect of stage-based acupuncture on neuron specific enolase （NSE）, homocysteine （Hcy） levels and magnetic resonance spectrum in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods： Ninety eligible subjects were randomized into two groups, 45 in each. The control group was intervened by conventional neurological medication, while the treatment group was by acupuncture according to different stages in addition to the conventional neurological medication. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after a treatment course. Results： The total effective rate was 97.8% in the treatment group versus 77.8% in the control group, and the treatment group was significantly superior to the control （P〈0.01）. In comparing the National Institutes of Health stroke scale （NIHSS） score, NSE and Hcy levels, the treatment group was lower than the control group, and the differences were statistically significant （P〈0.01）. The analysis of magnetic resonance spectrum revealed that the treatment group had a markedly higher N-acetyle-aspartate （NAA） concentration and lower lactic acid （Lac） concentration than the control group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Stage-based acupuncture significantly increases clinical efficacy and heals neurological function deficit, and its mechanism is possibly related to the decrease of NSE and Hcy levels, increase of NAA, and elimination of Lac.     

Efficacy evaluation on electroacupuncture for Alzheimer’s disease

Objective

To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

A total of 50 AD patients were randomly allocated into a Western medication (WM) group (n=25) and an acupuncture plus medication (APM) group (n=25). Patients in the WM group took oral huperzine A capsules. In addition to huperzine A capsules, patients in the APM group also received EA at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengfu (GV 16), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yongquan (KI 1). The needles on the above points were connected to G6805-II electric stimulator [3 pairs: Shenting (GV 24) and Baihui (GV 20); Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengfu (GV 16); and bilateral Yongquan (KI 1)]. The needles were retained 25 min. The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. The patients received a total of 3 treatment courses. There was a 3-day interval between two courses. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Hasegawa dementia scale revised (HDS-R) were conducted before and after treatment. The clinical efficacies were evaluated when the treatment was completed.

Results

Before treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in MMSE and HDS-R scores (both P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE and HDS-R scores in the APM group were significantly higher than those in the WM group (both P<0.05). The total effective rate in the APM group was 88.0%, versus 76.0% in the WM group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion

EA is effective for AD and can improve clinical symptoms in AD patients.

     

Therapeutic observation on electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) for senile dementia

Objective

To explore the clinical effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) in treating senile dementia.

Methods

A total of 74 patients were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group based upon the random digital table, 37 cases in each group. EA at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) was given in the EA group, once every day, for six treatments per week. Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets were given to the medication group, 5 mg per time and once a day in the former four weeks, 10 mg per time and once a day after 4 weeks, oral administration before sleep at night. The courses of the treatment were 12 weeks in both groups. The scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Barthel index (BI) were observed before and after the treatment, for processing the comparative analysis of the clinical effects after the course of the treatment.

Results

The total effective rate was 86.5% in the EA group and 70.3% in the medication group. The therapeutic effect was better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). MMSE and BI scores after the treatment in the two groups were all elevated than those of the same groups before the treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The improving situation was obviously better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion

EA at Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) is affirmative in the therapeutic effect for senile dementia and can also improve the cognitive function and enhance the patients’ quality of life.

     

Therapeutic efficacy observation on electroacupuncture of different frequencies for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)of different frequencies for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome.Methods:A total of 80 cases with the 3rd lumbar transverse process syndrome were randomized into two groups,40 in each group.Ashi points were connected with K8832-T treatment device in the medium-frequency electroacupuncture(EA)group,whereas Ashi points were connected with G6805-2 electric stimulator in the traditional EA group.The curative effects were evaluated after 10 treatment sessions.Results:The therapeutic efficacy in the medium-frequency EA group was significantly better than that of the traditional EA group(P<0.05).In addition,the improvement of VAS scores in the medium-frequency EA group was more notable than that of the traditional EA group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The medium-frequency EA is an easy and effective therapy for the 3rd lumbar transverse process syndrome and therefore worth popularizing to benefit the patients.     

Clinical study on acupuncture in treating perimenopausal insomnia

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for insomnia in perimenopausal women. Methods： According to simple randomized controlled principle, sixty female patients with perimenopausal insomnia were randomized into two groups： 30 in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture and the other 30 in the control group were intervened by taking sleeping pills. Therapeutic efficacies were compared between the two groups at the end of treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture has better therapeutic efficacy than taking sleeping pills in treating perimenopausal insomnia.     

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.