ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the treatment betweenacupuncture technique and regular acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 110 patients of AMD were randomized into an observation group (55 cases, 73 eyes) and a control group (55 cases, 76 eyes). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Yiming (EX-HN 14). The needles were retained for 30 min. Additionally, Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were stimulated with quick needling technique.needling technique was applied. The needle was rotated with the thumb and index finger of the puncture hand, forward and backward. The strong and large amplitude were given when the thumb moved forward, and while, the week and small amplitude required when moving backward. The gentle movement was required in the entire procedure. In the control group, the point selection was same as the observation group. The points were stimulated with regular technique. The needle retaining time was same as the observation group. The treatment was given once every two days in the two groups and for 3 months continuously. The visit was followed up for 3 months. Before and after treatment, as well as at follow-up, the eyesight, the effect on macular area and the macular retinal structure [the macular nerve fiber layer (MNFL), retinal neurepithelium layer (RNL), pigment epithelium and choroid capillary composite lay (PECCL)] were evaluated separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. After treatment and at follow-up, the eyesight was improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups, indicating the significant difference (both<0.05). The differences in comparison before and after treatment, and in comparison of the follow-up with that before treatment, were improved in a larger amplitude in the observation group as compared with the control group, indicating the significant difference (both<0.05). 2. Regarding the therapeutic effects on macular area, after treatment and at follow-up, the total effective rates were 83.6% (61/73) and 86.3% (63/73) in the observation group and were 63.2% (48/76) and 67.1% (51/76) in the control group separately. The results in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, indicating the significant difference between the two groups (both<0.05). 3. Regarding the macular retinal structure, after treatment and at follow-up, the levels of MNFL, RNL and PECCL were all reduced as compared with those before treatment, indicating the significant difference (all<0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the levels of MNFL, RNL and PECCL in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group, indicating the significant difference (all<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Theacupuncture technique achieves better clinical therapeutic effects on treatment of early AMD as compared with the regular acupuncture.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of variable-frequency electroacupuncture treatment for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with knee oste-oarthritis were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated with variable-frequency electroaeupuncture, while the control group was treated with muscle strength training. Before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the motor function of their knee joints was evaluated according to Lysholm' s knee scoring scale, quadriceps muscle strength was evaluated according to the maximum load capacity of knee ex-tension, and postural stability was evaluated using a static balance function test. Results Lysholm scores in the treatment group improved significantly compared with those before treatment, except for the item assessing support-ing. While in the control group, compared with before treatment, there were significant differences in the items as-sessing limp, inter-locking, instability, pain and stair activity. There were significant differences in the items as-sessing inter-locking, pain, swelling, stair activity and.squatting between the two groups after treatment. The maxi-mum knee extension load improved significantly in both groups. Static balance with the eyes both open and closed also improved significantly in both groups. There were significant difference in the length, covered area, rectangle-area and length/area of the sway traces of the two groups after treatment. Conclusions Variable-frequency elec-troacupuneture can effectively improve knee function, quadriceps muscle strength and postural stability in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.
ABSTRACT
[Objective] To study the effect of eletro-acupuncture of Neiguan on the CGRP in rats' plasma and its functional mechanism.[Method] Inject subcutaneously GTN to make rats migraine model.After electro-acupuncturing Neiguan,take radio-immune method to measure the CGRP content in rats' plasma of experimental group.[Result] Electro-acupuncturing Neiguan can reduce rats CGRP content.[Conclusion] To inject subcutaneously GTN can raise rats' plasma CGRP content,electro-acupuncturing Neiguan can reduce risen CGRP,regulate vascular extension,improve nerve inflammation,thus relieve migraine symptoms.