Clinical observation of herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication on allergic rhinitis of kidney- deficiency type and correlation with infrared thermal imagining / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion combined with budesonide nasal spray (rhinocort) on moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) of kidney- deficiency type, and to explore the correlation between nasal temperature and condition of allergic rhinitis.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with moderate to severe persistent AR were randomized into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off). Both groups were treated with rhinocort, one spray on each side of the nostril (approximately 64 μg each spray), once in the morning and once in the evening, for 4 weeks. On the basis of the above treatment, the observation group was treated with herb-separated moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14), 3 moxibustions per acupoint, a single treatment lasting about 30 min. This treatment was given once every other day, 3 times every week, and totally continuous 4 weeks. The changes of AR symptom visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up after treatment. The heat variation (temperature, range) on projection areas of the nose, lungs, large intestine and kidneys of the two groups' patients before and after treatment were detected by the infrared thermal imaging diagnostic system, and the correlation between the VAS scores and nasal temperature before and after treatment was analyzed. The clinical effects of both groups were evaluated according to the VAS score.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group after treatment was 85.7% (30/35), which was higher than 71.9% in the control group (23/32, <0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.05), and the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group at follow-up (<0.05). After treatment, the nasal temperature, pulmonary range, large intestinal range and renal range of the observation group were all lower than those before treatment (<0.05), the nasal temperature and nasal range of the control group were lower than before treatment (<0.05), and the reduction of nasal temperature, nasal range and renal range in the observation group was greater than that of the control group (<0.05). Before and after treatment, there was a correlation between VAS score and nasal temperature (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication has a better effect and long-term effect than western medication alone for moderate to severe persistent AR, which can improve heat variation on projected areas of the nose, lung, large intestine and kidney of patients. In addition, nasal temperature can reflect the severity of the symptoms of patients with moderate to severe persistent AR, or it can be used as a secondary indicator to evaluate condition of AR.

Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion combined with Rhinocort spray is superior to Rhinocort spray alone in improving symptoms of moderate-severe allergic rhinitis patients / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion combined with Rhinocort spray in the treatment of symptoms, sleep quality and daily life quality of patients with moderate-severe allergic rhinitis(AR)．. METHODS: A total of 67 patients with persistent moderate-severe AR were recruited in the present study and randomized into a treatment group (n＝35) and a control group (n＝32). The patients in the treatment group were treated by herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion (applied to Dazhui [GV14], and bilateral Feishu [BL13], Shenshu [BL23] and Zhiyang [GV9], 3 moxa-cones/time, once every other day) plus Rhinocort spray (once in the morning and evening separately, 256 µg/d), and patients in the control group treated by Rhinocort spray alone (the same to that mentioned above). All the treatments were given for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated with reference to the "Principles and Recommended Schemes for Diagnosis and Treatment of AR" formulated by Otolaryngology Branch of Chinese Medical Association before and after the treatment. The severity of symptoms of AR was assessed by using visual analogue scale (VAS), the life quality of nasal conjunctivitis assessed using "Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)"， and the sleep quality assessed using "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)" before and after the treatment, followed by 3 months' follow-up survey. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS and RQLQ scores in both groups and PSQI of the treatment group were significantly decreased in comparison with their own base-line levels of pre-treatment in each group (P0.05). Follow-up survey showed that the VAS and RQLQ scores in both groups and PSQI of the treatment group were still significantly lower than those of pre-treatment in each group(P<0.05), and the VAS, RQLQ and PSQI scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05). After 4 weeks' treatment, of the 32 and 35 AR patients in the control and treatment groups, 7 and 16 experienced marked improvement, 16 and 14 were effective, and 9 and 5 failed, with the effective rate being 71.9% and 85.7%, respectively. The effective rate of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion combined with Rhinocort spray has a good therapeutic effect in improving symptoms, sleep and quality of life in patients with persistent moderate-severe AR, which is obviously superior to that of Rhinocort spray alone in improving sleep and quality of life.

Clinical study of thumb-tack needle therapy for cervical radiculopathy based onmeridian differentiation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and eligibility of thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation in treating cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 35 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received thumb-tack needle based on conventional point selection, while those in the observation group received thumb-tack needle according to meridian differentiation. The visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical symptom scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed. Results: After treatment, the VAS score in both groups dropped significantly (both P<0.01), and the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The clinical symptoms score in both groups dropped significantly (all P<0.01), and the clinical symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation can reduce pain score, improve clinical symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and produce more significant efficacy compared with conventional thumb-tack needle therapy.

Effects of dezocine-remifentanil intravenous anaesthesia on perioperative signs, serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 in liver cancer patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation

Objective: To analyse the impact of dezocine-remifentanil intravenous anaesthesia on perioperative signs, serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], and interleukin-6 [IL-6] in liver cancer patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation [RFA]

Study Design: An experimental study

Place And Duration Of Study: Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China, from January 2017 to February 2018

Methodology: Eighty patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma [SHCC] were selected as the research object. They were divided into Group A and Group B with the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Group A were given dezocine-remifentanil intravenous anaesthesia and Group B were given midazolam-remifentanil intravenous anaesthesia. Patients' situations in the surgery were compared between the two groups. Changes in heart rate [HR], mean arterial pressure [MAP] and blood oxygen saturation [SpO₂] were recorded before the surgery [T₀], at 5 minutes after the RFA [T₁] and at the end of the RFA [T₂]. Levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha; [TNF-alpha;] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] on the 1² day after the RFA were compared between the two groups

Results: The wake-up time in Group A was shorter than Group B [p<0.001], and the VAS pain score in Group A was lower than Group B [p<0.001]. At T₁, the MAP in Group A was higher than Group B [p<0.001]. There was no significant difference in MAP between the two groups at T₀ and T₂ [p=0.881, 0.696, respectively]. At T₁ and T₂, the HR in Group A was lower than Group B [all p<0.001]. There was no significant difference in HR between the two groups at T₀ [p=0.684]. There was no significant difference in SpO₂ between the two groups at T₀, T₁ and T₂ [p=0.654, 0.884 and 0.798, respectively]. On the 1st day after the RFA, the level of TNF-alpha;, IL-6 in Group A were lower than those of Group B [all p<0.001]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative complications between the two groups [p=0.644]

Conclusion: Compared with midazolam-remifentanil intravenous anaesthesia, the dezocine-remifentanil method has a better analgesic effect, shorter wake-up time, and can effectively regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha; and IL-6. However, the effect of remifentanil on the respiratory function is dose-dependent. Therefore, respiratory cycle monitoring and management should be strengthened during the surgery

Effect of acupoint massage plus acupoint sticking therapy for the stress reaction during postoperative anesthesia recovery period in patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of acupoint massage plus acupoint sticking therapy for the stress reaction during postoperative anesthesia recovery period in patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 120 patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery were included,and all patients were under trachea intubation and general anesthesia.The patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 60 patients in each group.Patients in the control group received conventional anesthesia resuscitation,while patients in the observation group received acupoint massage plus acupoint sticking therapy on the basis of conventional anesthesia resuscitation.Changes in the heart rate (HR),systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed at three time points including the end of the surgery (TO),the removal of the tracheal tube (T1) and 10 min after the removal of the tracheal tube (T2).The awakening and tube removal time,choking cough and restlessness,and adverse reactions (dizziness,nausea and vomiting) in 24 h post-surgery period were compared.Results:At T1 and T2,the comparisons of HR,SBP and DBP between the two groups showed statistical significance (all P＜0.05).Intra-group comparisons showed that the HR,SBP and DBP of the control group at T1 and T2 were significant different from those at TO (all P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the awakening time and tube removal time between the two groups (both P＜0.05).The incidences of choking cough and restlessness were 8.3％ and 3.3％ respectively in the observation group,versus 53.3％ and 30.0％ in the control group,and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significance (both P＜0.05).The incidences of dizziness,nausea and vomiting in 24 h post-surgery period were 3.3％,5.0％ and 0.0％ respectively in the observation group,versus 43.3％,33.3％ and 25.0％ in the control group,and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significance (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Acupoint massage plus acupoint sticking therapy can effectively regulate the stress reaction during postoperative anesthesia recovery period in patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery,and maintain a stable internal environment.

Clinical experience of Xiangxi Liu's infantile tuina for exogenous fever in children / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Xiangxi (the western part of Hunan province) Liu's infantile tuina,as one main school of current infantile tuina in China,highlights the compatibility of the specific points of Wujing in children,the idea of treatment by syndrome differentiation,and produces unique efficacy in the treatment of common diseases in children.Exogenous fever in children can be treated with this method with excellent efficacy.Based on the clinical experience and effective cases treated by this tuina school,the authors elaborated the clinical thought and experience from the perspective view of tuina,for the promotion of Xiangxi Liu's infantile tuina in clinic.

Therapeutic efficacy observation on acupuncture for persistent allergic rhinitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR).Methods:A total of 154 PAR patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group,78 cases in the treatment group received acupuncture at meridian points,while 76 cases in the control group received acupuncture at non-meridian points.The treatment was done every other day,3 times a week for a total 4 weeks.The total nasal symptom score (TNSS),the total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS) and the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were measured before the treatment and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment,as well as 1 month and 3 months after the treatment to compare the clinical effect between the two groups.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate in the treatment group was 92.3％,versus 76.3％ in the control group,showing a statistically significant difference (P＜0.05).Intra-group comparisons of TNSS,TNNSS and RQLQ scores after 4 weeks of treatment showed statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05).Between-group comparisons of TNSS,TNNSS and RQLQ score after 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up visits showed statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture is effective for PAR,and acupuncture at meridian points can produce a better effect than acupuncture at non-meridian points.

Clinical observation of abdominal acupuncture for subhealth insomnia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for subhealth insomnia.Methods:Eighty-two cases of subhealth insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (41 cases) and a control group (41 cases).The control group was treated with conventional acupuncture.The observation group was treated with Bo's abdominal acupuncture on the basis of conventional acupuncture.Six treatments constituted one treatment course.The measuring scale of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome for subhealth state (MSSSHS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores were compared between the two groups after two courses,to estimate the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for subhealth insomnia.Results:One case dropped out from the observation group,while 2 cases dropped out from the control group.The MSSSHS score and PSQI score both declined after the treatment in the two groups (all P＜0.05).The MSSSHS and PSQI scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusion:The abdominal acupuncture is effective for subhealth insomnia,and it can enhance the effect of conventional acupuncture.

Influence of acupuncture on pulmonary function of patients with asthma: a review / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Asthma is a common disease with recurrent onset which severely affects patients' quality of life.Acupuncture can improve pulmonary functions in asthma patients and thus treat this disorder.To summarize the status of acupuncture treatment for asthma,we have collected clinical literatures published in the recent 10 years and analyzed the influence of acupuncture on pulmonary functions in asthma patients from the aspects of frequently used points,needling techniques,manipulation and mechanisms to provide references for treating asthma with acupuncture.

Observation on lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method for hyperplasia of mammary gland and its influence on estradiol and progesterone / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method for hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) and its influence on estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P).Methods:A randomized,single-blinded and controlled trial was conducted.A total of 124 cases conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized by random number table into a treatment group and a control group,with 62 cases in each group.Patients in both groups received acupuncture therapy at the same acupoints,while patients in the treatment group received lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing method,and patients in the control group received even reinforcing-reducing manipulation.The treatment started around 10 d before menstruation and was conducted every other day.Patients received 5 treatments in each menstruation cycle for consecutive 3 cycles.The levels of E2,P and E2/P and clinical efficacy were measured before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the breast lump size,pain intensity and concomitant symptoms score in both groups were substantially lower than those before treatment,showing statistical significances (all P＜0.01),and the improvement in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group,and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significances (all P＜0.01).After treatment,the overall effective rate was 91.9％ in the treatment group,higher than 72.6％ in the control group,and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P＜0.01).After treatment,levels of E2,P and E2/P value showed no statistical significance when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and signs in HMG patients,and produce a better effect than even reinforcing-reducing manipulation.The majority of HMG patients' E2,P level and E2/P value were not beyond the normal ranges;therefore,acupuncture showed no substantial influence on E2 and P levels and E2/P value.

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture at four sacral points for overactive bladder syndrome / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at four sacral points on overactive bladder syndrome.Methods:A total of 120 female patients with overactive bladder syndrome were allocated to a treatment group of 80 cases and a control group of 40 cases on a voluntary basis.The patients in the treatment group received EA at four sacral points,and the treatment was given three times a week for 6 consecutive weeks,while the patients in the control group received oral administration of M-receptor antagonist tolterodine tartrate,which was given 4 mg each time,once a day for 6 consecutive weeks.Then the symptom scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results:At the end of treatment,the symptom scores showed statistical significant differences in comparing with those before treatment in both groups (both P＜0.01);the symptom score in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group,showing a statistically significant difference (P＜0.05).Conclusion:EA at four sacral points is an effective method for overactive bladder syndrome.

Effect of acupoint sticking at Shenque (CV 8) for preventing spleen-stomach disharmony caused by venous analgesia pump / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupoint sticking of Chinese medicine at Shenque (CV 8) for preventing spleenstomach disharmony caused by venous analgesia pump.Methods:A total of 120 post-surgery patients using venous analgesia pump and also conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized into 2 groups by the random number table.There were 58 patients in the control group who received conventional post-surgery nursing care,and there were 62 patients in the treatment group who received acupoint sticking at Shenque (CV 8) on the basis of conventional nursing care.After treatment,the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting,and abdominal bloating were measured.Results:The total incidence of nausea,vomiting and abdominal bloating in the treatment group was 11.3％,versus 39.7％ in the control group,and the difference of the incidence between the two groups showed a statistical significance (P＜0.05).In comparison of the severity of spleen-stomach dishormony which happened during 72 h after surgery,cases in the treatment group showed lower severity than those in the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Acupoint sticking at Shenque (CV 8) can effectively prevent spleen-stomach disharmony caused by venous analgesia pump,which will alleviate sufferings of the patients.

Observation on mind-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method plus swallowing disorder therapeutic apparatus for deglutition disorder of stroke patients in the convalescent stage / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of mind-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method plus swallowing disorder therapeutic apparatus for deglutition disorder of stroke patients in convalescence stage.Methods:A total of 136 patients conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized into three groups by the random number table,including group A of 46 cases,group B of 44 cases and group C of 46 cases.Patients in group A received swallowing disorder therapeutic apparatus treatment,patients in group B received mind-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method treatment,and patients in group C received mind-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method plus swallowing disorder therapeutic apparatus treatment.The treatment was given once a day for 10 d as a course,the whole treatment lasted for 4 courses.Therapeutic evaluation items including water-swallowing test (WST),standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were measured before treatment,after treatment and at follow-up visit (2 months after treatment).Results:After treatment,scores of WST and MBI in all three groups increased significantly (all P＜0.05),while the SSA score dropped significantly (all P＜0.05).After treatment and during follow-up visit period,score of WST in group C was significantly higher than that in group A and group B (both P＜0.05),while the difference between group A and group B showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05);the SSA score in group C was substantially lower than that in group A and group B (all P＜0.05),the difference between group A and group B showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05);the MBI scores in group B and group C were substantially higher than that in group A (all P＜0.05),the difference between group B and group C showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05).After treatment and during follow-up visit period,the differences in overall therapeutic effect between group A and group B showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05),while the overall therapeutic effect in group C was substantially better than that in group A and group B (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both mind-refreshing and orifice-opening needling method and swallowing disorder therapeutic apparatus can alleviate symptoms of deglutition disorder of stroke patients respectively,and the combination of two methods can improve the therapeutic effect.

Clinical progress on moxibustion in preventing and treating adverse effects of surgery or chemoradiotherapy for breast cancer / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among all women's malignant tumors worldwide.Surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy are three major treatments,while most patients showed adverse effects or complications during or after the treatment,including lymphedema,gastrointestinal reactions and leukopenia,which cause severe impact on patients' recovery and quality of life.Moxibustion has been used and certified to alleviate adverse effects of surgery or chemoradiotherapy for breast cancer.We have summarized literatures in recent years and suggest more systematic research in the future for the underlying mechanism.

Points selection pattern in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of gouty arthritis: an analysis based on bibliometrics / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To discuss the selection pattern of points and meridians in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of gouty arthritis (GA) by analyzing clinical literatures related to GA, and to provide reference for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of GA. Methods: Clinical literatures related to GA treated with acupuncture-moxibustion published between January 1981 and July 2017 were collected from Chinese databases. The points, meridians, frequency and treatment methods were analyzed. Results: A total of 78 studies were included. For meridians, the top 5 meridians used were the Spleen Meridian (67 times), Liver Meridian (59 times), Stomach Meridian (53 times), Kidney Meridian (49 times) and Large Intestine Meridian (44 times). For points selection, the leading 5 points were Taichong (LR 3) (79 times), Taibai (SP 3) (68 times), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (61 times), Taixi (KI 3) (57 times) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) (55 times). For major and adjunct points, the 5 most significant major points were Taichong (LR 3) (79 times), Taibai (SP 3) (68 times), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (61 times), Yinlingquan (SP 9) (37 times) and Taixi (KI 3) (32 times). The 5 most significant adjunct points were Yanglingquan (GB 34) (31 times), Fenglong (ST 40) (30 times), Xuehai (SP 10) (29 times), Taixi (KI 3) (25 times) and Quchi (LI 11) (21 times). For treatment methods, the top 5 methods used were acupuncture-moxibustion alone for 15 studies, acupuncture combined with medicinal herbs for 11 studies, acupuncture-moxibustion combined with medicinal herbs for 10 studies, acupuncture alone for 7 studies, and electroacupuncture combined with bloodletting for 5 studies. Conclusion: The main meridians chosen in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of GA were the Spleen, Liver, Stomach, Kidney and Large Intestine Meridians, conforming to the syndrome differentiation principle of tonifying spleen and kidney, clearing heat and draining dampness. Points mainly locate at lower limbs and feet around the affected area, which was a reflection of peripheral treatment function of points. The data mining results of meridian and point selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of GA conform to the disease and syndrome differentiation theory and provide references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of GA.