The Effect of Microinvasive Thread Embedding on Vertebral Artery Blood Flow in Cervical Spondylotic Vertebral Arteriopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of microinvasive thread embedding on vertebral artery blood flow in cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy and further ascerta in that microinvasive thread embedding is a new long-acting acupuncture method for treating cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy.Method Sixty patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to acupuncture and thread embedding groups.The acupuncture group received conventional acupuncture and the thread embedding group, microinvasive thread embedding.The symptoms and function were scored using theEvaluation Scale for Cervical Vertigoand bilateral vertebral artery blood flow was measured using transcranial Doppler after one day and three weeks of treatment.Result The symptoms of vertigo improved somewhatin the thread embedding group at one day after treatment compared with before treatment (P0.05). The total efficacy rate was 83.3% in the thread embedding group, which was higher than 60.0% in the acupuncture group (P<0.05).Conclusion Microinvasive thread embedding can improve the symptoms, vertebral artery blood flow and the quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy.

Clinical Observations on Microinvasive Thread Embedding for the Treatment of Neck Pain Due to Cervical Spondylosis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of microinvasive PGLA thread embedding on neck pain due to cervical spondylosis. Method One hundred and five cervical spondylosis patients with complaints of neck pain were randomly allocated to three groups, 35 cases each. The thread embedding group received PGLA thread embedding therapy;the control group, acupuncture with thread-embedding needles (without thread embedding);the acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture. Result There was a significant difference in the relief of symptoms and signs between the thread embedding or acupuncture group and the control group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the PPI score in the thread embedding and acupuncture groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the above scores between the thread embedding or acupuncture group and the control group (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 17.1% in the control group, 77.1%in the acupuncture group and 94.3%in the thread embedding group. The total efficacy rate was significantly higher in the thread embedding group than in acupuncture and control groups. Conclusion The therapeutic effect on neck pain due to cervical spondylosis is produced by PGLA thread stimulation of the acupoints and not by simple injurious stimulation with thread-embedding needles. PGLA thread embedding has a marked therapeutic effect on neck pain due to cervical spondylosis.

Preliminary study on depth of embedded catgut and qi arrival at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) under ultrasound guidance / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the needling sensation of catgut embedding therapy and the depth of embedded catgut so as to improve the safety of the needle insertion and catgut implantation of the therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy adults were selected. Under the ultrasound, the structure of the cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) was observed. In the ultrasound guidance, the catgut was embedded. The two-dimensional imaging method was adopted to observe the anatomic structure and the procedure of needle insertion at the cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2). The high-frequency ultrasound was used to collect the images at Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C5 and determine the depths from the skin surface to the different layers of the point. Additionally, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted to score the needling sensations when the needle inserted at different layers. The persistent sensation duration in the local area was followed continuously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under the ultrasound, the anatomic structure and tissue layers of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) were displayed clearly. The difference was significant in the average depth from the skin surface to the subcutaneous tissue, trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, semipinalis cervicis, multifidus and vertebral arch between the males and females (all P<0. 01). During the needle insertion, the sensations were apparently different when the implantation went to different layers. The qi arrival presented when the catgut was embedded to the trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, semipinalis cervicis and multifidus. But the distending pain was the most significant when in the myofascial. Commonly, the embedded catgut 2. 5 cm in length may be implanted deeply to the multifidus and the local needling sensation lasted averagely for (72. 0 ± 10. 2) h. Conclusion Under the ultrasound guidance, the depth of embedded catgut is clearly displayed at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2). The needle insertion and the implanted material are visible, and the relationship between qi arrival and the layer of needle insertion is determined. The accuracy and safety of minimally invasive catgut embedding therapy is improved in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.</p>

Effective anatomic structures of ultrasound-guide acupoint embedding therapy for cervical spondylosis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive embedding therapy and the implanted depth for cervical spondylosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into a shallow-layer embedding group (subcutaneous layer), a middle-layer embedding group (semispinalis capitis muscle layer) and a deep-layer embedding group (multifidus muscle layer), 30 cases in each one. Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C5 and C6 on the affected side and Dazhui (GV 14) were selected. Under the guide of ultrasound, the catgut was implanted to the corresponding tissue layers. The treatment was given once a week, continuously for 3 weeks in the three groups. The symptoms and physical signs were observed before and after treatment. The pain rating index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain index (PPI) were assessed. The neck disability index (NDI) was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The score of symptoms and function after treatment was increased apparently in the deep-layer embedding group (P < 0.05), which was increased more apparently as compared with those in the shallow-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group (both P < 0.05). PRI, VAS and PPI after treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the deep-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group (all P < 0.05), which were reduced more remarkably than the shallow-layer embedding group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of NDI in the deep-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group, were reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05), and that in the deep-layer embedding group was reduced more remarkably as compared with the shallow-layer embedding group and the middle-layer embedding group after treatment (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the acupoint embedding treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type, the efficacy is different apparently in terms of the implantation depth. The deep-layer implantation, meaning to the multifidus muscle layer is more conductive to the treatment of cervical spondylosis.</p>

Efficacy of Micro-invasive Thread-embedding for Allergic Rhinitis and Evaluation of the Quality of Life / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of micro-invasive thread-embedding in treating allergic rhinitis.Method Sixty eligible patients were randomized into a control group and a thread-embedding group. Thecontrol group was intervened by Budesonide nasal spray, while the thread-embedding group was by micro-invasive thread-embedding in addition to the nasal spray. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 2-month treatment.ResultThe symptom score and symptom-sign global score were decreased significantly in both groups after intervention (P<0.05), the improvement of stuffy nose and running nose and the global score of the thread-embedding group were significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05); the quality of life scores were markedly improved in both groups after intervention (P<0.05), and the improvement of non-nasal/eye symptoms, actual symptoms, and nasal symptoms, as well as the global score in the thread-embedding group were superior to that in the control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate was 96.7% in the thread-embedding group, significantly higher than 66.7% in the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionMicro-invasive thread-embedding can produce a content efficacy in treating allergic rhinitis, and can enhance the quality of life.