Comments on " " from / 中国针灸

In recent years, acupuncture has been used widely as an adjuvant treatment for the in vitro fertilization (IVF). " " published in on May 15, 2018, the research findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among the women undergoing IVF. In order to avoid the misunderstanding of the scholars at home and abroad for the clinical effects of acupuncture on IVF assistance, the authors put forward the doubts after the analysis from the following 3 aspects, including the acupuncture scheme, outcomes and result explanation. Additionally, the thinking and suggestions are proposed for the future development of the clinical trials of acupuncture IVF assistance in terms of selecting the proper participants, being abided by the standards of the evidence-based medicine, designing multi-acupuncture schemes and setting up the rational control, as well as conducting the overall analysis of the trial data.

Acupuncture with regulating menstruation to promote pregnancy for diminished ovarian reverse: a prospective case series study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and safety of acupuncture with regulating menstruation to promote pregnancy for diminished ovarian reverse (DOR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to prospective case series, 46 patients were observed and finally 40 cases were included. The acupoints were ① Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Benshen (GB 13), Huangshu (KI 16), Dahe (KI 12), Luanchao (Extra), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3) and ② bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32). The points in the two groups were used alternately. Acupuncture was given for 3 courses, 12 times as a course and 3 times a week. Before and after treatment, and 3 months after treatment, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (FSH/LH), estradiol (E), antral follicle count (AFC) and TCM symptom score were observed. The safety was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment, the levels of FSH, FSH/LH decreased, and the levels of Eand AFC increased after treatment and at follow-up (all<0.05). And the TCM symptom scores were significantly lower than those before treatment (both<0.05). The rate of pregnancy after treatment was 15% (6/40). There was no infection and organ injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture with regulating menstruation to promote pregnancy can safely improve the ovarian reserve of patients with DOR.</p>

Meta-analysis of Acupuncture Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating type 2 diabetes.Methods Related literature was retrieved with a computer. After the data were sifted out from the literature according to the established criteria, they were collected and crossly checked by two researchers independently. The data were input to RevMan5.2 for statistical analysis. Results A total of ten studies were included with a total of 743 patients. The results of Meta analysis showed 1) Post-treatment total efficacy rate was higher in the acupuncture or combined acupuncture and medicine group than in the control group [OR=3.60, 95%CI (2.11,6.13)] and there was a statistically significant difference (Z=4.71,P<0.00001); 2) Post-treatment range of decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group [WMD=-1.20,95%CI (-1.38,-1.02)] and there was a statistically significant difference (Z=12.88,P<0.00001); 3) Post-treatment range of decrease in 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group [WMD=-1.27, 95%CI (-1.47,-1.06)] and there was a statistically significant difference (Z=12.02,P<0.00001).Conclusion Clinically acupuncture or combined acupuncture and medicine is more effective than Chinese herbal medicine or Western medication alone in treating T2DM and has no toxic and side effects.