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As a form of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)Qigong exercises and an essential part of exercise therapy,static training has proven clinical efficacy.However,further evidence is required to reveal its mechanism of action provided by animal experiments.There are four major ways to establish static training animal models:pole climbing,hind-limb suspension,isometric-contraction weight bearing,and electrical stimulation.These models have been used to study diseases of the motor,circulatory,and endocrine systems,etc.,and the mechanism has got extensive exploration.It reviewed static training animal models and the research progress to provide theoretical evidence for static training's experimental research and mechanism exploration.
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Depressive disorder seriously affects people's physical and mental health.Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for depression,yet,its mechanism is unclear.Therefore,acupuncture's action mechanism in intervening depression was summarized from several perspectives,including morphology and ultrastructure of neurons in depression-related brain areas,function and structure of glial cells,brain functional and structural connectivity,and neuroelectrophysiology.It's discovered that acupuncture can repair the morphological and ultrastructural damage of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal lobe,mitigate the functional and structural injuries of glial cells in the hippocampus and prefrontal lobe,strengthen functional connectivity and heal structural connection,and promote neuroelectrophysiological activities,which possibly are the principal mechanisms of how acupuncture works in intervening depressive disorder.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of treating somatoform pain disorder(SPD)with electroacupuncture(EA)at the Governor and Conception Vessel points plus duloxetine.Methods:Eighty-two SPD patients were randomly allocated to an observation group and a control group,with 41 cases in each group.The control group was intervened by oral administration of duloxetine hydrochloride enteric capsules at a dose of 60 mg per time once a day;based on the medication,the observation group received additional EA treatment by selecting points from the Governor and Conception Vessels.Clinical efficacy was evaluated after 8 weeks of treatments;changes in the scores of the short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ),self-report symptom inventory,symptom check list-90(SCL-90),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),and generic quality of life inventory-74(GQOLI-74)were also compared.Results:After the intervention,the observation group surpassed the control group in comparing the total effective rate(P＜0.05).The SF-MPQ score,SCL-90 somatization score,and PSQI score dropped notably in both groups after treatment,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05);the three scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The GQOLI-74 score got an increase in each dimension in both groups after treatment,and the intra-group differences were also statistically significant(P＜0.05);the GQOLI-74 dimension scores were all significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:For patients with SPD,combining EA at the Governor and Conception Vessel points and duloxetine hydrochloride enteric capsules can markedly improve their clinical symptoms and quality of life.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of umbilical therapy with herbal cakes made of Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang prescription of different dosages in treating damp-heat diarrhea in young children. Methods: Seventy-two kids with diarrhea of damp-heat pattern were recruited and divided into a high-dosage group and a low-dosage group using the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. They all received conventional antidiarrheal treatment and umbilical application with herbal cakes. However, the herbal cakes for the high-dosage group were made of the mixture of Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang powder and water, and those for the low-dosage group consisted of 10％ Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang powder and 90％ auxiliary materials (corn starch) plus water. The treatment duration was 3 d. The clinical efficacy, antidiarrheal rate, effective rate for symptoms and signs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM symptoms score, and safety indicators were compared between the two groups. Results: After the treatment, the TCM symptoms scores dropped significantly in both groups (P<0.01) and were lower in the high-dosage group than in the low-dosage group (P<0.05). The clinical efficacy was more significant in the high-dosage group than in the low-dosage group after the treatment, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the antidiarrheal rate was markedly higher in the high-dosage group than in the low-dosage group (P<0.05). Regarding the TCM symptoms and signs, the high-dosage group showed better results in improving the greasy and yellowish tongue coating, bowel movement frequency, watery excrement, short and dark urine, red tongue body, red anus, vomiting, bowel sounds, and abdominal bloating compared with the low-dosage group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Umbilical therapy with herbal cakes made of Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang is safe, reliable, and effective in treating damp-heat diarrhea in young children; the high-dosage herbal cakes produce more significant efficacy than the low-dosage ones and are worth further investigation.
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Objective: To observe the effects of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) combined with graded motor imagery (GMI) on the upper-limb motor function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with poststroke hemiplegia.Methods: A total of 216 patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups by tossing a coin, with 108 cases in each group. The control group was treated with GMI, and the observation group was given additional Tuina treatment for four weeks in total. Before and after the treatment, the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), supper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, box and block test (BBT) for hand, co-contraction ratio (CR) of the upper-limb muscles, visual analog scale (VAS) for shoulder pain, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), modified Barthel index (MBI), and short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) were adopted for observation of the two groups. Results: After the treatment, the scores of FMA-UE, upper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, hand BBT, MBI, and SF-36 increased (P<0.05), and the CR of biceps brachii at flexion, the CR of triceps brachii at extension, and the scores of VAS and MAS decreased in both groups (P<0.05). The scores of FMA-UE, upper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, and hand BBT were higher in the observation group than in the control group after the intervention (P<0.05); the CR of biceps brachii at flexion and the CR of triceps brachii at extension were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the scores of MBI and SF-36 were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of VAS and MAS were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tuina combined with GMI can produce more significant effects in improving the upper-limb motor function and QOL in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating dry eye syndromes (DES) and its regulatory effects on patient's quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and depression.Methods: By following a randomized controlled study design, eligible DES patients were allocated to an EA group (EAG) or an acupuncture group (AG). Patients in the AG were intervened by acupuncture alone, while in the EAG, electrical stimulation was applied to Cuanzhu (BL2) and Taiyang (EX-HN5) in addition to the same treatment in the AG. Changes in clinical manifestations, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1), tear-film break-up time (TF-BUT), cornea fluorescein staining (CFS), and corneal sensitivity (CS) were observed, as well as changes in the short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) scores. Results: The scores of clinical symptoms, OSDI, and CFS decreased significantly in both EAG and AG when compared with the baseline values (P<0.05), respectively, while the TF-BUT and CS increased significantly (P<0.05), and the tear secretion of patients in the EAG increased (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of physical role functioning, general health perception, emotional role functioning, and mental health of patients in both EAG and AG showed significant increases after treatment (P<0.05), together with a marked decrease in the score of anxiety (P<0.05). Compared with the AG, the EAG obtained a more significant increase in STT-1 (P<0.05).Conclusion: DES patients respond well to both EA and acupuncture treatments, manifested by prolonged TF-BUT and improvement of CS. Meanwhile, the two approaches can improve QOL and reduce anxiety. Furthermore, EA appears more effective in increasing tear secretion than acupuncture alone.
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Objective: To observe the impact of Tiao Shen Tong Du (regulating the mind and unblocking the Governor Vessel) Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) on neuropsychological development of premature infants, discover effective early-stage intervention techniques, and improve the prognosis of premature infants.Methods: A total of 115 eligible premature infants were recruited and divided into a control group of 59 cases and an observation group of 56 cases based on different interventions. The control group received three-month physical therapy (PT) and conventional early-stage intervention, and the observation group received additional Tiao Shen Tong Du Tuina treatment. Before and after treatment and at the one-year follow-up, the Gesell developmental schedule was adopted to evaluate neuropsychological development. Results: After treatment, the gross motor development quotient (DQ) was higher in the observation group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in the other four domains between the two groups (P>0.05). At the one-year follow-up, the observation group showed more notable improvements in all five domains' DQs than the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion: Based on conventional intervention, Tiao Shen Tong Du Tuina can significantly improve the gross motor function of premature infants in the short term, alongside valid long-term efficacy for gross motor function, fine motor function, adaptive behaviors, language, and personal-social behaviors.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations in treating patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Methods: Ninety-two patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis were randomized into an observation group and a medication group, with 46 cases in each group. The observation group received acupuncture and sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations, and the medication group received oral celecoxib capsules. After 8-week treatment, changes in the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Lysholm knee scoring scale (LKSS) scores were observed, and the clinical efficacy was compared.Results: The total effective rate was 87.0％ in the observation group and 63.0％ in the control group; the between- group difference was statistically significant. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the SF-MPQ score or LKSS score (P>0.05). After 8-week treatment, the SF-MPQ [including pain rating index (PRI), visual analog scale (VAS), and present pain intensity (PPI)] and LKSS scores showed notable changes in both groups (P<0.05); the SF-MPQ and LKSS scores in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Combining acupuncture and sitting-position knee-adjustment manipulations can reduce pain and ameliorate joint function in patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, producing more significant efficacy than oral celecoxib capsules.
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Objective: To observe the impact of mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil on the cognitive ability, mean cerebral blood flow velocity, event-related potential P300, and activities of daily living (ADL) in the aged patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods: Sixty senile AD patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group following the envelope method for random allocation, with 30 cases in each group. Based on the conventional treatment of the internal medicine, the control group received oral donepezil, and the treatment group received oral donepezil plus mind-regulating acupuncture. After 4-week treatment, the two groups were evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive part (ADAS-Cog), and ADL; changes in P300 and the mean cerebral blood flow velocity were also observed.Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the scores of MMSE, ADAS-Cog, or ADL between the two groups (P>0.05). The MMSE score increased after treatment in both groups and was notably higher in the treatment group than in the control group, showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). After treatment, the ADAS-Cog and ADL scores dropped in both groups and were markedly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, also showing intra-group and inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with the same group before treatment, the latency of P300 was shortened and the amplitude was extended in both groups, all with statistical significance (P<0.05); the latency was shorter and the amplitude was larger in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment, presenting significant between-group differences (P<0.05). The mean blood flow velocity accelerated after the intervention in both groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the improvement in the treatment group was more notable than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Mind-regulating acupuncture plus donepezil can regulate the latency and amplitude of P300, increase cerebral blood flow, and improve the learning and memory abilities of AD patients.
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Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different time points during the perioperative period on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms surgery. Methods: Sixty-three patients who needed radical surgery for gastrointestinal tumors were randomized into a control group, treatment group 1 (postoperative EA group), and treatment group 2 (intraoperative and postoperative EA group). The control group received surgery and conventional Western medicine treatment, and treatment groups 1 and 2 received additional EA treatment at different time points. The initial flatus time after the surgery, visual analog scale (VAS) score at different time points after the surgery, the proportion of using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after the surgery, and the times of adding analgesics were observed in the three groups. Results: The initial flatus time after the surgery was earlier in treatment groups 1 and 2 than in the control group (P<0.05); the difference between treatment groups 1 and 2 was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The VAS score was lower in treatment group 2 than in the control group at 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05); the VAS score was lower in treatment group 1 than in the control group only at 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of using PCA among the three groups (P>0.05). Regarding the times of adding analgesics, it was less in treatment group 2 than in the control group at 12 h after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion: Either EA during and after the surgery or only after the surgery can hasten the initial flatus and boost the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients after radical resection of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Successive EA during and after the surgery should be superior to postoperative EA regarding the analgesic effect after the surgery.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of knee-balancing manipulation plus heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its impact on the expression of C-telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (CTX-Ⅰ), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS-4), and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3). Methods: A total of 134 unilateral KOA patients were randomized into a knee-balancing group, a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, and a joint intervention group. The knee-balancing group received knee-balancing Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation for treatment. The heat-sensitive moxibustion group received heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment. The joint intervention group received the heat-sensitive moxibustion in addition to the knee- balancing manipulation. The intervention period lasted for four weeks. After the treatment, and at the 2-week and 6-week follow-ups, the three groups were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for knee joint pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC), and clinical efficacy was also evaluated. The enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to detect the expression levels of serum CTX-Ⅰ, TRACP-5b, ADAMTS-4, and MMP-3. Results: The knee-balancing group had 44 participants, but one dropped out; there was no dropout case among the 44 participants in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group; among the 46 participants in the joint intervention group, two cases dropped out. After the treatment, and at the 2-week and 6-week follow-ups, the total effective rate was found higher in the joint intervention group than in the knee-balancing and heat-sensitive moxibustion groups (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the VAS and WOMAC scores and the serum levels of CTX-Ⅰ, TRACP-5b, ADAMTS-4, and MMP-3 decreased significantly in all three groups after treatment and at the 2-week and 6-week follow-ups (P<0.05). At the same three time points, the VAS and WOMAC scores and serum levels of CTX-Ⅰ, TRACP-5b, ADAMTS-4, and MMP-3 were lower in the joint intervention group than in the knee-balancing and heat-sensitive moxibustion groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: Either used alone or combined, the knee-balancing manipulation and heat-sensitive moxibustion therapy can improve the symptoms and down-regulate the serum levels of CTX-Ⅰ, TRACP-5b, ADAMTS-4, and MMP-3 in KOA patients, producing durable efficacy; nevertheless, a more significant efficacy can be achieved by combining the two methods.
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Objective: To observe the effects of acupoint sticking therapy of different dosages and durations on the subjective and objective sleep indicators in insomnia patients.Methods: Ninety-six patients with insomnia due to liver-Qi stagnation and spleen deficiency were divided into a high-dosage 7 d group (25 cases), a high-dosage 14 d group (22 cases), a low-dosage 7 d group (21 cases), and a low-dosage 14 d group (28 cases) using the random numbers generated in a stratified and stage-by-stage manner in combination with the visiting sequence. The four groups all received the same acupuncture treatment, but acupoint sticking therapy varied in dosage and duration. Before and after treatment, the actigraphic readings (total time in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, number of wake bouts, length of wakes after asleep, and sleep latency), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score, and symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were observed. A correlation analysis was conducted among the subjective and objective indicators. Results: The PSQI score was positively correlated with the total time in bed and total sleep time (P<0.05). After treatment, the sleep latency, PSQI scores, and TCM symptoms scores changed significantly in the four groups (P<0.05). The total sleep time and sleep efficiency gained improvements after treatment in the high-dosage 14 d and low-dosage 14 d groups (P<0.05). The high-dosage acupoint sticking groups had longer total sleep time compared with the low-dosage groups of the same treatment duration (P<0.05). After treatment, the length of wakes after asleep, PSQI scores, and TCM symptoms scores were better in the 14 d groups than in the 7 d groups of the same acupoint sticking dosage (P<0.05). Conclusion: Given the same acupuncture treatment, acupoint sticking therapy of different treatment durations produces different effects on the length of wakes after asleep, PSQI score, and TCM symptoms score in insomnia patients, and the 14-day acupoint sticking treatment is superior to the 7-day treatment.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) plus oxiracetam in treating mild vascular dementia (VD) and seek its underlying mechanism. Methods: Ninety-six patients with mild VD were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 47 cases in the observation group and 49 cases in the control group. The control group received oral oxiracetam capsules for treatment, and the observation group was given additional Tuina treatment. Before and after treatment, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was adopted to assess the patient's cognitive function; the activities of daily living (ADL) scale was used to evaluate their ability to conduct daily activities; changes in the serum inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators were also detected. Results: After treatment, the serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased in both groups (P<0.05) and was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the serum contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased in both groups (P<0.05) and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the serum contents of interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-8 declined in both groups (P<0.05) and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After the intervention, the levels of systolic velocity (Vs) and mean velocity (Vm) of the middle cerebral artery elevated, and the pulsatility index (PI) dropped in patients in the two groups, showing significant intra-group differences (P<0.05); the levels of Vs and Vm in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the PI was lower in the observation group than in the control group, showing significant between-group differences (P<0.05). The MMSE and ADL scores increased in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05) and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of mild VD, Tuina plus oxiracetam can improve the cerebral blood supply, ADL, and cognitive function; the mechanism may be associated with the reduction of oxidative stress damages and inflammatory reactions.
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Objective: To systematically evaluate the impact of acupuncture on exercise-induced fatigue (EIF). Methods: Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), and China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM) were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying acupuncture treatment of EIF from the inception till August 2020. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane handbook. RevMan 5.3 was used to conduct statistical analysis on the extracted data. Results: A total of 11 RCTs were included for meta-analysis, involving 531 patients. It was revealed that acupuncture produced more significant effects in alleviating subjective fatigue [standardized mean difference (SMD)=-3.08, 95％ confidence interval (CI) (-4.35, -1.81), P<0.001], increasing the hemoglobin content [weighted mean difference (WMD)=3.89, 95％CI (1.37, 6.42), P=0.003], reducing the lactate dehydrogenase content [WMD=-10.63, 95％CI (-17.67, -3.59), P=0.003], reducing the blood lactic acid content [SMD=-2.65, 95％CI (-4.47, -0.83), P=0.004], and down-regulating the levels of serum creatine kinase [SMD=-0.79, 95％CI (-1.10, -0.48), P<0.001] and blood urea nitrogen [WMD=-1.47, 95％CI (-1.84, -1.11), P<0.001] than the control groups. Conclusion: Based on the existing evidence, acupuncture can be recognized as effective in improving EIF and is worthy of promotion in clinical settings.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of sinew-bone balancing manipulation in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and offer clinical evidence to support the concept of paying equal attention to sinew and bone. Methods: Sixty LDH patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with the sinew-bone balancing manipulation, and the control group received conventional Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation. The clinical efficacy and posterior muscle chain tone effect were compared between the two groups by observing the visual analog scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and posture-associated indicators. Results: The total effective rate was 86.7％ in the observation group, higher than 76.7％ in the control group, but the between-group difference in efficacy was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). After treatment, the VAS and JOA scores, angle-dependent muscle tone indicator of the posterior muscle chain, and lumbar posture symmetry showed significant changes in both groups (P<0.05). The VAS and JOA scores, angle-dependent muscle tone indicator of the posterior muscle chain, and lumbar posture symmetry in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05), but the between-group difference in the general posture symmetry was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Both the sinew-bone balancing and conventional Tuina manipulations can reduce pain in LDH patients, improve lumbar function, and adjust the angle-dependent muscle tone coefficient of the posterior muscle chain and lumbar posture symmetry; except for the general posture symmetry of the posterior muscle chain, the sinew-bone balancing manipulation wins out over the conventional Tuina manipulation.
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Objective: To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of using pediatric Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), Tui-Pushing chest-back manipulation, in treating children with cough variant asthma (CVA).Methods: Seventy-two kids with CVA were divided into two groups using the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. The control group received the conventional Tuina treatment, and the observation group received additional Tui-Pushing chest-back manipulation. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed and recorded for the two groups. Results: After three treatment courses, compared with the control group, the observation group showed advantages in the total effective rate, reducing the number and intensity of cough and improving the nature of cough (P<0.05). However, at the one-month follow-up, there were no significant differences between the two groups in these parameters (P>0.05). Regarding the adverse reaction rate, there was no significant between-group difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is effective and safe to use pediatric Tuina, Tui-Pushing chest-back manipulation, plus the conventional treatment protocol to treat CVA in children.
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Objective: To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence, with 40 cases in each group. The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally, 75 mg each time, twice a day. The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance. The treatment lasted for 5 weeks. The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face, and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture, once every other day, for 5 weeks in total. Results: Prior to treatment, there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and QOL scores between the two groups (both P>0.05). After treatment, VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P<0.01), and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.01). The total effective rate was 67.5％ in the Western medication group, versus 92.5％ in the acupuncture-medication group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on oral administration of pregabalin, needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN, notably improve patients' QOL, and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone.
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Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints plus language training on the language function and cerebral blood flow in patients with motor aphasia after ischemic stroke. Methods: Eighty-six patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 43 cases in each group. Conventional symptomatic treatment was offered to both groups. Besides, the control group received language training, while the observation group received language training plus additional acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints. Before and after treatment, the aphasia battery of Chinese (ABC) and Chinese functional communication profile (CFCP) were tested, and the mean velocity (Vm) and resistance index (RI) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) were detected. Results: The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the observation group gained higher scores in oral expression, comprehension, repeating, naming objects, reading, and writing, as well as the general score of ABC (all P<0.05), higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The CFCP score increased in both groups after intervention, showing significant intra-group differences (both P<0.05), and the CFCP score was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, Vm of the left side MCA increased in the control group (P<0.05), while no significant change was observed in RI (P>0.05); in the observation group, Vm of the left side MCA increased and RI decreased significantly compared with the baseline (both P<0.05), and were markedly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints plus language training can produce valid efficacy in treating motor aphasia after ischemic stroke; it can notably improve the language function, everyday oral communication ability, and increase cerebral perfusion of the patients.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of 'Tong Du Yun Pi' (Governor Vessel-unblocking and spleen-promoting) manipulation in treating infantile diarrhea in autumn. Methods: Eighty-four kids were divided into a control group and an observation group using the random number table method, with 42 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of montmorillonite powder, and the observation group was given additional 'Tong Du Yun Pi' pediatric massage (tuina) treatment. After treatment, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms scores, symptom improvement time, clinical efficacy and immune function indicators were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate was 95.2％ in the observation group versus 76.2％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); each item score in TCM symptoms was notably lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); among the effective cases, the times to restore normal defecation, relieve abdominal bloating, arrest vomiting, and bring down the fever were markedly shorter in the observation group than in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were significantly higher and CD8+ was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of infantile diarrhea in autumn, based on oral administration of montmorillonite powder, 'Tong Du Yun Pi' manipulation can notably improve diarrheal symptoms, shorten disease duration, and strengthen the immunity of kids, producing more significant efficacy than oral administration of montmorillonite powder.
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Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in treating chondromalacia patellae and its effect on inflammatory factors in knee joint fluid. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with chondromalacia patellae were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group was treated with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, while the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion treatment. Before and after treatment, the two groups were scored using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS), examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determined for the levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in knee joint fluid. Clinical efficacy was estimated after treatment. Results: The effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of pain, stiffness and daily activities, as well as the general score of WOMAC declined significantly in both groups (all P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); the time cost for climbing up and down one staircase and VAS score decreased markedly in both groups (all P<0.05), and were shorter or lower in the observation group than in the control group (both P<0.05); the MRI grading showed no significant change in the control group after intervention (P>0.05), while the grading in the observation group showed notable improvement (P<0.05), and was better than that in the control group (P<0.05); the levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in knee joint fluid dropped significantly in the control group after treatment (both P<0.05), while the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β in knee joint fluid all decreased significantly in the observation group (all P<0.05) and were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate can produce definite efficacy in treating chondromalacia patellae; it can mitigate the clinical symptoms, improve the lesion extent of chondromalacia and down-regulate the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β in knee joint fluid.