Developing process and term analysis of WFAS standard: General Requirements for the Risk Control in the Safe Use of Acupuncture / 中国针灸

In order to promote the application of WFAS standard, General Requirements for the Risk Control in the Safe Use of Acupuncture and the safe practice of acupuncture technology worldwide, the paper introduces the developing process and main contents of this standard, explains the developing purpose, scope, ideas, methods and basis, and analyzes the definition of the relevant terms. Through strictly complied with the development procedure of standard, the terms related to acupuncture risk in this standard are defined. The connotations of 5 special terms are clarified, i.e. "acupuncture risks" "adverse events of acupuncture" "adverse reactions of acupuncture" "acupuncture accidents" and "acupuncture negligence". The range, rank, control flow and source of risk, as well as the control measures are determined. The standard extracts the underlying common problems and basic requirement of the safe practice of acupuncture so as to lay a framework for the development of the relevant technical standards of acupuncture.

Efficacy comparison between electroacupuncture and dyne-35 in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in clinical efficacy on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) between electroacupuncture (EA) and dyne-35 and to explore the effect mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five patients were randomized into an EA group (33 cases) and a western medication group (32 cases). In the EA group, the selected acupoints were Danzhong (CV 17), Qimen (LR 14), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3), etc. After the arrival of qi, electric stimulation was attached to the acupoints for 30 min. The treatment was given 3 times a week. In the western medication group, dyne-35 was prescribed on the 5th day of natural menstruation or withdrawal bleeding, one tablet a day, continuously for 21 days. The treatment cycle was 3 months in the two groups. The menstrual condition, body mass, body mass index (BMI), serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was assessed in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 90.6% (29/32) in the EA group and was 93.3% (28/30) in the western medication group. The efficacy was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH and LH/FSH were all reduced significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment, T level in serum was reduced apparently in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the differences in body mass and BMI in the EA group were more significant than those in the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA is the effective method for PCOS, similar to that of dyne-35. The effect of it for weight loss is superior to dyne-35 and no apparent adverse reactions happen. The effect mechanism of EA is related to the regulation of serum sexual hormone levels and their ratio, as well as to the regulation of body lipid metabolism.</p>

Comparison of the therapeutic effect on skeletal fluorosis and impact on urine fluoride value among fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3 / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts on skeletal fluorosis pain, joint motor dysfunction and urine fluoride excretion in the treatment with fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The randomized controlled trial was adopted. Ninety-five patients were randomized into a fire needle group (31 cases), an electroacupuncture group (33 cases) and a calcium carbonate D3 group (31 cases). In the fire needle group and the electroacupuncture group, Ashi points, Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10) points were selected and stimulated with fire needle and electroacupuncture separately, three times a week. In the calcium carbonate D3 group, calcium carbonate D3 tablets was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months in the electroacupuncture group and calcium carbonate D3 group and 1 month in the fire needle group. VAS score, the range of motion (ROM) and urine fluoride value were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, VAS value and ROM were improved significantly in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05), the difference was not significant in comparison of the three groups (all P > 0.05). After treatment, the urine fluoride value was increased significantly in the fire needle group [(7.89 +/- 3.61) mg/L vs (9.81 +/- 4.17) mg/L, P < 0.01] and was increased in the electroacupuncture group [(7.53 +/- 3.46) mg/L vs (8.97 +/- 4.21) mg/L, P < 0.05]. The difference was not significant in comparison before and after treatment in the calcium carbonate D3 group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3 all have the clinical value in the prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis and the difference in the therapeutic effect has not been discovered among them yet at present. But it has been found that the fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture display the active significance in the promotion of urine fluoride excretion.</p>

Discussion on the complementation of different effects of acupuncture and Chinese drugs and clinical application / 中国针灸

Complementation of different effects of acupuncture and Chinese drugs generalizes not only the objective interrelations between acupuncture and Chinese drugs with varied actions when the two therapies are applied simultaneously but also the clinical therapeutic efficacy produced either by acupuncture or Chinese drugs singly. This view of complementation has been promoted on the basis of the understanding of the mechanism and efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese drugs as well as their interrelations concerning the different actions complementary most appropriately to one another in treatment of diseases. The presented view will be of theoretical value in working out the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture and Chinese drugs applied at the same time and help the clinical doctors understand further the properties of actions of acupuncture and Chinese drugs so as to strengthen more specifically the integration of acupuncture with Chinese drugs and improve the clinical therapeutic effect.

Study on the impacts of different time of moxibustion on regulating lipid effects of hyperlipidemia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts of different time of moxibustion on its regulating lipid effects and safety of hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six cases of hyperlipidemia patients were randomly divided into three groups: including moxibustion 10 min group (group A, 25 cases), moxibustion 20 min group (group B, 25 cases) and moxibustion 30 min group (group C, 26 cases). All of these three groups choose the same acupoints, Shenque (CV 8),Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected. These three groups were treated with moxibustion for 10 min, 20 min and 30 min, respectively, three times a week, 12 times constituted one course, two courses were required for each group. All indices of blood lipid and fasting blood glucose were observed before and after treatment, and the preliminary evaluation was made on the safety of hepatic and renal function.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and blood sugar after moxibustion treatment (all P<0.001), there was no significant difference of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) before and after treatment (P>0.05). The group C played more prominent role than group A in regulating the TC (P<0.01) and LDL-C (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between group C and group B (P>0.05). The blood urea nitrogen(BUN) was significantly reduced after moxibustion treatment (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences of other safety indices before and after treatment (all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion can effectively and safely reduce the blood lipid level of hyperlipidemia patients, the decreasing degree of lipid is different with different time of moxibustion after treatment, and the decreasing degree in moxibustion 30 min group is significantly better than that in moxibustion 10 min group.</p>

Impacts on biomechanics of senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern treated with acupuncture and Tuina therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism on senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern in the prevention and treatment with acupuncture and Tuina therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four cases were randomized into an acupuncture and Tuina therapy group (group A, 34 cases) and a calcium carbonate group (group B, 30 cases). In group A, the patients were treated with acupuncture at the distal acupoints and Tuina therapy in the local area. Acupuncture was applied to bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) and Taixi (KI 3). Tuina therapy was given in the lumbar region. Totally 30 treatments were required. In group B, the Calcium Carbonate D3 were prescribed for oral administration, continuously for 12 weeks. The changes in lumbar curvature, lumbar lordosis index, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, L5 vertebral index and L3 vertebral index of lumbar biomechanical indices were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group A, the lumbar lordosis index and sacral inclination angle were increased after treatment, indicating the statistical significant differences before and after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The improvement of lumbar lordosis index in group A was superior to that in group B [(19.59 +/- 19.16)mm vs (14.47 +/- 13.28)mm, P < 0.05]. After treatment, in group B, L5 vertebral index was improved as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). It was required to have a study on the reasons of its lumbar morphological change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupuncture and Tuina therapy regulate the lumbar biomechanical structure through the positive stress stimulation and reconstruct the mechanical equilibrium of the lumbar vertebra. It plays the active significance in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.</p>

Professor Qiu Mao-Liang's theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of digestive system / 中国针灸

Professor QIU Mao-Iiang is a famous Chinese physician of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in modern time and is one of representative figure of Chengijang acupuncture schools. The theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of disgestive system is established according to pathogenesis. He holds that acupuncture is favorable in removing the stagnated liver qi, reinforcing the functions of the spleen and the stomach in treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer. For problems due to spleen deficiency, reinforcing method should be given to the main points, Back-shu points and Yuan-primary points, while reducing method should be given to Front-mu points. Deficiency type of chronic gastritis is much more seen than excessive type. Therefore, the treating principle of acupuncture shoujd be tonifying the spleen and dispeling the cold. Removing the liver qi and regulating qi circulation can be applied in phases. And for special cases, method of tonifying the stomach yin should be used. For gastroptosis, reinforcing qi in the middle jiao should be applied generally. For those with qi stagnation, qi in middle jiao should be regulated. For retention of food and dampness, treatment should focus on removing phlegm and dampness. And the following points can be selected to lift the stomach by long needle, Juque (CV 14), Liangmen (ST 21) and the acupoints around stomach. For treatment of diarrhea, toward the three pathological factors of dampness, heat and cold, treatment of removing dampness, clearing heat and dispelling cold, especially the first one should be applied, and others are selected by differentiation of syndromes. And for gallstone, treating principle should be established according to the theory of qi stagnation, disharmony between the gallbladder and the sto-mach as well as obstruction by substantial pathogens. And regulation of qi, relieving pain, regulating the functions of the gallbladder and the stomach should be applied so as to removing calculus. Professor QIU Mao-Iiang 's theory of "three benefits" of acupuncture for diseases of digestive system is formed on the analysis of the primary and secondary pathologies, the degree of symptoms, progress of the diseases, characteristics of the acupuncture techniques and aims of the treatment. Thus, his theory has great significance in the clinic.

Drinking-water type fluorosis treated with acupuncture of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts of acupuncture of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen on the excretion of urinary fluoride and pain of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The randomized controlled and single-blind trial was adopted. Seventy-two cases were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. , three treatments a week. In the control group, the Calcium Carbonate D3 tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months. The changes of the content of urinary fluoride and pain score (by VAS) before and after treatment between two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The urinary fluoride excretion was increased obviously after treatment in the observation group (P < 0.01), which was superior apparently to that in the control group [(11.06 +/- 4.54) mg/L vs. (8.30 +/- 4.14) mg/L, P < 0.05]. After treatment, VAS score was reduced significantly in either group (both P < 0.01). The result in the observation group was lower remarkably than that in the control group (1.93 +/- 1.30 vs. 3.47 +/- 2.29, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture achieves the significant efficacy on the promotion of urinary fluoride excretion and pain relieving of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis in light of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen, which is superior to the oral administration of the calcium carbonate D3 tablets.</p>

Analysis of the nominations of acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity / 中国针灸

The definition of intangible cultural heritage and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is discussed. Nominations of elements should be prepared in accordence with the Guidelines provided in each section. The explaination methods and the determining process of the Nominations for Acupuncture and Moxibustion on the Representative List are analyzed, such as the name of the element, characteristics, identification and definition, value and safeguarding measures, photos and video of the element. The Nominations should be prepared according to the Convention and Guidelines closedly and focus on discussing the cultural, the content, the communities and individuals, safeguarding measures of element.

Study on the best solution of immediate analgesia of acupuncture for migraine / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To select the best solution of immediate analgesia of migraine treated with acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Taken 36 cases of migraine in attack stage as research objects, by means of orthogonal experimental design, applying the L9 (3(4)) orthogonal table, the therapeutic effect of immediate analgesia of acupuncture for migraine in attack stage was analyzed in four factors, which were effective acupoints combination, electroacupuncture therapy, auricular therapy and bloodletting therapy, and three levels of each factors. In the test procession, random approaches (stratified random and central random) and blinding experiment (the appraiser blind) were used. The time points of observation were before treatment, and 10, 20 minutes after treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparing with the headache before treatment, at the time points of 10 and 20 minutes after treatment, the best solution for headache relief was needling therapy (local and distal points and points selection according to the differentiation), auricular electroacupuncture therapy and bloodletting at Taiyang Zimai (Extra) or Taiyang (EX-HN 5)and Ashi points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the attack stage of migraine, by the therapy combined with puncture on local and distal points and the points according to the differentiation, auricular electroacupuncture and bloodletting at Taiyang Zimai or Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Ashi points, the favorable effects of immediate analgesia are received.</p>

Compilation characteristics and clinical applications of Guideline for Clinical Practice of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Migraine / 中国针灸

Refering to the oversea evidence-based guidelines for migraine, the authors analyze the compilation characteristics of Guideline for Clinical Practice of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Migraine (WHO WPR) (herein after referred to as "Guideline"), and briefly explain the range of application, clinical value and attentions of the Guideline. The methodological characteristics of the Guideline are stated from four aspects: general conditions of the included literature, evaluation standard for literature quality, classification standard for evidence level, and classification standard of recommendation. The characteristics of recommended protocol of the Guideline are stated from three aspects: universality, classification method and content.

Randomized controlled study on influence of acupuncture for life quality of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effects of acupuncture on quality of life of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized, controlled and single-blinded study method was used, 70 cases were divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.; the control group was treated with acupuncture at non-meridian points (2 cm to the acupoints), thrice a week. The treatment was given for 14 times. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale was used to evaluate the patients' quality of life before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The physiological field, individuals own perception of his health condition and total score were significantly improved after treatment in the observation group (all P<0.05); there were no obvious changes in the psychology, social relationships, environment and subjective feelings about the quality of life (all P>0.05). The score of the environmental field in the control group was significantly decreased compared to that before treatment (P<0.05), and there were no significant changes in the other scores. There were no adverse effects in patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can improve the quality of life of CFS patients, especially in physiological field and the individual perception to his well being. Acupuncture has high safety, and the acupoints has high specific degree than non-meridian points.</p>

Editorial explanation on the state standard The Name and Location of Acupoints (2006, edition) / 中国针灸

To tie in with extension and application of The Name and Location of Acupoints (GB 12346-2006), the present paper introduces the difference between The Name and Location of Acupoints (GB 12346-2006) and Location of Points (GB 12346-90), and expounds the changes of standard name, body position and term of direction when locating the acupoint and stylistic rules, and introduces the revision of concrete contents which include setting of primary standard acupoints, regulation of bone-length measurement, regulation of the nomenclature of some meridians and meridian acupoints, the location of some meridian acupoints and regulation of some acupoints, some main problems which needed to be further studied are also explores.

Thinking about the conclusion of no difference between the acupuncture and sham-acupuncture in the clinically therapeutic effects on migraine abroad / 中国针灸

For the conclusion of "no difference between the acupuncture and sham-acupuncture in the clinically therapeutic effects on migraine abroad", by description of definition of sham-acupuncture (placebo acupuncture), the following principle needed by ideal placebo acupuncture, and definition, parts, functions and clinical effects of shallow needling, whether or not can shallow needling be used as the control method of sham-acupuncture in the clinical acupuncture study are explored, the results indicate that "the called sham-acupuncture (placebo acupuncture)" control method, i.e., "needling acupoints or non-acupoints on the superficial lay of skin with minimal stimulating amount" is very possibly activates the regulative action of the whole body through "superficially needling the skin part", to exert the therapeutic action. Therefore, this control method is not a proper control method of placebo acupuncture, and can not be used as the control method for sham-acupuncture (placebo acupuncture) in clinical acupuncture studies. Thus, the conclusion of "no difference between the acupuncture and sham-acupuncture in the clinically therapeutic effects" made by this placebo acupuncture control method naturally may be overturned.

Advances of clinical study on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of cancer pain / 中国针灸

Cancer pain is one of the commonly-seen main clinical symptoms for the terminal cancer patient, and severely influences quality of life of the patient, which needs to be solved urgently. Application of analgesics is limited by its addiction and side effects. Acupuncture as one of TCM therapies with advantages of safety, effectiveness and no side effect is playing an important role in treatment of cancer pain. This article reviews recent 10 years' acupuncture and moxibustion methods for treatment of cancer pain, so as to better guide acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of cancer pain and provide necessary research data for future studies.

Observation on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at pain points on cancer pain / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a safe and effective method for alleviating cancer pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six cases of late cancer with pain were first divided into 3 different degrees of pain, mild, moderate and severe, and then the patients with pain of each same degree were randomly divided into an acupuncture group treated by acupuncture at 3-5 of the most severe tender points, and a medication group treated with oral administration according to the WHO Three Step Administration Principle, i.e. the patients with mild pain took aspirin, moderate pain took codeine and severe pain took morphine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both two methods could effectively control cancer pain. The total effective rate of 94.1% in the acupuncture group was significantly better than 87.5% in the medication group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The analgesic effect of acupuncture treatment is better than that of the Three Step Administration, with no adverse effect and addiction of analgesics.</p>

Contribution of Prof. QIU Mao-liang to acupuncture-moxibustion science / 中国针灸

Prof. QIU Mao-ling was a famous TCM acup-moxibustion scientist in our country in modern time. He wrote books and set forth theories with hard working; He worked hard all his life in education of acup-moxibustion; He worked his heart out in construction of the subject; He opened up and innovated in clinical studies. He bent oneself to the task and exerts oneself to the utmost, and made a great distribution for development of the TCM acup-moxibustion cause.

On the important role of Siguan points in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the role of Siguan points in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on diagnosis, pathogenesis and etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome in TCM, the role of Siguan points in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome were induced by means of relative literatures of Siguan points in recent 10 years from 3 aspects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Siguan as main points has a better therapeutic effect on chronic fatigue syndrome.</p>

On functional area of Back-shu based on relationship between Back-shu points and Jiaji points / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prove the existence of functional area of Back-shu and provide a new thinking for clinical practice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The consistency between the Back-shu points and Jiaji points at the same level of spinal column was discussed from the origin and development, mechanisms and clinical application of Back-shu and Jiaji points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The points at the same level of spinal column has same origin of development, mechanisms and clinical functions, so as to prove the existence of functional area of Back-shu.</p>