Effectiveness of Acupoint Application in Patients with Pharyngeal Pain: Evidence from CHUNBO, A Prospective Real-World Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the outcomes after acupoint application in patients with pharyngeal pain in a real-world settings, and analyze the characteristics of effective population and prescription characteristics of acupoint application.@*METHODS@#Based on CHUNBO platform, patients with pharyngeal pain who were candidates for acupoint application on the basis of physician-evaluation, were enrolled in a nationwide, prospective, 69-week multicenter observational study from August 2020 to February 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the confounding factors and the association rules were used to analyze the characteristics of effective population and prescription characteristics of acupoint application. Outcome assessments included the disappearance rate of pharyngeal pain (within 3, 7, and 14 days), disappearance time of pharyngeal pain, as well as adverse events.@*RESULTS@#Of 7,699 enrolled participants, 6,693 (86.9%) received acupoint application and 1,450 (21.7%) with non-acupoint application. After PSM, there were 1,004 patients each in the application group (AG) and non-application group (NAG). The disappearance rate of pharyngeal pain in the AG at 3, 7, and 14 days were all higher than those in the NAG (P<0.05). The disappearance time of pharyngeal pain in the AG were shorter than that in the NAG (logrank P<0.001, hazard ratio=1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.41-1.63). The median age of effective cases was 4 years, mainly 3-6 years old (40.21%). The disappearance rate of pharyngeal pain in the application group with tonsil diseases was 2.19 times higher than that in the NAG (P<0.05). The commonly used acupoints for the effective cases were Tiantu (RN 22), Shenque (RN 8) and Dazhui (DU 14). The commonly used herbs for the effective cases were Natrii sulfas, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, and Herba Ephedrae. Among them, Natrii sulfas was applied to RN 8 most frequently (support 84.39%). A total of 1,324 (17.2%) patients experienced AEs, and mainly occurred in the AG, with significant difference in the incidence of AEs between goups (P<0.05). All AEs reported were the first grade, and the average regression days of AEs was 2.8 days.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupoint application in patients with pharyngeal pain resulted in improved effective rate and shortened duration, especially children aged 3-6 years old, and those with tonsil diseases. Acupoint of RN 22, RN 8 and DU 14, Natrii sulfas, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, and Herba Ephedrae were the most commonly used herbs in the treatment of pharyngeal pain.

Investigation on "Fengshi (GB 31) for treating wind disorders" / 中国针灸

From the perspective of academic history, the paper reviews systematically the background and evolution of the understanding of "Fengshi (GB 31) for treating wind disorders". In the ancient literature, there are no direct relevant statement for the indication of Fengshi (GB 31) associated with "wind", and the consensus on "Fengshi for treating wind disorders" has not been made yet. Under the influence of acupoint theory in recent era and the syndrome differentiation for acupuncture treatment in modern time, this statement becomes a conventional understanding and acceptable gradually. Meanwhile, the understanding for Fengshi (GB 31) treating wind disorders tends to be generalized. Practically, Fengshi (GB 31) is applicable for the various disorders in the local and adjacent areas. It is necessary for modern acupuncture researchers to systematically collate, investigate and identify the knowledge content with a sense of familiarity so that the contemporary inheritance, development and application of traditional theoretical knowledge of acupuncture can be enhanced.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on the postoperative sleep quality and inflammatory factors in frail elderly patients / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of transcutaneous acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on sleep quality and inflammatory factor in frail elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.@*METHODS@#A total of 100 frail elderly patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. Patients in the observation group received TEAS, 30 min before surgery until the end of surgery, at 18:00 on the day of surgery and on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after surgery (30 min each time). TEAS was delivered at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7) and Hegu (LI 4). The disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz was selected, and the maximal stimulation intensity depended on patient's tolerance. The operation procedure in the control group was same as the observation group, but without electric stimulation exerted. The 1st day before surgery and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after surgery, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS), as well as the serum levels of C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in the patients of two groups. At 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery, the score of pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was recorded in the two groups, as well as the pressing times of analgesic pump and the usage of flurbiprofen axetil during analgesic stage. The occurrence of post operative adverse reactions was observed in the patients of two groups.@*RESULTS@#On the 1st and 3rd day after surgery, except the usage of hypnotic drug scores, the scores of each item and the total scores of PSQI, as well as AIS scores were all increased in the two groups compared with those of 1 day before surgery (P<0.05); and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). On the 7th day after surgery, the scores of each item and the total scores of PSQI, and AIS scores were not different statistically in comparison between the two groups (P>0.05). On the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after surgery, serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were all increased in the patients of two groups when compared with those of 1 day before surgery (P<0.05), serum levels CRP and IL-6 in the patients of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The VAS scores of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery, the pressing times of analgesic pump, the frequency and dosage of the remedies were not different statistically between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEAS can effectively improve sleep quality and reduce inflammatory reaction in frail elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Acupoint selection rules of acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke epilepsy based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke epilepsy by data mining technology.@*METHODS@#The literature regarding acupuncture and moxibustion for post-stroke epilepsy included in CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed and PubMed databases from the establishment of the database to August 1st 2022 was retrieved. Microsoft Excel 2019 software was used to establish a database to conduct the descriptive analysis of acupoints; SPSS Modeler 18.0 Apriori algorithm was used to conduct association rule analysis; high-frequency acupoint co-occurrence network diagrams were drawn by Cytoscape3.9.0 software; SPSS Statistics 25.0 software was used to perform hierarchical cluster analysis on high-frequency acupoints and a tree diagram was drawn.@*RESULTS@#Totally 39 articles were included, and 63 prescriptions of acupuncture and moxibustion were extracted, involving 56 acupoints, with a total frequency of 516 times; the top three acupoints with the highest frequency of use were Baihui (GV 20), Fenglong (ST 40) and Neiguan (PC 6); the selected meridians were mainly the governor vessel, the hand and foot yangming meridians; the selection of acupoints were mostly in the head, neck and lower limbs; in terms of acupoint compatibility, Hegu (LI 4)-Shuigou (GV 26) and Neiguan (PC 6) had the highest confidence degree; The top 20 high-frequency acupoints could be divided into 4 effective clusters.@*CONCLUSION@#Modern acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for post-stroke epilepsy attaches great importance to the use of yang meridians and meridians with enrich qi and blood; the core prescription is Shuigou (GV 26)-Neiguan (PC 6)-Hegu (LI 4)-Baihui (GV 20). In addition, the combination of distant and near acupoints is highly valued to improve clinical efficacy.

Application of meridian and acupoint diagnosis of three yin meridians of foot in the treatment for gynecological diseases with acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

With three representative types of gynecological diseases (dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, polycystic ovary syndrome) as examples, the application methods of meridian and acupoint diagnosis for gynecological diseases treated with acupuncture and moxibustion are discussed. During clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended to examine the patient's leg segment along the three yin meridians of foot, aiming to explore the positive reactions of the meridians and acupoints (color, shape, skin temperature, sensory abnormalities, etc.). Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment at this positive reaction place can improve the clinical efficacy. Meridian and acupoint diagnosis could provide basis for meridian syndrome differentiation, thus guiding the selection of acupoint prescriptions; it is also helpful to clarify the deficiency, excess, cold and heat of the disease nature, thus guiding the selection of acupuncture and moxibustion methods. In addition, it is an auxiliary method to estimate the prognosis and outcome of the disease.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation based on electro-oculogram signal regulation for children with mental retardation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Changqiang (GV 1) based on the modulation of electro-oculogram (EOG) signal for children with mental retardation, and explore the evaluation effect of the goal attainment scale (GAS) in children with mental retardation.@*METHODS@#Sixty children with mental retardation were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The children in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation, 5 times a week. On the basis of the control group, TEAS at Changqiang (GV 1) under the modulation of EOG signal was adopted in the treatment group. When the similarity between the collected EOG signal and the template was within the range of EOG threshold, one electric stimulation was triggered at Changqiang (GV 1) for 20 s (continuous wave, 70-100 Hz in frequency, 0.1-0.2 ms in pulse width), lasting 30 min in each treatment, the intervention was given twice a week. One course of treatment was composed of 4 weeks, and 3 courses were required in total in the two groups. The infant-junior high school student's social living ability scale (S-M) and GAS were scored and compared before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of self-living ability in the treatment group and communication ability in the control group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The scores of collective activity and motor ability in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, GAS scores were higher than before treatment in both groups (P<0.001), and the score in the treatment group was higher than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEAS under the modulation of EOG signal is conductive to improving the collective, motor and self-living abilities of the children with mental retardation and promoting children's individual goals. Compared with the standard score of S-M, the T value of GAS can better reflect the subtle progress of individual.

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion for aphasia based on data mining / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the rules of acupoint selection for aphasia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion using data mining technology.@*METHODS@#From January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2022, the articles for clinical researches of acupuncture and moxibustion for aphasia published in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase were searched. Using Microsoft Excel 2021, the database was set up to analyze the use frequency of acupoint, meridian tropism, acupoint distribution and the use of specific points. SPSS26.0 was adopted for factor analysis, SPSS Modeler 18.0 was for association rule analysis of prescriptions, and Gephi 0.9.5 was to plot the co-occurrence network diagrams of acupoints and meridians.@*RESULTS@#A total of 140 articles were collated, including 146 acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions and 189 acupoints. The total use frequency of these acupoints was 1 211. Lianquan (CV 23), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Baihui (GV 20) and Yamen (GV 15) were the top 5 acupoints of the high use frequency for aphasia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Among 189 acupoints collected, the extra points and empirical points were mostly selected. The top 3 involved meridians were the governor vessel, the gallbladder meridian of foot-shaoyang and the conception vessel. These acupoints were mostly distributed on the head, face and neck region. The use frequency of five-shu points was the highest among the specific points. The acupoint combinations of high frequency referred to Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Lianquan (CV 23)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12), and Fengchi (GB 20)-Yuye (EX-HN 13)-Jinjin (EX-HN 12). Factor analysis extracted 10 common factors for acupoint compatibility in treatment of aphasia with acupuncture and moxibustion.@*CONCLUSION@#In clinical treatment of aphasia with acupuncture and moxibustion, the local acupoints are preferred. The core acupoints include Lianquan (CV 23), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), Baihui (GV 20) and Yamen (GV 15). The acupoint prescription is modified flexibly according to syndrome differentiation to enhance the therapeutic effect.

The specificity of body surface temperature of relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma based on infrared thermal imaging technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma by infrared thermal imaging technology, and observe the specific changes of the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points under the condition of lung disease.@*METHODS@#Forty-five patients with chronic persistent asthma (observation group) and 45 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were measured by BK-MT02A medical infrared thermography.@*RESULTS@#The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17) was higher than that of ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in body surface temperature between ipsilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), between ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The pathological increase of body surface temperature of Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in patients with chronic persistent asthma indicates that above acupoints have specificity in reflecting lung diseases. The Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), which have significantly increased body surface temperature, not only provide objective basis for the pathological pathogenesis of "deficiency in origin and excess in symptom" in patients with chronic persistent asthma, but also reflect the different expressions of different acupoints on the same meridian for the lung diseases.

PK/PD model of Chuanxiong gel plaster in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis / 中国中药杂志

In this experiment, the PK/PD fitting model of Chuanxiong(Chuanxiong Rhizoma) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was established in the form of acupoint combined with external application gel paste. Firstly, the rheumatoid arthritis model was induced by ovalbumin, and the articular fluid of rabbits was extracted by microdialysis. The pharmacokinetic process of Chuanxiong in rabbit articular fluid was analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS, and the pharmacokinetic model was established. The pharmacodynamic effects of Chuanxiong on inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The pharmacodynamic model was established, and the PK/PD model was obtained by fitting the data of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The results of pharmacokinetics showed that the concentration of ligustrolide A in the articular cavity by drug administration on classical acupoint Zusanli(ST 36) was higher than that by Yanglingquan(GB 34), which reflected the advantage of typical acupoint, while ligustrazine concentration was higher after administration through Yanglingquan than through Zusanli, which was different from the traditional acupoint theory. The results of pharmacodynamics showed that the drug had lag effect. The PK/PD model was constructed by fitting the data. When IL-1β was taken as the efficacy index, the PK/PD models of Chuanxiong in typical acupoint Zusanli group, atypical acupoint Yanglingquan group, and non-acupoint group were E=115.28C_e/(3 316.72+C_e), E=108.73C_e/(2 993.47+C_e), and E=101.34C_e/(3 028.51+C_e). When TNF-α was taken as the efficacy index, the PK/PD models of Chuanxiong in typical acupoint Zusanli group, atypical acupoint Yanglingquan group, and non-acupoint group were E=68.31C_e/(3 285.16+C_e), E=59.27C_e/(2 919.86+C_e), and E=53.61C_e/(2 862.87+C_e). When IL-6 was taken as the efficacy index, the PK/PD models of Chuanxiong in typical acupoint Zusanli group, atypical acupoint Yanglingquan group, and non-acupoint group were E=59.92C_e/(3 461.17+C_e), E=58.34C_e/(2 723.51+C_e), and E=49.17C_e/(2 862.76+C_e). The parameters showed that there were significant differences in E_(max), EC_(e50) and k_(eo). The analysis of data found that the PK/PD fitting effect of Zusanli, a typical acupoint, was the best, which proved that it was still the best site for drug administration. To sum up, it shows that there may be bidirectional selectivity between drugs and acupoints.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation with midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection on postoperative delirium in patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation with midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection on postoperative delirium (POD) in the patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer.Methods:A total of 93 patients of either sex, aged ≥18 yr, with body mass index <30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱor Ⅲ, scheduled for elective radical resection of colorectal cancer under general anesthesia, were divided into 3 groups ( n=31 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), common TEAS group (group CT), and midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection TEAS group (group MT). The patients received TEAS at bilateral Hegu, Quchi and Shousanli acupoints at 6: 00 in group MT and at 18: 00 in group CT on the day of operation and 1-3 days after surgery, with a frequency of 2/100 Hz, disperse-dense waves, intensity the maximum current that could be tolerated, and each TEAS lasted for 30 min. In group C, only the electrodes were pasted at the same acupoints without electric current at 6: 00 am. The POD was evaluated by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) at 1, 3 and 5 days after operation (T 1-3). Blood samples were collected for determination of serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations at 1 day before operation and at T 1. The time to first flatus and defection and adverse reactions after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the CAM scores at each time point and incidence of POD were significantly decreased, the concentrations of IL-1β, TNF-a and IL-6 in serum were decreased at T 1, the time to the first flatus and defecation was shortened, and the incidence of abdominal distension after surgery was decreased in MT and CT groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group CT, the CAM scores at T 3 and incidence of POD were significantly decreased, the concentrations of TNF-a and IL-6 at T 1 were decreased, and the time to first defecation after operation was shortened in group MT ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TEAS guided by midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection provides better efficacy than common TEAS in decreasing the risk of POD in the patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer, which is helpful for the early postoperative recovery of patients.

The effect of electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoint Zusanli on the model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To explore whether the electroacupunture stimulation (ES) at acupoint Zusanli (ST36) can inhibit the bone loss caused by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infection and its mechanism in a model of SA osteomyelitis.Methods:Twelve male C57 BL/6 mice aged 10 to 12 weeks were randomly divided into 2 even groups ( n=6) for SA infection + ES or SA infection only. After ES at ST36 was conducted for 4 weeks in the model of SA osteomyelitis, samples were harvested from the femora and tibiae. Micro-CT reconstruction was performed to detect trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), connectivity density (Conn.Dn) to analyze changes in bone mass. Leptin receptor (LEPR) staining was performed to detect osteoblasts. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to detect the changes in osteoclasts. The changes in plasma inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Micro-CT results showed that the BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and Conn.Dn in the cancellous bone in the target areas in the SA + ES group were all higher than those in the SA group, LEPR immunofluorescence results indicated that the number of osteogenic precursor cells in the ES group was larger than that in the SA group, and serum ELISA indicated a decrease in inflammatory factors in the blood in the SA+ES group compared with the SA group. There were significant differences in the comparisons above ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of osteoclasts on the surface of trabecular bone between the 2 groups in TRAP staining. Conclusion:ES may slow down infectious bone destruction by inhibiting the inflammatory response induced by SA infection and by inducing aggregation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into trabecular bone.

Effect of acupoint stimulation assisted anesthetics on the agitation during recovery and the levels of serum opioids and amyloid A in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of acupoint stimulation assisted anesthesia on the agitation during recovery and the levels of serum opioids (Opiorphin) and amyloid A (SAA) in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery.Methods:Eighty-six older patients who underwent hip fracture surgery in Shaoxing Second Hospital from February 2020 to September 2021 were randomly divided into the routine group and the research group, each with 43 patients. They were given acupoint sham stimulation and acupoint stimulation respectively, and the general indexes of the two groups, recovery quality, cognitive function and changes in serum Opiorphin and SAA levels were compared.Results:There were no differences in operation time, anesthesia time, recovery time and intraoperative blood transfusion between the two groups ( P>0.05). The dosage of remifentanil in the research group was significantly lower than that in the routine group: (270.64 ± 17.62) μg vs. (291.82 ± 23.34) μg, P<0.05. The incidence of agitation during the recovery period in the research group was significantly lower than that in the routine group: 13.95% (6/43) vs. 48.84% (21/43), P<0.05. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores in the research group at 12, 24 and 48 h after operation were significantly higher than those in the routine group: (22.80 ± 2.04) scores vs. (19.31 ± 3.61) scores, (24.92 ± 2.44) scores vs. (21.49 ± 3.58) scores, (26.73 ± 2.57) scores vs. (24.23 ± 3.95) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The serum Opiorphin level at 24 h after operation in the research group was higher than that in the routine group: (32.74 ± 8.57) mg/L vs. (25.40 ± 6.36) mg/L; and the SAA level was lower than that in the routine group: (157.36 ± 10.24) mg/L vs. (204.37 ± 15.56) mg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Acupoint stimulation adjuvant anesthesia can reduce the occurrence of agitation during the recovery period of elderly patients with hip fracture, reduce the dosage of anesthetics, reduce postoperative cognitive impairment, regulate serum Opiorphin and SAA levels, and help early postoperative recovery.

Evaluation of the effect of Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with Elemene injection on lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To study the effect of Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with elemene injection on the psychological state, the degree of cancer-related fatigue, and the quality of life of lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion.Methods:According to the clinical controlled trial, a total of 100 patients with malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Ⅱ and Vascular Surgery of Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from April 2019 to December 2021 were convenient selected and divided into control group and experimental group with 50 cases in each group by random number table method. The control group received intrapleural perfusion therapy with elemene injection, and the experimental group was treated with Zhushui plaster on the basis of the control group. The psychological state, cancer-induced fatigue and quality of life of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups before intervention (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in psychological status, cancer-induced fatigue and the quality of life before intervention between the two groups (all P>0.05). After the intervention, the anxious and depressed scores of the patients in the experimental group were (64.12 ± 3.24) and (60.38 ± 3.00), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group, (66.00 ± 3.69) and (62.10 ± 3.30), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.72, 2.73, both P<0.05). The scores of perceived fatigue, emotional fatigue, cognitive fatigue and behavioral fatigue in the experimental group were (5.66 ± 0.59), (5.26 ± 0.75), (4.00 ± 0.93) and (5.08 ± 0.80), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group, (5.98 ± 0.74), (5.70 ± 1.09), (4.42 ± 1.07) and (5.52 ± 1.00), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.10-2.46, all P<0.05); in addition, the dimensions and total scores of the quality of life in the experimental group were (50.54 ± 5.09), (52.49 ± 4.46), (50.40 ± 4.40), (48.96 ± 3.32) and (202.38 ± 15.42), respectively, which were higher than those in the control group, (47.82 ± 6.69), (49.40 ± 6.28), (47.24 ± 4.70), (46.56 ± 4.13) and (191.00 ± 15.79) respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were -3.65--2.29, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with elemene injection can not only effectively control the negative psychological state of lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion and reduce the degree of cancer-related fatigue, but also improve their quality of life.

Study on acupoint selection law of acupuncture for autism spectrum disorder based on data mining / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze the acupoint selection law of acupuncture for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using data mining techniques.Methods:Literature related to acupuncture for ASD was retrieved from the CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, Wanfang, and PubMed databases from the establishment of the databases to April 1, 2022, and then a database of acupuncture prescriptions was established. The frequency analysis of acupoint use was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019; the Apriori algorithm was used to analyze the association law of acupoints/acupoint areas; SPSS 26.0 was used to perform intergroup cluster analysis.Results:A total of 97 relevant articles with 97 acupuncture prescriptions and 98 acupoints/acupoint areas were included. The most frequently used acupoint was Shenmen (HT 7). The acupoint area of Jin's three-needle therapy and the Governor Vessel acupoints are commonly used. The most frequently occurring part of the acupoint/acupoint area was the head, and the most commonly used specific acupoint was the rendezvous acupoint. Association rule analysis yielded 40 groups of acupoints/acupoint areas, and the most commonly used combination was Laogong (PC 8) and Shenmen (HT 7). Four categories were extracted among high-frequency acupoints/acupoint areas by cluster analysis.Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment for ASD mainly selects the head acupoints, mainly selecting the acupoint area of Jin's three-needle therapy and the Governor Vessel acupoints, and paying attention to the use of specific acupoints.

Clinical observation of Xiaozhang Paster in the treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical observation of Xiaozhang Plaster for external use in the treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. From January 2019 to January 2022, 128 patients with postprandial discomfort syndrome of functional dyspepsia of qi stagnation type in our hospital were selected and divided into two groups by random number table, with 64 cases in each group. Both groups were orally treated with mosapride citrate tablets. On this basis, the treatment group was combined with external use of Xiaozhang Plaster, and the control group was combined with placebo patch. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score, symptom severity and attack frequency score were performed before and after treatment. The quality of life of the patients was assessed with SF-36 Short-form health survey-36 (SF-36), anxiety and depression were assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the growth hormone releasing peptide (Ghrelin), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) The levels of gastrin 17 (G-17), pepsinogen I (PG I) and pepsinogen Ⅱ (PG Ⅱ) levels were observed by ELISA, and clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 96.88% (62/64) in the treatment group and 81.25% (52/64) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=8.02, P<0.05). After treatment, the score and total score of epigastric distension, epigastric distension and pain, fullness of both flanks, loss of appetite in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=38.43, 32.39, 38.43, 32.87, 33.74, P<0.01), the score of symptom severity and attack frequency were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=61.42, 33.46, P<0.01), and the score of SF-36 was significantly higher than that in the control group ( t=8.26, P<0.01); The score of HADS was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=38.06, P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of CGRP and G-17 in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 6.22, 29.51, P<0.01), the level of Ghrelin, and the levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=23.85, 13.26, 19.53, P<0.01). Conclusion:On the basis of basic drug treatment, the application of Xiaozhang Plaster for external use to intervene patients with postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia can improve the quality of life, gastrointestinal hormones, anxiety and depression symptoms, and the effect is remarkable.

Effect of acupoint application combined with supine intermittent angle traction on neck biological parameters in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of intermittent angle traction on the supine position combined with acupoint application on the changes of cervical radiculopathy related biological parameters.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 100 patients with radiculopathy cervical spondylosis treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2019 to February 2021 were selected and randomly divided into observation group ( n=50) and control group ( n=50). Patients in the control group were given conventional treatment with western medicine, and patients in the observation group were given acupoint application combined with supine intermittent angle traction combined with treatment. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Spinal Cord Function (JOA), Cervical Disability Index (NDI), Pain Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and the changes in intervertebral foramen volume of two groups were compared before and after treatment. The difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups after treatment was observed. We took a thin spiral CT film of the patient's cervical spine, established a three-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine, and compared the differences in related indicators between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the observation group and 70.0% (35/50) in the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=9.76, P=0.002). After treatment, the JOA score in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=6.23, P<0.01), the NDI score, VAS score were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 5.17,9.13, P<0.01), the intervertebral foraminal volume [(8.45±1.27)mm 3vs. (7.18±1.38)mm 3, t=4.79] was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and C 4-7 cervical vertebra flexion [(7.15±0.87)° vs.(5.64±0.78)°, t=9.14], retroflexion [(8.53±0.73)° vs. (7.15±0.68)°, t=9.78], sidebend [(6.57±0.71)° vs. (5.28±0.67)°, t=9.34], rotated [(7.89±0.52)° vs. (6.54±0.48)°, t=13.49] were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01); C 4-7 disc flexion [(1.41±0.09) kPa vs. (2.01±0.12) kPa, t=28.28], retroflexion [(1.54±0.07) kPa vs. (2.01±0.08) kPa, t=31.26], sidebend [(1.24±0.07) kPa vs. (1.89±0.13) kPa, t=31.13], rotated [(1.23±0.06)kPa vs. (1.85±0.11)kPa, t=34.99] were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The supine intermittent Angle traction combined with acupoint application in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy can relieve the neck pain, improve the neck function, restore the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, and promote the recovery of cervical biomechanics.

Clinical study of self-made Huatan Prescription combined with conventional western medicine therapy in the treatment of severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of external therapy with self-made Huatan Prescription combined with conventional western medicine therapy in the treatment of severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 114 patients with severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung in the hospital between July 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups by the random number table method, with 57 in each group. On the basis of conventional western medicine therapy, the treatment group was given external therapy of self-made Huatan Prescription, and the control group was given the placebo. Both groups were applied continuously for 5 days. The TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The disease severity was evaluated by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ). The levels of WBC and procalcitonin (PCT) were detected by automatic blood analyzer. The levels of serum CRP and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. The adverse reactions during treatment were recorded and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:After treatment, the total respinse rate was 92.98% (53/57) in treatment group and was 70.18% (40/57) in control group ( χ2=9.87, P=0.002). The scores of fever, unconsciousness, cough and expectoration, nausea and vomiting, tongue coating and pulse and total score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=8.95, 7.30, 6.93, 7.37, 12.02, 12.59, 14.29, P<0.01). SOFA (18.12±3.55 vs. 21.46±3.58, t=5.00) and APACHE Ⅱ (13.39±2.72 vs. 16.52±3.13, t=5.70) in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The levels of WBC [(11.12±1.61) ×10 9/L vs. (12.69±1.82) ×10 9/L, t=4.88], PCT [(3.72±0.81) μg/L vs. (5.19±0.92) μg/L, t=9.05], serum CRP [(62.09±11.41) mg/L vs. (91.77±15.54) mg/L, t=11.62] and IL-6 [(193.14±32.28) ng/L vs. (235.68±38.75) ng/L, t=6.37] in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During treatment, there were no obvious adverse reactions in both groups. Conclusion:Self-made Huatan Prescription external therapy combined with conventional western medicine therapy can improve the clinical symptoms, inhibit the inflammatory response, relieve the disease condition and improve the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung safely.

Rules of acupuncture points in the treatment of dysmenorrhea of endometriosis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To summarize the application rules of acupuncture and moxibustion in the clinical trials for dysmenorrhea and endometriosis.Methods:The relevant articles of clinical research on acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of dysmenorrhea in endometriosis were retrieved electronically from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and Cochrane Library (Retrieved from database establishment until 31 October 2021). The clinical literatures that met the inclusion criteria were included into the database (Microsoft Office Excel 2019), and the main table and sub-table were established through Microsoft Office Excel 2019. Descriptive statistic analysis was performed by using SPSS 26.0 software. StataSE15 (64-bit) software was used to analyze the correlation between the combinations of acupoints with single acupoint frequency>5.Results:A total of 40 clinical studies were included. Of them, the top 3 acupuncture methods according to the frequency were acupuncture (11 times), moxibustion (11 times), and electro-acupuncture (8 times), the top 3 acupuncture points used according to the frequency were Guan Yuan (34 times), San Yin Jiao (26 times), and Zhong Ji (25 times), the top 3 meridians of the body acupuncture points according to the frequency were Ren Meridian (36 times), Spleen Meridian (32 times), and Stomach Meridian (22 times). According to the correlation analysis, body points of Guan Yuan, San Yin Jiao, Uterus, Qi Hai and Zhong Ji were stronge related.Conclusion:Acupuncture can effectively treat EMT dysmenorrhea with less adverse reactions. The methods are mainly acupuncture, moxibustion and electroacupuncture, mostly local acupoints, intersection acupoints and empirical acupoints.

Acupoint selection rule of acupuncture therapy for relieving postoperative pain based on data mining / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze the rule of acupoint selection for acupuncture in relieving postoperative pain based on data mining technology.Methods:Articles about acupuncture for postoperative pain were retrieved from CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases from establishment to June 6, 2022. Excel 2019 and SPSS Modeler 18.0 software were used to establish acupoints database and conduct the data analysis.Results:Totally 308 articles were obtained, involving 317 acupuncture prescriptions and 173 acupoints. Acupoints of bladder meridian, stomach meridian, large intestine meridian and spleen meridian were used frequently. Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) were high-frequency acupoints with a frequency of ≥50 times. Five-shu acupoint was often selected in specific acupoints. The common sites for acupuncture to relieve postoperative pain were abdomen, perianal, lumbar back and knee. Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and other acupoints were commonly used for abdominal postoperative pain, and the most commonly used combination was "Zusanli (ST 36)-Neiguan (PC 6)"; Chengshan (BL 57), Changqiang (GV 1) and other acupoints were often used for perianal postoperative pain, and "Chengshan (BL 57)-Changqiang (GV 1)" was highly correlated combination; Shenshu (BL 23) and Huantiao (GB 30) were commonly used for postoperative pain in the lumbar and back region, and acupoints with high correlation were "Ashi acupoint-Huantiao (GB 30)" and "Shenshu (BL 23)-Huantiao (GB 30)"; Xuehai (SP10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were commonly used for postoperative pain of knee, and their compatibility had a high correlation.Conclusion:Acupuncture therapy for relieving postoperative pain often selects Yang meridians acupoints, and follows the principle of distal-proximal points combination and acupoint selection along meridians, and pays attention to the use of specific acupoints.

Effects of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of Traditional Chinese Medicine on inflammatory indicators and pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on inflammatory indicators and pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung.Methods:Prospective cohort study. Eighty AECOPD patients with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung, who met the inclusion criteria in our hospital from October 2020 to January 2022 were included, and randomized into two groups by random number table methods, 40 in each group. The control group received conventional therapy of Western medicine, while the treatment group received modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of TCM on the basic treatment of control group. Both groups were treated for a course of 14 days. The white blood count (WBC) and percentage of neutrophil (NE%) were detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pulmonary function parameters including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC were detected by spirometry. Meantime, the adverse reactions and clinical responsive rate were recorded in both groups.Results:The overall responsive rate was 90.0% (36/40) in treatment group, which had statistically significant difference with 70.0% (28/40) in control group (χ 2=5.00, P=0.025). After treatment, plasma WBC [(4.15±1.02)×10 9/L vs. (7.53±1.27)×10 9/L, t=13.12], NE% [(0.50±0.12)% vs. (0.65±0.13)%, t=5.36] and serum CRP [(8.12±5.58)mg/L vs. (25.15±8.50)mg/L, t=10.59] in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The FEV1 [(1.94±0.23)L vs. (1.71±0.35)L, t=3.47], FEV1% [(88.25±9.21)% vs. (74.10±8.13)%, t=7.29], FVC [(3.85±0.31)L vs. (3.12±0.23)L, t=12.29] and FEV1/FVC [(86.12±7.18)% vs. (75.30±8.32)%, t=6.23] in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate during treatment period yielded no significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Application of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of TCM in the treatment of AECOPD with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung can effectively attenuate inflammation response and ameliorate the pulmonary function.