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OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of cluster needling at the scalp points on the expression of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and choline cholinesterase (AchE).@*METHODS@#A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a medication group and a cluster needling group, 15 rats in each one. In the model group, the medication group and the cluster needling group, the models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were established by the orienteering injection with Aβ1-42 in the bilateral hippocampal CA1 in the rats. In the sham-operation group, the distilled water was injected in bilateral hippocampus of rats. In the medication group, the lavage with aricept was adopted for the basic treatment, once a day, for 4 weeks consecutively. In the cluster needling group, on the base of the treatment as the medication group, the cluster needling at the scalp points was adopted, once a day, 6 times a week, for 4 weeks totally. In the sham-operation group and the model group, the normal feeding was provided. After intervention, the learning and memory ability was measured with Morris water maze in the rats of each group. The changes in the hippocampal gross structure were observed with HE staining. The changes in the positive expressions of hippocampal ChAT and AchE were determined with the immunohistochemical method.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham-operation group, the escape latency was prolonged and the percentage of the second quadrant and the frequency of platform leaping were reduced in the rats of the model group (all 0.05) and the expression of AchE was reduced (<0.05) in the medication group; the expression of ChAT was increased (<0.05) and that of AchE decreased (<0.01) in the cluster needling group. Compared with the medication group, the expression of ChAT was increased and that of AchE decreased in the cluster needling group (both <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The effect mechanism of cluster needling at the scalp points on AD could be related to the up-regulation of ChAT expression and down-regulation of AchE expression in the hippocampus. The combined treatment with the cluster needling and aricept achieves the better therapeutic effect on AD.
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Animals , Rats , Alzheimer Disease , Choline O-Acetyltransferase , Hippocampus , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Rats, Wistar , ScalpABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of cluster needling at scalp acupoints plus paraffin therapy on motor function in cerebral palsy patients.Method Forty eligible patients with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized into a control group and an experimental group, 20 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by cluster needling with long-time retaining of the needles plus Uyeda's approach and conventional rehabilitation trainings specifically for spastic cerebral palsy; the experimental group was intervened by paraffin therapy in addition to the treatment given to the control group. The interventions were conducted once a day, for a total of 8 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were adopted to evaluate the motor function before and after the treatment.Result The GMFM-88 scores were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P0.05); there was a significant difference in comparing the MAS score between the two groups after the intervention (P<0.05).Conclusion On the basis of conventional rehabilitation trainings, cluster needling at scalp acupoints plus paraffin therapy can produce a significant efficacy in improving the muscular tension and motor function, and benefit the development of cerebral palsy patients.
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Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture plus rehabilitation on neurologic deficit and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein in cortex on the infarction side in rats with focal cerebral infarction, and to explore the action mechanism of acupuncture plus rehabilitation in promoting the recovery of impaired function in rats.Method Ninety healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into a model group, an acupuncture group, a rehabilitation group, an acupuncture-rehabilitation group, and a sham operation group, and the five groups were further divided into three subgroups, i.e. 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d subgroups, 6 rats in each subgroup. The modified Zea-Longa method was adopted to prepare the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) on theright side. Rats in the acupuncture group received simulant scalp-points cluster needling; the rehabilitation group was intervened by treadmill exercise; the acupuncture-rehabilitation group was intervened by scalp-points cluster needling plus treadmill exercise; the model group and sham operation group didn't receive any interventions. The modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) was adopted to evaluate the rat's neurologic deficit, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of VEGF protein in cortex on the infarction side.Result Neurologic deficit wasn't found in rats in the sham operation group. After 3-day treatment, the mNSSs in the acupuncture group, rehabilitation group, and acupuncture-rehabilitation group were insignificantly different from the score in the model group (P>0.05), while the differences were statistically significant respectively after 7-day and 14-day treatment (P0.05). After 3-day treatment, the expression of VEGF protein in each treatment group was insignificantly different from that in the model group (P>0.05), while the expression of VEGF protein in each treatment group was significantly higher than that in the model group respectively after 7-day and 14-day treatment (P0.05).Conclusion Scalp-points cluster needling and rehabilitation both can improve the neurologic function in rat models of focal cerebral infarction, and enhance the expression of VEGF protein in infarction cortex, and the integration of acupuncture and rehabilitation can achieve a better result; the action mechanism is possibly related to the high expression of VEGF which can better promote the reconstruction and regeneration of the vessels in cerebral infarction area.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling in treating essential tremor.Method Sixty patients with essential tremor were randomized into two groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at the bilateral dancing tremor control zone; the control group was intervened by acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone. The total effective rate and tremor score were observed after 30-day treatment, and the relapse rate was investigated 3 months after the intervention via telephone. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 73.3% in the control group (P<0.05); the tremor score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the end of the intervention (P<0.01); the 3-month telephone follow-up study showed that the relapse rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at bilateral dancing tremor control zone can produce a more notable efficacy in treating essential tremor compared to acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp cluster needling in treating essential tremor.Method Sixty patients with essential tremor were randomized into two groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at the bilateral dancing tremor control zone; the control group was intervened by acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone. The total effective rate and tremor score were observed after 30-day treatment, and the relapse rate was investigated 3 months after the intervention via telephone. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 73.3% in the control group (P<0.05); the tremor score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the end of the intervention (P<0.01); the 3-month telephone follow-up study showed that the relapse rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Scalp cluster needling plus acupuncture at bilateral dancing tremor control zone can produce a more notable efficacy in treating essential tremor compared to acupuncture at the dancing tremor control zone alone.
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Objective To explore the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with treadmill training on axonal regener-ation and expression of S-100 protein in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Methods Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in-to blank group, sham group, model group, treadmill group and cluster needling of scalp point combined with treadmill group (combination group), each group was further divided into 7, 14 and 21 days subgroups, with 6 rats in each subgroup. The sciatic nerve of rats was clamped in the model group, the treadmill group and the combination group. The sham group was subjected to the same surgical procedure with sciat-ic nerve exposure but without crush injury. Three days after modeling, the treadmill group was treated with treadmill training, and the combi-nation group was treated with cluster needling of scalp acupuncture and treadmill training, while the other groups were grabbed regularly, with no other intervention. The sciatic functional index (SFI) was tested, the condition of axon growth was observed with HE staining, and the expression of S-100 protein was examined with immunohistochemistry at each time point. Results At each time point, SFI was higher, the axon grew better, and the S-100 protein was higher expressed in the treadmill group and the combination group than in the model group (P<0.05), especially in the combination group (P<0.05). Conclusion Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with treadmill training can accelerate the regeneration of axons and increase the expression of S-100 protein and improve sciatic function after sciatic nerve injury.
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Objective To investigate the effect of cluster needling at scalp points plus gavage of modified Buyang Huanwu decoction on NSC differentiation in rats with ischemic stroke of qi deficiency and blood stasis type.Methods A model of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was made using healthy rats. Dil dye was given for pre-labelling after the success of model making. The rats were randomized into groups A, B, C, D, E and F. Group F consisted of 4 rats and each of the other groups, of 12 rats. A rat model of ischemic stroke of qi deficiency and blood stasis type was made by MCAO at 48 hrs after pre-labelling. After the success of model making, group A was the model group, group B was treated by cluster needling at scalp points, group C was treated by an oral gavage of Buyang Huanwu decoction, group D was treated by an oral gavage of modified Buyang Huanwu decoction, group E was treated by cluster needling at scalp points plus an oral gavage of modified Buyang Huanwu decoction and group F was the sham operation group. The rats were sacrificed at various time points respectively and the materials were taken. By nerve function assessment, double immunofluorescence staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy, a comparative study was conducted to investigate the effects of different treatments on NSC differentiation.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the nerve function score between group B, C, D, E or F and group A after one week of treatment (P<0.01), between group B or E and group A after two weeks of treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01) and between group E and group C or D after one and two weeks of treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). After one and two weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in Brdu﹢/NeuN﹢ cell count, Brdu﹢/GFAP﹢ cell count, Dil﹢/Brdu﹢NeuN﹢ cell count and Dil﹢/Brdu﹢/GFAP﹢ cell count between group B, C, D or E and group A (P<0.01), between group D or E and group B or C (P<0.01) and between groups E and D (P<0.01).Conclusions Various treatments have a promoting effect on nerve stem cell differentiation in the rats. Of various treatments, cluster needling at scalp points plus gavage of modified Buyang Huanwu decoction has the best therapeutic effect.
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Objective To compare the realtime effects of scalp cluster acupuncture versus nape cluster acupuncture on the cerebral blood flow in patients with vertigo due to cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCI). Methods Fifty-seven patients with vertigo due to CCI were randomized into a treatment group of 29 cases and a control group of 28 cases. The treatment group was intervened by scalp cluster acupuncture, while the control group was by nape cluster acupuncture. The systolic blood flow velocity (Vs), diastolic blood flow velocity (Vd), and mean blood flow velocity (Vm) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), basilar artery (BA), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), and vertebral artery (VA) were observed before and after intervention by Transcranial Doppler (TCD). Results After intervention, the Vs, Vd, and Vm of MCA, ICA, BA, PICA and VA were significantly changed in the treatment group (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). The blood velocities of MCA, ICA, VA, and PICA were significantly changed after intervention in the control group (P＜0.01). The Vs and Vm of BA were significantly changed in the control group after intervention (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in comparing the blood velocities of the observed arteries between the two groups after intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion Scalp cluster acupuncture and nape cluster acupuncture both can improve the Vs, Vd, and Vm of the low-velocity cerebral arteries.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of cluster needling at the anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal plus speech training in treating motor aphasia after cerebral infarction.Method Forty patients with motor aphasia after cerebral infarction were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 20 in each group. Both groups were given basic neurological treatment. In addition, the treatment group was intervened by cluster needling at the anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal plus speech training, while the control group was by speech training alone. After 4-week treatments, the speech function and communication ability were observed and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 80.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the speech function score and Chinese Functional Communication Profile (CFCP) score were changed significantly in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the speech function and CFCP scores between the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Cluster needling at the anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal plus speech training is an effective approach in treating motor aphasia after cerebral infarction.
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Objective To observe the effect of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on cognitive function in Alzheimer disease (AD), and to elucidate its mechanism. Method Seventy eligible patients with cognitive impairment were randomized into two groups by their admission number. The treatment group was intervened by cluster needling at scalp acupoints plus oral administration of Fluoxetine hydrochloride, while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. Two treatment courses later, the two groups were observed and compared in therapeutic efficacy and Activities of Daily living (ADL). Result There was a significant difference in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups (P＜0.05), the ADL scores dropped significantly in both groups after intervention (P＜0.01), and the decrease in the treatment group was statistically more significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can effectively improve cognitive impairment in AD patients, and can promote the quality of life.
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Objective To observe the contents of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine before and after cluster needling at scalp acupoints in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and to discuss its significance in clinic. Method Sixty patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The control group was intervened by regular medication, while the treatment group was intervened by cluster needling at scalp acupoints in addition to the treatment given to the control group. The contents of serum hs-CRP and homocysteine were observed before and after intervention, to objectively evaluate the cluster needling at scalp acupoints in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Result The contents of serum hs-CRP and homocysteine were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P＜0.05); there were significant differences in comparing the contents of serum hs-CRP and homocysteine between the two groups after intervention (P＜0.01). Conclusion Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can decline the contents of hs-CRP and homocysteine in patients with acute cerebral infarction.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term therapeutic efficacy of muscle-region alignment needling plus dermalneedle therapy in treating post-stroke upper-limb spasticity.MethodTotally 488 patients with post-stroke upper-limb spasticity were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 244 in each group. Besides theessentialrehabilitation treatment, the treatment group was intervened by muscle-region alignment needling plus dermal needle therapy, while the control group was given regular Western medication.Thetwo groups were intervened for 3 weeks and were followed up for 6 months. The neurologic function, Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA), and Stroke Speciality-Quality of Life (SS-QOL) were observed for the follow-up study.ResultThe total effective rate was 93.4% in the treatment group versus 61.5% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the neurologic function, FCA score, and SS-QOL score in the treatment group were significantly superior to that in the control group at the end of the follow-up study (P<0.05).ConclusionMuscle-region alignment needling plus dermal needle therapycan produce a content long-term therapeutic efficacy in treating post-stroke upper-limb spasticity.
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@#ObjectiveTo explore the influence of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on cognition dysfunction in patients with cerebral infarction.Methods60 patients with cerebral infarction following cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A (the cluster needling of scalp acupuncture), group B (cognition training) and group C (cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with cognition training). All groups received routine neuropathic treatment. All patients were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before and a month after treatment. The therapeutic effect was observed by change of P300 latency and solid contents of blood plasma cortisol a month after the treatment.ResultsThere was significant difference in the score of MMSE, P300 latency, and solid contents of blood plasma cortisol in 3 groups before and after the treatment(P<0.05). Compared to groups A and B, group C got a higher score of MMSE, shorter latency of P300 and lower solid contents of blood plasma cortisol (P＜0.01). ConclusionCluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with cognition training may reduce solid contents of blood plasma cortisol and improve cognition function in patients with cerebral infarction.
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@#The researches that stroke was treated by cluster needling of scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation in the past 10 years were reviewed, noting that it can significantly reduce the dysfunctions in stroke patients, prompting that the cluster needling of scalp acupuncture and modern rehabilitation techniques was combined, was a new method for stroke rehabilitation treatment.
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Objective To study the content changes of ET and CGRP in MID patients and investigate the effect of cluster needling on scalp point about intelligence of MID patients. Methods Sixty MID patients were divided into cluster needling group and medicine group which was treated by hupperzine. HDS,ADL,MMSE score and ET,CGRP content was assayed before and after treatment. Results After treated for 8 weeks,CGRP content of cluster needling group was increased and ET was decreased significantly compared with medicine group (P
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Objective To investigate the effect of cluster needling on scalp point about the changes of intelligences and plasma CGRP of multi-infarct dementia (MID) patients. Methods 60 cases of MID patients were divided into cluster needling and medicine groups,which were treated by hupperzine. HDS,ADL,MMSE score and CGRP content were assayed before and after treatment. Results After 8 weeks treatment,CGRP content of two groups were increased,and that of cluster needling group was increased significantly compared with control group (P