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Background@#Patients with acute gouty arthritis experienc severe pain and often have concomitant limited joint movement. High-dose intake of anti-inflammatory analgesics often results in adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and might increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. In order to reduce the adverse reactions by oral intake, local use of externally useddrugs with the same active ingredients as the oral intake is an option in clinical practice. However, externally useddrugs take effect slowly and efficacy to reduce painful feelingis unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is demanding to develop a safe and effective treatment plan. In this regard, researchers have put up a hypothesis. The skin of the human body has a dense stratum corneum, which is difficult for externally used drugs to penetrate effectively; if the keratin barrier of the skin around affected joints can be broken without further damaging the skin, externally applied drugs may safely and effectively alleviate the local symptoms of acute gouty arthritis. The nano plum blossom needle is made of a modern new material. The needle body is thin and the diameter of the needle tip is only 300 nm. The needle is used clinically to break through the keratin barrier of the human skin and promote the absorption of external medicine. Therefore, this trial was designed to preliminarily evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using the nano plum blossom needle for the introduction of diclofenac diethylamine emulgel in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.@*Methods@#A randomized controlled trial including 83 patients with acute gouty arthritis was conducted, who was assigned to three groups, the intervention group, control group 1, and control group 2 in a ratio of 2:2:1, respectively. The nano plum blossom needle was used for the introduction of diclofenac diethylamine emulgel in the intervention group; the nano plum blossom needle was used as a placebo along with the local use of diclofenac diethylamine emulgel in control group 1; and the nano plum blossom needle was used alone in control group 2. The treatments were applied once a day until the pain was completely relieved and the course of treatment lasted up to 7 days. The primary outcome measurement was the visual analog scale for evaluating the degree of pain. The secondary outcome indicators included scoring of the symptoms and signs with comprehensive consideration of the joint skin color, local tenderness, and degree of joint motion, the time and dose of emergency medication usage during trial, and adverse events.@*Discussion@#This trial couldprovide preliminary evidence for evidence-based practice of using nano plum blossom needle transdermal drug delivery technology for diclofenac diethylamine emulgel for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis, and provide a reference for sample size calculation and experimental design of future clinical trials verifying the effectiveness and safety of such a technical scheme in a larger target population.@*Registration information@#This study has been registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry Centerwith the registration code of ChiCTR-IOR-17012154.
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Objective To study the difference between scattered prick with three-edge needle and tapping prick with plum-blossom needle (seven-star needle) in treating cervical spondylosis of nerve root type by observing the content of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in patients' peripheral blood. Method Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into a three-edge needle group and a plum-blossom needle group. The three-edge needle group was intervened by scattered prick with three-edge needle, while the plum-blossom needle group was intervened by plum-blossom needle. The two groups were treated once a week, for 4 weeks in total. The level of TNF-αin serum of the two groups was measured before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Result The level of serum TNF-α changed significantly after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant between-group difference in comparing the level of serum TNF-α after the intervention (P>0.05). The between-group difference in the clinical efficacy was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion Both three-edge needle and plum-blossom needle can significantly down-regulate the content of serum TNF-α in peripheral blood, and there is no noticeable difference between the two methods.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of plum blossom needle plus oral administration of Xiao Luo Li Wan in treating nodular prurigo. Method Seventy patients with nodular prurigo were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases each. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Cetirizine hydrochloride tablets and external use of Mometasone furoate cream, while the treatment group was additionally treated with plum blossom needle plus orally taking Xiao Luo Li Wan. After 8-week treatment, the clinical efficacies of the two groups were observed and compared. Result The total effective rate was 91.4％ in the treatment group versus 62.9％in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Plum blossom needle plus oral administration of Xiao Luo Li Wan can produce a significant efficacy in treating nodular prurigo.
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Objective To observethe clinical efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture treatment in treating primary open-angle glaucoma, and to objectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.Method Twenty-eight patients (53 eyes) who received acupuncture treatment were recruited. By adopting a self-control design, the changes of intraocular tension, mean defect (MD) of vision field, mean sensitivity (MS), vision, and score of Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Visual Impairment (QLSPVI) were observed after 3-month acupuncture treatment.ResultThe intraocular tension of the 28 patients declined obviously after the treatment (P0.05); the QLSPVI score dropped significantly after the treatment (P0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture treatment can effectively reduce the intraocular tension, control the deterioration of MD and MS, maintain the level of vision, and enhance the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma; with the same disease duration, the longer the treatment, the better the therapeutic efficacy.
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Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping combined with topical imiquimod immunotherapy on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in SKH-1 mice,and to explore the immunological mechanism.Methods A total of 40 SKH-1 mice with ultraviolet light-induced cutaneous SCC were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups:control group receiving no treatment,plum-blossom needle group receiving plum-blossom needle tapping on all the tumors once a day,imiquimod group topically treated with imiquimod 5％ cream at a dose of 1.2 g/kg once a day,combination group firstly treated with plum-blossom needle tapping on all the tumors,and after the stop of bleeding topically treated with imiquimod 5％ cream at the same dose as the imiquimod group once a day.All the mice were treated for 30 days.Morphological changes of tumors in all groups were photographed and recorded every day.The tumor size was measured once every three days,and changes of total tumor volume and survival rate of the mice were compared among the 4 groups.At the end of treatment,tunor tissues were resected,and histopathological changes were compared among the 4 groups.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expression of interferon-α (IFN-α),IFN-β,interleukin-1β (IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-o) and IL-12 in tumor tissues.Results In the combination group,tumors on the back of mice grew slowly,and some even regressed.However,tumors grew fast in the control group,plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group,and grew more slowly in the plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group than in the control group.Before the treatment,there was no significant difference in the total tumor volume among the 4 groups (F =0.90,P ＞ 0.05).After 24-day treatment,the total tumor volume significantly differed among the 4 groups (F =5.16,P ＜ 0.05).The LSD-t test showed that the total tumor volume significantly decreased in the combination group compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.01),but no significant difference was observed among the other groups (P ＞ 0.05).Log-rank test revealed that survival curves significantly differed among the 4 groups (x2 =8.32,P ＜ 0.05).The survival rate was significantly higher in the combination group than in the control group (x2 =4.62,P =0.03),but did not differ between the plum-blossom needle group or imiquimod group and the control group or combination group (all P ＞ 0.05).Histopathological examination showed atypical cells arranged closely,a large number of tumor cells and some keratin pearls in the control group and plumblossom needle group,few dead tumor cells in the imiquimod group,and plenty of dead tumor cells,mild nuclear atypia and increased keratinization in the combination group.qRT-PCR revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels of IFN-α,IFN-β,IL-12,IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the combination group than those in the control group,plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group (P ＜ 0.05).The imiquimod group showed significantly higher mRNA expression of IL-1β than the control group (P ＜ 0.01),but no significant differences were observed among the other groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Plum-blossom needle tapping can effectively enhance the anti-SCC activity and immunological effects of imiquimod in SKH-1 mice.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture in treating peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage.Method Sixty patients with peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage (disease duration ≤7 d) were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture, while the control group was treated with ordinary acupuncture. The two groups were treated once a day, 5 times a week, 2 weeks as a treatment course and 3 treatment courses in total. The House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grading system was observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies in the two groups were compared. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group versus 93.3% in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the H-B score between the two groups respectively after 2 and 3 treatment courses (P<0.05).Conclusion Bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture is an effective approach in treating peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage.
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Objective: To determine the role of intensity of plum-blossom needle tapping in treating alopecia areata.Methods: The BALB/c mice were randomized into a normal group, a control group, a roller-needle (RN) group, a mild plum-blossom needle (MP) group, and a heavy plum-blossom needle (HP) group. An area of hair was removed by external application of 8% sodium sulfide on BALB/c mice. The hair regrowth, hair follicle changes, and local inflammatory factor changes after cutaneous acupuncture were observed.Results: After treated with sodium sulfide, the hair was completely removed, the local hair follicles reached the catagen phase, and the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17 were increased. Mice intervened by RN achieved the same hair growth rating as the controls but with thicker hair shafts; mice in the MP group had incomplete and uneven hair growth but thicker hair shafts; mice in the HP group didn't show hair growth. Pathological analysis revealed significant inflammatory infiltration into the local follicle bulbs and increased catagen-phase follicles in the control group, while RN and MP groups showed significantly increased anagen-phase follicles, coarser individual hairs, and obvious hair shafts. Meanwhile, most of the hair follicles in the HP group were in telogen phase and showed obvious surrounding inflammatory infiltration. RN, MP, and HP significantly down-regulated the increased IL-2, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels (P0.05).Conclusion: Cutaneous acupuncture with heavy stimulation intensity can inhibit hair growth in hair removal mice, while RN, with the lightest stimulation intensity, is unlikely to affect hair growth but may make hair shafts thicker and follicles larger.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping for primary insomnia.Methods:A total of 66 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=33) and a control group (n=33). Cases in the observation group received abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping, whereas cases in the control group received abdominal acupuncture alone. After 2, 6 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks after end of treatment, the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and measure your medical outcome profile (MYMOP) based on the patients' self-report. Results:After 2 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate was 90.9% in the observation group, versus 63.6% in the control group, showing a statistical difference (P0.05). After 6 weeks, the sleep quality and efficiency scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group. Four weeks after end of treatment, the scores of sleep quality and MYMOP in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal acupuncture plus plum-blossom needle tapping can obtain fast, accurate effect for primary insomnia and improve patients' sleep quality and efficiency.
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Objective To observe the efficacy of bloodletting therapy plus narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in treating prurigo nodularis.Method According to the randomized controlled principle, the enrolled patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting cupping at the selected acupoints and the topical areas plus NB-UVB once every other day; the control group was by orally taking Mizolastine sustained release tablets and external application of Halometasone cream.Result The total effective rate was 85.7% in the treatment group versus 61.9% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion Bloodletting therapy plus NB-UVB can produce a content efficacy in treating prurigo nodularis, with few adverse reactions.
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To introduce Prof. T ian Cong-huo’s commonly used acupuncture methods and their clinical application, in order to summarize the famous doctor’s experience, promote the experience inheritance of Chinese acupuncture, and enhance the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of needling the three tongue points plus plum-blossom needle in treating aphasia after ischemic stroke. Method Sixty patients with aphasia after ischemic stroke were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by needling the three tongue points plus treating the Jiao’s Language Zone 1 with plum-blossom needle, while the control group was by regular body acupuncture. After 2 treatment courses, the language function score (spontaneous speech fluency, repeating, and reading scores) were observed, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result After intervention, the spontaneous speech fluency, repeating, and reading scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). After intervention, there were significant differences in comparing the speech fluency, repeating, and reading scores between the two groups (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 86.7% in the treatment group versus 76.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Needling the three tongue points plus plum- blossom needle is an effective method in treating aphasia after ischemic stroke.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effects of collateral-pricking and cupping therapy plus moxibustion for localized neurodermatitis. Methods:A total of 94 cases with localized neurodermatitis were randomly divided into two groups by their visit order, 47 cases in each group. The cases in the treatment group were treated by bleeding method with a plum blossom needle, cupping method and moxibustion. The cases in the control group were treated by subcutaneous injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate Injection. Results:After treatment, the curative rate and total effective rate were respectively 80.9% and 100% in the treatment group and were 48.9% and 87.2% in the control group. The differences in the curative rate and total effective rate between the two groups were statistically significant (P Conclusion:Bleeding method by a plum blossom needle, in combination with cupping method and moxibustion, is an effective therapy for localized neurodermatitis.
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ObjectiveTo systematically and objectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture treatment in managing wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and to seek a standard acupuncture protocol for this disease, for promoting the application in clinic.MethodTotally 37 patients (67 eyes) were observed to compare the vision, Amsler grid and rating scale of quality of life for visual impairment before and after the 3-month treatment. The clinical efficacy was then evaluated. ResultThe vision and score of quality of life were significantly changed after intervention (P<0.05); according to Amsler grid, the total improved rate was 79.2% and the total effective rate was 77.6%; age and disease duration were negatively correlated with the therapeutic efficacy (P<0.05).ConclusionComprehensive acupuncture treatment can significantly improve the vision and quality of life in patients with wet ARMD, and the younger the patients and the shorter the disease duration, the higher the therapeutic efficacy.
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Objective: To explore the effects of acupuncture therapy on infantile Anorexia. Method: Sixty cases were randomly allocated into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, patients were managed by acupuncture Sifeng (Ex-UE 10) in combination with plum-blossom blood-letting puncture on Back-Shu and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints, while multienzyme tablets and motilium suspension were administered to patients in the control group. Results: The cure rate and efficient rate in the treatment group were 83.3% and 96.6% respectively, while 26.7% and 90.0% in the control group, the treatment group has a better curative effect (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of needle puncture with plum-blossom blood-letting puncture employed for children with Anorexia is of positive effects with no adverse reactions.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of extemal application of Chinese medicine following tapping using a plum-blossom needle for allergic rhinitis.Methods:All 328 cases were randomized into an observation group of 206 cases,Chinese medicine group of 70 cases and point application group of 52 cases.Results:The differences between the observation and Chinese medicine groups (P＜0.01) and between the observation and point application group (P＜0.05) were both of statistical meaning.The cases in the observation obtained the best effect,the point application group obtained a moderate effect and the Chinese medicine group obtained the least effect.A younger age and an increased number of treatments contributed to a better effect.Conclusion:External application of Chinese medicine following tapping using a plum-blossom needle is safe and effective for allergic rhinitis.
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@#Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle therapy and cupping therapy combined with traction on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type.Methods 60 patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group with 30 cases in each group. The patients of the treatment group were treated with plum-blossom needle therapy and cupping therapy combined with traction, and those of the control group only with traction. The therapeutic effects of two groups were compared.Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 83.3 %, that of the control group was 60.0%. There was a significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05).Conclusion The effect of plum-blossom needle therapy and cupping therapy combined with traction on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type is superior to traction therapy alone.
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Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of blood-letting puncture and cupping in cooperation with acupuncture and moxibustion for treating Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Atreatment group of 32 cases was treated by blood-letting puncture with plum-blossom needle and cupping in cooperation with acupuncture and moxibustion and a control group of 32 cases,with acupuncture and moxibustion, and andaciclovir. Results and conclusion: The cure and marked effectiveness rate was 81.2% in the treatment group and 56.2% in the control group after 4 courses of treatment. It was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). The short-term otalgia-relieving rate was also significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.01).
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Fifty-three patients with alopecia areata were treated by plum-blossom needles tapping and mild moxibustion of the focus and 54 cases taking Bozhi tablets orally were considered as a control group. The total effective rates were 96.2% and 70.4 respectively after 3-course's treatment.
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Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and characteristics of Tuina and herbal and magnetic application in the treatment of cervical spondylopathy, Method: 302 subjects were treated with above methods and their efficacy were assessed according to the patterns. Results: Among the 302 cases, 153 cases were cured, 131 got marked effects, 14 cases were improved and 4 cases failed; the total effective rate was 98.7%. Conclusion: Tuina in combination with herbal and magnetic application has good effects on various pattern of cervical spondylopathy.
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Sixty-three cases of neurodermatitis were treated with seven-star needle, tapping the affected area until slight bleeding and then ignite moxa-stick to make lsft-right repeated rotation moxibustion about 2 cm away from the skin. The total effective rate was 100% after three treatment course.