Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome of spleen deficiency and damp excess treated with fire needling therapy with filiform needle and acupoint application therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of spleen deficiency and damp excess among fire needling therapy with filiform needle combined with acupoint application therapy, simple acupoint application therapy and pinaverium bromide tablets, and explore the mechanism on the improvements in IBS-D.@*METHODS@#A total of 150 patients with IBS-D of spleen deficiency and damp excess were randomized into a combined treatment group (50 cases, 14 cases dropped off), an acupoint application group (50 cases, 16 cases dropped off ) and a western medication group (50 cases, 13 cases dropped off ). In the western medication group, pinaverium bromide tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 50 mg per time, three times a day. In the acupoint application group, the herbal plaster of @*RESULTS@#Except the score for abdominal pain in the acupoint application group and the scores for abdominal pain and abdominal distention in the western medication group after 7 days of treatment, the scores for abdominal pain, abdominal distention, defecation frequency, stool form and incomplete bowel movement after 7 and 28 days of treatment were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in each group separately (@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment with the fire needling therapy with filiform needle and the acupoint application therapy effectively relieves the clinical symptoms, improves the quality of life and strengthens the immunity in the patients with IBS-D. The therapeutic effect of this combined regimen is better than either simple acupoint application therapy or the oral medication of pinaverium bromide. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the levels of T lymphocyte subsets and the modulation of the expressions of 5-HT3R and 5-HT4R mRNA in colon tissue.

Therapeutic effects of "kidney three-needle" therapy plus fire needling therapy in treatment of post-stroke urinary incontinence / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "kidney three-needle" therapy［Qugu（CV2） and 1 cun to the left and right of CV2］ and the pricking technique of fire needing therapy on urinary frequency and maximal bladder volume in potients with post-stroke urinary incontinence. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence were collected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). On the base of the routine medication and rehabilitation treatment, acupuncture was applied to the general acupoints for motor impairment and speech disorder in the two groups. Additionally, the combination of "kidney three-needle" therapy and the pricking technique of fire needling therapy was used for urinary incontinence in the observation group and the common acupuncture was applied in the control group. Needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was provided once daily, 5 days a weeks, 2 weeks of treatment as one course. Both groups were treated for 3 courses. Before and after treatment, the rank of daytime urinary frequency was compared in the patients of the two groups. Ultrasound B was adopted to determine the maximal bladder volume. The total effective rate was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the rank of daytime urinary frequency all reduced significantly as compared with that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.01)， and the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the maximal bladder volume increased significantly as compared with that before treatment in the self-comparison of each group (P<0.01) and the volume in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group and was 66.7% (20/30) in the control group. The total effective rate in the observation group was higher obviously than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of "kidney three-needle" therapy and the pricking technique of fire needling therapy significantly reduces the rank of daytime urinary frequency and increases maximal bladder volume in the patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence. The therapeutic effect of such combined acupuncture treatment is better than the common acupuncture therapy.

Exploration of fire needling therapy on coronavirus disease 2019 / 中国针灸

Combined with previous clinical experience in anti-epidemic and acupuncture, the prevention program of fire needling therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was drawn out. Fire needling therapy has the effects of clearing heat, removing dampness, replenishing for the deficiency, removing stasis and detoxifying, which is mainly aimed at preventing populations, light and common types cases, and cases in the recovery period. Acupoints of governor vessel, lung meridian, bladder meridian and stomach meridian are mainly used in this program. For the special groups, such as children, elderly and weak, and pregnant women, Shenzhu (GV 12), Danshu (BL 19), Geshu (BL 17), Zhigou (TE 6), etc. are added. It is hoped that fire needling therapy will be applied in the community and square cabin hospitals as an effective supplement to anti-epidemic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Application time-point and effect observation of fire needling therapy in IVF-ET / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of the intervention with fire needling therapy on the uterine microenvironment at the specific time points of menstrual cycle and evaluate the effects on the assisted reproduction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients of in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) were randomized into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (33 cases). The patients in the two groups all received post-IVF-ET corpus luteum support of the microstimulation scheme in the Clinical Reproduction Center of Jiangsu People's Hospital. In the control group, the regular sequential therapy of acupuncture was used. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the intervention of fire needling therapy was applied after ovulation (the 1st time point, on the 1st day after ovulation) and at the end of premenstrual stage (the 2nd time point, 3 days before the menstruation). At the 1st time point, Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) were selected and at the 2nd time point, Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32) were selected. The acupoints were stimulated from up to down and from the left to the right. The changes in TCM syndrome during the preparation, the endometrial thickness and types on the day of transplantation, the biochemical pregnant rate after transplantation and clinical pregnant rate were observed and compared in the patients of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, TCM syndrome scores were all reduced in the two groups (both<0.05). In the observation group, the biochemical pregnant rate and clinical pregnant rate were slightly higher than those in the control group, without significant difference in comparison (both>0.05). In the observation group, the endo-metrial thickness on the day of transplantation was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the differences in TCM syndrome score and endometrial type were not significant statistically between the two groups (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The intervention of fire needling therapy at the specific time points of menstrual cycle relieves menstrual symptoms and increases endometrial thickness so as to assist embryo implantation in the patients of infertility.</p>

A Clinical Study of Zhuang Medical Sinew Therapy for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Zhuang medical sinew therapy forcervical spondylotic radiculopathy and provide reliable experimental data and scientific evidence for the establishment of clinical technical operation standardization.Method Eighty patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 40 cases each.The control group took Jingfukang granules with hot water and the treatment group received Zhuang medical sinew therapy.The therapeutic effects were compared after one course of treatment.The 20-point scale score and the VAS score were recorded in the patients before and after treatment.Result Thirty-eight patients in the treatment group and 36 patients in the control group completed the required treatments. The total efficacy rate was 92.1% in the treatment group and 72.2% in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the twogroups(P<0.05).There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the Japanese 20-point scale score and the VAS score between the two groups (P<0.05).Theresults showed that the Japanese 20-point scale score and the VAS score improved more in thetreatment group.Conclusion Zhuang medical sinewtherapy has a marked effect oncervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Observations on the Efficacy of Filiform Needle Fire Acupuncture plus Pricking-cupping Bloodletting in Treating Acute Ankle Sprain / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting in treating acute ankle sprain in adolescent students.Method One hundred adolescent student outpatients with acute ankle sprainwere randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each.The treatment group received filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting at the most obviouspart of ankle tenderness once every other day. The control group received routine protection, a rest, ice compress,compressionand affected limb elevation.Swelling severitywas examined and the AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scalescore and the VAS score were recorded at study entry, and one, three and five days and two, four and eight weeks after treatment.Result Swelling severityand the ankle pain score improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05) and the post-treatment score was lower in the treatment group than in the controlgroup(P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 100% (50/50) in the treatment group, which was higher than 80% (40/50) in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting is a better way to treat acute ankle sprain.It can relieve the pain and swelling in short time, shorten treatment time and restore ankle activity in short time to reduce theoccurrence of sequelae.

Observations on the Efficacy of Fire Needling Therapy for Vitiligo / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of fire needling therapy for vitiligo. Method A self-control study was carried out. Fifty-six vitiligo patients with 124 skin lesions were allocated by long-axis random to two groups. The treatment group received fire needling therapy weekly for 12 times or until cure and the control group, no treatment as a blank control. The clinical efficacy and safety were assessed after the completion of treatment. Result The total efficacy rate of local fire needling therapy for vitiligo skin lesions was 79.8% and there was a statistically significant difference as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect was better in patients with faciocervical skin lesions or short course of disease. The therapeutic effect increased with an increase in the course of treatment at the early stage of treatment but did not significantly increase after 8 weeks of treatment. Main adverse reactions were mild pain and skin infection. Conclusion Local fire needling has a definite therapeutic effect on vitiligo with high safety.

Observations on the Efficacy of Auricular Plaster Therapy plus Scalp Acupuncture in Treating Post-stroke Depression / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of auricular plaster therapy plus scalp acupuncture in treating post-stroke depression.Methods One hundred and twenty-five patients with post-stroke depression were randomly allocated to group A of 42 cases, group B of 42 cases and group C of 41 cases. Group A received scalp acupuncture alone; group B, auricular plaster therapy alone; group C, auricular plaster therapy plus scalp acupuncture. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score was recorded in the three groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the three groups. Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the HAMD score in the three groups after two months of treatment (P0.05).Conclusion Auricular plaster therapy plus scalp acupuncture is an effective way to treat post-stroke depression.

Effect of Fire Needling on CA-125 Levels and EMAb in Endometriosis Patients / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of fire needling on tumor marker CA-125 levels and endometrial antibody (EMAb) in endometriosis patients.Methods Eighty endometriosis patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 43 cases and a control group of 37 cases. The treatment group received fire needling and the control group took gestrinone capsules. CA-125 levels and EMAb were measured in the two groups before and after treatment.Results CA-125 levels and EMAb positive rate decreased significantly in the two groups after treatment compared with before (P0.05).Conclusion Fire needling has a good interference effect on CA-125 levels and EMAb in endometriosis patients.

Observations on the Efficacy of Multi-functional Fire Needling plus Auricular Plaster Therapy for Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 75 cases each. Both groups were first given bloodletting at Ear apex and Helix 4. Then the treatment group received multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy and the control group, auricular plaster therapy alone. The symptom and sign score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score between the two groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate and the cure and marked efficacy rate were 98.6% and 88.7%, respectively, in the treatment group and 93.2% and 60.8%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy is an effective way to treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Professor's experience in the treatment ofsyndrome with fire needling therapy at lower-sea points / 中国针灸

syndrome is classified into five categories. Based on the syndrome differentiation of meridians and collaterals andtheories, Professorproposed the fire needling therapy at the lower-sea points for five types ofsyndromes. Professorstresses on the flexible application of fire needling therapy forsyndrome at the lower-sea points and innovated the unique five techniques of fire needling therapy, named lifting and threating needle of small amplitude at the lower-sea points, the stimulation along the relevant meri-dians before fire needling, detecting the sensitive sites by gentle pressing the relevant lower-sea points, combining the movement of affected upper limb or joint during fire needling, or combining with contralateral needling technique, and controlling the depth of fire needling based on the duration of sickness and depth of affected site. He pointed out that Shangjuxu (ST 37) is for skinsyndrome, Zusanli (ST 36) for musclesyndrome, Yanglingquan (GB 34) for tendonsyndrome, Weizhong (BL 40) for bonesyndrome and Xiajuxu (ST 39) for vesselsyndrome.

Observations on the Efficacy of Fire Needling plus Moxibustion in Treating Prurigo Nodularis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of fire needling plus moxibustion in treating prurigo nodularis. Methods Ninety patients with prurigo nodularis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 45 cases. The treatment group received fire needling plus moxibustion and the control group, external application of halometasone ointment. Skin lesions and pruritus were scored in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the skin lesion score and the pruritus score in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the skin lesion score and the pruritus score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). The total efficacy rate was 81.8% in the treatment group and 60.5% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Fire needling plus moxibustion is an effective way to treat prurigo nodularis.

Observations on the Efficacy of Target Fire Red-hot Needling in Treating Articular Deformity Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of target fire red-hot needling in treating articular deformity due to rheumatoid arthritis.Methods Ninety-six rheumatoid arthritis patients with articular swelling and deformity were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 48 cases each. The treatment group received target scattered fire red-hot needling and the control group, conventional acupuncture. After two courses of treatment, pre-/post-treatment changes in the self-reported pain score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were observed in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The total efficacy rate was 89.6% in the treatment group and 50.0% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in ESR, CRP, IgA, IgG and IgM in the treatment groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in ESR, CRP, and IgG in the treatment groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in ESR, CRP, IgA, IgG and IgM in the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Target fire red-hot needling is an effective way to treat articular deformity due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Comparison of the Efficacies of Fire Needling Versus Warm Needling in Treating Tenosynovitis of Long Head of Biceps Brachii / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the efficacies of fire needling and warm needling in treating tenosynovitis of long head of biceps brachii.MethodNinety patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 45 cases each. The treatment group received fire needling and the control group, warm needling. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. The difference in the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) score between before and after two or four weeks of treatment was assessed in the two groups.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 97.8% in the treatment group and 86.0% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect was better in the treatment group than in the control group. In the two groups, the SPADI subscores were closely related to treatment time. There was a statistically significant difference between various time points (P<0.01). There were also statistically significant between-group differences in the SPADI pain score and total score (P<0.05).ConclusionBoth fire needling and warm needling are effective in treating tenosynovitis of long head of biceps brachii. The therapeuticeffect of fire needling is superior to that of warm needling.

Observations on the Efficacy of Fire Needling plus Medication in Treating Cystic Acne / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of fire needling plus medication in treating cystic acne.Methods Fifty-eight patients with cystic acne were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 29 cases each. The treatment group received fire needling plus oral administration of isotretinoin and the control group, oral administration of isotretinoin alone. The number of cysts was observed in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the number of cysts between before treatment and at one, two, three or four weeks after in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 89.3% in the treatment group and 34.5% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).Conclusion Fire needling plus medication is an effective way to treat cystic acne.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Filiform Fire Needling on Tennis Elbow / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of filiform fire needling on tennis elbow.Method Eighty patients with tennis elbow were randomly allocated to a filiform fire needling group of 30 cases, a block group of 20 cases and an electroacupuncture group of 30 cases. The treatment group received. Pain severity was scored using the VAS after one and two weeks and one month of treatment. The therapeutic effects were evaluated and compared after one month of treatment.Result The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in the filiform fire needling group, 60.0% in the block group and 50.0% in the electroacupuncture group; there was a statistically significant difference among the three groups (P0.05). The VAS score decreased significantly in the block group (P0.05) after one week of treatment compared with before. The VAS score decreased significantly in the filiform fire needling and block groups (P0.05) after two weeks of treatment compared with before. There was no statistically significant posttreatment difference in the VAS score between the filiform fire needling and block groups (P>0.05) but there was such a difference between the filiform fire needling or block group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VAS score in the filiform fire needling and block groups (P<0.01) and also in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05) between before and after one month of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the VAS score after one month of treatment between the filiform fire needling group and the block or electroacupuncture group (P<0.05) and between the block and electroacupuncture groups (P<0.05). The results of the study showed that filiform fire needling, local drug blockage and electroacupuncture all had clinically a better therapeutic effect on tennis elbow and a better improving effect on the symptoms in the patients. Filiform fire needling produced a marked therapeutic effect. Its effect was superior to those of block therapy and electroacupuncture.Conclusion Filiform fire needling is a definitely effective way to treat tennis elbow.

Clinical Observations on Fire Needling Treatment for Endometriosis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of fire needling in treating endometriosis.Method Fifty-eight endometriosis patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received fire needling at specific points. The treatment was given at one week before menstruation until the end of it, twice a week, three months as a course. The control group took gestrinone 2.5 mg from the first day of menstruation, twice a week, for three consecutive months. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in both groups at three months after the end of treatment.Result The cure rate and the efficacy rate were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.05). The pregnancy rate was also higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Fire needling treatment for endometriosis has the advantages of good therapeutic effect, high cure rate and no influence on pregnancy.

Effect of FireNeedling plus Filiform Needles on the Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of fire needling plus filiform needles in treating knee osteoarthritis and its effect on the patients’ quality of life.MethodOne hundred and one patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to fire needling, filiform needle and combination groups. They were treated with fire needling, filiform needles and fire needling plus filiform needles, respectively. An assessment was made using the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in the 101 patients with knee osteoarthritis before and after treatment.ResultFire needling, filiform needles and fire needling plus filiform needles all had a marked therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis. The effect of fire needling plus filiform needles was better than those of fire needling and filiform needles (P<0.05,P<0.01). After four weeks of treatment, SF-36 quality of life item sub-scores increased in all the three groups of patients compared with before treatment (P<0.01); SF-36 role physical and general health scores were higher in the combination group than in the fire needling group (P<0.05, P<0.01); SF-36 physical functioning, role physical, general health, social functioning and mental health scores were higher in the combination group than in the filiform needle group (P<0.01).ConclusionFire needling plus filiform needles can effectively treat knee osteoarthritis and improve the patients’ quality of life. Its effects are superior to those of fire needling and filiform needles.