"Governor vessel method of acupuncture" combined with estazolam for insomnia: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences between "governor vessel method of acupuncture" combined with estazolam and estazolam alone for insomnia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy patients of insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of estazolam, 2 mg each time; the estazolam was taken 30 min before sleeping. The patients in the observation group were treated with "governor vessel method of acupuncture" combined with estazolam; the positive reaction points along governor vessel and Baihui (GV 20) were selected as the main points. The acupuncture was given for 30 min per treatment, once every two days. Both groups were treated for four weeks. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were observed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was assessed between the two groups and adverse reactions were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 94.3% (33/35) in the observation group, which had no significant difference with 82.9% (29/35) in the control group (>0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate was 71.4% (25/35) in the observation group, which was superior to 42.9% (15/35) in the control group (<0.05). Each item score and total score of PSQI were decreased obviously after treatment in the observation group (all <0.05), while the score of sleep latency, sleep duration and sleep efficiency as well as total score of PSQI were decreased obviously after treatment in the control group (all <0.05). The scores of sleep duration, sleep disturbance and day dysfunction due to sleepiness as well as total score of PSQI in the observation group were lower than that in the control group (all <0.05). After treatment, the PSG-related parameters of total sleeping duration, sleeping latency, sleeping arousal and sleeping efficiency were improved significantly in the observation group (all <0.05); the total sleeping duration, sleeping arousal and sleeping efficiency were also improved in the control group (all <0.05). The total sleeping duration, sleeping latency, sleeping arousal and sleeping efficiency in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all <0.05). 4 adverse reactions in the observation group and 3 adverse reactions in the control group were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>"Governor vessel method of acupuncture" combined with estazolam could significantly improve insomnia, which are superior to estazolam alone.</p>

Effects on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effects on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points as compared with the conventional acupuncture.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. In the observation group, the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points was adopted. The positive reaction points were selected in the neck, shoulder and back regions. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was provided. The main acupoints were Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C to C and points. The supplementary acupoints were Yinxi (HT 6) and Geshu (BL 17). The treatment was given once every two days, 10 treatments as one course in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, after the 1st treatment and at the end of one course of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and the scores of visual analogous scale (VAS) were observed in the two groups. The comprehensive clinical effects were compared between the two groups at the end of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After the 1st treatment and at the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all 0.05). At the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores in the observation group were reduced more obviously as compared with the control group (both <0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 84.1% (37/44) in the observation group, better than 65.1% (28/43) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Either the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points or the conventional acupuncture is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type. The combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points achieves the superior effects as compared with the conventional acupuncture.