Research progress on immune regulation of rheumatoid arthritis by acupuncture and moxibustion / 国际中医中药杂志

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. It is the focus of current treatment to improve the immune disorders of RA patients and reduce the inflammatory damage. Acupuncture and moxibustion show the advantages of simple operation and safety. It has remarkable curative effect in the treatment of RA, and has a variety of intervention methods, including conventional acupuncture, moxibustion, combination of acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as innovative acupuncture and moxibustion therapies such as electroacupuncture and spinal moxibustion. The immune regulation of acupuncture and moxibustion on RA has the characteristics of bidirectional and multi-target. It can regulate Th17/Treg cell balance, Th1/Th2 cell balance, specific protein and NF-κB and other signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory immune response.

Warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina for chronic nonspecific low back pain of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina and simple "three steps and seven methods" of tuina in treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage.@*METHODS@#A total of 138 patients were randomized into an observation group (69 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a control group (69 cases, 7 cases dropped off). In the control group, "three steps and seven methods" of tuina was applied. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, warming acupuncture was applied at Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Weizhong (BL 40) and ashi points. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, the short form of McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, finger-to-floor distance (FFD), Schober test distance, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) score and yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage score were observed, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were detected in both groups. The recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 6 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of PRI, PPI, VAS, ODI, FABQ and FFD, yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage scores were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01); the Schober test distances were increased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and that in the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TXB2 were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). In follow-up, the recurrence rate was 12.8% (6/47) in the observation group, which was lower than 34.3% (12/35) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina can effectively alleviate pain in patients with chronic NLBP of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage, improve activity and dysfunction of waist, the clinical efficacy is superior to simple "three steps and seven methods" of tuina, its mechanism may be relate to the inhibition of inflammatory reaction.

Clinical observation on Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture for postoperative urinary retention / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking governor vessel and regulating qi ) combined with warming acupuncture, Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion and oral tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule on postoperative urinary retention.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with postoperative urinary retention were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group, an acupuncture group, a moxibustion group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture were applied in the acupuncture-moxibustion group. Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Shuigou (CV 26) etc. in the acupuncture group. Moxibustion was applied at Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the moxibustion group. Tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule was given orally in the medication group. The treatment was once a day, and 5-day treatment was required in each group. Before and after treatment, the residual urine volume of bladder, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the time of first urethral catheter removal were observed, and the clinical efficacy was compared in the 4 groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the residual urine volume of bladder was decreased compared before treatment in the 4 groups (P<0.05), and that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was less than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores were decreased compared before treatment in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and those in the 3 groups were lower than the medication group (P<0.05). The time of first urethral catheter removal in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was earlier than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, which was superior to 63.3% (19/30) in the acupuncture group, 60.0% (18/30) in the moxibustion group and 66.7% (20/30) in the medication group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture on postoperative urinary retention is superior to simple acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion and tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule.

Network Meta-analysis of 4 acupuncture therapies for shoulder hand syndrome after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#A network Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of 4 commonly used acupuncture therapies (electroacupuncture, fire needling, warming acupuncture and filiform needling) for shoulder hand syndrome (SHS) after stroke was performed.@*METHODS@#The RCTs regarding electroacupuncture, fire needling, warming acupuncture and filiform needling for SHS after stroke before March 10, 2020 were searched in databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library. The included literature was screened and evaluated by Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and the data analysis was performed by RevMan5.3, Gemtc0.14.3 and Stata14.2.@*RESULTS@#A total of 21 RCTs were included, involving 1508 patients, 814 cases in the observation group and 694 cases in the control group. In term of effective rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) score, warming acupuncture, electroacupuncture and fire needling needling were superior to western medication and rehabilitation (@*CONCLUSION@#The curative effect of 4 acupuncture therapies for SHS after stroke is better than the western medication and rehabilitation, and warming acupuncture has the best clinical efficacy.

Clinical observation on wheat grain moxibustion for chronic superficial gastritis of spleen-stomach deficiency and cold / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of wheat grain moxibustion and warming acupuncture on chronic superficial gastritis of spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.@*METHODS@#A total of 200 patients with chronic superficial gastritis of spleen-stomach deficiency and cold were randomly divided into a wheat grain moxibustion group (100 cases, 13 cases dropped off ) and a warming acupuncture group (100 cases, 16 cases dropped off ). The acupoints of Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected in both groups. The patients in the wheat grain moxibustion group were treated with wheat grain moxibustion, and 5 cone were given on every acupoint each time. Moxibustion was performed after acupuncture in the warming acupuncture group, and 3 cone each acupoint. Both groups were treated every other day for 15 times. The scores of clinical symptoms and signs, scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of quality of life in the two groups were recorded before and after treatment and during follow-up 1 month after treatment, and the clinical effects of the two groups were evaluated after treatment and during follow-up.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and during follow-up, the scores of clinical symptoms and signs of the two groups were lower than before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#The wheat grain moxibustion can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, signs and quality of life in patients with chronic superficial gastritis of spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, and its long-term effect is better than warming acupuncture.

Effect of Juanbitang Combined with Iontophoresis and Warm Acupuncture in Treatment of Wind Cold and Blocking Collaterals Syndrome Due to External Humeral Epicondylitis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Juanbitang iontophoresis combined with warm acupuncture in treatment of wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome due to external humeral epicondylitis (EH) and the effect on serum oxidative stress index. Method:From January 2018 to October 2019, 180 patients with EH wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome were randomly divided into the warm acupuncture group, the traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） group and the combination group, with 60 cases in each group. The TCM group was treated with modified Juanbitang combined local iontophoresis at Quchi (affected side), Zhouliao (affected side), Ashi (affected side), 30 min/time/day, while the warm acupuncture group was treated with warm acupuncture once a day, 5 days/week. The combination group was treated with warm acupuncture in addition to the therapy of the TCM group, and the three groups were treated for 4 weeks. JOA’s elbow joint function scale, HSS’ elbow joint score scale and pain visual simulation score (VAS) were used to evaluate the symptoms and signs and the improvement of daily life before and after treatment. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） method was used to detect the contents of late oxidized protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in serum of patients before and after treatment. The cure rate, the total effective rate and the recurrence rate of 1 month and 3 months after treatment were compared. Result:Compared with before treatment, JOA and HSS scores increased, whereas VAS scores decreased (P<0.05). AOPP and MDA contents decreased, while SOD and HO-1 contents increased in the combination group and the TCM group (P<0.05). Compared with the TCM group and the warm acupuncture group after treatment, JOA, HSS score and pain R value increased, whereas VAS score decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the warm acupuncture group after treatment, serum AOPP, MDA content decreased, while SOD, HO-1 content increased (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=4.617, χ2effective rate=6.471, P<0.05) and the warming acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.207, χ2effective rate=6.775, P<0.05). One month after the treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of the combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=7.617, χ2effective rate=13.347, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.762, χ2effective rate=6.277, P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the TCM group (χ2=9.32, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2=3.899, P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of the combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=4.789, χ2effective rate=9.643, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.458, χ2effective rate=9.251, P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the TCM group (χ2=4.599, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2=4.518, P<0.05). Conclusion:Modified Juanbitang and the warm acupuncture has a good clinical efficacy in the treatment of EH wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of warming acupuncture on uterine blood perfusion in patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of warming acupuncture on uterine blood perfusion in the patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and explore its effect mechanism on the improvement of clinical pregnancy rate after re-tranfer.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 patients of failed high-quality FET were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the observation group, after the menstrual period ended, warming acupuncture started at the acupoints located on the abdomen, e.g. Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2) and those on the lumbar sacral region, e.g. Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3), 50 min in each treatment, once daily, at the interval of 1 day after 4-day treatment. The treatment was discontinued till the patients were at the ovulatory stage. In the control group, capsules were taken orally and continuously after the end of menstrual period, 3 capsules each time, three times a day and stopped at the ovulatory stage. The treatment of one menstrual cycle was taken as one course and the treatment for 3 menstrual cycles was required. Before and after treatment, the uterine artery pulsation index (PI), endometrial thickness, endometrial type, uterine blood perfusion, the recovery time of sufficient uterine blood flow, the endomentrial receptivity (ER) during the implantation window period and the clinical pregnancy rate were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the endometrial thickness was increased and PI decreased obviously in the two groups (<0.05) and PI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the proportion of type a and type A of endometrium was increased markedly in the two groups (<0.05) and the proportion in the observation group was higher than the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the case proportion of sufficient uterine blood flow was increased obviously in the two groups (<0.05) and the value in the observation group was higher than the control group [83.3% (30/36) vs 69.4% (25/36), <0.05]. After treatment, the proportion of ER during the implantation window period was increased remarkably in the two groups (<0.05) and the value in the observation group was higher than the control group [72.2% (26/36) vs 50.0% (18/36), <0.05]. The recovery time of sufficient uterine blood flow in the observation group was shorter than the control group (<0.05) and the clinical pregnancy rate was higher than the control group [47.2% (17/36) vs 33.3% (12/36), <0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture enhances uterine blood perfusion and improves uterine endometrial receptivity so that the clinical pregnancy rate is increased after re-transfer in the patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer.

Warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect between warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients of knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 33 cases in each one. Warming acupuncture was applied at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on the affected side in both of the groups. In the observation group, mild moxibustion at bilateral Yongquan (KI 1) was adopted additionally. Each treatment lasted for 30 min, 3 times a week (once every other day), and the consecutive 6 weeks of treatment were required. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score (such as joint pain, stiffness and physical function), the amount of joint effusion and the serum contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was superior to 87.1% (27/30) in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the pain scores, stiffness scores, physical function scores, the amount of joint effusion and the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and hs-CRP after treatment were significantly reduced in the two groups (<0.05), and the improvements of these indices in the observation group were superior to the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) can improve joint function, reduce the amount of joint effusion and the contents of inflammatory response indices for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency. The therapeutic effect of warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) is better than simple warming acupuncture.

Development of teaching training and assessment system for warming acupuncture / 中国针灸

A teaching training and assessment system for warming acupuncture is developed. This system is suitable for the technique operation of multi-acupoint warming acupuncture, and could evaluate the training effects of warming acupuncture at each acupoint. The hardware structure of this system is mainly composed of man-machine interface, control unit and training unit. The software program includes reset module, system clock module, needle depth signal control module, vibration control module and communication module. The teaching training and assessment system of warming acupuncture adopted touch-screen human-machine interface, which is simple to operate. The basic training unit, through multi-angle and multi-dimension adjustment of universal base, could realize the simulation training of warming acupuncture at different acupoints and angles of human body. Each training unit is relatively independent, and relevant parameters are set separately; the relevant parameters information is displayed in real time. The parameters of training unit includes needling time, vibration frequency and vibration time. In conclusion, the teaching training and assessment system for warming acupuncture could be used in the teaching and assessment of warming acupuncture. According to the criteria including operation time and effect, the students' technique ability of warming acupuncture could be evaluated objectively, which is helpful to set teaching objectives and technical operation requirements in warming acupuncture teaching.

Warming acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences between warming acupuncture and conventional acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 64 patients were randomly divided into a warming acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group, 32 cases in each one. Based on basic treatment of blood glucose regulation, warming acupuncture was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Zusanli (ST 36), Chongyang (ST 42), Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) in the warming acupuncture group, while acupuncture was applied at the identical acupoints in the conventional acupuncture group. Both the treatments were given once a day with an interval of one day every six days; totally the treatment was given for 4 weeks. The TCM symptom score, Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) before and after treatment were compared in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in the two groups were significantly reduced (both <0.01); the improvement of TCM symptom in the warming acupuncture group was superior to that in the conventional acupuncture group (<0.05). After treatment, the TCSS scores in the two groups were significantly reduced (both <0.01); the TCSS score in the warming acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the conventional acupuncture group (<0.05). After treatment, the NCV of motor nerve of tibial nerve and nervus peroneus communis, as well as sensory nerve of tibial nerve and sural nerve was improved in the warming acupuncture group (all <0.05), while only the NCV of motor nerve and sensory nerve of tibial nerve was improved in the conventional acupuncture group (both <0.05); there were no significant difference between the two groups (all >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming acupuncture and conventional acupuncture could both increase TCM symptom score, improve NCV in patients of DPN with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis; warming acupuncture has advantage in symptom improvement.</p>

Effects of Warming Acupuncture Therapy on Expressions of IL-6 and SOCS3 in Spinal Cord in Rats with Neuropathic Pain / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe effects of warming acupuncture therapy on expressions of IL-6 and SOCS3 in spinal cord in rats with neuropathic pain; To discuss its mechanism for treating neuropathic pain. Methods Experimental rats were randomly divided into: normal group, model group, warming acupuncture and IL-6 group, with 6 rats in each group. Sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury neuralgia model was established in the model group, without intervention. After modeling for 5 days in the warming acupuncture group, "Pishu" and "Shenshu" acupoints were chosen for warming acupuncture therapy for 10 times. After modeling for 5 days in the IL-6 group, IL-6 group was successfully intrathecally injected 3 times with recombinant IL-6. After finishing all experiments, the mechanical pain behavior was measured with electronic Frye fibers. The mRNA levels of IL-6 and SOCS3 and protein concentration of spinal Iba-1were detected with ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. Results Compared with model group, mechanical withdrawal thresholdsin the warm acupuncture group significantly increased, and the content of Iba-1 decreased significantly (P<0.01); The mRNA level of IL-6 decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the mRNA level of SOCS3 significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion Warming acupuncture therapy can reduce the pain response in rats with neuropathic pain through inhibiting spinal cord microglial activation, down-regulating the gene expression of lL-6 and up-regulating the gene expression of SOCS3.

Efficacy difference between warming acupuncture and other acupuncture methods for primary obesity: a Meta-analysis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To systematically evaluate the efficacy difference between warming acupuncture and other acupuncture methods in the treatment of primary obesity.@*METHODS@#A computer-based retrieval was conducted at PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Alt HealthWatch, CNKI, CBM, WANFANG database and VIP database. Retrieval time was from the establishment date of database to October 4, 2017. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) of warming acupuncture comparing with other acupuncture methods for the treatment of primary obesity were included. The relative risk () and weighted mean difference ( ) were used as combined effects for categorical variables and continuous variables, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Totally 13 RCTs were included involving 878 patients. The Meta-analysis indicated compared with other acupuncture methods, warming acupuncture could more reduce weight (: -1.49 kg, 95% : -2.53 to -0.45, =0.005), improve the total effective rate (=1.16, 95% : 1.09 to 1.24, <0.000 01), reduce BMI (: -1.24 kg/m, 95% : -2.34 to -0.14, =0.03), reduce waist circumference (: -1.65 cm, 95% : -2.53 to -0.76, =0.02) and reduce hip circumference (: -2.86 cm, 95% : -4.37 to -1.35, =0.000 2), but had no significant influence on total cholesterol (: -0.05 mmol/L, 95% :-0.98 to 0.88, =0.91).@*CONCLUSION@#The warming acupuncture has better efficacy on primary obesity than other acupuncture methods, but less effects on lipid indicators.

Warm acupuncture for chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen-stomach deficiency cold / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of warm acupuncture at Zhongwan(CV 12) for chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) with spleen-stomach deficiency cold by the comparison with conventional acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned into a warm acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group,31 cases in each one. The acupoints in the two groups were Zhongwan(CV 12),Zusanli(ST 36),Neiguan(PC 6),Gongsun(SP 4),Qihai(CV 6),Pishu(BL 20) and Weishu(BL 21). Warm acupuncture was intervened at Zhongwan(CV 12) in the warm acupuncture group. Twirling reinforcing was applied at Zhongwan(CV 12) in the conventional acupuncture group. All the treatment was given for 3 courses continuously,5 days as one course,once a day. TCM syndrome score and symptom rating scale were observed before and after treatment in the two groups,and the effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 93.5%(29/31) in the warm acupuncture group,which was better than 87.0%(27/31) in the conventional acupuncture group(<0.05). The TCM syndrome score and symptom rating score were improved in the two groups after treatment(<0.01,<0.05),with more apparent improvement in the warm acupuncture group(<0.01,<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Warm acupuncture at Zhongwan(CV 12) can improve gastrointestinal discomfort,which is better than twirling reinforcing at Zhongwan(CV 12) for CAG with spleen-stomach deficiency cold.</p>

Clinical efficacy of warm needling therapy on cervical spondylosis of neck type based on the theory of "treatment both for the neck and lumbus" / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the short-term and long-term efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type between warm needling therapy in the regions of both neck and lumbus and that only in the region of neck.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-one patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into group A (41 cases) and group B (40 cases), in which 2 cases dropped out. Finally, 40 cases in the group A and 39 cases in the group B accomplished the trial. In the group A, the warm needling therapy was applied to the acupoints in the region of neck and the lumbus. Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Neck-Bailao (EX-HN 15), Wangu (GB 12), Tianyou (TE 16) and(including the tender points and code-like masses on palpation) were selected in the region of neck. Dachangshu (BL 25), Qihaishu (BL 24) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) of L5 were selected in the region of lumbus. The warm needling was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Dachangshu (BL 25). In the group B, the warm needling therapy was applied only to the acupoints in the neck, which were same as the group A. The treatment was given once every two days, three times a week in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, 1 week after treatment, at the end of 2-week treatment and at the end of 1 month follow-up, the score of neck pain questionnaire (NPQ), the score of range of motion (ROM) in the cervical region and the score of the cervical symptoms were recorded. The efficacy at the end of treatment and in the follow-up was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those before treatment, the scores at all the observation time points were significantly improved in the two groups after treatment (all<0.05). In the follow-up, NPQ score, ROM score and the score of cervicalsymptoms were different significantly between the two groups (all<0.05). The results in the group A were better than those in the group B. At the end of 2-week treatment, the total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the group A and was 87.2% (34/39) in the group B (>0.05). In the follow-up, the total effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in the group A, better than 64.1% (25/39) in the group B (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The treatment for both neck and lumbar regions with warm needling therapy and the treatment in the local area all achieve the short-term efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type. For the long-term efficacy, the treatment for both neck and lumbar regions achieves the better result as compared with the routine treatment in the region of neck.</p>

Study on Rules for Acupoint Selection of Warming Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Data Mining / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the rules for acupoint selection of warming acupuncture and moxibustion in clinical treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on data mining technology. Methods CNKI, Wanfang Data, CBM, VIP, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature about warming acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Database was built according to the search results. Association rules were used to analyze the rules for acupoint selection. Results Totally 189 papers were included, involving 189 prescriptions of acupuncture and moxibustion, 46 acupoints, 1270 times of acupoint selection. There were 1119 times of neighboring acupoint selection (88.1%), 151 times of distant acupoint selection (11.9%), 654 times of acupoint selection in yang meridian (51.5%) and 283 times of acupoint selection in yin meridian (22.3%). Conclusion Warming acupuncture and moxibustion in clinical treatment of knee osteoarthritis focuses on acupoints in Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin; the neighboring acupoint selection is the main method, combined with evidence-based distant acupoint selection; acupoint selection from yang meridian was emphasized.

Clinical Observation of Warm Acupuncture at Biguan (ST 31 ) in Treating Post-apoplectic Restless Legs Syndrome / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of warm acupuncture at Biguan(ST 31) in treating post-apoplectic restless legs syndrome. Methods:Fifty patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups by a waiting control method in order of hospitalization. The treatment group received deep acupuncture at point Biguan(ST 31) plus moxibustion and the control group took L-dopa orally. The curative effects were compared after 28 days' treatment. Results: The total efficacy rate was 76.00% in the treatment group and 26.00% in the control group. There was a significant difference. Conclusion:Warm acupuncture at Biguan(ST 31) is effective in treating post-apoplectic restless legs syndrome.

A Trial of Moxibustion with Warming Acupuncture Based on Evidence of Oriental Medicine in a Palliative Care Unit / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction] We consider that the missions of acupuncture medicine are : 1) cooperation with other departments, 2) treatments of subclinical diseases, and 3) palliative care, and we have been actively persuing all of the above. We conducted an acupuncture trial in the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) in Kawasaki General Care Center.<BR>[Subjects] We studied 74 cancer patients who were hospitalized in PCU between June 1999 and March 2001. There were 36 male patients and 38 female patients, and their average age was 63.9 ± 11.8 years old.<BR>[Methods] We treated the patients using appliance moxibustion with warming acupuncture (CS-2000). Nurses in charge treated the patients according to an association of points chosen with differentiation of syndromes.<BR>[Results] Of 74 cases, 51.4% received effective palliation. Among 58 cases who complained of pains, 55.2% received effective palliation. Treatments were most effective for patients who complained of “dull persistent pain”, “severe dull pain”, “heavy throbbing pain”, “bulging pain” and “penetrating pain” in order of effectiveness.<BR>[Discussion] Appliance Moxibustion with warming acupuncture is expected to relieve 1) pain not controllable with painkiller, 2) cancer pain (pain originating from cancer) or pain from combatting the disease, and 3) pain unrelated to cancer. Such pain is considered to be dull pain (indescribable pain).<BR>This is not based on data, but we were also able to play the following roles. One is spiritual care resulting from sharing common time and space with patients, and the other is providing nurses and doctors with meaningful information obtained from close communication with patients. (This is a part in teamwork medicine.) : <BR>[Conclusion] By participating in palliative care, we found out that we were able to contribute to caring to remove physical pain (and other symptoms) which is part of holistic pain. Especially, we found out that our care is meaningfully effective in removing pain.