Effect of acupoint stimulation assisted anesthetics on the agitation during recovery and the levels of serum opioids and amyloid A in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of acupoint stimulation assisted anesthesia on the agitation during recovery and the levels of serum opioids (Opiorphin) and amyloid A (SAA) in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery.Methods:Eighty-six older patients who underwent hip fracture surgery in Shaoxing Second Hospital from February 2020 to September 2021 were randomly divided into the routine group and the research group, each with 43 patients. They were given acupoint sham stimulation and acupoint stimulation respectively, and the general indexes of the two groups, recovery quality, cognitive function and changes in serum Opiorphin and SAA levels were compared.Results:There were no differences in operation time, anesthesia time, recovery time and intraoperative blood transfusion between the two groups ( P>0.05). The dosage of remifentanil in the research group was significantly lower than that in the routine group: (270.64 ± 17.62) μg vs. (291.82 ± 23.34) μg, P<0.05. The incidence of agitation during the recovery period in the research group was significantly lower than that in the routine group: 13.95% (6/43) vs. 48.84% (21/43), P<0.05. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores in the research group at 12, 24 and 48 h after operation were significantly higher than those in the routine group: (22.80 ± 2.04) scores vs. (19.31 ± 3.61) scores, (24.92 ± 2.44) scores vs. (21.49 ± 3.58) scores, (26.73 ± 2.57) scores vs. (24.23 ± 3.95) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The serum Opiorphin level at 24 h after operation in the research group was higher than that in the routine group: (32.74 ± 8.57) mg/L vs. (25.40 ± 6.36) mg/L; and the SAA level was lower than that in the routine group: (157.36 ± 10.24) mg/L vs. (204.37 ± 15.56) mg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Acupoint stimulation adjuvant anesthesia can reduce the occurrence of agitation during the recovery period of elderly patients with hip fracture, reduce the dosage of anesthetics, reduce postoperative cognitive impairment, regulate serum Opiorphin and SAA levels, and help early postoperative recovery.

Evaluation of the effect of Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with Elemene injection on lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To study the effect of Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with elemene injection on the psychological state, the degree of cancer-related fatigue, and the quality of life of lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion.Methods:According to the clinical controlled trial, a total of 100 patients with malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Ⅱ and Vascular Surgery of Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from April 2019 to December 2021 were convenient selected and divided into control group and experimental group with 50 cases in each group by random number table method. The control group received intrapleural perfusion therapy with elemene injection, and the experimental group was treated with Zhushui plaster on the basis of the control group. The psychological state, cancer-induced fatigue and quality of life of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups before intervention (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in psychological status, cancer-induced fatigue and the quality of life before intervention between the two groups (all P>0.05). After the intervention, the anxious and depressed scores of the patients in the experimental group were (64.12 ± 3.24) and (60.38 ± 3.00), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group, (66.00 ± 3.69) and (62.10 ± 3.30), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.72, 2.73, both P<0.05). The scores of perceived fatigue, emotional fatigue, cognitive fatigue and behavioral fatigue in the experimental group were (5.66 ± 0.59), (5.26 ± 0.75), (4.00 ± 0.93) and (5.08 ± 0.80), respectively, which were lower than those in the control group, (5.98 ± 0.74), (5.70 ± 1.09), (4.42 ± 1.07) and (5.52 ± 1.00), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.10-2.46, all P<0.05); in addition, the dimensions and total scores of the quality of life in the experimental group were (50.54 ± 5.09), (52.49 ± 4.46), (50.40 ± 4.40), (48.96 ± 3.32) and (202.38 ± 15.42), respectively, which were higher than those in the control group, (47.82 ± 6.69), (49.40 ± 6.28), (47.24 ± 4.70), (46.56 ± 4.13) and (191.00 ± 15.79) respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were -3.65--2.29, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Zhushui plaster application and nursing combined with elemene injection can not only effectively control the negative psychological state of lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion and reduce the degree of cancer-related fatigue, but also improve their quality of life.

Study on acupoint selection law of acupuncture for autism spectrum disorder based on data mining / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze the acupoint selection law of acupuncture for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using data mining techniques.Methods:Literature related to acupuncture for ASD was retrieved from the CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, Wanfang, and PubMed databases from the establishment of the databases to April 1, 2022, and then a database of acupuncture prescriptions was established. The frequency analysis of acupoint use was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019; the Apriori algorithm was used to analyze the association law of acupoints/acupoint areas; SPSS 26.0 was used to perform intergroup cluster analysis.Results:A total of 97 relevant articles with 97 acupuncture prescriptions and 98 acupoints/acupoint areas were included. The most frequently used acupoint was Shenmen (HT 7). The acupoint area of Jin's three-needle therapy and the Governor Vessel acupoints are commonly used. The most frequently occurring part of the acupoint/acupoint area was the head, and the most commonly used specific acupoint was the rendezvous acupoint. Association rule analysis yielded 40 groups of acupoints/acupoint areas, and the most commonly used combination was Laogong (PC 8) and Shenmen (HT 7). Four categories were extracted among high-frequency acupoints/acupoint areas by cluster analysis.Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment for ASD mainly selects the head acupoints, mainly selecting the acupoint area of Jin's three-needle therapy and the Governor Vessel acupoints, and paying attention to the use of specific acupoints.

Clinical observation of Xiaozhang Paster in the treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical observation of Xiaozhang Plaster for external use in the treatment of postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. From January 2019 to January 2022, 128 patients with postprandial discomfort syndrome of functional dyspepsia of qi stagnation type in our hospital were selected and divided into two groups by random number table, with 64 cases in each group. Both groups were orally treated with mosapride citrate tablets. On this basis, the treatment group was combined with external use of Xiaozhang Plaster, and the control group was combined with placebo patch. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score, symptom severity and attack frequency score were performed before and after treatment. The quality of life of the patients was assessed with SF-36 Short-form health survey-36 (SF-36), anxiety and depression were assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the growth hormone releasing peptide (Ghrelin), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) The levels of gastrin 17 (G-17), pepsinogen I (PG I) and pepsinogen Ⅱ (PG Ⅱ) levels were observed by ELISA, and clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 96.88% (62/64) in the treatment group and 81.25% (52/64) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=8.02, P<0.05). After treatment, the score and total score of epigastric distension, epigastric distension and pain, fullness of both flanks, loss of appetite in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=38.43, 32.39, 38.43, 32.87, 33.74, P<0.01), the score of symptom severity and attack frequency were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=61.42, 33.46, P<0.01), and the score of SF-36 was significantly higher than that in the control group ( t=8.26, P<0.01); The score of HADS was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=38.06, P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of CGRP and G-17 in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 6.22, 29.51, P<0.01), the level of Ghrelin, and the levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=23.85, 13.26, 19.53, P<0.01). Conclusion:On the basis of basic drug treatment, the application of Xiaozhang Plaster for external use to intervene patients with postprandial discomfort syndrome of qi stagnation functional dyspepsia can improve the quality of life, gastrointestinal hormones, anxiety and depression symptoms, and the effect is remarkable.

Effect of acupoint application combined with supine intermittent angle traction on neck biological parameters in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of intermittent angle traction on the supine position combined with acupoint application on the changes of cervical radiculopathy related biological parameters.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 100 patients with radiculopathy cervical spondylosis treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2019 to February 2021 were selected and randomly divided into observation group ( n=50) and control group ( n=50). Patients in the control group were given conventional treatment with western medicine, and patients in the observation group were given acupoint application combined with supine intermittent angle traction combined with treatment. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Spinal Cord Function (JOA), Cervical Disability Index (NDI), Pain Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and the changes in intervertebral foramen volume of two groups were compared before and after treatment. The difference in clinical efficacy between the two groups after treatment was observed. We took a thin spiral CT film of the patient's cervical spine, established a three-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine, and compared the differences in related indicators between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the observation group and 70.0% (35/50) in the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=9.76, P=0.002). After treatment, the JOA score in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( t=6.23, P<0.01), the NDI score, VAS score were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 5.17,9.13, P<0.01), the intervertebral foraminal volume [(8.45±1.27)mm 3vs. (7.18±1.38)mm 3, t=4.79] was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and C 4-7 cervical vertebra flexion [(7.15±0.87)° vs.(5.64±0.78)°, t=9.14], retroflexion [(8.53±0.73)° vs. (7.15±0.68)°, t=9.78], sidebend [(6.57±0.71)° vs. (5.28±0.67)°, t=9.34], rotated [(7.89±0.52)° vs. (6.54±0.48)°, t=13.49] were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01); C 4-7 disc flexion [(1.41±0.09) kPa vs. (2.01±0.12) kPa, t=28.28], retroflexion [(1.54±0.07) kPa vs. (2.01±0.08) kPa, t=31.26], sidebend [(1.24±0.07) kPa vs. (1.89±0.13) kPa, t=31.13], rotated [(1.23±0.06)kPa vs. (1.85±0.11)kPa, t=34.99] were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The supine intermittent Angle traction combined with acupoint application in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy can relieve the neck pain, improve the neck function, restore the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, and promote the recovery of cervical biomechanics.

Clinical study of self-made Huatan Prescription combined with conventional western medicine therapy in the treatment of severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of external therapy with self-made Huatan Prescription combined with conventional western medicine therapy in the treatment of severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 114 patients with severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung in the hospital between July 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups by the random number table method, with 57 in each group. On the basis of conventional western medicine therapy, the treatment group was given external therapy of self-made Huatan Prescription, and the control group was given the placebo. Both groups were applied continuously for 5 days. The TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The disease severity was evaluated by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ). The levels of WBC and procalcitonin (PCT) were detected by automatic blood analyzer. The levels of serum CRP and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. The adverse reactions during treatment were recorded and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:After treatment, the total respinse rate was 92.98% (53/57) in treatment group and was 70.18% (40/57) in control group ( χ2=9.87, P=0.002). The scores of fever, unconsciousness, cough and expectoration, nausea and vomiting, tongue coating and pulse and total score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=8.95, 7.30, 6.93, 7.37, 12.02, 12.59, 14.29, P<0.01). SOFA (18.12±3.55 vs. 21.46±3.58, t=5.00) and APACHE Ⅱ (13.39±2.72 vs. 16.52±3.13, t=5.70) in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The levels of WBC [(11.12±1.61) ×10 9/L vs. (12.69±1.82) ×10 9/L, t=4.88], PCT [(3.72±0.81) μg/L vs. (5.19±0.92) μg/L, t=9.05], serum CRP [(62.09±11.41) mg/L vs. (91.77±15.54) mg/L, t=11.62] and IL-6 [(193.14±32.28) ng/L vs. (235.68±38.75) ng/L, t=6.37] in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During treatment, there were no obvious adverse reactions in both groups. Conclusion:Self-made Huatan Prescription external therapy combined with conventional western medicine therapy can improve the clinical symptoms, inhibit the inflammatory response, relieve the disease condition and improve the prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia of phlegm turbidity obstructing lung safely.

Rules of acupuncture points in the treatment of dysmenorrhea of endometriosis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To summarize the application rules of acupuncture and moxibustion in the clinical trials for dysmenorrhea and endometriosis.Methods:The relevant articles of clinical research on acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of dysmenorrhea in endometriosis were retrieved electronically from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and Cochrane Library (Retrieved from database establishment until 31 October 2021). The clinical literatures that met the inclusion criteria were included into the database (Microsoft Office Excel 2019), and the main table and sub-table were established through Microsoft Office Excel 2019. Descriptive statistic analysis was performed by using SPSS 26.0 software. StataSE15 (64-bit) software was used to analyze the correlation between the combinations of acupoints with single acupoint frequency>5.Results:A total of 40 clinical studies were included. Of them, the top 3 acupuncture methods according to the frequency were acupuncture (11 times), moxibustion (11 times), and electro-acupuncture (8 times), the top 3 acupuncture points used according to the frequency were Guan Yuan (34 times), San Yin Jiao (26 times), and Zhong Ji (25 times), the top 3 meridians of the body acupuncture points according to the frequency were Ren Meridian (36 times), Spleen Meridian (32 times), and Stomach Meridian (22 times). According to the correlation analysis, body points of Guan Yuan, San Yin Jiao, Uterus, Qi Hai and Zhong Ji were stronge related.Conclusion:Acupuncture can effectively treat EMT dysmenorrhea with less adverse reactions. The methods are mainly acupuncture, moxibustion and electroacupuncture, mostly local acupoints, intersection acupoints and empirical acupoints.

Acupoint selection rule of acupuncture therapy for relieving postoperative pain based on data mining / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze the rule of acupoint selection for acupuncture in relieving postoperative pain based on data mining technology.Methods:Articles about acupuncture for postoperative pain were retrieved from CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases from establishment to June 6, 2022. Excel 2019 and SPSS Modeler 18.0 software were used to establish acupoints database and conduct the data analysis.Results:Totally 308 articles were obtained, involving 317 acupuncture prescriptions and 173 acupoints. Acupoints of bladder meridian, stomach meridian, large intestine meridian and spleen meridian were used frequently. Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) were high-frequency acupoints with a frequency of ≥50 times. Five-shu acupoint was often selected in specific acupoints. The common sites for acupuncture to relieve postoperative pain were abdomen, perianal, lumbar back and knee. Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and other acupoints were commonly used for abdominal postoperative pain, and the most commonly used combination was "Zusanli (ST 36)-Neiguan (PC 6)"; Chengshan (BL 57), Changqiang (GV 1) and other acupoints were often used for perianal postoperative pain, and "Chengshan (BL 57)-Changqiang (GV 1)" was highly correlated combination; Shenshu (BL 23) and Huantiao (GB 30) were commonly used for postoperative pain in the lumbar and back region, and acupoints with high correlation were "Ashi acupoint-Huantiao (GB 30)" and "Shenshu (BL 23)-Huantiao (GB 30)"; Xuehai (SP10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were commonly used for postoperative pain of knee, and their compatibility had a high correlation.Conclusion:Acupuncture therapy for relieving postoperative pain often selects Yang meridians acupoints, and follows the principle of distal-proximal points combination and acupoint selection along meridians, and pays attention to the use of specific acupoints.

Effects of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of Traditional Chinese Medicine on inflammatory indicators and pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on inflammatory indicators and pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung.Methods:Prospective cohort study. Eighty AECOPD patients with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung, who met the inclusion criteria in our hospital from October 2020 to January 2022 were included, and randomized into two groups by random number table methods, 40 in each group. The control group received conventional therapy of Western medicine, while the treatment group received modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of TCM on the basic treatment of control group. Both groups were treated for a course of 14 days. The white blood count (WBC) and percentage of neutrophil (NE%) were detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pulmonary function parameters including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC were detected by spirometry. Meantime, the adverse reactions and clinical responsive rate were recorded in both groups.Results:The overall responsive rate was 90.0% (36/40) in treatment group, which had statistically significant difference with 70.0% (28/40) in control group (χ 2=5.00, P=0.025). After treatment, plasma WBC [(4.15±1.02)×10 9/L vs. (7.53±1.27)×10 9/L, t=13.12], NE% [(0.50±0.12)% vs. (0.65±0.13)%, t=5.36] and serum CRP [(8.12±5.58)mg/L vs. (25.15±8.50)mg/L, t=10.59] in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The FEV1 [(1.94±0.23)L vs. (1.71±0.35)L, t=3.47], FEV1% [(88.25±9.21)% vs. (74.10±8.13)%, t=7.29], FVC [(3.85±0.31)L vs. (3.12±0.23)L, t=12.29] and FEV1/FVC [(86.12±7.18)% vs. (75.30±8.32)%, t=6.23] in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate during treatment period yielded no significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Application of modified Maxing Shigan Decoction combined with acupoint application of TCM in the treatment of AECOPD with syndrome of phlegm-heat accumulated in the lung can effectively attenuate inflammation response and ameliorate the pulmonary function.

Clinical Efficacy of Longbeisan Application at Shenque （CV 8） Combined with Oral Administration of Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Premature Ejaculation / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical value of Longbeisan application at Shenque （CV 8） combined with oral administration of Chinese medicine in the treatment of premature ejaculation （PE）. MethodA total of 98 PE patients treated in the andrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine at the same time period were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group， with 49 patients in each group. The observation group received Longbeisan application at Shenque （CV 8） combined with oral treatment of Chinese medicine according to syndrome differentiation， and the control group was treated with dapoxetine hydrochloride tablets. The treatment in both groups lasted for 8 weeks. The intravaginal ejaculatory latency time （IELT）， Chinese index of premature ejaculation-5 （CIPE-5） score， patient's sexual life satisfaction， spouse's sexual life satisfaction， effective rate， and adverse reaction incidence were compared between the two groups. ResultAfter treatment， the observation group had higher total effective rate than the control group ［（85.71% （42/49） vs. 67.35% （33/49）， χ2=6.262， P<0.05］. The IELT， CIPE-5 score， and patient's and spouse's satisfaction scores after treatment increased compared with those before treatment （P<0.01）， and the increases were more significant in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group. During the treatment， 7 （7/49，14.29%） patients in the control group and 2 ，2/49，4.08%） patients in the observation group showed adverse reactions， which indicated the safety of the observation group was better than that of the control group （χ2=9.000， P<0.05）. In the follow-up period， 11 （11/49，22.45%） patients in the control group and 3 （3/49，6.12%） patients in the observation group showed aggravation of symptoms， which meant that the observation group had better lasting effect （χ2=0.317， P<0.05）. ConclusionLongbeisan application at Shenque （CV 8） combined with oral administration of Chinese medicine has better clinical effect， stronger safety， and longer effect than dapoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of PE.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Combined with Warm Acupuncture for Breast Cancer Related Upper Limb Lymphedema: A Retrospective Cohort Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with warm acupuncture in treating breast cancer associated with upper limb lymphedema (BCRL).@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective cohort study using a paired control design. Fifty-two BCRL patients were assigned to the control group (27 cases) and the treatment group (25 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with lymphedema comprehensive detumescence treatment (CDT) for 4 weeks, including systematic therapy composed of manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandage, skincare, and functional exercise. The patients in the treatment group were treated with TEAS combined with warm acupuncture based on the control group methods. Each treatment lasted for 30 min and was applied twice a week for 4 weeks. The arm circumference (AC) of different positions of the affected limb and the degree of swelling of the affected limb were evaluated before the first treatment and after the last treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the degree of edema before and after treatment. All adverse events during treatment were recorded.@*RESULTS@#The patients' AC and the swelling feeling of the affected limb in the treatment group and the control group were both reduced compared with those before treatment. Compared with the control group, AC of the wrist joint transverse stria, the midpoint between the wrist joint transverse stria and the elbow joint transverse stria in the treatment group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The decrease in AC diameter at the midpoint between the elbow joint transverse stria and the axillary transverse stria was the most significant (P<0.01). The swelling degree of the affected limbs in the treatment group was significantly lower than before treatment, and was significantly lower compared with the control group after treatment (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 72% in the treatment group, significantly higher than that in the control group (55.56%, P<0.05). No serious adverse events occured in either group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#TEAS combined with warm acupuncture can effectively reduce AC and swelling feeling of the affected limb in patients with BCRL. The effect is better than that of CDT therapy alone. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200062075).

Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy for perimenopausal obesity: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy on perimenopausal obesity (PMO).@*METHODS@#Ninety-six patients of PMO were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (48 cases). The control group received health education and lifestyle intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with acupoint thread embedding at the main acupoints of Shangwan (CV 13), Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Fenglong (ST 40), etc. as well as the supplementary acupoints in accordance with the syndrome differentiation, once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks (4 times in total). The indexes of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass), modified Kupperman score, insomnia severity index (ISI) score, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score of the two groups were observed before and after treatment, and the safety was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass in the two groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and ISI score in the control group was lower than before treatment (P<0.05). Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SDS between the two groups or within groups (P>0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred during the experiment.@*CONCLUSION@#Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy can reduce the degree of obesity in PMO patients, and improve patients' the perimenopausal symptoms, insomnia and anxiety, with good safety.

Effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation at Neiguan (PC 6) on general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic lobectomy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS) at Neiguan (PC 6) on general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic lobectomy.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients of primary lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were divided to an observation group (33 cases, 1 case discontinued) and a control group (33 cases). In the observation group, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) was used 30 min before anesthesia induction till the end of surgery. The surgery time, maximum value of partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) and minimum value of oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the two groups were recorded. The dosage of propofol, sufentanil, remifentanil and dexmedetomidine were analyzed. Separately, before induction (T0), at the start of surgery (T1), thoracic exploration (T2) and lobectomy (T3), as well as 30 min (T4) and 60 min (T5) after lobectomy, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), serum cortisol (Cor) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured. The time of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, ambulation, flatus, chest drainage and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The maximum value of PETCO2, the dosage of propofol and remifentanil in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the minimum value of SpO2 in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). At T1-T5, the MAP, HR, serum Cor and NE levels in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The ambulation time, the time for the flatus, chest drainage time, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#For the general anesthesia under preserving spontaneous breathing in thoracoscopic surgery, TEAS at Neiguan (PC 6) relieves stress response, reduces opioids dosage and promotes postoperative recovery.

The rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion for scrofula in ancient times / 中国针灸

Based on data mining technology, the rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture-moxibustion for scrofula in ancient times were analyzed. The relevant articles of acupuncture and moxibustion for scrofula were searched in the Chinese Medical Code, and the original article, acupoint name, acupoint characteristic, and acupoint meridian tropism, etc. were screened and extracted. The Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to establish a acupoint prescription database, and the frequency of acupoints as well as their meridian tropism and characteristics were analyzed. The SPSS21.0 was applied to perform cluster analysis of acupuncture prescriptions; the SPSS Modeler 18.0 was used to perform the association rules analysis of the neck and the chest-armpit acupoints, respectively. As a result, 314 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted, including 236 single-acupoint prescriptions and 78 multiple-acupoints prescriptions (53 for neck and 25 for chest-armpit). A total of 54 acupoints were involved, with a total frequency of 530. The top 3 commonly-used acupoints were Tianjing (TE 10), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3); the most commonly-used meridians were hand shaoyang meridian, foot shaoyang meridian, hand yangming meridian and foot yangming meridian; the most commonly-used special acupoints were he-sea points and shu-stream points. The cluster analysis obtained 6 clusters, and the association rule analysis obtained that the core prescriptions of the neck were Quchi (LI 11), Jianyu (LI 15), Tianjing (TE 10) and Jianjing (GB 21), while the core prescriptions of the chest-armpit were Daling (PC 7), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Danzhong (CV 17), Jianjing (GB 21), Waiguan (TE 5), Zhigou (TE 6), Yuanye (GB 22) and Zhangmen (LR 13). The core prescriptions obtained from association rule analysis by difference areas were basically consistent with those by cluster analysis of total prescriptions.

Non-linear characteristic of acupoint resistance and its application / 中国针灸

Acupoint specificity is a key scientific issue in acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupoint electric resistance is a commonly-used biophysical index to study the functional specificity of acupoints. The non-linear characteristics of acupoint electric resistance have great impacts on the measured values, but it has been greatly ignored. By analyzing the non-linear characteristics of acupoint resistance and its application in the study of acupoint function specificity, a new idea of introducing chaos theory and technology into the study of acupoint function is proposed.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with electroacupuncture for rapid recovery after abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with electroacupuncture (EA) on rehabilitation after abdominal surgery.@*METHODS@#A total of 320 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into a combination group (80 cases), a TEAS group (80 cases, 1 case discontinued), an EA group (80 cases, 1 case discontinued) and a control group (80 cases, 1 case discontinued). The patients in the control group received enhance recovery after surgery (ERAS) standardized perioperative management. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the TEAS group was treated with TEAS at Liangmen (ST 21) and Daheng (SP 15); the EA group was treated with EA at Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39); the combination group was treated with TEAS combined with EA, with continuous wave, 2-5 Hz in frequency, and the intensity was tolerable to the patients, 30 min each time, once a day, from the first day after surgery, until the anus resumed spontaneous defecation and the oral intake of solid food was tolerated. The gastrointestinal-2 (GI-2) time, first exhaust time, first defecation time, first tolerance of oral intake of solid food time, time of first get out of bed and hospital stay were observed in all the groups; the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and incidence rates of nausea and vomiting 1, 2, 3 days after surgery were compared in all the groups; after treatment, the acceptability of each treatment was evaluated by patients in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the GI-2 time, first exhaust time, first defecation time, first tolerance of oral intake of solid food time were shortened (P<0.05), the VAS scores 2, 3 days after surgery were decreased (P<0.05) in the combination group, the TEAS group and the EA group; those in the combination group were shorter and lower than the TEAS group and the EA group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the time of hospital stay in the combination group, the TEAS group and the EA group were shortened (P<0.05), and that in the combination group was shorter than the TEAS group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEAS combined with EA can accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients after abdominal surgery, relieve postoperative pain, and shorten hospital stay.

Relationship between the inserting sites of Fu's subcutaneous needling and traditional acupoints: revelation to acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

Focusing on the phenomenon of "de-acupoints" of the needle insertion sites in Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN), the authors allocated the evolution and characteristics of the needle insertion sites of FSN. From six aspects, named morphology and structure, location, nomenclature, numbers and meridian tropism, indications and acupuncture manipulations, the comparison was made between the insertion sites of FSN and traditional acupoints. It is believed: ①The needle insertion sites of FSN has the basic attributes of acupoint, which not only refers to the operation site, but also indicates the reaction of disease; moreover, it is the treatment site with significant therapeutic effect. ②The optimized sites of insertion in FSN should be named differently and their locations and numbers should be specified relatively. ③The insertion sites of FSN should be further intersected and integrated with traditional acupoints, and a part of traditional acupoints should become the insertion sites of FSN. ④Accepting and integrating the insertion sites of FSN, and expanding the scope of traditional acupoints may be the new project in the research of traditional acupoints.

Constructed "ashi point" / 中国针灸

Ashi point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergency) as one of the effective folk methods. The theoretic development of ashi point goes through the innovation period of contemporary and modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory, specifically in three aspects, definition, property and status. Through the analysis of historical data, it is found that the bias of ashi point theory results from the misunderstanding of connotation, the distortion of application techniques, the misinterpretation of semantics and the gradual promotion of status. All of these are generally caused by the reform of acupuncture-moxibustion theory in Japan, which covers the essence of ashi point, limits its connotation and clouds the concept of acupoint. It is necessary to re-understand the literal sense and theoretic construction of ashi point and timely update the knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion in association with the results of theoretical researches.

Adding acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints: preliminary assumption / 中国针灸

To deepen the understanding of the acupoint indications, clarify the targeting of acupoints, and provide a basis for the composition of acupuncture prescriptions, it is suggested to add acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints, and a preliminary assumption that relevant acupoints can be identified by taking the indications, locations, and meridians as the key points is proposed. In this paper, acupoints for treating stomach disease, acupoints of eye region, and five-shu points of lung meridian are taken as examples, combined with ancient literature and modern scientific research achievements, the main indications of acupoint is identified, which is of great significance to the discipline's development, talent training, and achievement transformation.

Clinical observation on syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for autism spectrum disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training and simple rehabilitation training for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the control group, routine rehabilitation training was applied; in the observation group, syndrome-differentiation acupuncture (the main points were Baihui [GV 20], Dingshenzhen, Niesanzhen, etc., the supplementary acupoints were selected according to syndrome-differentiation) combined with rehabilitation training were applied, all the treatments were given once a day, 5-day continuous treatment with 2-day interval, 12 weeks were required. Before treatment and after 6, 12 weeks of treatment, the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores were observed, the therapeutic effect and safety were evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, except for the sensory perception score after 6 weeks of treatment in the control group, the item scores and total scores of ATEC, CARS scores and ABC scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the social score and total score of ATEC, CARS score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); after 12 weeks of treatment, the item scores and total score of ATEC, CARS score and ABC score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (24/30), which was higher than 56.7% (17/30) in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious adverse reactions in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, especially sensory perception and social ability, and with good safety, which is superior to simple rehabilitation training.