ABSTRACT
This device is an auxiliary device with reasonable design for placebo acupuncture research, so as to make double-blind placebo acupuncture control possible. This new auxiliary acupuncture device includes an acupuncture device and a placebo acupuncture device with exactly the same appearance. Both of them are composed of a hemispherical base and a telescopic tube. Through the rotation of the telescopic tube in the notch of the base, the insertion angle of needles can be adjusted from 15 degrees to 165 degrees. The operation of twisting and lifting and inserting can be carried out through the horizontal rotation and vertical sliding of the telescopic tube. A silicone needle pad is arranged in the base, which can simulate the blocking feeling of skin and muscle during needle insertion. The bottom of the base is attached with hydrogel, which has good fixity. The auxiliary device is applicable to multiple parts of the human body and can effectively reduce the risk of unblinding.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation , Biomedical Research/methods , Double-Blind Method , Needles , SkinABSTRACT
Fire needling therapy has a wide range of indications, mainly including nervous system diseases, such as stroke sequela, post herpetic neuralgia, primary headache and trigeminal neuralgia; dermatological diseases like herpes zoster; orthopedic diseases, such as cervical spondylosis, tennis elbow, arthritis, cervical vertigo, cervical headache; gynecological diseases, such as dysmenorrhea; surgical related diseases, such as varicose veins, benign prostatic hyperplasia. The fire needling therapy has showed definite clinical effect for anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, neuroprotection and repair, endocrine regulation and other functions. However, most of the clinical studies are not standardized in scientific research design, lack of large sample RCT studies, or there is no unified standard for needling specifications. The research of needling mechanism is not enough and needs more experiments.
ABSTRACT
Electroacupuncture instruments as Chinese medicine treatment equipment clinically used most extensively play an important role in improving clinical effect of acupuncture treatment. Although the history of electroacupuncture instruments only has more than 60 years, the development of electroacupuncture equipment has experienced a very rich course. Especially in recentyears, the development of electroacupuncture instruments took on a new developing state. It is certain that thedevelopment of electroacupuncture instruments has entered a new era and the future developing speed and quality of electroacupuncture instruments will be significantly raised. By a review of the developing history of electroacupuncture equipmen, this article technically classifies electroacupuncture instruments and deeply analyzes some problems existent in the development of electroacupuncture instruments so as to propose more strict requirements for the future design of electroacupuncture instruments andsatisfy the demand of clinical acupuncture practice.
ABSTRACT
Objective To lay foundation for the establishment of national standards of electroacupuncture devices by exploring the problems existing in their clinical application.Methods An analysis was made of the models, stimulus waveforms and complex waveform characteristics, stimulus frequencies, current intensities and pulse widths of electroacupuncture devices reported in clinical literature. The actual output frequencies of three kinds of electroacupuncture devices were measured using RM6240C multi-channel physiological signal acquisition and processing system to observe the accuracy of their actual output parameters and summarize the problems existing in electroacupuncture devices. Results The reports on electroacupuncture device parameters showed that of the five indicators analyzed statistically, the frequency of described waveforms was the highest (96.2%); the frequencies of described models (88.8%), stimulus frequencies (61.7) and current intensities (11.2%) were next; the frequency of described pulse widths was the lowest (1.8%). The electroacupuncture device most commonly used clinically was G6805 series, but the subtypes were confused because of many manufacturers. The waveform was described more frequently but complex waveform characteristics were less. The difference of frequencies of clinical application of electroacupuncture was larger. They were from 0.8-400 Hz but described less accurately. The output frequency was indicated by the range in most of the literature. The output adjusters of the three kinds of electroacupuncture devices did not correspond to their actual output frequencies. There was a larger difference between the actual range of output frequencies and the adjustable frequency range indicated in the instruction.Conclusions Electroacupuncture devices have the problems of lacking a display unit of actual output parameter values, the adjusting parameters of the knob adjustable controller being not precise enough and the actual values of output frequencies not reaching the rated range in the instruction.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effects of needles with different diameters on the gastrointestinal function in mice. Methods: Eighteen Kunming mice were randomly divided into group of 0.25 mm needle, group of 0.35 mm needle, and control group. The acupoint of Zusanli (ST 36) was needled once a day for 5 days. The effects of needles with different diameters were observed by measuring the distance of the carbon moved in the intestine. Results: The distance of the carbon moved in the intestine was longer in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can enhance the peristalsis function of stomach and intestine in mice. The diameter of needle has no effect on the gastrointestinal function.