Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for girls aged 3-8 years with incomplete precocious puberty: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for girls aged 3-8 years with incomplete precocious puberty (IPP).@*METHODS@#Sixty girls with IPP were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). The girls in the control group were treated with healthy diet and proper exercise for 12 weeks. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the girls in the observation group were treated with acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking. The acupuncture was applied at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Guilai (ST 29), etc., the needles were retained for 20 min, acupuncture was given twice a week (once every 3 days). The auricular point sticking was applied at Luanchao (TF2), Neishengzhiqi (TF2), Neifenmi (CO18), Yuanzhong (AT2,3,4i), etc., twice a week. The treatment was given for 12 weeks. Before treatment, after treatment and in follow-up after 12 weeks of treatment completion, the Tanner stage of breast, serum contents of sex hormone (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], estradiol [E2]) were observed. The ovarian volume, the number of follicles with diameter>4 mm, and the uterine volume were measured by abdominal color Doppler ultrasound. In addition, the safety of the observation group was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, the Tanner stage of breast in the observation group was improved after treatment and in follow-up (P<0.05); after treatment and in follow-up, the Tanner stage of breast in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the serum levels of LH and E2 in the observation group were increased (P<0.05), and the volume of bilateral ovaries was larger (P<0.05) in follow-up. Compared with before treatment, the serum contents of LH, FSH and E2 in the control group were increased (P<0.05), the volume of bilateral ovaries was larger (P<0.05), and the number of follicles was increased (P<0.05) after treatment and in follow-up. The serum levels of LH, FSH and E2 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the volume of bilateral ovaries was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the number of follicles was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the uterine volume in the two groups was larger in follow-up (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups after treatment and in follow-up (P>0.05). During the treatment, 3 cases in the observation group had slight abdominal pain and subcutaneous blood stasis, without serious adverse reactions.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking could improve the Tanner stage of breast, reduce the level of sex hormone, slow down the development and maturation of ovary and follicle, and control the degree and speed of sexual development in girls aged 3-8 years with IPP.

Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual migraine of qi stagnation and blood stasis and its effect on serum levels of E2 and 5-HT / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking on menstrual migraine (MM) of qi stagnation and blood stasis, and explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 102 cases of MM with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (51 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (51 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking. The bloodletting was performed at vein at upper 1/3 of the dorsalis near the ear helix; the auricular point sticking was performed at Pizhixia (AT4), Neifenmi (CO18), Jiaogan (AH6a), Nie (AT2), Zhen (AT3), Shenmen (TF4) and Yidan (CO11). The auricular points of both ears were alternate used. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein was given once every 7 days, 3 times were taken as a course of treatment, and 1 course of treatment was given; the auricular point sticking was given once every 3 days, and 6 times of treatment were given. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of flunarizine hydrochloride capsules. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, flunarizine hydrochloride was given 2 capsules per time, once a day for 3 weeks. The menstrual headache index and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment, one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and the second menstrual cycle after treatment; the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) score and the serum levels of estradiol (E2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were compared before treatment and one menstrual cycle into treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated at one menstrual cycle into treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the menstrual headache index and VAS scores were reduced at one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and second menstrual cycle after treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MSQ scores and the serum levels of E2 and 5-HT in the two groups were increased at one menstrual cycle into treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.8% (46/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 73.5% (36/49) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking could relieve headache intensity, improve the quality of life in patients with MM of qi stagnation and blood stasis, which may be achieved by raising the serum levels of E2 and 5-HT to improve the level of hormone in the body.

Effects of different frequencies of pricking-bloodletting at auricular points plus auricular point sticking therapy on the serum levels of related factors in patients with acne vulgaris / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effects of different frequencies of pricking-bloodletting at auricular points plus auricular point sticking therapy on the levels of the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), testosterone (T), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in patients with acne vulgaris (AV). Methods: Ninety patients with AV were randomly assigned to treatment group 1, treatment group 2, and treatment group 3 according to the random number remainder grouping method, with 30 cases in each group. All three groups received pricking-bloodletting at auricular points plus auricular point sticking therapy. Treatment group 1 was treated once a week, treatment group 2 was treated twice a week, and treatment group 3 was treated 3 times a week. Four-week treatment was taken as 1 treatment course, and 3 treatment courses were observed. On the day before the start of the study and on the day next to the end of each course, the global acne grading system (GAGS) score was recorded, and 3 mL of blood from the median cubital vein was collected to test the serum levels of IgG, IgM, T, and IGF-1. After 3 courses of treatment, the efficacy index was calculated according to the GAGS score, and the serum indicators in patients with effective treatment (efficacy index ≥20％) and complete sampling were analyzed. Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the final blood indicator analysis. After 3 courses of treatment, the intra-group comparisons showed that the serum IgG level increased significantly in patients in treatment group 1 (P<0.01); the serum T level decreased significantly in the female patients in treatment group 2 (P<0.05); the IGF-1 level significantly decreased in the patients in all three groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the serum levels of IgG, IgM, T, and IGF-1 among the three groups at each time point (P>0.05). Conclusion: Pricking-bloodletting at auricular points plus auricular point sticking therapy can affect the levels of serum IgG, T, and IGF-1 in AV patients. The level of the serum IGF-1 can be reduced by treatment once a week, twice a week, or 3 times a week. Treatment once a week can increase the patients' serum IgG level, and treatment twice a week can significantly decrease the serum T level in female patients. Reducing the serum IGF-1 level may be one of the action mechanisms of pricking-bloodletting at auricular points plus auricular point sticking therapy in treating AV.

Clinical observation on different frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking for acne vulgaris / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of different treatment frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking for acne vulgaris.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into a treatment group 1 (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a treatment group 2 (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a treatment group 3 (30 cases, 5 cases dropped off). Combination therapy of auricular bloodletting and auricular point sticking at Fei (CO14), Shenmen (TF4), Neifenmi (CO18) and Shenshangxian (TG2p) were given once a week, twice a week and 3 times a week in the treatment group 1, the treatment group 2 and the treatment group 3 respectively, 4 weeks were as one course and totally 3 courses were required in the 3 groups. Before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 courses of treatment, the scores of global acne grading system (GAGS), skin lesion and quality of life-acne (QoL-Acne) were observed, the clinical efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses of treatment and the recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 1 month after treatment in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of GAGS and skin lesion were decreased at each time point in the 3 groups (P<0.05), the QoL-Acne scores were increased after 1 course of treatment in the treatment group 3 and after 2, 3 courses of treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in scores of GAGS, skin lesion and QoL-Acne among the 3 groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in effective rate and recurrence rate among the 3 groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Different frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking have similar efficacy in treating acne vulgaris, all can improve the skin lesion and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and have a cumulative effect and good long-term curative effect.

Efficacy observation of auricular point sticking in combination with a healthy diet for simple obesity in children / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of combining auricular point sticking and a healthy diet to treat simple obesity in children aged 6-9 years old.Methods: A total of 190 eligible obese kids were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method, with 95 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by auricular point sticking plus guide on a healthy diet, while the control group was only provided with the guide on a healthy diet. The therapeutic efficacy was observed after intervention for three consecutive months, as well as the changes in body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and subcutaneous fat thickness. Results: After the 3-month intervention, the total effective rate was 91.6％ in the observation group, versus 74.7％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.01); in both groups, the BM, BMI, WC, HC, and subcutaneous fat thickness all decreased significantly (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking plus a healthy diet is safe and effective in treating simple obesity in children, producing more significant efficacy than healthy diet intervention alone.

Modern literature study of auricular point therapy for primary insomnia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: By sorting and analyzing pertinent modern studies targeting auricular point therapy treating primary insomnia (PI), to summarize the point selection rules and clinical efficacy of using auricular points alone or combining it with other therapies in treating PI. Methods: A search on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), PubMed, Springer and Ovid were conducted from January 1, 1998 till January 31, 2020. Point selection, diagnostic criteria and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) in the eligible studies were analyzed and summarized. Results: The difference in PSQI before and after using auricular point therapy alone was more significant than that of using Chinese medication alone (P<0.05), but less significant than that of combining auricular point therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese therapeutic massage (tuina) (P<0.05). In the included studies, Shenmen (TF4) was the most commonly used (370 times), followed by Heart (CO15), which was 344 times, and Subcortex (AT4), which was 325 times. In terms of auricular points distribution, points in the auricular concha were the most commonly used (1500 times), followed by those in the antitragus (474 times) and triangular fossa (387 times). Correlation analysis showed that Shenmen (TF4) and Liver (CO12), Sympathetic (AH6a) and Heart (CO15) were used together more often, followed by Shenmen (TF4), Liver (CO12), Spleen (CO13), Kidney (CO10) and Subcortex (AT4), and then Shenmen (TF4), Liver (CO12), Sympathetic (AH6a), Subcortex (AT4) and Heart (CO15). Cluster analysis showed that the auricular points used for PI can be divided into 6 clusters in 2 major groups. One group was Heart (CO15), Subcortex (AT4), Shenmen (TF4), Sympathetic (AH6a), Spleen (CO13), Kidney (CO10), Liver (CO12) and Endocrine (CO18); the other was Occiput (AT3), Stomach (CO4), Pancrease-gallbladder (CO11), Chuiqian (LO4), Small Intestine (CO6), Central Rim (AT2,3,4i) and Sanjiao (CO17). In terms of patterns in traditional Chinese medicine, the pattern of dual deficiency of heart and spleen accounted for the largest proportion in the studies of using auricular points alone or combining it with other treatments to treatment PI, and then it was the pattern of liver depression transforming into fire. Conclusion: In treatment of PI with auricular points alone or combo therapy involving auricular points, Shenmen (TF4) was commonly used, and the commonly used point group consisted of Shenmen (TF4), Liver (CO12), Sympathetic (AH6a) and Heart (CO15). Auricular point therapy can be taken as a complementary therapy in treating PI.

Efficacy of auricular acupoint pressure therapy combined with intranasal dexmedetomidine for transthoracic echocardiography in pediatric patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupoint pressure therapy combined with intranasal dexmedetomidine for transthoracic echocardiography in pediatric patients.Methods:A total of 117 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, aged 3-36 months, weighing 5-20 kg, scheduled for elective transthoracic echocardiography under outpatient sedation, were selected.Transthoracic echocardiography was performed under sedation using intranasally administered dexmedetomidine or using auricular acupoint pressure therapy combined with intranasal dexmedetomidine.The interval between the two sedation methods was at least 1 week.Intranasal dexmedetomidine: Dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was administered to both nostrils via a nebulizer, with 1/2 dose in each nostril.Intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure: auricular acupressure with Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) seeds was used at the auricular acupoints.After each acupoint was rubbed for about 1 min, dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was administered to both nostrils via a nebulizer, with 1/2 dose in each nostril.After the examination, auricular acupoint pressure therapy was continued at home, and pressing-rubbing at the acupoints was manipulated for 3 times daily, one of which was performed at 30 min before going to bed, for 3 consecutive days.When the University of Michigan Sedation Scale score≥2 and body movement score ≥2 within 30 min after giving dexmedetomidine, sedation was considered to be successful.The onset time of sedation, examination time, waiting time, recovery time and the success of sedation were recorded.The incidence of adverse reactions such as bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, hypoxemia, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, restlessness, hyperactivity, action imbalances and allergic reaction were recorded within 24 h after administration of dexmedetomidine.Time to recovery and improvement of sleep quality at night were recorded.Results:Compared with intranasal dexmedetomidine, the successful rate of sedation and incidence of improvement of sleep quality at night were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in adverse reactions using intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure therapy can increase the successful rate of sedation and improve the sleep quality at night in pediatric patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography when compared to intranasal dexmedetomidine.

Different stimulation methods on auricular points for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To prove the therapeutic effect of auricular intradermal needling and auricular point sticking on primary dysmenorrhea (PD), and to explore its mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with PD were randomized into an auricular intradermal needling group, an auricular point sticking group and a placebo group, 30 cases in each one. Neishengzhiqi (TF@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of CMSS, VAS and SAS were decreased at each time point of treatment in the auricular intradermal needling group, 2, 3 courses into treatment and at follow-up in the auricular point sticking group and 3 courses into treatment in the placebo group (@*CONCLUSION@#Auricular intradermal needling and auricular point sticking can both improve the clinical symptom of primary dysmenorrhea, relieve the pain and anxiety, their mechanism may be related to regulating the serum levels of PGF

Electroacupuncture at / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at @*METHODS@#The data of 318 patients undergoing anal fistula surgery were analyzed retrospectively. In accordance with whether accepted the combined treatment with EA at bilateral @*RESULTS@#For VAS score, there was an interaction between therapeutic method and treatment duration (@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at

Effects of auricular point sticking on dry eye in myopia patients after SMILE surgery: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the intervention effect of auricular point sticking on dry eye in myopia patients after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery.Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted among the myopia patients who received SMILE surgery at Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. The post-SMILE operation patients who screened by the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into a control group and a treatment group. Patients in the control group were given 0.1％ fluorometholone and 0.5％ carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops, while the treatment group was given additional unilateral auricular point sticking for 1 month. The patients were estimated using ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1), tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, corneal sensitivity (CS) and visual quality (VQ) at 1 d, 1 week and 1 month after surgery; the changes in anxiety and depression were also observed in the patients. Results: Compared with the first day after operation, CS in the nasal region was improved in the treatment group, and the VQ score increased in the control group patients at 1 week after operation (both P<0.05); at 1 month after operation, the TF-BUT increased, CFS score decreased, CS in the central and nasal regions increased (all P<0.05), and VQ score increased (P<0.01) in the treatment group, and the CS in the central, upper, lower and nasal regions were improved (all P<0.05), and VQ score increased (P<0.01) in the control group. The between-group comparison showed that the differences in the change of TF-BUT were statistically significant at 1 week and 1 month after surgery, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking therapy can increase the TF-BUT and accelerate the repair of ocular surface function in post-SMILE patients.

Clinical study on acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache (TTH). Methods: A total of 90 TTH patients were divided into an acupuncture group, an auricular point sticking group and an observation group by random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for treatment, while those in the acupuncture group only received acupuncture and those in the auricular point sticking group only received auricular point sticking for treatment. The headache attack frequency and the scores of visual analog scale (VAS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed before treatment, after treatment and 3 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the follow-up of 3 months after treatment. Results: At follow-up, there were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the clinical efficacy ranking from high to low was the observation group, the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group. After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS score, headache attack frequency, SAS and SDS scores in the three groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). The above four results in the observation group were lower than those in the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group at the same time point (all P<0.01); VAS score in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group (both P<0.05). At follow-up, the headache frequency in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Either using acupuncture and auricular point sticking together or separately can reduce the headache degree of TTH patients, reduce the number of headache attacks, and relieve anxiety and depression. The efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking is most significant.

Effect of auricular point sticking therapy on perioperative pain in patients with partial lung resection / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the analgesic effect of auricular point sticking therapy during the perioperative stage in the patients with partial lung resection.@*METHODS@#A total of 92 patients with partial lung resection were randomized into an auricular point group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off), the sham-auricular point group (30 cases) and a medication group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). The routine medication for analgesia was provided in all of the three groups. In the auricular point group, 1 day before operation, the auricular point sticking therapy was applied at shenmen (TF@*RESULTS@#In 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, VAS scores in the auricular point group were lower than those in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group separately (@*CONCLUSION@#Auricular point sticking therapy relieves perioperative pain, shortens analgesic time, releases anxious and depressive emotions and reduces postoperative adverse reaction in the patients with partial lung resection. The analgesic mechanism is probably related to the increase of plasma concentration of β-endorphin.

Observation of therapeutic effect on coronavirus disease 2019 with insomnia in treatment with / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with insomnia between the combined treatment of @*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with COVID-19 accompanied with insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group (45 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (45 cases). In the observation group, @*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of every item and the total scores in PSQI were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of

Therapeutic efficacy observation on auricular point sticking therapy for cardiac syndrome X in women / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of auricular point sticking therapy for cardiac syndrome X (CSX) in women. Methods: A total of 64 patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table, with 32 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received conventional treatment for angina, while patients in the treatment group received auricular point sticking therapy on the basis of conventional treatment. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum estradiol (E2), nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-1 (ET-1) were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate and markedly effective rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significance (both P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of chest pain and tightness in the control group dropped significantly, and the intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance (both P<0.05); the scores of chest pain and tightness, palpitations, weakness and shortness of breath in the treatment group dropped significantly, and the intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance (all P<0.05); there were significant inter-group differences in the scores of chest pain and tightness. After treatment, the intra-group comparisons of E2, NO and ET-1 contents in the control group showed no statistical significance (all P>0.05), while the E2, NO and ET-1 contents in the treatment group changed significantly after treatment and were significantly different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking on the basis of conventional treatment was effective for CSX in women, and is worth clinical application.

Effect of magnetic beads auricular point sticking therapy on intrapartum fever in primipara with epidural labor analgesia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe effect of magnetic beads auricular point sticking therapy on intrapartum fever in primipara with epidural labor analgesia and explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 160 primipara were randomly divided into an observation group (80 cases, 12 cases dropped off ) and a control group (80 cases, 15 cases dropped off ). The primipara in the control group received epidural labor analgesia. In the observation group, 15 min after epidural labor analgesia was performed, magnetic beads auricular point sticking therapy was given at shenmen (TF@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in tympanic temperature in the observation group at each time point (@*CONCLUSION@#Magnetic beads auricular point sticking therapy can reduce the amount of anesthetics, decrease the effect of epidural analgesia on primipara's body temperature regulation and labor progress, and lower the incidence of fever during labor analgesia by regulating the level of inflammatory response in the primipara.

Clinical study on auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain. Methods: A total of 80 patients were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received Western medicine treatment, while patients in the observation group received additional auricular point sticking. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Numeric rating scale (NRS) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) were adopted before and after treatment. The total time and times of flare-up pain in 24 h were recorded. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected. The clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated after treatment. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05); after treatment, NRS scores of both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (both P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05); KPS scores of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (both P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total time and flare-up times of pain during 24 h of both groups were significantly reduced (all P<0.05), and those of the observation group were significantly less than those of the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, the COX-2 and TNF-α levels of both groups were significantly reduced (all P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain is valid. This combined treatment can alleviate cancer pain and improve patients' quality of life, which may be related to its ability to reduce COX-2 and TNF-α levels.

Auricular point sticking for relieving pain in arteriovenous fistula puncture / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking at different points to relieve the pain in arteriovenous fistula puncture. Methods: A total of 42 patients with arteriovenous fistula were randomized into a Shenmen (TF4) group and an Elbow (SF3) group by the random number table method, with 21 cases in each group. After enrolled into different groups, before the dialysis, patients were given auricular point sticking with Wang Bu Liu Xing ( Semen Vaccariae) seeds at Shenmen (TF4) and Elbow (SF3), respectively. Patients were asked to press the seeds themselves for 2 min each time, four times a day, and an additional 5-15 min before the arteriovenous fistula puncture. Intensive pressing was offered during the puncture, 15-20 presses for each time, and the plasters were changed every 2-3 d. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to score the pain level one week before and after auricular point sticking. The NRS score was then compared and analyzed. Results: The intra-group comparison showed that the changes of NRS score in both groups were statistically significant after auricular point sticking (both P＜0.05). After the treatment, there was no significant difference in NRS score between the two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking at Shenmen (TF4) or Elbow (SF3) can effectively relieve the pain of arteriovenous fistula puncture, and these two points have equivalent analgesic effect.

Auricular acupressure as assistant in primary insomnia management: a randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of dexzopiclone plus auricular acupressure in intervening primary insomnia.Methods:A total of 72 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial,with 36 cases allocated to a treatment group and 36 cases allocated to a control group.Both groups were given dexzopiclone as the routine treatment.Patients in the treatment group were given auricular acupressure with Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae) seeds at the auricular acupoints related to sleep and emotion based on meridian theory,whereas for patients in the control group,the medical plasters with Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae) seeds were only gently stuck to acupoints unrelated to sleep without stimulation.Patients in both groups were required to visit the hospital once a week for replacing the seeds and plasters.The course of intervention lasted for 8 weeks and the patients were followed up for another 4 weeks.Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Karolinska sleep diary (KSD) were used to evaluate the outcomes.Meanwhile,adverse effects were monitored and recorded.Results:In the enrolled 72 cases,4 patients (one in the treatment group and three in the control group) reported thirst and a bitter taste,and one case in the control group reported nausea and vomiting.At last,3 cases in the control group dropped out for adverse reactions,and 69 cases completed the clinical trial.After 8 weeks of treatment,the global scores of PSQI in both treatment and control groups decreased significantly compared with the baseline (both P＜0.001).Furthermore,the global score of PSQI in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.01).The global scores of PSQI in both groups at the follow-up were significantly different from the baseline (both P＜0.001),but insignificantly different compared with the post-treatment results (both P＞0.05).According to KSD,both treatment protocols could prolong the total sleep time,shorten sleep-onset latency,improve sleep efficacy and sleep quality significantly,and the changes in the treatment group were more significant.The total effective rate was 88.9％ in the treatment group,higher than 81.8％ in the control group,though the difference was statistically insignificant (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Dexzopiclone plus auricular acupressure is effective and safe for patients with primary insomnia both in short and long terms,and it is more effective than monotherapy of dexzopiclone.

Intervention of auricular point sticking on perioperative psychological stress in patients with anorectal diseases / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore and quantify the intervention effect of auricular point sticking on perioperative psychological stress in patients with anorectal diseases.@*METHODS@#Eighty patients who underwent anorectal surgery were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The routine preoperative guidance, preoperative visits, and informed of the postoperative condition were received in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, auricular point sticking was immediately applied at Shenmen (TF), Shen (CO), Wei (CO), Gan (CO), Pi (CO), Pizhixia (AT), E (AT), Nie (AT) and Zhen (AT) in the observation group.The patients were pressed by themselves, 3 to 5 min per point each time, 5 times a day, and the contralateral auricular points were replaced every 2 or 3 days until 1 week after surgery. The Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores were compared between the two groups before and 7 days after surgery.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the total HAMA scores between after and before surgery in the observation group (>0.05). The total HAMA score in the control group was higher than that before surgery (0.05). The scores of somatic anxiety factor in the two groups were higher than those before surgery (0.05). The total score of PSQI in the two groups was lower than that before surgery (<0.05), and the total score of PSQI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Auricular point sticking can effectively improve some psychological stress problems during perioperative period in patients with anorectal diseases.

Treatment of acne vulgaris with auricular acupoint pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy: a randomized controlled study / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy for acne vulgaris. Methods: A total of 66 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table, with 33 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy, and the control group was treated only with auricular point sticking therapy. The treatments of both groups were performed twice a week, 4 weeks as a course of treatment, for 3 courses in total. The scores of skin lesions and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores were recorded before and after treatment to assess the clinical efficacy. Results: During the trial, there were 3 cases of drop-out both in the observation group and the control group. After 3 courses of treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 96.7％, while that of the control group was 76.7％. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The intra-group comparison showed that the scores of skin lesion and DLQI were both decreased with the increase of treatment times, that was, the scores were lower than those at the previous time point (allP<0.05). After 1, 2, and 3 courses of treatment, the scores of skin lesion and DLQI of both groups were statistically different from those of the same group before treatment (allP<0.05). At every time point during the treatment, the scores of skin lesion and DLQI of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking has a better curative effect than auricular point sticking therapy alone in the treatment of acne vulgaris, and has a time-effect correlation.