Influence of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy on limb motor function and serum cAMP and cGMP in patients with hemiplegia of cerebral ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the therapeutic effect of the combined treatment with balance acupuncture therapy and exercise re-learning rehabilitation therapy and the impact on serum cAMP and cGMP in the patients with hemiplegia of cerebral ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients of hemiplegia of cerebral ischemic stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. All of the patients in the two groups received health education, diet guidance, routine symptomatic treatment as well as exercise re-learning rehabilitation therapy. Additionally, in the observation group, balance acupuncture therapy was applied, in which, the acupoints on the aspect of the human body, on the governor vessel and bladder meridian were adopted in the morning and those on the aspect of the human body, on the conception vessel and kidney meridian were stimulated in the afternoon. In the control group, the regular acupuncture was given. In the two groups, both acupuncture and rehabilitation therapies were given 5 days a week, 2 week-treatment as one course and totally 2 courses were required. Separately, before and after treatment, the score of Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and the score of Chinese stroke scale (CSS) were recorded, the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) detected in serum and the clinical therapeutic effect were evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, FMA score was increased in the patients of either of the groups as compared with that before treatment (<0.01) and CSS score decreased as compared with that before treatment (<0.01). After treatment, FMA score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.01) and CSS score was lower than the control group (<0.01). After treatment, the level of serum cAMP of the patients in either of the groups was increased as compared with that before treatment (<0.01) and that of cGMP decreased as compared with that before treatment (<0.01). After treatment, the level of cAMP in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.01) and that of cGMP was lower than the control group (<0.01). The total effective rate was 93.3% (42/45) in the observation group, better than 73.3% (33/45) in the control group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The balance acupuncture therapy combined with exercise re-learning rehabilitation effectively improves the motor function of the affected limb, relieves injury and regulate the levels of serum cAMP and cGMP in the patients with hemiplegia of ischemic stroke.

Analysis on regional homogeneity of resting brain during balance acupuncture-induced analgesic effect in migraine patients without aura / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship between the analgesic effect of balance acupuncture and functional changes in brain in patients with migraine without aura. METHODS: A total of 40 cases of migraine without aura were equally randomized into a headache-acupoint group and a sham-acupoint group. When acupuncture given, a filiform needle was inserted into the headache-acupoint (the midpoint of the depression region anterior to the juncture of the first and second metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the foot) or the sham point (the midpoint of the depression region anterior to the juncture site between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal joints of the dorsum of the foot) about 25-40 mm deep and manipulated for a while till the patient experienced feelings of electric shock and numbness, then withdrawn immediately. The treatment was conducted once daily for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the severity of pain, and the regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess changes of the spontaneous brain activity. RESULTS: After acupuncture, the analgesic effect of headache-acupoint was better than that of the sham-acupoint in both intervention stage and the follow-up stage (P0.05). Compared with pre-intervention, 4-weeks' intervention at the headache-acupoint showed an increase of ReHo values in the anterior cingulate gyrus, anterior central gyrus, superior orbital frontal gyrus, insula, inferior lobule, left anterior cingulate gyrus, ventral lateral nucleus and ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus, pontine nucleus, cerebellar tonsils and orbital frontal inferior gyrus of the brain (P<0.05), and a decrease of ReHo values in the right brain bridge, central posterior gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, left central anterior gyrus, posterolateral nucleus of thalamus, and hippocampus (P<0.05), separately. In the sham-acupoint group, the ReHo value was increased in the right tongue gyrus, the left anterior lobe, the anterior cingulate gyrus and the lower occipital gyrus of the brain (P<0.05), and reduced in the left ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus, separately (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Balance acupuncture stimulation of headache acupoint has an analgesic effect in migraine patients without aura, which may be related to its effect in regulating resting state brain function of the limbic-system-dominated multiple brain regions.

Effects of methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture on peripheral facial paralysis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.@*METHODS@#A total of 108 patients with peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture group (a combined group), a methycobal iontophoresis group and a simple balance acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. Basic medical treatment were given in the three groups. The simple balance acupuncture was applied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint, stomachache acupoint in the simple balance acupuncture group. Methycobal through iontophoresis anodic introduction therapy was given in the methycobal iontophoresis group. On the basic treatment of methycobal iontophoresis, in the combined group, acupuncture was supplied at contralateral lumbago acupoint, rhinitis acupoint and stomachache acupoint. The treatment in all groups was given once a day, for 2 weeks. The House-Brackmann grading scale and the modified portmann score (RPA) method were used to observe the degree of nerve function and facial paralysis before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate of the combined group was 97.2% (35/36), which was higher than 83.3% (30/36) in the methycobal iontophoresis group and 88.9% (32/36) in the simple balance acupuncture group (all 0.05). The RPA score of the combined group was higher than those in the methycobal iontophoresis group and simple balance acupuncture group (both 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with methycobal iontophoresis and simple balance acupuncture therapy, methycobal iontophoresis combined with balance acupuncture therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of peripheral facial paralysis.

Improvement of Upper Limb and Hand Functions of Stroke Patients by Balancing Acupuncture Combined with Motor Relearning Training / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of balance acupuncture combined with motor relearning training for upper limb and hand functions of stroke patients. METHODS: Sixty-two stroke patients were randomly divided into balance acupuncture group (n＝31) and routine acupuncture group (n＝31). For patients of the balance acupuncture group, Piantan, Jiantong and Wantong points on the healthy side were used. When Jiantong point taken, the acupuncture needle was removed after the patient experienced an electric shock-like spreading needling sensation. When Wantong point employed, the needle was removed after the patient experienced a local, intensified or spreading needling sensation. When Piantan point used, the needle was retained after the patient experienced an electric shock-like needling sensation, then, the motor relearning training was conducted, and the needle was removed immediately after the training. For patients of the routine acupuncture group, Jianyu(LI 15), Jianzhen (SI 9), Quchi (LI 11), etc. were needled with the needles retained for 30 min after getting needling sensations. The motor relearning training was also carried out after removal of the needle. The treatment in both groups was performed once daily, 6 days a week, and lasted for 8 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer score and motor function scale (MAS) of the upper limb, and the fine performance score and motor function score of the hand were assessed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Following treatment, the Fugl-Meyer score and MAS of the upper limbs, and the motor function score and fine performance score of the hand were significantly increased in both groups compared with pre-treatment in each group (P<0.05 ), suggesting a functional improvement of both upper limb and hand. The therapeutic effect of the balance acupuncture was obviously superior to that of routine acupuncture in improving functions of both the upper limb and hand (P<0.05)．. CONCLUSION: Balance acupuncture combined with motor relearning training is helpful to improve the comprehensive function of the upper limb and hand in stroke patients.

Effects of Balance Acupuncture Combined with Motor Relearning for Lower Limb Motor Function of Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of balance acupuncture combined with motor relearning training on lower limb motor function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. METHODS: Eighty stroke patients were randomly assigned to motor relearning training group and balance acupuncture plus motor relearning group (n＝40 cases in each). The motor relearning training program consisting of upper-limb functional training, lying supine, bedside sitting, sitting-balancing, standing up and down, standing-balancing, walking, orofacial functional training, etc. was given to patients of the two groups. Balance acupuncture stimulating was applied to Piantan-， Jiantong-， Xitong-， Tuntong- and Huaitong-points for 30 min, once daily, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. The lower limb motor performance ability was assessed by using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-L) scale, the balance function assessed by using Berg balance scale (BBS), the motor ability evaluated by using Rivermead motor index (RMI), and the gait (walking speed, cadence, and step length) evaluated by using Brunnstrom hemiplegia gait evaluation scale. RESULTS: After the treatment, the scores of FMA-L, BBS, RMI and hemiplegia gait were significantly increased in the two groups compared with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), and were significantly higher in the balance acupuncture plus motor relearning group than in the motor relearning training group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The balance acupuncture combined with motor relearning can improve lower limb motor function and balance function, and has a better effect than simple motor relearning training.

Effect and mechanism of balance acupuncture for blood glucose,hypertension and hyperlipidemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus patient / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To observe the effects of balance acupuncture at hypoglycemic point on type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods Three-week balance acupuncture on hypoglycemic point was executed for 60 cases of confirmed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients,the changes of blood glucose,urine glucose,systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,blood fat,body weight and clinical symptoms were recorded,and statistical analysis was carried out with CHISS software.Results Balance acupuncture on hypoglycemic point decreased significantly the blood glucose,blood pressure,blood fat and etc of the patients (P＜0.001),the clinical symptoms were improved obviously after acupuncture such as thirst,bulimia and dieresis (P＜0.001),and there was statistical difference between the body weights before and after acupuncture (P＜0.05).Conclusion Balance acupuncture contributes to improving the blood glucose,blood pressure and blood fat of type 2 diabetes mellitus and relieves the clinical symptoms,whose mechanism,involving in the idea of brain science,is to fulfill acupuncture through central control.

Migraine without aura treated with balance acupuncture therapy:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effect of balance acupuncture for migraine without aura.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blind evaluation was conducted. Forty patients with migraine without aura were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 19 cases in each one with 1 patient dropped out respectively. In the observation group,, the middle point was used in the hollow before the 1, 2 metatarsal combination, and in the control group, a sham point was applied in the hollow before the 3, 4 metatarsal combination. The manipulation in the two groups was the same. The treatment was given for 4 weeks, once a day, 5 times a week. The comprehensive score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used before and after treatment, as well as 4 weeks after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The comprehensive score and VAS score after treatment in the observation group decreased after treatment (both<0.05), of which the total headache time and attack number for one month were lower than those before treatment (both<0.05), but at follow-up the VAS score was higher than that after treatment (<0.05). The above indices in the control group were not significantly different from those before treatment (all>0.05). All the indices in the observation group after treatment and at follow-up were lower than those in the control group (all<0.05). The different values for the comprehensive score and VAS score before and after treatment, before treatment and at follow-up in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all<0.05). The different values after treatment and at follow-up had no significant difference between the two groups (both>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Balance acupuncture atachieves obvious effect for migraine without aura, which can relieve pain.</p>

Clinical Study on the Real-time Efficacy of Balance Acupuncture in Treating Primary Hypertension / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the real-time efficacy of balance acupuncture in treating primary hypertension. Method Totally 160 patients with primary hypertension were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 80 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by balance acupuncture, while the control group was by oral administration of Captopril. The blood pressure and symptom score were observed before and after intervention. Result There were no significant differences in comparing the total effective rate at different time points between the two groups (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the headache score in male patients at 30 min after treatment between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Balance acupuncture is an effective method in treating primary hypertension, and can release headache of the patients.

Review Research of periarthritis of shoulder treated by balance acupuncture / 中华中医药杂志

Scapulohumeral periarthritis,alternate name‘lujianfeng’or‘jianlingzheng’,is a common disease among the old.Balance acupuncture is a science of modern acupuncture based on the traditional theory of Chinese medicine.In order to sum up the references regarding the clinical treatment features and experimental study of balance acupuncture on scapulohumeral periarthritis in the past few decades.The review shows that as a new modern acupuncture method,balance acupuncture treating scapulohumeral periarthritis is worth to master,popularize to develop and innovate.