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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of long-time needle retaining at Baihui(GV20)on post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI)and its effects on the cognitive ability and living ability of the patients.Methods:A total of 62 PSCI patients were divided into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method,with 31 cases in each group.The control group was treated with routine treatment for stroke in the recovery period plus cognitive training.The observation group received additional acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)with long-time needle retaining based on the same intervention in the control group.The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive ability of patients.The activities of daily living(ADL)scale was used to evaluate the living ability of patients.And the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scale was used to evaluate the mental state,concentration,language,and abstraction cognition of patients.After 4 weeks,the curative efficacy was observed,and the scores of cognitive level,living ability,mental state and concentration,language,and abstraction understanding ability were compared between the two groups.Results:During the trial,1 patient in each group dropped out due to personal reasons and was unable to continue the treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate was 83.3%in the observation group and 66.7%in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05);the scores of MoCA,ADL,and MMSE,and scores of concentration,language ability,and abstraction understanding ability were all increased,and were statistically different from those before treatment in each group(P<0.05);the scores in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group,and the differences between the groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:On the basis of routine treatment and cognitive training,the clinical efficacy of additional acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)with long-time needle retaining in the treatment of PSCI is better than that of routine treatment plus cognitive training;the treatment can better improve the cognitive function and mental state of patients,and improve their living ability.
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Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)combined with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang(Middle Jiao-supplementing and Qi-boosting Decoction)in the treatment of rectocele of Qi sinking due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 patients with rectocele(grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ)were randomly divided into a Chinese medicine group and a Tuina+Chinese medicine group,with 54 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang,and the Tuina+Chinese medicine group was treated with additional Tuina manipulation.The score of clinical symptoms and grade of rectocele were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:After treatment,39 cases were cured,10 cases were effective,and 5 cases failed in the Tuina+Chinese medicine group,making a total effective rate of 90.7%.In the Chinese medicine group,26 cases were cured,16 cases were effective,and 12 cases failed,making a total effective rate of 77.8%.The efficacy difference between the two groups was statistically significant,checked by the rank-sum test(P＜0.05).After treatment,the grades of rectocele in the two groups were statistically different from those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the score of each item and the total score of traditional Chinese medicine symptoms in the two groups were lower than those before treatment,and the differences within the group were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The score of each item and the total score of the Tuina+Chinese medicine group were lower than those of the Chinese medicine group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Tuina plus Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang has better clinical efficacy than Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang alone in the treatment of rectocele of Qi sinking due to spleen deficiency.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion at Baihui (GV20) plus Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) for children with postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS).Methods: A total of 60 cases were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Cases in the control group received mometasone furoate nasal spray and nasal irrigation with 0.9％ normal saline. Cases in the observation group received additional moxibustion at Baihui (GV20) plus Tuina at the head and face. All the cases were treated for four consecutive weeks. The clinical efficacy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms score were compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3％ while that of the control group was 70.0％. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in both groups declined significantly, showing a statistical difference from that before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was notably lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of moxibustion at Baihui (GV20) plus Tuina at the head and face on the basis of nasal spray with Western medicine is more significant than that of Western medicine alone for PNDS in children.
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Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen concentration in the brain of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),thus to reveal the mechanisms of acupuncture in intervening the brain function of PTSD rats.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except the blank group,rats in the other groups all received incarceration plus electric shock for 7 d to prepare the PTSD animal model.One hour before the stress model was established,rats in each group received the designated intervention:rats in the blank group and the model group did not receive any intervention;rats in the grasping group received grasping and fixation;rats in the paroxetine group received paroxetine hydrochloride solution by intragastric administration;and rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture.Six-day treatment was a course,with 2 courses of treatment conducted for a total of 12 d.After the modeling,rats in each treatment group received intervention for 5 d,and the fNIRS system was used to collect and record the changes in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2),deoxygenated hemoglobin (d-Hb) and total hemoglobin (t-Hb) of the involved rat's brain regions,and also to assess the brain function.Results:Compared with the blank group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly increased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly decreased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly increased in the model group and the grasping group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb in the grasping group did not change significantly (all P＞0.05).Compared with the grasping group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly decreased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly increased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly decreased in the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb between the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can regulate the blood oxygen concentration in the brain of PTSD model rats,which may be an important mechanism of acupuncture in intervening the brain function in PTSD rats.
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Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the characteristics of neuro-electrophysiological activity in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a grasping group,a Western medicine group and an acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,rats in the other 4 groups all received the combined stress modeling method.Rats in the Western medicine group were intragastrically administrated with paroxetine hydrochloride,those in the acupuncture group received acupuncture intervention,those in the grasping group received grasping fixation,and those in the model group and the blank group did not receive any interventions.After 14 d of intervention,the interspike interval (ISI) and power spectral densities (PSD) were analyzed and mapped by in vivo multiple channels to record the neuron clusters discharge in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas.Results:Compared with the blank group,ISI was prolonged in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the model group and the grasping group,and the concentrated PSD distribution area moved down (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the grasping group,the ISI of the CA1 and CA3 areas in the Western medicine group and the acupuncture group was shortened,and the concentrated PSD distribution area moved up (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The ISI and PSD distributions in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the acupuncture group were not statistically different from those in the Western medicine group (both P＞0.05).Conclusion:Both acupuncture and paroxetine hydrochloride can significantly regulate the neuro-electrophysiology activity of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas in PTSD rats,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture intervention to promote PTSD recovery.
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Objective:To investigate the alteration of delayed memory and its relationship with neurogenesis and angiogenesis in vascular dementia (VD) rats after moxibustion therapy. Methods: Two hundred adult male SPF Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment. Thirty-six rats were randomly selected as the sham operation group. Except for rats in the sham operation group (n=36), the others were made into VD models by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAo). After modeling, the 108 survived rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) moxibustion group and a NSCs moxibustion group. Co-transplanted implant was transplanted into the rats in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group, and the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group were transplanted by NSCs only. The NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion therapy at Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), (each group was divided into 3 subgroups by the treatment course as 1, 2 and 3 courses). Every group was measured by Morris water maze to evaluate its delayed memory after 3 treatment courses and the rat’s brain was taken out after perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde one day after 1, 2 and 3 treatment courses, respectively. Marker protein expression was detected by laser confocal microscope to analyze the effect on neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Results: VD rats showed delayed memory in Morris water maze test 3 d after ischemic injury. After 3 courses of moxibustion therapy, VD-induced delayed memory deficits were improved in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group. The expressions of nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and CD34 increased significantly in the two moxibusiton groups after every treatment course (all P＜0.05), which might contribute to the neurogenesis and angiogenesis in hippocampus. In addition, compared with the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group, the expressions of nestin, DCX and CD34 increased significantly in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion can reverse VD-induced delayed memory deficits, which may be related to the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis.
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Objective:To observe the effect of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method on the resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),and to provide evidence for the effect mechanism study and clinical application of acupuncture intervention for PTSD.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank control group,rats in the other groups were subjected to preparing the PTSD models using 'incarceration plus electric shock' method.After interventions,changes in rat behavior of each group were observed;changes in resting-state EEG were collected and analyzed with multichannel EEG acquisition and analysis system,and image analysis and statistical processing were performed.Results:Compared with the blank control group,the average escape latency in the model group was significantly longer (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly reduced (P＜0.01).Compared with the grasping group,the average escape latencies in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly shortened (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly increased (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the average escape latency,the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas between the acupuncture group and paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the α-wave power spectrum value in the model group was significantly decreased,and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were significantly increased (all P＜0.01);compared with the grasping group,α-wave power spectrum values in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly increased (both P＜0.01),and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were decreased significantly (all P＜0.01).The power spectrum values of α-wave,β-wave,δ-wave and (e)-wave of rats in the acupuncture group were not significantly different from those in the paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method can significantly improve the abnormal EEG activity in PTSD rats,which may be one mechanism of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method in effectively affecting the brain function in PTSD rats.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) by observing the changes of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein(C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12 gene expressions in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and explore whether the apoptosis pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is involved in the protective mechanisms of EA. Methods:Sixty rats were randomly assigned to five groups (12 in each group): a normal control group (group A), a sham-operation group (group B), an operation group (group C), an Edaravone group (group D) and an EA group (group E). The cerebral IRI rat model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using intraluminal monofilament. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was adopted in the measurement of cerebral infarction volume. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expressions of CHOP and caspase-12. Results: Compared with group A and group B, the volume of cerebral infarction and mRNA expressions of CHOP and caspase-12 in group C, group D and group E were increased, with statistical significances (P0.05). Conclusion:EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) can effectively suppress the volume of cerebral infarction. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) is possibly related to the down-regulation of CHOP and caspase-12 mRNA expressions, so as to decrease cell apoptosis.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment. Methods: A total of 60 eligible patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by random digital table, 30 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by basic treatment including routine therapy in Neurology department and Western medicine rehabilitation therapy, while the treatment group was intervened by same treatment in the control group combined with long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20). Mental state of patients was evaluated by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: After 4-week treatment, the NIHSS score dropped in both groups, and intra-group comparisons showed statistical significances (both P<0.05), and the score in the treatment group was statistically lower than that in the control group (P<0.01); the MMSE score in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group, there was a statistical inter-group difference (P<0.01); the total effective rate was 93.3%, and the marked effective rate was 50.0% in the treatment group, versus 76.7% and 20.0% in the control group, there were significant differences in the total effective rate and the marked effective rate between the two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) can produce a safe valid therapeutic efficacy in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment.
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Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Anmian [Extra, locates at the midpoint between Yiming (EX-HN 14) and Fengchi (GB 20)] for primary insomnia. Methods: A total of 112 patients with primary insomnia were randomized into an acupuncture group and a medication group according to the visiting sequence, 56 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was intervened by acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Anmian [Extra, locates at the midpoint between Yiming (EX-HN 14) and Fengchi (GB 20)], and points selected based on syndrome differentiation, while the medication group was by oral intake of zopiclone tablet. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was measured before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was compared after 1 month of treatment. Results: After treatment, subscales of PSQI and global score in the acupuncture group were improved, and intra-group comparisons showed statistical differences (all P<0.05); subscales of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration and global score of PSQI in the medication group were improved, showing statistical differences (all P<0.05). Inter-group comparison of global and subscales scores of PSQI showed statistical differences (all P<0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 92.9%, higher than 67.9% in the medication group, and between-group comparison showed a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Anmian [Extra, locates at the midpoint between Yiming (EX-HN 14) and Fengchi (GB 20)] as the main treatment method can produce a better effect than oral intake of zopiclone tablet.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gentle moxibustion on hemorheology in cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy of qi-blood deficiency type.MethodSixty patients diagnosed with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy of qi-blood deficiency typewere randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The control group received conventional acupuncture at cervical Huatuo jiaji(Ex-B2)points and the treatment group, gentle moxibustion in addition. TCD was performed before and after treatment to observe hemorheological changes in the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 90.0% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in TCD indicators in the two groups (P<0.05). Vertebrobasilar blood flow was improved more in the treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionGentle moxibustion can improve vertebrobasilar blood flow to a greater extent in cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. It is clinically an effective way to treat cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy.
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Objective To select the optimal acupoints formula by evaluating the efficacy of different groups of acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) with acupuncture. Method Totally 108 PSD patients were randomized into 3 groups, i.e. Neiguan (PC6) group, Taichong (LR3) group, and Baihui (GV20) group, 36 cases each. The acupuncture treatment was given once a day, 5 sessions a week, 3 weeks as a treatment course. The clinical efficacies were compared among the 3 groups after the intervention. The 3 groups were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Quality of Life Scale (QOL) before and after the treatment, and the results were statistically analyzed. Result The effective rates were respectively 72.2%, 75.0%, and 86.1%in Neiguan group, Taichong group, and Baihui group, and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P0.05). Conclusion The three groups of acupoints are effective in improving the depression symptoms, neural defect and QOL, while Baihui group can produce a more significant efficacy in improving the depression symptoms compared to Neiguan and Taichong groups;the effects in improving neural defect and QOL are equivalent among the 3 groups of acupoints.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) in treating post-stroke insomnia.Method Sixty-five patients with post-stroke insomnia were randomized into a treatment group of 33 cases and a control group of 32 cases. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20), while the control group was by conventional acupuncture. The SPIEGEL scale and Stroke-specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) were evaluated before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The SPIEGEL and SS-QOL scores were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After intervention, the SPIEGEL and SS-QOL scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.9% in the treatment group, versus 68.8% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture plus moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) is an effective method in treating post-stroke insomnia.