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Objective To preliminarily optimize the acupuncture protocol in treating migraine in acute stage. Method Ninety patients with migraine in acute stage were observed, with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) as the evaluation index and an orthogonal design. Acupoints groups [Taiyang (EX-HN5), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5) and Fengchi (GB20)], insertion directions (perpendicular, downward penetration, and backward penetration), stimulation dosage (1 needle, 3 needles, and 5 needles) and acupuncture duration (30 min, 1 h, and 2 h), altogether 4 factors and 3 levels, formed up different acupuncture protocols to observe the analgesic efficacy in treating migraine in acute stage, so as to determine the role of the four factors (Chi-square test), advantage of the 3 levels (multiple comparisons) and the optimal grouping of the 4 factors and 3 levels. Result Acupoints group, insertion direction and stimulation dosage were the major factors in acupuncture analgesia, and the acupuncture duration was the secondary factor (P<0.05). The analgesic effect of Taiyang (EX-HN5) and Fengchi (GB20) was more significant than either Taiyang (EX-HN5) or Fengchi (GB20) (P<0.05). Penetration puncture from Naokong (GB19) towards Fengchi (GB20) (downward penetration) produced a more significant analgesic effect than from Fengchi (GB20) towards Wangu (GB12) and from Tianyou (TE16) towards Fengchi (GB20) (both backward penetration) (P<0.05). Acupuncture with Five needles and 3 needles (parallel horizontal insertion) were superior to that with 1 needle (P<0.05); acupuncture with 5 needles was better than that with 3 needles but without a statistical significance (P>0.05). Needle retaining for 2 h produced a better analgesic effect than retaining for 30 min and 1 h, but without statistical significances (P>0.05). Conclusion Taiyang (EX-HN5) plus Fengchi (GB20), downward penetration acupuncture, 5-needle parallel horizontal acupuncture, and 2-h needle retaining combine an optimal acupuncture protocol in treating migraine in acute stage. Nevertheless, 3-needle parallel acupuncture with 30-60-min needle retaining can also be chosen according to the condition of the patients.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture in treating peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage.Method Sixty patients with peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage (disease duration ≤7 d) were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture, while the control group was treated with ordinary acupuncture. The two groups were treated once a day, 5 times a week, 2 weeks as a treatment course and 3 treatment courses in total. The House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grading system was observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies in the two groups were compared. Result The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group versus 93.3% in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the H-B score between the two groups respectively after 2 and 3 treatment courses (P<0.05).Conclusion Bloodletting and cupping at Fengchi (GB 20) plus acupuncture is an effective approach in treating peripheral facial paralysis in acute stage.
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Objective:To prove the feasibility and validity ofXing Nao Jing acupoint-injection (XNJ-AI) at Fengchi (GB 20) for pseudobulbar palsy caused by ischemic stroke (PBP-IS). Methods:An assessor-blinded, two-parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted, and the patients with PBP-IS were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the control group received oral aspirin (100 mg per day for 2 weeks). In addition to oral aspirin; patients in the treatment group received XNJ-AI at Fengchi (GB 20), once a day, for two weeks. The primary outcome was assessed by the water-swallowing test (WST). Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a (6-keto-PGF1a) in plasma were measured before and after the treatment. Results:In the treatment group, the percentage of swallowing function no less than grade 3 before and after the treatment was 32% and 88%, respectively; in the control group, it was 28% and 76% before and after the treatment, respectively; the difference after the treatment between the two groups was statistically significant (P Conclusion:XNJ-AI at Fengchi (GB 20) can improve the patients’ swallowing function and balance the levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in plasma.
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Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy and Western medication alone for cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 139 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided based on the random digital table into an acupuncture-cupping group (70 cases) and a Western medication group (69 cases). In the acupuncture-cupping group, Fengchi (GB 20) (bilateral), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianjing (GB 21) (bilateral) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) points of the neck [bilateral, midpoint between Fengchi (GB 20) and Dazhui (GV 14)] were punctured. After the arrival of the needling sensation, bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianjing (GB 21) were linked with electric stimulation and the rest acupoints were manipulated with the moderate needling technique. In the retaining of the needles, TDP lamp radiation was used. After acupuncture, the cupping therapy was applied to the local area. The treatment was given once every other day, 20 d for a course. After one course, the therapeutic effects were observed. The Western medication group was treated by oral administration of Meloxicam (Mobic), 7.5 mg, once a day, with water and liquid after meal. The therapeutic effects were observed after 20 d. Results:The total effective rate was 92.8% in the acupuncture-cupping group and 73.9% in the Western medication group, with a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of the clinical symptoms of the two groups were obviously declined (P<0.01), and the score of the clinical symptoms of the acupuncture-cupping group was better than that of the Western medication group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture plus cupping therapy was more effective than administration of Meloxicam tablets alone in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.
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was considered as the existing earliest monograph of TCM etiology and pathogenesis, and 6 volumes of total 50 volumes in this book involved pediatric diseases, which summarized the medical achievements of pediatrics beforeDynasty. Without detailed prescription, moxibustion was highly valued in this book and was applied for various types of pediatric emergency. With moxibustion for pediatric diseases inas starting point, three aspects, including caution about moxibustion, moxibustion at back-and moxibustion for febrile convulsion were discussed in this article.
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ObjectiveToobserve the regulating effect of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB20) and extraordinary points on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-aand endothelin (ET) in hypertension.MethodTotally 150 patients with hypertension were randomized into two groups at a ratio of 1:1.In the control group, 75 subjects were intervened by acupuncture at bilateral Fengchi; in the treatment group, 75 subjects were intervened by acupuncture at bilateral Fengchi plus extraordinary points. The needles were manipulated once every 10 min duringthe 30-min session. The treatment was given once per day, 2 weeks as a treatment course. ResultDuring the intervention, the TNF-aand ET contents were decreased significantly in the treatment group (P0.05). After 1 treatment course, the TNF-aand ET contents were decreased significantly in the treatment group (P0.05); there was a significant difference in comparing the TNF-aand ET contents between the two groups (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in comparing the TNF-aand ET contents inhypertension of various degrees between the two groups (P<0.01). The results showed that the TNF-aand ET contents in patients intervened by acupuncture at Fengchiand extraordinary points were lower than that in those intervened by acupuncture at Fengchialone, i.e. combination of Fengchi and extraordinary points produces a significant effect on regulating TNF-aand ET contents.Conclusion Acupuncture at Fengchi and extraordinary points can produce a more significant effect than acupuncture at Fengchi alone on regulating TNF-aand ET in patients with hypertension.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the nine acupoints on nape in treating vertebrobasilar ischemia (VBI). Methods Totally 100 VBI patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Tianzhu (BL 10), and Jiaji (EX-B 2, C3);while the control group was by oral administration of Nimodipine tablets. The parameters in Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Dizziness Assessment Rating Scale (ADRS) were observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The TCD parameters were significantly changed in the treatment group after intervention (P<0.05). The TCD parameters [Vs (RVA), Vd (BA, LVA), Vm (BA, RVA), PI (BA)] were significantly changed in the control group after intervention (P<0.05). After intervention, there were significant differences in comparing the TCD parameters [Vs (BA, LVA, RVA), Vd (BA, RVA), Vm (BA, LVA), PI (BA)] between the two groups (P<0.05). The DARS average scores were significantly changed in both groups after 7-day treatment (P<0.01). The DARS average scores after the whole intervention were significantly different from that after 7-day treatment in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the DARS average scores between the two groups after 7-day intervention and after the whole intervention (P<0.01). The recovery-markedly effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 76.0%and 98.0%in the treatment group versus 44.0%and 96.0%in the control group, and there was a significant difference in comparing the recovery-markedly effective rate (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture at the nine nape acupoints is an effective method in treating VBI.