ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods: A total of 60 patients with KOA were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with warm needling moxibustion, and the observation group was treated with additional Tuina treatment. The treatments were performed once every other day, for a total of 10 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) were scored before and after treatment, and the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals of quadriceps femoris were collected. Results: The total effective rate of the control group was 76.7％, and that of the observation group was 90.0％. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The WOMAC and VAS scores in both groups after treatment were improved, and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) and median frequency (MF) of quadriceps femoris were increased. The intra-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the WOMAC and VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The improvement of quadriceps femoris function in the observation group was more notable than that in the control group, and the iEMG value and MF were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warming needling moxibustion plus Tuina can effectively relieve the pain in patients with KOA, improve their daily activity function, and increase the sEMG signals of the quadriceps femoris.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus lumbar traction for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and its effect on Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, present pain intensity (PPI) score, and the degree of straight leg raising.Methods: A total of 146 patients with LDH were randomized into a combination group and a control group by the random number table method, with 73 cases in each group. The control group was treated with lumbar traction, and the combination group was treated with lumbar traction plus warm needling moxibustion. The curative efficacy of the two groups was compared. Also, the lumbar function, pain, straight leg raising degree, and inflammatory factor levels before and after treatment were compared. Results: The total effective rate of the combination group was 93.2％, which was higher than 78.1％ of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the lumbar ODI score, the PPI scores of lumbar pain and lower-limb pain, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, and straight leg raising test score in both groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score significantly increased (P<0.05). The improvements of the above items in the combination group were all superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus lumbar traction in the treatment of LDH can improve lumbar function, relieve pain, and reduce inflammatory response of the body.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods: A total of 135 patients with KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold were randomized into a warm needling moxibustion group, an isokinetic muscle strength training group, and a combined group by the random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. The warm needling moxibustion group was treated with warm needling moxibustion. The isokinetic muscle strength training group was treated with isokinetic muscle strength training. The combined group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) were scored before and after treatment, and isokinetic indicators of peak torque (PT), total work (TW) and average power (AP) were evaluated. Results: The total effective rate of the combined group was 92.5％, which was significantly higher than 83.3％ in the warm needling moxibustion group (P<0.05) and 72.5％ in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of WOMAC (total, pain, stiffness, and function) and VAS, and isokinetic indicators (PT, TW, and AP) were all improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in all three groups. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The WOMAC total score and score of stiffness in the combined group were lower than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), and the scores in the warm needling moxibustion group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). The WOMAC score of pain and VAS score in the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). The differences between the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The WOMAC function score in the combined group was lower than that in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference between the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P>0.05). PT, TW, and AP in the combined group were higher than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), and they were higher in the isokinetic muscle strength training group than in the warm needling moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training has a better effect in the treatment of KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold than either warm needling moxibustion or isokinetic muscle strength training alone.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for hip involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 60 patients with hip involvement in AS were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given an intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, once a week. The patients in the observation group were given additional warm needling moxibustion, once a day, with a 2-day interval after five consecutive days of treatment. After 5 weeks, changes in such indicators as visual analog scale (VAS) score, Harris score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin (IL)-17 were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Six months after treatment, Bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology index-hip (BASRI-hip) was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Harris scores of both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Six months after treatment, the BASRI-hip score of the control group was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), while the score of the observation group was not significantly different from that before treatment (P>0.05) and was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of BASDAI and BASFI of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum COMP and IL-17 of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for hip involvement in AS is better than the intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate alone. This combined approach can alleviate hip pain, improve hip functions, delay the destruction of the hip, prevent AS development, and reduce the levels of serum COMP and IL-17.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the efficacy and possible mechanism of action of warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir in the treatment of compensated cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 patients in each group. The control group was given oral entecavir, and the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB) levels, portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness were compared before and after treatment. The serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C), interleukin (IL)-21, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels were also measured. Results: After treatment, the serum ALT and AST levels decreased (P<0.05), and the serum ALB levels increased (P<0.05) in both groups. The serum ALT and AST levels were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the ALB level was higher in the observation group (P<0.05). The portal vein internal diameter, splenic vein internal diameter, spleen thickness, and liver hardness values were reduced in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The serum HA, LN, PCⅢ, and Ⅳ-C levels were reduced in both groups (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, the serum IL-21 level decreased (P<0.05), but the serum PDGF level did not change significantly (P>0.05); in the observation group, the serum IL-21 and PDGF levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) and were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion combined with entecavir treatment can improve liver function, reduce the inner diameters of the portal vein and splenic vein, spleen thickness, and liver hardness, and improve liver fibrosis indicators in patients with CHB cirrhosis, which may be related to the reduction of serum IL-21 and PDGF levels.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus spine subtle adjusting manipulation for cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 35 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus spine subtle adjusting manipulation, while the control group was treated with warm needling moxibustion alone. The treatments were performed three times a week, and for four weeks in total. The visual analog scale (VAS) was scored before and after treatment. And the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 97.1％ in the observation group, versus 88.6％ in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores in both groups significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus spine subtle adjusting manipulation has a better effect in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy than warm needling moxibustion alone.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting in improving nail fold microcirculation in the patients with shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) after stroke, and the effects on hemorrheology, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and serum substance P (SP). Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. The control group was treated with physical rehabilitation training, and the observation group was treated with additional muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting treatment. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks. After treatment, the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. The changes in shoulder-hand syndrome scale (SHSS), simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE), visual analog scale (VAS), activities of daily living (ADL), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, nail fold microcirculation hemorheology indictors [whole blood viscosity (high-shear, low-shear), hematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)], CGRP and SP levels were observed. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.1％, higher than 63.9％ in the control group (P<0.05). The overall curative effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of pain sensation, edema, external turn and rotation of the arm in SHSS, and the total score were significantly decreased in both groups (all P<0.05), and each score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of VAS and TCM syndrome in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the scores of FMA-UE and ADL increased significantly (all P<0.05). The scores of VAS and TCM syndrome in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05), and the scores of FMA-UE and ADL were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, the whole blood viscosity (high-shear and low-shear) and hematocrit in both groups decreased obviously (all P<0.05), and ESR increased obviously (both P<0.05), and the whole blood viscosity (high-shear and low-shear) and hematocrit in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), and ESR was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the peritubular state, loop shape, blood flow and total score of nail fold microcirculation in both groups decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and each score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, SP in both groups decreased obviously (both P<0.05), CGRP increased obviously (both P<0.05), and SP in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), CGRP was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional physical rehabilitation training, muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting treatment can significantly reduce the clinical symptoms of SHS, promote the recovery of physical functions, improve the nail fold microcirculation and hemorrheology indictors, and regulate the serum cytokine levels such as CGRP and SP.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in treating chondromalacia patellae and its effect on inflammatory factors in knee joint fluid. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with chondromalacia patellae were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group was treated with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, while the observation group was given additional warm needling moxibustion treatment. Before and after treatment, the two groups were scored using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS), examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determined for the levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in knee joint fluid. Clinical efficacy was estimated after treatment. Results: The effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of pain, stiffness and daily activities, as well as the general score of WOMAC declined significantly in both groups (all P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); the time cost for climbing up and down one staircase and VAS score decreased markedly in both groups (all P<0.05), and were shorter or lower in the observation group than in the control group (both P<0.05); the MRI grading showed no significant change in the control group after intervention (P>0.05), while the grading in the observation group showed notable improvement (P<0.05), and was better than that in the control group (P<0.05); the levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in knee joint fluid dropped significantly in the control group after treatment (both P<0.05), while the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β in knee joint fluid all decreased significantly in the observation group (all P<0.05) and were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate can produce definite efficacy in treating chondromalacia patellae; it can mitigate the clinical symptoms, improve the lesion extent of chondromalacia and down-regulate the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β in knee joint fluid.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the efficacy and mechanism of warm needling moxibustion plus percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis. Methods: A total of 70 OVCF patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 35 cases in each group. The control group was given PKP treatment, and the observation group was treated with warm needling moxibustion on the basis of the treatment in the control group. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were scored and the Cobb angle of fractured vertebrae was measured before and after treatment. The re-fracture rate of the adjacent vertebrae was recorded at 1-year follow-up. The serum levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and omentin-1 were measured before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the VAS and ODI scores in both groups decreased (all P<0.05), and all the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, the Cobb angle of fractured vertebrae in both groups decreased (both P<0.05), and the Cobb angle in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 1-year follow-up, the re-fracture rate of the adjacent vertebrae in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of TGF-β1 and omentin-1 in both groups increased significantly (all P<0.05), and the serum levels of TGF-β1 and omentin-1 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of warm needling moxibustion plus PKP can relieve pain, improve dysfunction, promote healing of the injured vertebrae, and reduce the re-fracture rate of the adjacent vertebrae in patients with OVCF due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis, which may be related to the increase of serum TGF-β 1 and omentin-1 levels.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of warm needling therapy on the conduction of hand-arm motor nerve and sensory nerve in patients with occupational hand-arm vibration disease(HAVD). METHODS: Male occupational HAVD patients were divided into control group(39 cases) and experimental group(36 cases) by random number table method. The control group received routine therapy, while the experimental group was treated with routine therapy plus warm needling therapy five times a week for four consecutive weeks. The changes on the conduction of motor nerve and sensory nerve in these two groups before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: Before treatment, the motor nerve conduction velocity(MCV), distal motor latency(DML), compound muscle action potential amplitude(CMAP), sensory nerve conduction velocity(SCV) and sensory nerve action potential amplitude(SNAP) of the median nerve and ulnar nerve in the two groups were compared, and there was no statistically significant difference(all P>0.05). After treatment, the MCV and SCV of median nerve and ulnar nerve in the experimental group were accelerated(all P<0.05), the DML of median nerve and ulnar nerve were shortened(all P<0.01), and the CMAP of median nerve increased compared with the control group(P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the CMAP of ulnar nerve and SNAP of median nerve and ulnar nerve(all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm needling therapy can improve the conduction of motor nerve and sensory nerve. Warm needling therapy might be able to promote the repair of injury in axons and myelin sheaths.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics of the temperature-time curve in warm needling manipulation with the acupuncture needles made of copper, silver, gold and stainless steel and explore the applicable temperature range and most suitable needle materials of warm needling manipulation in clinical practice.@*METHODS@#A total of 10 healthy subjects were included. Using the digital thermometer, with different moxibustion dose (1.2 g or 1.5 g, moxa), the temperature was measured at the site where the skin contacts with the needle body during the warm needling manipulation with stainless steel needle, copper needle, gold needle and sliver needle separately. The initial heat pain threshold (the temperature when hot feeling started) and the burning pain threshold (feeling very hot but tolerable) were recorded when using the different needles mentioned above. Through the subject questionnaire, the comfort degree, the heat sensation, the adverse reaction and the acceptability to warm needling manipulation with the different needles were investigated.@*RESULTS@#During the warm needling manipulation, the initial heat pain threshold was (42.8±2.7) ℃ and the burning pain threshold was (46.7±2.9) ℃. The strongest warm stimulation was presented in the warm needling manipulation with 1.5 g moxa and silver needle and the highest temperature was (55.5±6.3) ℃, followed by (52.9±4.2) ℃ with 1.2 g moxa and silver needle, (46.6±3.7) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and gold needle, (46.6±1.9) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and copper needle, (43.1±1.5) ℃ with 1.2 g moxa and copper needle and (41.7±0.9) ℃ with 1.5 g moxa and stainless steel needle. The sequence of the maintaining time of the initial heat pain threshold over 43℃ was 480 s with silver needle and 1.5 moxa, 325 s with silver needle and 1.2 g moxa, 270 s with gold needle and 1.5 g moxa, 185 s with copper needle and 1.5 g moxa, 42 s with copper needle and 1.2 g moxa and 0 s with stainless steel needle and 1.5 g moxa successively. The heat score graded by the subjects to the warm needling manipulation with different needles, from high to low, was presented in the manipulation with 1.5 g moxa and silver needle, 1.2 g moxa and silver needle, 1.5 g moxa and copper needle, 1.5 g moxa and gold needle, 1.2 g moxa and copper needle and 1.5 g moxa and stainless steel needle. The VAS score was different significantly in comparison among the six needles in warm needling manipulation (<0.001). The comfort degree of the subjects in the warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa was significantly lower than the warm needling manipulation with the other 5 materials (<0.05). Three subjects complained that the warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa was too hot to be tolerable and the most of subjects were willing to accept warm needling manipulation with these 6 materials (acceptability 70.0% to 100.0%). Except blisters presented in 9 subjects after warm needling manipulation with silver needle and 1.5 g moxa, no severe adverse reaction occurred in warm needling manipulation with 6 materials.@*CONCLUSION@#In the warm needling manipulation in the human body, the initial heat pain and the burning pain threshold were 43 ℃ and 47 ℃ respectively, which is the applicable temperature range of moxibustion in clinical practice. The warm needling manipulation with silver needle induces a quite strong heat stimulation and the discomfort may be caused when the temperature is exceeded to some threshold. The warm needling manipulation with copper needle generates the onset temperature, without inducing adverse reactions, e.g. discomfort and burning in the subjects.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Hot Temperature , Needles , Pain Threshold , TemperatureABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical effects on primary dysmenorrhea treated with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and warm needling at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. In the control group, the warm needling technique was used at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In the observation group, besides the same treatment as the control group, moxibustion was added at Shenque (CV 8). The treatment was given for 4 menstrual cycles consecutively. Before and after treatment, the score of the severity and the score of the total frequency in the retrospective scale of dysmenorrhea symptoms as well as the score of the visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded and compared in the patients between the two groups. Additionally, the safety of the two therapeutic methods was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the score of severity and the score of total frequency as well as VAS score of menstrual pain were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) with the warm needling technique at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) achieves the better clinical effects on primary dysmenorrhea as compared with the simple application of the warm needling technique at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). This therapy is safety in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Dysmenorrhea , Therapeutics , Moxibustion , Oligopeptides , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy between warm needling moxibustion and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Methods: Seventy patients with simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney were randomly divided into a warm needling moxibustion group and an EA group, with 35 subjects in each group. Same major acupoints were selected for the two groups, including Shuifen (CV 9), Guanyuan (CV 4), Daheng (SP 15), Shuidao (ST 28), Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The warm needling moxibustion group received warm needling moxibustion, while the EA group received EA treatment. The interventions were performed once every other day, with 15 treatments as one course. The therapeutic efficacy, body weight and body mass index (BMI) were then observed and compared. Results: The total effective rate in the warm needling moxibustion group was 85.7％ versus 77.1％ in the EA group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The warm needling moxibustion was remarkably superior to the EA in weight loss and lowering BMI, both with statistical significance (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the three-month follow-up, the body weight and BMI further decreased in the warm needling moxibustion group (both P<0.05), and the levels were lower than those in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can produce reliable and consistent efficacy in the treatment of simple obesity due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Compared with EA, warm needling moxibustion shows advantage in both short-term and long-term efficacies, and thus is worth promotion in clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy for cervical radiculopathy.Methods:A total of 120 cases were allocated into an observation group,a warm needling group and an acupoint sticking group according to the random number table,with 40 cases in each group.Cases in the observation group received warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy;cases in the warm needling group received the same warm needling moxibustion in the observation group;cases in the acupoint sticking group received the same acupoint sticking therapy in the observation group.The scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded before and after treatment.Results:The total effective rate was 95.0％ in the observation group,versus 77.5％ in the warm needling group and 75.0％ in the acupoint sticking group (both P＜0.05).Inter-group differences in JOA and VAS between the observation group and the other two groups were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy is effective in treating cervical radiculopathy,and it can significantly alleviate pain and enhance clinical efficacy,and thus is worth clinical popularization.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy (opening the Qing Long lock,one type of'Eight and a Half Locks' tuina therapy) for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA).Methods:Sixty patients with CSA were randomly allocated into an observation group or a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy,while the control group was treated with warm needling moxibustion alone.Warm needling moxibustion was conducted once every other day and tuina was conducted once a day,7-day treatments for one course.The clinical efficacy and vertebral artery blood flow was observed after one course of treatment.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate was 93.3％ in the observation group versus 80.0％ in the control group,and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05).After treatment,the systolic blood flow velocity of vertebral artery increased in both groups,with statistical significance compared with that before treatment (both P＜0.05),and the blood flow velocity in the observation group was faster than that in the control group,with statistical significance between the two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy and warm needling moxibustion alone are both effective for CSA,can improve the systolic blood flow velocity of vertebral artery.The curative effect of warm needling moxibusiton plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy is better than that of warm needling moxibustion alone.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion plus Zushima on serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b FGF) in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Method Two hundred and thirty-six patients with knee osteoarthritis were allocated, using a random number table, to two groups, 118 cases each. The control group was treated with Celecoxib and the observation group, with acupuncture and moxibustion plus Zushima. The therapeutic effects, and pre-treatment and post-treatment VAS scores and WOMAC scores and serum VEGF and bFGF levels were compared between the two groups of patients. The adverse reaction incidences were compared between the two groups of patients. Result The total efficacy rate was 87.3％ in the control group and 94.9％ in the observation group and was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant pre-treatment differences in the VAS score and WOMAC score between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS score and WOMAC score decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups (P>0.05) but the WOMAC score was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant pre-treatment differences in VEGF and bFGF between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, VEGF and bFGF decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05) and were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The adverse reaction incidence was3.4％ in the control group and 1.7％ in the observation group with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion plus Zushima can reduce inflammatory reactions, inhibit synovial angiogenesis, and effectively relive the pain, and improve articular functions in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling therapy for chronic lumbar strain.Methods:A total of 60 patients with chronic lumbar strain who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by the random number table,with 30 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with warm needling therapy,while the control group was treated with ordinary acupuncture treatment.The treatments were both performed once every other day,and 7 times constituted a course of treatment.Visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of pain and the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups before treatment (P＞0.05).After treatment,the VAS scores of both groups decreased significantly,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05).The VAS score of the treatment group after treatment was statistically different from that in the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm needling therapy has a better curative effect than ordinary acupuncture in the treatment of chronic lumbar strain.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.Methods:Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group,a warm joint needling group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy,the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling,and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group.The three groups were treated once another day,1 month as a treatment course for 6 months.Before the treatment,and respectively after 2-week,1-month,3-month,and 6-month treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb,the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function,and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL)was employed to estimate the QOL.Results:After 3-month and 6-month treatment,the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 2-week,1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower-limb spasticity state,balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture plus moving cupping with white mustard oil to treat lumbar myofascitis. Methods: A total of 90 patients with lumbar myofascitis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The observation group received acupuncture and moving cupping with white mustard oil; the control group received acupuncture plus warm needling treatment. The treatment was given twice a week for a total of 4 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Chinese version of Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) score of pain before the treatment, and respectively after 1-week and 4-week treatment were recorded for efficacy evaluation. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the difference in total effective rate between the two groups was not significantly (P>0.05). After 1 week of treatment, there was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the Chinese version of RMDQ scores of both groups were significantly decreased, there were statistical differences in comparing with those before treatment (both P<0.05). After treatment for 1 week and 4 weeks, the Chinese version of RMDQ score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, with significant differences between the two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus moving cupping and acupuncture plus warm needling both can relieve the pain of patients with lumbar myofascitis, improve the function of back muscles, while the curative effect of acupuncture plus moving cupping is better.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the endometrial thickness in patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET (in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer). Method Seventy-two patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET were randomized into two groups. Thirty-six cases in the treatment group were intervened by stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy plus oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets; the other 36 cases in the control group were prescribed with oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets alone. The implantation result of IVF-ET was analyzed 3 cycles later. The endometrial thickness was compared before and after the intervention. Result The endometrial thickness of the non-pregnant women increased after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the increase in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can improve the endometrial thickness, promote the growth of endometrium, benefit the implantation of embryo, and enhance the clinical pregnancy rate.