Wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with rehabilitation for dysphagia caused by achalasia of cricopharyngeal muscle after stroke / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with rehabilitation for dysphagia caused by achalasia of the cricopharyngeal muscle after stroke.Methods:Sixty patients with dysphagia caused by achalasia of the cricopharyngeal muscle after stroke who received treatment in Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2019 to March 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group ( n = 30). All patients received routine drug treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training. The control group underwent routine acupuncture treatment. The treatment group received wrist-ankle acupuncture based on routine acupuncture treatment. Both groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. The clinical efficacy in the two groups was evaluated using the Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS), Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and Swallow Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in VFSS, SSA, and SWAL-QOL scores between the two groups. After treatment, VFSS, SSA, and SWAL-QOL scores in the treatment group were (8.21 ± 0.77) points, (21.19 ± 1.42) points, (200.24 ± 11.12) points, and they were (6.01 ± 0.36) points, (23.31 ± 1.45) points, and (182.37 ± 12.06) points in the control group ( t = 3.26, 5.50, 6.31, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with rehabilitation is an effective treatment method for dysphagia caused by achalasia of the cricopharyngeal muscle after stroke. It can alleviate dysphagia and improve quality of life.

Effect of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture on Postoperative Analgesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) in pain and functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).@*METHODS@#From June to September 2020, 94 participants were included from the Second Hospital of Tangshan and randomly assigned to the WAA group (47 cases) and the sham WAA group (47 cases) by a random number table, receiving real or sham WAA treatment, respectively. The primary outcome measure involved the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and in motion. The secondary outcomes involved the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joints, straight-leg raising time, postoperative weight-bearing time, sufentanil consumption within 48 h of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th postoperative days at rest and in motion was significantly lower in the WAA group than that of the sham WAA group (P<0.01). The ROM on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd PODs was significantly higher in the WAA group than that of the sham WAA group (P<0.01). In comparison to the sham WAA group, the sufentanil consumption within 48 h of PCA pump was significantly less in the WAA group (156.3 ± 12.2 µg vs. 128.8 ± 9.8 µg, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in active straight-leg raising time, postoperative weight-bearing time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#WAA could alleviate post-TKA pain, improve knee joint function, and reduce the sufentanil consumption within 48 h of PCA pump. WAA is a safe and effective treatment in the perioperative analgesic management for TKA.

Treatment duration of wrist-ankle acupuncture for relieving post-thyroidectomy pain: A randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Treatment duration of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) is uncertain for post-thyroidectomy pain relief.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluated the effect of different WAA treatment duration on post-operative pain relief and other discomforts associated with thyroidectomy.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a single research site in Guangzhou, China. A total of 132 patients receiving thyroidectomy were randomly divided into the control group (sham WAA, 30 min) and three intervention groups (group 1: WAA, 30 min; group 2: WAA, 45 min; group 3: WAA, 60 min), with group allocation ratio of 1:1:1:1. Acupuncture was administered within 1 hour of leaving the operating room.@*OUTCOMES AND MEASURES@#Primary outcome was patients' pain at the surgical site assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at the moment after acupuncture treatment (post-intervention). Secondary outcomes included the patients' pain VAS scores at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the thyroidectomy, the 40-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) score, the grade of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the use of additional analgesic therapy.@*RESULTS@#The adjusted mean difference (AMD) in VAS scores from baseline to post-intervention in group 1 was -0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.02 to -0.76). The decrease in VAS score at post-intervention was statistically significant in group 1 compared to the control group (AMD, -0.43; 95% CI, -0.58 to -0.28; P < 0.001), and in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (group 2 vs group 1: AMD, -0.65; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.48; P < 0.001; group 3 vs group 1: AMD, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.86 to -0.47; P < 0.001). The VAS scores in the four groups converged beyond 24 h after the operation. Fewer patients in group 2 and group 3 experienced PONV in the first 24 h after operation. No statistical differences were measured in QoR-40 score and the number of patients with additional analgesic therapy.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with the 30 min intervention, WAA treatment with longer needle retention time (45 or 60 min) had an advantage in pain relief within 6 h after surgery. WAA's analgesic effect lasted for 6-12 h post-operatively. Please cite this article as: Han XR, Yue W, Chen HC, He W, Luo JH, Chen SX, Liu N, Yang M. Treatment duration of wrist-ankle acupuncture for relieving post-thyroidectomy pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 168-175.

Acupuncture therapy combined with rhubarb applied to the umbilicus for constipation in patients with stage IV-V diabetic nephropathy / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture therapy combined with rhubarb applied to the umbilicus in the treatment of constipation in patients with stage IV-V diabetic nephropathy.Methods:Ninety stage IV-V diabetic nephropathy patients with constipation, who received treatment in Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2019 to December 2020, were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive either routine treatment (control group, n = 45) or routine treatment plus acupuncture therapy combined with rhubarb applied to the umbilicus (study group, n = 45). Serum motilin, gastrin, and somatostatin levels and orocecal transit time pre- and post-treatment were compared between the two groups. The constipation severity was evaluated using the Constipation Severity Scale (CSS). Quality of life was evaluated using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. Results:The somatostatin level and orocecal transit time post-treatment in the study group were (13.66 ± 4.24) ng/L and (80.58 ± 10.11) minutes, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(19.31 ± 6.13) ng/L, (87.16 ± 12.04) minutes, t = 5.08, 2.80, both P < 0.05]. Serum motilin and gastrin levels post-treatment in the study group were (281.07 ± 41.16) ng/L and (181.07 ± 35.16) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(259.64 ± 39.83) ng/L, (162.65 ± 32.83) ng/L, t = 2.51, 2.56, both P < 0.05]. The scores of the Constipation Severity Scale and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire post-treatment in the study group were (10.66 ± 3.14) points and (60.14 ± 13.64) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [ (15.31 ± 4.13) points, (71.61 ± 14.72) points, t = 6.01, 3.83, both P < 0.05). Total response rate was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (97.78% vs. 80.00%, χ2 = 5.51, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture therapy combined with rhubarb applied to the umbilicus can be used to treat constipation in patients with stage IV-V diabetic nephropathy. The combined therapy can adjust the secretion of gastrointestinal tract-related hormones, shorten orocecal transit time, improve clinical symptoms, and improve clinical efficacy and quality of life.

Clinical observation on wrist-ankle acupuncture for shoulder-hand syndrome phaseⅠafter stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between wrist-ankle acupuncture and conventional acupuncture on shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) phaseⅠafter stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients with SHS phaseⅠafter stroke were randomized into a wrist-ankle acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group, 32 cases in each group. On the basis treatment of internal medicine and conventional rehabilitation, wrist-ankle acupuncture was applied at upper 4 area, upper 5 area and upper 6 area on the affected side in the wrist-ankle acupuncture group, while acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), etc. on the affected side in the conventional acupuncture group. The treatment was given 30 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, degree of hand swelling, shoulder-hand syndrome scale (SHSS) score, Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE) score and modified Barthel index (MBI) score were observed, and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in both groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the VAS scores, degree of hand swelling and SHSS scores were decreased (P<0.05), and the FMA-UE scores and MBI scores were increased (P<0.05) compared before treatment in both groups; in the wrist-ankle acupuncture group, the VAS score, degree of hand swelling and SHSS score were lower (P<0.05), and the FMA-UE score and MBI score were higher (P<0.05) than those in the conventional acupuncture group. The total effective rate was 96.9% (31/32) in the wrist-ankle acupuncture group, which was superior to 90.6% (29/32) in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Wrist-ankle acupuncture can effectively relieve pain and hand swelling, improve motor function of upper extremity and self-care ability of daily life in patients with shoulder-hand syndrome phaseⅠafter stroke, the therapeutic effect is superior to conventional acupuncture.

Tracing the origin of wrist-ankle acupuncture based on / 中国针灸

The origin and basis of wrist-ankle acupuncture were discussed based on the theory of

Effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on the expression of glutamate and NMDA receptor of the spinal dorsal horn in rats with neuropathic pain / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WA) stimulation at "R4"- "R5" - "R6" on the expression of glutamate (Glu) and phosphorylated protein NMDAR1(p-NMDAR1) of the spinal dorsal horn in spared nerve injury (SNI) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of SNI. METHODS: A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divi-ded into sham operation, model and WA groups, with 12 rats in each group. The SNI procedure comprised an axotomy and ligation of the tibial and common peroneal nerves leaving the sural nerve intact. Rats of the WA group were treated by acupuncture at "R4"-"R5"-"R6" points from the 5th day to the 14th day after modeling. The mechanical pain thresholds were measured before and 5, 10 and 14 d after SNI, respectively. The cold allodynia was dectected by Acetone solution dropped onto the lateral plantar surface of the paw. Glu content and p-NMDAR1 expression of spinal dorsal horn were detected by 1H-MRS, ELISA and immunohistochemistry Methods. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the mechanical pain threshold of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the duration of cold stimulation foot contraction was increased (P<0.01), and the Glu content and p-NMDAR1 expression in the spinal dorsal horn were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). After WA intervention, the mechanical pain threshold was significantly increased (P<0.01), the duration of cold stimulation was significantly shortened (P<0.01), and Glu content and p-NMDAR1 protein expression of spinal dorsal horn were decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the WA group compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: WA can reduce pain sensitivity in rats with neuropathic pain, possibly by inhibiting the expression of Glu and p-NMDAR1 in the spinal dorsal horn.

Auxiliary analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on patients undergoing transforaminal endoscope surgery / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the auxiliary analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on patients undergoing transforaminal endoscope surgery.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent percutaneous lateral transforaminal endoscope surgery were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with injection of 1% lidocaine for routine local infiltration anesthesia. The patients in the observation group were treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture at lower 5 area and lower 6 area for 30 min, 5 min before routine local infiltration anesthesia; immediately, 15 min, 30 min after insertion the left-right technique, up-down technique, and rotation technique were applied for six times, respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), blood oxygen saturation (SpO) and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between the two groups at the time points of intraoperative puncture (T), circular saw grinding (T), and placement of working channel (T). The intention of reoperation was recorded immediately after operation and 24 h after operation. The expectation and treatment credibility scale (ETCS) was used to evaluate the relationship between patients' expectation and efficacy 5 min before operation and immediately after operation.@*RESULTS@#At T and T during the operation, the MAP and HR in the obserrvation group were lower than those in the control group, while SpO was higher than that in the control group (0.05). At T, the peak VAS and average VAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (0.05). The intention of reoperation in the observation group was higher than that in the control group both immediately after operation and 24 h after operation (0.05). The scores of ETCS1, ETCS2 and ETCS3 immediately after operation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The wrist-ankle acupuncture has positive auxiliary analgesic effect on lumbago during transforaminal endoscope surgery, and strengthens the patients' confidence on the operation effect.

Exploration of dominant diseases and clinical application characteristics of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy by data mining technology, and the dominant diseases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were summarized to provide reference for evaluation of specificity effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy.@*METHODS@#The journal articles regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy from the CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP since January 1, 1975 to December 31, 2017, and the medical cases regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in - and were retrieved. Based on the disease types of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in the journal articles and medical cases, the association rules method of data mining technology was applied to calculate frequent itemsets. The self-developed database platform for wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy was used to extract and summarize the information to explore the rules of clinical application.@*RESULTS@#The scope of disease involved a total of 7 disease entities in the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy. In the journal articles, there were 83 disease types and the most common surgical diseases were soft tissue injury and periarthritis of shoulder, the frequency were 34 and 24 times respectively. The total effective rates of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were 92.74% in internal medicine, 91.39% in surgery, 91.51% in gynecology, 90.88% in dermatology, 96.20% in pediatric, 89.05% in ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology and 88.78% in psychiatry. In the medical cases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, there were 118 disease types and the most common diseases were pain and syndrome, herpes zoster was also a common disease. Psychiatric diseases used more wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, and the common diseases were anxiety and mania.@*CONCLUSION@#Wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is widely used in treatment of clinical diseases and has significant therapeutic effects. It is mostly used in the treatment of surgery, internal medicine (neurology particularly), dermatology (herpes zoster particularly). Besides, the wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is also applicable in the treatment of diseases of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, pediatric and psychiatry.

Clinical Observation of Abdominal and Wrist-ankle Acupuncture plus Rehabilitation for Hemiplegia After Ischemic Cerebral Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

Objective By taking rehabilitation as the control, to observe the effect of abdominal and wrist-ankle acupuncture plus rehabilitation in restoring the motor and neurological function in hemiplegia due to ischemic cerebral stroke, and to optimize the treatment protocol. Method By adopting a randomized controlled clinical design, a hundred patients diagnosed with hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a treatment group (50 cases) and a control group (50 cases) regarding their visiting sequence. The patients all received basic symptomatic treatment to control blood pressure, improve cerebral circulation, stabilize vital signs and prevent complications. In addition, the treatment group received abdominal and wrist-ankle acupuncture plus kinesiotherapy; the control group received rehabilitation training. The two groups were evaluated for therapeutic efficacy after 2 courses of treatment. Before and after the intervention, the recruited patients were tested by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), China Stroke Scale (CSS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the level of homocysteine (Hcy) was also detected. Result The FMA, CSS and BBS scores all showed significant changes after the intervention in the two groups (P<0.05); after the treatment, the FMA, CSS and BSS scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05), and there were significant between-group differences in comparing the score differences of FMA,CSS and BBS (P<0.05). The two groups both showed decrease of Hcy, (11.68±4.53)μmol/L in the treatment group versus (13.53±4.01)μmol/L in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared to rehabilitation alone, abdominal and wrist-ankle acupuncture plus kinesiotherapy can produce a more significant efficacy in treating hemiplegia due to ischemic cerebral stroke.

Observations on the Efficacy of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture plus Medicated Cupping as Main Treatment for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping as main treatment for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Methods Eighty patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomized to groups A, B, C and D. Group A took loxoprofen sodium tablets. Groups B, C and D additionally received wrist-ankle acupuncture, medicated cupping and wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping, respectively. The VSA score was recorded in the four groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the groups. Results The VSA score decreased significantly in group D after one day of treatment compared with before (P<0.05). The VSA score decreased significantly in every group after 7 and 14 days of treatment compared with before (P<0.05); there was a statistically significant difference in the VSA score between groups D and A (P<0.05). The VSA score decreased significantly in groups B, C and D after 21 days of treatment compared with before (P<0.05); there was a statistically significant difference in the VSA score between group A and group B, C or D (P<0.05) and between group D and group B or C (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 50.0％ in group A, 55.0％ in group B, 55.0％ in group C and 90.0％ in group D. There was a statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between group D and group A. B or C (P<0.05).Conclusions Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus medicated cupping as main treatment has a definite effect on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. It can relieve neck and shoulder pain in the patients.

Evaluation of Literature Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials on Wrist-ankle Acupuncture for Low-back Pain / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To evaluate the literature quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) for low-back pain in recent ten years; To analyze the existing problems in the clinical research;To provide corresponding improvement suggestions. Methods A computer-based retrieval was performed to search out the reports of RCTs on WAA for low-back pain from CNKI, Wanfang Data, CBM, Chongqing VIP, PubMed, and Cochrane Library was retrieved by computers. The search scope was January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2016. The 25 items in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement and 6 items of the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) were consulted for assessing the literature quality of RCTs on WAA for low-back pain. Results 18 articles were included. There were many problems about literature of RCTs on WAA for low-back pain, mainly including that the type of test design was not clear, outcome indicators were incomplete, random method reports were not specific, accepted diagnostic criteria and efficacy criteria were not used, reporting interventions were incomplete. Conclusion Recently, literature quality of RCTs on WAA for low-back pain is low. It is suggested that CONSORT Statement and STRICTA should be taken into consideration in the conducting and reporting of RCTs on WAA for low-back pain, and the report quality of clinical research in this field should be improved.

Theoretical origin and clinical application of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy / 中国针灸

The theory of wrist-ankle acupuncture is consistent with traditional meridian-collateral theory. For example, the body divisions of wrist-ankle acupuncture are corresponding to the distribution of 12 cutaneous regions of meridians, the needling sites of it are to the running courses of 12 meridians; the indications of it are to those of 12 meridians. The needling sites of wrist-ankle acupuncture are relevant with some special acupoints of acupuncture theory. For example, the 12-needling sites of wrist-ankle acupuncture are located similar to those of 12 meridian points and have very similar indications. The needling sites of it are located in the wrist and ankle regions, in which the five-points are located nearby, for meridian disorders. Most-connecting points are located near to the needling sites of wrist-ankle acupuncture or the needle tip points to. Additionally, the needling method of wrist-ankle acupuncture is consistent with some of the subcutaneous needling methods in traditional acupuncture therapy. On the basis of the aspects mentioned above, it is explained that wrist-ankle acupuncture is the development of traditional acupuncture and cannot be independent from the traditional theories of acupuncture and meridians. It is necessary to seek for the evidence from the traditional theories of TCM. The traditional theories of TCM are summarized from clinical practice, which can be newly verified from the practice of wrist-ankle acupuncture.

Clinical Observation of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture plus Bloodletting Cupping for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathies (DPN). Method A total of 120 patients were randomized into two groups by using the random number table. Sixty cases in the treatment group were intervened by wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping; sixty cases in the control group were treated with Mecobalamin tablets. The clinical efficacies were evaluated and electroneurogram was tested after 28-day treatment. Result The total effective rate was 95.0% in the treatment group versus 88.3% in the control group. The clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group was significantly better than the control group in comparing the major symptoms and signs including numbness, pain, and weakness in limbs (P<0.05); there were no significant between-group differences in comparing symptoms including cold limbs, short of breath and unwilling to speak, lassitude, and thirsty with desire to drink (P>0.05). The treatment group had better effect than the control group in comparing the motor conduction velocity of superficial peroneal nerve and sensory conduction velocity of common peroneal nerve (P<0.05). Conclusion Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus bloodletting cupping is effective in treating DPN, and it benefits the recovery of motor and sensory function of the impaired peripheral nerves.

Comparative Study on Wrist-ankle Acupuncture Versus Physical Therapy for Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To campare the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture versus physical therapy in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH).Method Fifty LIDH patients were randomized into a treatment group of 20 cases and a control group of 30 cases. The treatment group was intervened by wrist-ankle acupuncture, while the control group was by traction and interference electrotherapy. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and lumbar pain scoring system by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) were compared before and after intervention.Result The SF-MPQ and JOA scores were significantly changed respectively after 5-day, 10-day, 15-day treatment as well as at the follow-up study in both groups (P0.05).Conclusion Wrist-ankle acupuncture and physical therapy both are effective in treating LIDH, as they both can release the pain.

Therapeutic Observation of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture for Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture in treating pain due to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Method Totally 150 patients who were going to receive laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into group A, group B, and group C, 50 cases in each group. Group A was intervened by wrist-ankle acupuncture prior to anesthesia, with the needles retained for 12 h; group B was by subcutaneous needling at the area nearby the points prior to anesthesia, with the needles retained for 12 h; group C didn’t receive any intervention before anesthesia. For the three groups, general inhalational and intravenous anesthesia was adopted for surgery, and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for post-operation analgesia. The incision pain and visceral pain in the three groups were recorded by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) respectively 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h after the operation. The total effective rate, analgesics consumption after operation, and incidence rate of adverse reaction were compared.Result There were significant differences in comparing the VAS scores of incision pain and visceral pain between group A and group C 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation (P<0.01,P<0.05). Between group A and group B, there were significant differences in comparing the VAS score of incision pain 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation and the VAS score of visceral pain 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.0% in group A, which was significantly different from 84.0% in group B and 86.0% in group C (P<0.05). The consumption of Fentaneyl citrate injection was (52.4±10.8)μg in group A, which was significantly different from (92.2±11.0)μg in group B and (107.2±11.5)μg in group C (P<0.05,P<0.01). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 12.0% in group A, which was significantly different from 58.0% in group B and 66.0% in group C (P<0.01).Conclusion Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus patient-controlled intravenous analgesia can mitigate pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and thus it can be taken as one of the post-operational analgesic approaches.

Wrist-ankle acupuncture and ginger moxibustion for preventing gastrointestinal reactions to chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with ginger moxibustion against gastrointestinal tract reactions (nausea, vomiting, and constipation) to chemotherapy in cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 patients with gynecological tumors treated by chemotherapy were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (30 cases) underwent wrist-ankle acupuncture and ginger moxibustion, whereas tropisetron hydrochloride and dexamethasone were intravenously administered to the control group (30 cases) during chemotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of nausea in the treatment group was significantly less than that of the control group from the 2nd to the 5th day of chemotherapy (P<0.01). The anti-emetic effect in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group on the 3rd day of therapy (P<0.05). The incidence rate of constipation was significantly lower in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the cost of therapy for the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). Only 1 patient manifested a post-acupuncture side effect in the form of subcutaneous blood stasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with ginger moxibustion could prevent gastrointestinal tract reactions to chemotherapy in cancer patients. In addition, the proposed method had fewer side effects, lower cost, and less risk.</p>

Efficacy of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture plusAuricular Point Sticking for Pre-exam AnxietySyndrome / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture plus auricular point sticking in treating pre-exam anxiety syndrome.MethodSixty patients with pre-exam anxiety syndrome were randomized into a treatment group to receive wrist-ankle acupuncture plus auricular point sticking (30 cases, 11 cases dropped out) and a control group to receive auricular point sticking (30 cases, 1 dropped out). In the treatment group, the bilateral Upper 1 zones were punctured regarding the wrist-ankle acupuncture, and for the auricular point sticking, Heart (CO 15), ear Shenmen (TF 4), Endocrine (CO 18), Adrenal Gland (TG 2p), Subcortex (AT 4) were selected. In the controlgroup, the same auricular points were treated. For both groups, the intervention began from 1 week prior to the exam, 3 d as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 2 successive courses. The Sarason Test Anxiety Scale (TAS) and autonomic function test were used to assess the anxiety severity before and after treatment. ResultThe total effective rate was 84.2% (16/19) in the treatment group versus 82.8% (24/29) in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The TAS score dropped significantly in the control group after intervention (P<0.01).ConclusionWrist-ankle acupuncture plus auricular point sticking and auricular point sticking alone both can effectively improve the symptoms of pre-exam anxietysyndrome.

Clinical Application and Research Progress of Wrist-ankle Acupuncture / 上海针灸杂志

Wrist-ankle acupuncture is a type of special acupuncture therapy, featured by simple operation, swift efficiency, and few adverse effects. In the recent years, ankle-wrist acupuncture has become more and more popularized in clinic. By retrieving the relevant medical literatures from VIP, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases, this manuscript was to analyze the history of wrist-ankle acupuncture and to review it from both mechanism and clinical reports. Meanwhile, this article also pointed out the existing problems in the research of wrist-ankle acupuncture during the recent years, and expected further standardization and studies.

Effects of wrist-ankle acupuncture on associated factors in uterus tissue and serum in rats with primary dysmenorrhea / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe effects of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) onβ-endorphin (EP), nitric oxide (NO) in uterus tissue and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), substance P (SP) in serum of rats with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods:A total of 45 non-pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a WAA group, 15 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the WAA group received continuous abdominal subcutaneous injection of Diethylstilbestrol to establish dysmenorrhea rat models. On the first day after modeling, rats in the WAA group began to receive acupuncture on Point Lower 1 and Point Lower 2, once a day for 10 d. The control group and the model group didn’t receive any treatment. Writhing latencies and frequencies were recorded.β-EP and NO in uterus tissue homogenates and PGF2α, SP in serum were detected. Results:In the model group,β-EP and NO levels were the lowest among the groups, the serum PGF2α level was the highest, and serum SP level was the lowest. These measurements showed significantly difference between the model group and the control group (P<0.05). PGF2α in the WAA group was lower than that in the model group;β-EP, NO and SP levels were higher than those in the model group, with inter-group statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: WAA may achieve analgesic effect through decreasing PGF2α, increasingβ-EP, NO and SP to relieve uterine cramps, increase blood flow and promote functional improvement.