Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy for perimenopausal obesity: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy on perimenopausal obesity (PMO).@*METHODS@#Ninety-six patients of PMO were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (48 cases). The control group received health education and lifestyle intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with acupoint thread embedding at the main acupoints of Shangwan (CV 13), Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Fenglong (ST 40), etc. as well as the supplementary acupoints in accordance with the syndrome differentiation, once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks (4 times in total). The indexes of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass), modified Kupperman score, insomnia severity index (ISI) score, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score of the two groups were observed before and after treatment, and the safety was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass in the two groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and ISI score in the control group was lower than before treatment (P<0.05). Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SDS between the two groups or within groups (P>0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred during the experiment.@*CONCLUSION@#Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy can reduce the degree of obesity in PMO patients, and improve patients' the perimenopausal symptoms, insomnia and anxiety, with good safety.

Simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect and safety of acupoint thread embedding therapy in treatment of simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction.@*METHODS@#A total of 144 patients with simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction were randomized into an acupoint thread embedding group (72 cases, 3 cases dropped off and 1 case removed) and a sham-embedding group (72 cases, 6 cases dropped off and 3 cases removed). On the base of the lifestyle adjustment, the acupoint thread embedding therapy with PGLA thread was applied to Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Ganshu (BL 18), Shuidao (ST 28), etc. in the acupoint thread embedding group, while in the sham-embedding group, the acupoint selection and operation were all same as the acupoint thread embedding group, but without PGLA thread embedded. In either group, the treatment was given once every 2 weeks, consecutively for 12 weeks and the follow-up was conducted for 3 months after treatment. Separately, before and after treatment as well as in follow-up, the obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] and fat percentage [F%]) were observed in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the indices of blood glucose and insulin (fasting blood glucose [FBG], fasting insulin [FINS] and insulin resistance index [HOMA-IR]), adipocyte factor indices (adiponectin, leptin [LP] and serine protease inhibitor [Vaspin]) and inflammatory factor indices (tumor nercosis factor [TNF-α], interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) were observed separately in the two groups. The therapeutic effect and safety were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and in follow-up, except WC and WHR in the sham-embedding group, BMI, WC, WHR and F% were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the values in the acupoint thread embedding group were lower than the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). After treatment, except FBG, LP and Vaspin in the sham-embedding group, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, LP and Vaspin were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and adiponectin was increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05); the improvements in the acupoint thread embedding group were more significant than the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the acupoint thread embedding group were reduced as compared with the values before treatment and those in the sham-embedding group separately (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 89.7% (61/68) in the acupoint thread embedding group, higher than 19.0% (12/63) in the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). There was no severe adverse reaction reported in the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread embedding therapy with PGLA thread can alleviate obesity, regulate glucose metabolism and adipocyte factors activity, improve insulin resistance and inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the patients with simple obesity with stomach heat and damp obstruction, and this therapy presents a satisfactory safety in treatment.

Acupoint thread-embedding as adjuvant therapy for bronchial asthma in children and its effect on pulmonary function, serum IgA and IgE levels / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding combined with fluticasone propionate aerosol for chronic persistent bronchial asthma of lung-spleen @*METHODS@#A total of 120 children with chronic persistent bronchial asthma were randomly divided into an observation group (60 cases, 9 cases dropped off) and a control group (60 cases, 7 cases dropped off). The control group was treated with fluticasone propionate aerosol (125 μg per inhalation), twice a day; based on the control group treatment, the observation group was treated with acupoint thread-embedding at Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Feishu (BL 13), Zusanli (ST 36) and Danzhong (CV 17), once half a month. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The pulmonary function, serum IgA, IgE levels and TCM symptom score were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the large airway function (peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory volume at the first second [FEV1]) and small airway function (maximal expiratory flow at 25% of the forced capacity [MEF25%], maximal expiratory flow at 50% of the forced capacity [MEF50%], maximal expiratory flow at 75% of the forced capacity [MEF75%] and midexpiratory flow 25%-75% [MEF25%-75%]) were higher than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread-embedding combined with fluticasone propionate aerosol could improve the pulmonary function, TCM symptoms and serum IgA and IgE levels in children with chronic persistent bronchial asthma of lung-spleen

Effect of acupoint thread-embedding on tight junction of intestinal mucosa epithelium in rats with ulcerative colitis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding on tight junction of intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) under the state of "deficiency and stasis", and to explore its mechanism.@*METHODS@#Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, in the model group the body weight was decreased (@*CONCLUSION@#The thread-embedding could repair the tight junction of intestinal mucosa epithelium and reduce the permeability of intestinal mucosa epithelium, which may be related to the decrease of the expression of CaMKⅡ, MLCK and other protein kinases.

Observation of acupoint thread-embedding on refractive amblyopia in children / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupoint thread@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with refractive amblyopia were randomized into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the control group, comprehensive therapy of eye covering of intact side and family refined performance was adopted. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupoint thread@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the corrected vision was increased compared before treatment in the both groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread

Preliminary research of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the impacts on weight reduction effect treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy at different tissue levels under ultrasonic guidance.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with overweight or obesity were randomized into a shallow-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a deep-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Under ultrasonic guidance, the thread was embedded in the shallow tissue level and the deep tissue level respectively. The acupoints were Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Shuifen (CV 9), Zhongji (CV 3), etc. The thread embedding therapy was exerted once every 2 weeks, totally for 3 times. Before and 2 weeks after treatment, body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference were recorded in the patients of the two groups separately. After each treatment, the number and the property of blood vessels under each acupoint were detected by ultrasound. Besides, the needling sensation and the intensity were scored and the adverse events were observed after thread embedding therapy.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the reduction range of body mass, BMI and waist circumference in the deep-tissue thread embedding group were larger than those in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group successively (@*CONCLUSION@#The deep-tissue thread embedding therapy achieves the stronger

Effect of acupoint thread-embedding on macrophage polarization of epididymis adipose tissue in obese mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) on the macrophage polarization of epididymis adipose tissue in obese mice, and to explore the action mechanism of acupoint thread-embedding on weight control.@*METHODS@#Among 30 male C57BL/6 mice, 10 mice were randomly selected and fed with normal diet, and the remaining 20 mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish the obesity model. Sixteen mice with successful obesity model were randomly divided into a model group and an acupoint thread-embedding group, 8 mice in each group. Eight mice were selected from mice which were fed with normal diet as the normal group. On the next day of successful modeling, acupoint thread-embedding was performed at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) in the acupoint thread-embedding group, once every 10 days for 4 times. The body weight was recorded at 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 days into intervention; the level of glucose metabolism was compared after intervention; the level of lipid metabolism and weight of epididymal adipose tissue were compared at the end of the intervention; the mRNA expression of M1 and M2 macrophage-related cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by real-time PCR; the mRNA and protein expression of M1 macrophage labeled inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and M2 macrophage labeled arginase-1 (Arg-1) were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the body weight at 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 days into intervention in the model group was increased (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread-embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) may play a role in weight control by regulating the polarization of macrophages.

Clinical effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy at different intervals in the intervention of metabolic syndrome / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy at different intervals in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, and to find the optimal treatment interval. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group 1 (n＝35)and treatment group 2(n＝35). Both groups were given acupoint thread-embedding therapy at Zhongwan (CV12), bilateral Liangmen (ST21), bilateral Huaroumen (ST24), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), bilateral Daimai (GB26), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Dachangshu (BL25), bilateral Pishu (BL20), bilateral Zusanli (ST36), bilateral Yinlingquan (SP9), and bilateral Fenglong (ST40), and the treatment interval was 7 d for treatment group 1 and 14 d for treatment group 2. Each course of treatment was 42 d, and both groups were treated for 2 courses. Waist circumfe-rence (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), serum triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac) were measured before and after treatment to analyze clinical outcome, and adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups had significant reductions in WC, HC, WHR, BMI, TG, LDL-C, FPG and Hb1Ac (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Under the premise of ensuring efficacy and safety, an interval of 7 d is the optimal interval for acupoint thread-embedding therapy in the clinical intervention of metabolic syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome of deficient lacrima production treated with the acupoint thread-embedding therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effects on the relevant symtoms in the patients with dry eye syndrome treated with the acupoint thread-embedding therapy versus topical artificial tears eye drops.@*METHODS@#A total of 88 patients with dry eye syndrome of deficiency lacrima production were randomized into an acupoint thread-embedding therapy group (thread-embedding group) and a control group with topical artificial tears eye drops (medication group), 44 cases in each one. In the thread-embedding group, 3 cases were dropped out. In the thread-embedding group, Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) etc. were selected and the acupoint thread-embedding therapy was operated once every 30 days, totally for two treatments. In the medication group, the topical artificial tears eye drops was used, 4 to 6 times a day, one drop each time, for 8 weeks totally. Separately, before treatment, after 4-week treatment and 8-week treatment as well as in 8 weeks and 12 weeks of the follow-up, the levels of lactoferrin in tears were determined and the scores of the relevant symptoms of ocular surface such as eye dryness, foreign body sensation in the eyes and eye fatigue were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#In the thread-embedding group, after 4-week and 8-week of treatment as well as in 8-week and 12-week follow-up, the scores of eye dryness, foreign body sensation, burning sensation of eye, phengophobia and eye fatigue were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment (all 0.05). The levels of lactoferrin in tears at each time point after treatment in the thread-embedding group were higher than the medication group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint thread-embedding therapy effectively improves in the relevant symptoms of ocular surface, such as eye dryness, foreign body sensation, burning sensation of eye, phengophobia and eye fatigue, and increases the level of lactoferrin in tears in the patients with dry eye syndrome of deficiency aqueous production. In the follow-up, the therapeutic effects of the acupoint thread-embedding therapy are significantly better than artificial tears eye drops.

Effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on the sitting ability of ataxia children with cerebral palsy / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effective of acupoint thread-embedding therapy for ataxia children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A total of 70 ataxia children with cerebral palsy and a Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM, Dimension B) score of <35 were enrolled and randomly divided into thread-embedding group and control group, with 35 children in each group, and 2 children in the thread-embedding group were lost to follow-up. The children in the control group were given routine rehabilitation treatment, including physical therapy, spleen-strengthening, kidney-nourishing, and Governor Vessel-regulating massage, vibroacoustic therapy, and scalp acupuncture, and those in the thread-embedding group were given thread-embedding therapy at the acupoints of Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (SJ14), Tianzong (SI11), Tianshu (ST25), and HuatuoJiaji points (C4, L1 and L4) in addition to the treatment in the control group, with 6-8 acupoints selected each time, once a week. Each course of treatment was 4 weeks, with an interval of one week between two courses of treatment, and the children were treated for 3 courses. Level of sitting scale (LSS), incurvation reflex, and GMFM score were recorded to evaluate the improvement in sitting ability and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Both groups had significant improvements in LSS, incurvation reflex, and GMFM (Dimension A and B) score after treatment (P<0.01), and the thread-embedding group had significantly greater improvements than the control group (P<0.01). The thread-embedding group had a significantly higher overall response rate than the control group (90.9% [30/33] vs 68.5% [24/35], P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, acupoint thread-embedding therapy can effectively suppress primitive reflex in ataxia children with cerebral palsy and significantly promote their sitting ability, and therefore, it is an effective acupuncture treatment method for ataxia children with cerebral palsy.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupoint Thread Embedding plus Ultrashort Waves for Sleep Disorders Due to Restless Legs Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread embedding plus ultrashort waves in treating sleep disorders due to restless legs syndrome (RLS).Method Forty-eight RLS patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 24 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupoint thread embedding plus ultrashort waves, while the control group was by orally taking Levodopa and Benserazide Hydrochloride tablets and Compound Vitamin B tablets. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The PSQI scores were significantly changed both after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in both groups (P<0.01). PSQI scores in the treatment group respectively after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint thread embedding plus ultrashort waves is an effective method in treating sleep disorders due to RLS.

Comparative Study on Ear Apex Bloodletting plus Acupoint Thread Embedding for Hypertension / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the real-time and short-term anti-hypertension efficacy of ear apex bloodletting plus acupoint thread embedding. Method Eighty-three eligible hypertension patients were randomized into group A of 28 cases, group B of 29 cases and group C of 26 cases. Group A was intervened by bloodletting at ear apex, group B was by acupoint thread embedding, and group C was by bloodletting at ear apex plus acupoint thread embedding. The blood pressure was recorded 5 min before intervention, as well as 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, and 60 min following intervention, and the real-time anti-hypertension efficacy was compared. By analyzing the blood pressure before treatment and after 1-month treatment, the short-term anti-hypertension efficacy was compared. Result In group A and group C, the systolic and diastolic pressures at 15 min, 30 min, and 60 min after treatment were significantly different from that at 5 min before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 60.7% in group A, 51.7%in group B, and 80.8% in group C. The therapeutic efficacy of group C was significantly different from that of group A and B (P<0.05). The total effective rates for grade 1 and grade 2 hypertension were respectively 84.6%and 40.4%in group A, 76.9%and 31.3% in group B, and 100.0% and 64.3% in group C. In the three groups, the therapeutic efficacy for grade 1 hypertension was markedly different from that for grade 2 hypertension (P<0.05). Conclusion Bloodletting at ear apex can produce a significant anti-hypertension effect, and bloodletting at ear apex plus acupoint thread embedding is an effective method in treating hypertension.

Effect of Acupoint Thread Embedding on Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effect of Acupoint Thread Embedding on the motor function of children with cerebral palsy. Methods90 children with cerebral palsy were divided into 2 groups by the visiting time and gender: the observation group accepted AcupointThread Embedding and comprehensive rehabilitation while the control group accepted comprehensive rehabilitation only. They were assessedwith Gross Motor Function Measure before and 3 months after treatment. Results The incidence of efficiency was 95% in the observationgroup and 80% in the control group (<i>P</i><0.01). The score of Gross Motor Function Measure was higher in the observation group thanin the control group (<i>P</i><0.01). Conclusion Acupoint Thread Embedding can promote the motor functional recovery of children with cerebralpalsy.

Effect of Acupoint Thread-embedding Therapy on Electrogastrogram and Gastrointestinal Hormones in Patients with Chronic Gastritis / 广州中医药大学学报

[ Objective ] To observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy for chronic gastritis. [Methods] Seventy cases of chronic gastritis were randomized into group A ( n = 36, treated with acupoint thread-embedding therapy) and group B (n = 34, treated with acupuncture); the changes of electrogastrogram (ECG) and plasma contents of gastrin (Gas) and substance P (SP) were compared before and after treatment. [Results] The effective rate was 88.89% in group A and 76.47% in group B, the difference being significant ( P 0.05 ) while postprandial ECG frequency differed from that before treatment ( P 0.05). [Conclusion] Acupoint thread-embedding therapy exerts certain effect for the treatment of chronic gastritis; its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal function by regulating gastrointestinal hormone levels and by increasing ECG amplitude and frequency.