ABSTRACT
Este informe executivo apresenta os principais achados do mapa de evidências sobre os efeitos da Acupuntura para desfechos em saúde, que representa a evidência de 163 estudos de revisão que analisaram o efeito da acupuntura como intervenção para pelo menos um dos 96 desfechos de saúde organizados em 14 grupos: Câncer e Neoplasias; Dor; Doenças Cardiovasculares; Doenças Respiratórias; Doenças Reumáticas e Musculoesqueléticas; Doenças Nutricionais, Metabólicas e Endócrinas; Doenças do Sistema Nervoso; Dermatopatias; Gastroenteropatias; Indicadores Metabólicos e Fisiológicos; Oftalmopatias e Otorrinolaringopatias; Sinais e Sintomas; Transtornos Mentais; e Outros desfechos. No todo foram 201 associações entre acupuntura e os desfechos de saúde. Para cada associação intervenção-desfecho foi incluído o efeito reportado pelo estudo de revisão.
This executive report presents the main findings of the evidence map on the effects of acupuncture for health outcomes, representing evidence from 163 review studies that analyzed the effect of acupuncture as an intervention for at least one of the 96 health outcomes organized into 14 groups: Cancer and Neoplasms; Pain; Cardiovascular Diseases; Respiratory Diseases; Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases; Nutritional, Metabolic, and Endocrine Diseases; Diseases of the Nervous System; Dermatopathies; Gastroenteropathies; Metabolic and Physiological Indicators; Ophthalmopathies and Otorhinolaryngopathies; Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; and Other outcomes. In total, there were 201 associations between acupuncture and health outcomes. For each intervention-outcome association, the reported effect by the review study was included.
Este informe ejecutivo presenta los principales hallazgos del mapa de evidencia sobre los efectos de la acupuntura en los resultados de salud, representando la evidencia de 163 estudios de revisión que analizaron el efecto de la acupuntura como intervención para al menos uno de los 96 resultados de salud organizados en 14 grupos: Cáncer y Neoplasias; Dolor; Enfermedades Cardiovasculares; Enfermedades Respiratorias; Enfermedades Reumáticas y Musculoesqueléticas; Enfermedades Nutricionales, Metabólicas y Endocrinas; Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso; Dermatopatías; Gastroenteropatías; Indicadores Metabólicos y Fisiológicos; Oftalmopatías y Otorrinolaringopatías; Signos y Síntomas; Trastornos Mentales; y Otros resultados. En total, hubo 201 asociaciones entre la acupuntura y los resultados de salud. Para cada asociación intervención-resultados se incluyó el efecto informado por el estudio de revisión.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Treatment Outcome , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
The present study proposed to describe, through a literature review, the use of new therapeutic management which allows for offering a better quality of life to individuals affected by these pathologies. A bibliographic search was conducted in the main health databases PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) and Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), in which studies published from 1987 to 2023 were collected. In the first stage, the list of retrieved articles was examined by reading the titles and abstracts. In the second stage, the studies were selected by reading the full contents. Two authors (JDMM and DAQ) performed stages 1 and 2. Experimental, clinical, case-control, randomized controlled, and laboratory cohort studies, case reports, systematic reviews, and literature reviews, which were developed in living individuals, were included. Therefore, articles that did not deal with the subject in question, letters to the editor, opinion articles, duplicated literature in databases, and literature that did not address the variables under study, we re excluded. Contemporary dentistry uses alternative treatments capable of improving the patient's condition since a cure is not always possible. Therefore, the possibility of improving the quality of life becomes an important point to be reached. Evidence-based healthcare has made great advances in recent decades, especially in the areas of orofacial pain, TMD, and occlusion, especially related to orthodontic, prosthetic, and restorative care.
En el presente estudio se propuso describir, a través de una revisión bibliográfica, el uso de nuevos manejos terapéuticos que permitan brindar una mejor calidad de vida a los individuos afectados por estas patologías. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos de salud PUBMED (www.pubmed.gov) y Scholar Google (www.scholar.google.com.br), en las que se recopilaron estudios publicados entre 1987 y 2023. En la primera etapa, se examinó la lista de artículos recuperados mediante la lectura de los títulos y resúmenes. En la segunda etapa, los estudios fueron seleccionados mediante la lectura del contenido completo. Dos autores (JDMM y DAQ) realizaron las etapas 1 y 2. Se incluyeron estudios de cohortes experimentales, clínicos, de casos y controles, controlados aleatorios y de laboratorio, informes de casos, revisiones sistemáticas y revisiones de la literatura, que se desarrollaron en individuos vivos. Por lo tanto, se excluyeron artículos que no trataran el tema en cuestión, cartas al editor, artículos de opinión, literatura duplicada en bases de datos y literatura que no abordara las variables en estudio. La odontología contemporánea utiliza tratamientos alternativos capaces de mejorar el estado del paciente, ya que no siempre es posible la curación. Por lo tanto, la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida se convierte en un objetivo importante. La atención médica basada en la evidencia ha logrado grandes avances en las últimas décadas, especialmente en las áreas de dolor orofacial, TMD y oclusión, especialmente en relación con la atención de ortodoncia, prótesis y restauración.
Subject(s)
Humans , Facial Pain/therapy , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/therapy , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methodsABSTRACT
Delivery of acupuncture in the setting of a clinical trial is a unique practice that diverges significantly from the delivery of acupuncture in a real-world clinical setting. Research acupuncturists, particularly those trained in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), are often required to set aside valued precepts of traditional care, including diagnosing imbalances, individualizing treatment, and forging a therapeutic relationship with patients. TCM-trained acupuncturists express mixed feelings about participating in clinical trials. Many are eager to play a vital role in the advancement of acupuncture science and appreciate the need for strict protocol adherence to minimize bias. However, the acupuncturist(s) may also have concerns about clinical trial methodology, including but not limited to the delivery of a control condition, e.g., sham acupuncture. Investigators should anticipate certain questions and even a level of resistance to the requirements of research among acupuncturists and be prepared to address them. This manuscript presents a brief review of the subjective experience of the research acupuncturist within the available scientific literature as it pertains to the delivery of active and sham clinical research protocols. Our goals are to better understand the perspectives of acupuncturists who may participate in clinical research, so that their concerns may be addressed in study design and methodology. To that end, we suggest the creation of a novel training program specifically for clinical trial acupuncturists, intended for qualified TCM- and Western-trained practitioners, that would help to standardize the research acupuncturist's role and help to strengthen the design and execution of acupuncture studies. Please cite this article as: Anastasi JK, Capili B, Neumaier J, Hackett L. Delivery of acupuncture in clinical trials: Research acupuncturists' perspectives. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):315-319.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Acupuncture , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#This study aims to clarify how the stimulation of acupuncture points is achieved by needles with different surface texture during acupuncture; it also seeks to lessen injury at the insertion site and increase the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, by simulating the mechanical effects of various needle surface patterns on Zusanli (ST36) without changing the radius of acupuncture needles.@*METHODS@#Five acupuncture needle models with different surface patterns, including the smooth needle, the lined needle, the ringed needle, the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle, and a layered model of the Zusanli acupoint were used to investigate how to reduce tissue damage and increase stimulation during acupuncture treatment. Puncturing of the skin as well as lifting-inserting and twisting needle manipulations were simulated using these models, and the degree of damage and force of stimulation caused by the acupuncture needles with different surface patterns during acupuncture were compared.@*RESULTS@#The smooth needle and the lined needle caused the least tissue damage during insertion, while the left-hand threaded and the right-hand threaded needles caused the most damage. The ringed needle, the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle stimulated the acupoint tissue more during lifting-inserting manipulations, while the lined needle and the smooth needle produced less stimulation. The stimulation of the lined needle on the acupoint tissue was the largest during twisting manipulation, whereas the left-hand threaded needle and the right-hand threaded needle had smaller effects. In lifting-inserting and twisting manipulations, both the left-hand threaded needle and right-hand threaded needle provided more stimulation, but the torsion direction in which they produced better stimulation was the opposite.@*CONCLUSION@#According to the simulation results, the ringed pattern enhances stimulation best in the lifting-inserting manipulation, whereas the lined pattern enhances stimulation best in the twisting manipulation. Both the right-hand and left-hand thread patterns have certain enhancing effects in these two operations. Taking the geometric properties of the pattern into account, the left-hand thread pattern and the right-hand thread pattern have the geometric characteristics of both the lined pattern and the ringed pattern. To conclude, a pattern perpendicular to the movement direction during the acupuncture manipulation creates more stimulation. These results have significance for future needle design. Please cite this article as: Sun MZ, Wang X, Li YC, Yao W, Gu W. Mechanical effects of needle texture on acupoint tissue. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 254-267.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Points , Needles , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , HandABSTRACT
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common refractory disease. Chinese medicine (CM) has remarkable efficacy and advantages on the treatment of IBS. This review summarized the articles focusing on the treatment of IBS with CM to sum up the latest treatment methods for IBS and the underlying mechanisms. Literature analysis showed that prescriptions, acupuncture, and moxibustion are the primary methods of CM treatment for IBS. The potential mechanism centers on the regulation of the enteric nervous system, the alleviation of visceral hypersensitivity, the stability of intestinal flora, and the regulation of the immune system.
Subject(s)
Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , MoxibustionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To re-evaluate the systematic review/Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for childhood autism (CA), aiming to provide decision-making basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*METHODS@#The systematic review and/or Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for CA were searched in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases. The retrieval time was from the database establishment to May 5th, 2022. PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analyses) was used to evaluate the report quality, and AMSTAR 2 (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews 2) was used to evaluate the methodological quality, bubble map was used to construct the evidence map and GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.@*RESULTS@#A total of 9 systematic reviews were included. The PRISMA scores ranged from 13 to 26. The report quality was low, and there was a serious lack in the aspects of program and registration, search, other analysis and funding. The main problems in methodology included not making prespecified protocol, incomplete retrieval strategy, not providing a list of excluded literatures, and incomplete explanation on heterogeneity analysis and bias risk. The evidence map showed that 6 conclusions were valid, 2 conclusions were possible valid and 1 conclusion was uncertain valid. The overall quality of evidence was low, and the main factors leading to the downgrade were limitations, followed by inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture and moxibustion has a certain effect for CA, but the quality of reporting, methodology and evidence in included literature need to be improved. It is suggested to perform high-quality and standardized research in the future to provide evidence-based basis.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Autistic Disorder , Moxibustion/methods , Publication Bias , Research Design , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Meta-Analysis as TopicABSTRACT
The paper presents professor WU Han-qing's experience in treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with "sinew-bone three needling technique" of Chinese medicine. Based on the theory of meridian sinew, the points are located by "three-pass method" in terms of the distribution of meridian sinew and syndrome/pattern differentiation. The cord-like muscles and adhesion are relieved by relaxing technique to work directly on the affected sites and alleviate the local compression to the nerve root. The needle technique is operated flexibly according to the affected regions involved, due to which, the needling sensation is increased while the safety ensured. As a result, the meridian qi is enhanced, the mind and qi circulation is regulated; and the clinical effect is improved.
Subject(s)
Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy , Meridians , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Acupuncture PointsABSTRACT
The operation standardization, quantitative standard and safety of acupuncture treatment are important links in the development of acupuncture modernization. In recent years, with the continuous development of ultrasonic imaging technology, ultrasonic medicine has the characteristics of visualization, quantitative analysis and real-time dynamics, which could play a unique role in acupuncture treatment. In this paper, the research progress of the combined application of ultrasonic medicine and acupuncture treatment is described from three aspects: ultrasound guidance helping to standardize acupuncture operation, ultrasound guidance helping to improve and evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, and ultrasound guidance helping to improve the safety of acupuncture, aiming to providing new ideas for the application of modern medicine in traditional medicine.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Acupuncture , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Medicine, Traditional , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of standardized Jin's three-needle therapy on limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients, and to evaluate the placebo control method.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients with stroke were randomly divided into a Jin's three-needle group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a placebo needle group (33 cases, 4 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with conventional medication and rehabilitation treatment. In addition, the patients in the Jin's three-needle group were treated with standardized Jin's three-needle therapy at temporal three points, spirit four points, hand three points, foot three points, upper extremity spasm three points, lower extremity spasm three points, etc.; while the patients in the placebo needle group were treated with placebo needling at identical points. All the treatments were given once a day, 5 days a week, and 3-week treatment was given with an interval of 2 days between weeks. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were observed before treatment, 10 d and 21 d into treatment, and the blind evaluation was conducted after treatment.@*RESULTS@#On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), and the NIHSS scores were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in the Jin's three-needle group were higher than those in the placebo needle group (P<0.05); on the 10 d into treatment, the NIHSS score in the Jin's three-needle group was were lower than that in the placebo needle group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on judging the type of treatment (P>0.05), and the consistency with the real situation was poor (Cohen's kappa coefficient<0.20).@*CONCLUSION@#The standardized Jin's three-needle therapy could effectively improve the limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients. The placebo control method used in this study shows good clinical operability and masking effect.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Acupuncture Points , Stroke/therapy , Lower Extremity , Needles , Treatment Outcome , Stroke RehabilitationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To detect the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma by infrared thermal imaging technology, and observe the specific changes of the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points under the condition of lung disease.@*METHODS@#Forty-five patients with chronic persistent asthma (observation group) and 45 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were measured by BK-MT02A medical infrared thermography.@*RESULTS@#The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17) was higher than that of ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in body surface temperature between ipsilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), between ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The pathological increase of body surface temperature of Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in patients with chronic persistent asthma indicates that above acupoints have specificity in reflecting lung diseases. The Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), which have significantly increased body surface temperature, not only provide objective basis for the pathological pathogenesis of "deficiency in origin and excess in symptom" in patients with chronic persistent asthma, but also reflect the different expressions of different acupoints on the same meridian for the lung diseases.
Subject(s)
Humans , Temperature , Asthma/diagnostic imaging , Meridians , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methodsABSTRACT
This paper introduces professor SUN Shen-tian's clinical thoughts and his characteristics of acupuncture techniques for the treatment of depression based on "psychosomatic medicine". Professor SUN, the master of traditional Chinese medicine, believes that depression refers to comorbidity of "heart mind" and "body", resulting from the "body-mind" disharmony, specially dominated by the emotional disorder. This disease is located in the brain, with the injury of mind and closely related to the heart and liver dysfunction. In pathogenesis, the dysfunction of brain mind and the unhealthy conditions of body and mind are involved. The treatment should focus on "regulating the mind, improving the intelligence, co-modulating the abdominal and brain functions and treating the physical and mental disorders". Baihui (GV 20), Ningshen (Extra) and emotional area on the head are selected as the main points to benefit the intelligence and calming down the mind; the abdominal region 1 and region 8 of "Sun's abdominal acupuncture" are used as the main points of the abdomen to regulate the brain functions. The point prescription is modified according to the symptoms and etiologies. The repeated transcranial acupuncture stimulation and electroacupuncture at low frequency (2 Hz) are crucial to the therapeutic effect. Reliving anxious emotions is specially considered before acupuncture, and the mind is protected and deqi is consolidated during acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Depression/therapy , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , AcupunctureABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Some depressed patients receive acupuncture as an adjunct to their conventional medications.@*OBJECTIVE@#This review aims to provide evidence on whether acupuncture can enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants for treating depression, and explore whether acupuncture can reduce the adverse reactions associated with antidepressants.@*SEARCH STRATEGY@#English and Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until December 1, 2021.@*INCLUSION CRITERIA@#RCTs with a modified Jadad scale score ≥ 4 were included if they compared a group of participants with depression that received acupuncture combined with antidepressants with a control group that received antidepressants alone.@*DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS@#Meta-analysis was performed, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed based on Cochran's Q statistic and its related P-value. Primary outcomes were the reduction in the severity of depression and adverse reactions associated with antidepressants, while secondary outcomes included remission rate, treatment response, social functioning, and change in antidepressant dose. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence in the included studies.@*RESULTS@#This review included 16 studies (with a total of 1958 participants). Most studies were at high risk of performance bias and at low or unclear risk of selection bias, detection bias, attrition bias, reporting bias, and other bias. Analysis of the 16 RCTs showed that, compared with antidepressants alone, acupuncture along with antidepressants reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores (standard mean difference [SMD] -0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.55 to -0.33, P < 0.01; I2 = 14%), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores (SMD -0.53, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.23, P < 0.01; I2 = 79%), and the Side Effect Rating Scale (SERS) scores (SMD -1.11, 95% CI -1.56 to -0.66, P < 0.01; I2 = 89%). Compared with antidepressants alone, acupuncture along with antidepressants improved World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scores (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.44, P < 0.01; I2 = 15%), decreased the number of participants who increased their antidepressant dosages (relative risk [RR] 0.32, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.48, P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), and resulted in significantly higher remission rates (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.83, P < 0.01; I2 = 0%) and treatment responses (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.47, P < 0.01; I2 = 19%) in terms of HAMD-17 scores. The HAMD-17, SDS and SERS scores were assessed as low quality by GRADE and the other indices as being of moderate quality.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture as an adjunct to antidepressants may enhance the therapeutic effectiveness and reduce the adverse drug reactions in patients receiving antidepressants. These findings must be interpreted with caution, as the evidence was of low or moderate quality and there was a lack of comparative data with a placebo control.@*SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION@#INPLASY202150008.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects , Depression/drug therapy , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/drug therapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To establish a quantitative evaluation parameter system for basic acupuncture manipulations based on 3D motion tracking technology, and to further analyze the characteristics of acupuncture manipulation.@*METHODS@#The motion tracking system Simi Motion Ver.8.5 was used to collect parameters of acupuncture manipulations, so as to establish a quantitative evaluation system mainly in spatial control parameters, time control parameters and stability parameters. Based on the evaluation parameter system, data of acupuncture manipulations (even reinforcing-reducing manipulation using lifting-thrusting technique and twirling technique) were collected from 19 teachers majored in acupuncture-moxibustion, of which the characteristics were analyzed and were compared with the results tested by traditional ATP-Ⅱ acupuncture manipulation parameter determination apparatus (ATP-Ⅱ).@*RESULTS@#The evaluation parameter system could quantitatively analyze the basic acupuncture manipulations in 3 aspects, i.e. space, time and stability. Acupuncture manipulations were performed by shifting the needle body in a certain range along X, Y and Z axes. The amplitude and speed of thumb movement were greater than those of index finger. The time-history of lifting was similar to thrusting, while the time-history of twirling to left was similar to twirling to right in even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The coordinate-time curve of finger movement of the evaluation system had consistent wave pattern compared with the voltage-time curve generated by ATP-Ⅱ.@*CONCLUSION@#The quantitative evaluation parameter system based on 3D motion tracking technology can objectively evaluate basic acupuncture manipulations, and show the characteristics of different manipulations and the movement details of finger joints.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Adenosine Triphosphate , Moxibustion , TechnologyABSTRACT
The paper introduces the clinical experience of GAO Hong in treatment of tic disorder. GAO Hong believes that tic disorder results from the primary qi deficiency and mind disturbance. Acupuncture for cultivating the primary and regulating the mind is proposed specially for tic disorder. This acupuncture technique focuses on harmonizing and regulating governor vessel and conception vessel. In clinical practice, the conception vessel acupoints on the abdomen and the governor vessel acupoints on the head are selected particularly, e.g. Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) on the abdomen; Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Benshen (GB 13) and Yintang (GV 24+) on the head. The needling sequence and the insertion depth are emphasized, which affect the curative effect and GV 20 is generally punctured first. Besides, considering to the type of disorder and the affected site, tic disorder is treated in view of both syndrome/pattern differentiation and symptom differentiation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Abdominal Cavity , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Tic Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
This paper reviews the application of "co-regulation of body and mind" of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity. It is found that acupoints on the head and the back of the governor vessel, as well as Jiaji (Ex-B 2) points are mainly used for regulating the mind, and the local sites of spastic muscles and the points on the antagonistic muscles are for regulating the body specially. It is believed that regulating the mind should be integrated with regulating the body, while, the acupoint selection be associated with needling methods so as to fully achieve the "co-regulation of body and mind" and enhance the practical value of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity. It is proposed that the classical anti-spastic needling techniques, such as huici (relaxing needling) and guanci (joint needling), should be more considered.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Muscle Spasticity/therapy , Muscles , Stroke/therapyABSTRACT
The paper summarizes the valuable experience of the famous teachers of all generations in the teaching & research room of meridians and acupoints of Beijing University of CM. The shortcomings are presented when the acupoints are explained in accordance with the flowing route of meridians in classroom teaching of Science of Meridians and Acupoints. Hence, it is proposed that the acupoint names should be interpreted specially for the acupoints distributed on the same meridians or adjacent ones. It is suggested to emphasize the correlation of each acupoint with its adjacent ones from the perspective of the cultural connotation of acupoint names, and then, the differences and similarities in their clinical indications can be analyzed. Eventually, a new approach to the classroom teaching of Science of Meridians and Acupoints may be provided to guide the excavation of traditional cultural connotation and establish the cultural self-confidence and professional identity.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , MeridiansABSTRACT
The paper introduces professor ZHUANG Li-xing's clinical experience in treatment of intra-uterine residue and lochia after drug abortion. Professor ZHUANG believes that this disorder is related to "dysfunction of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, qi deficiency and blood stagnation, and retention of turbid qi in the uterus" in pathogenesis. The treating principle should focus on "regulating the functions of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, tonifying qi and eliminating stasis, as well as promoting qi movement". Besides Hegu (LI 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), the acupoints are added from the conception vessel. The Daoqi Tongjing needling technique (the specific technique for directing qi and preserving essence) is exerted flexibly instead of traditional reinforcing and reducing technique of acupuncture to tonify qi and remove stasis.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Abortion, Induced , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , NeedlesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#To identify, examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes.@*METHODS@#Eight electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database and VIP Database, were searched, supplemented by manual searches. Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments. A narrative description was provided to show the general information and specific characteristics of the included studies. A bubble plot was used to visually display the overall effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.@*RESULTS@#Eighty-two studies were identified, including 64 primary studies and 18 systematic reviews. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, electric acupuncture and manual acupuncture were applied in most studies and compared with no acupuncture, sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture control groups. Sixty-three (98.4%) primary studies reported clinical pregnancy rate, and positive effects of acupuncture were found in 34 studies (54.0%). Live birth rate was reported in only 18 (28.1%) primary studies, of which 10 (55.6%) showed positive results. In addition, only 8 and 2 systematic reviews showed that acupuncture could increase clinical pregnancy events and live birth events, respectively. However, none of these reviews was of high methodological quality.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Available evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy could improve clinical pregnancy rates. However, whether acupuncture could increase live birth events was difficult to determine based on the few studies that have reported this outcome indicator. Furthermore, the methodological quality of most systematic reviews was assessed as critically low or low. Studies with a rigorous design and standardized implementation should be performed to refine the available evidence.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , China , Fertilization in Vitro , Pregnancy RateABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on hypoglycaemic outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).@*METHODS@#PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to July 2020, to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that enrolled patients with T2DM and compared acupuncture combined with antidiabetic drugs to antidiabetic drugs alone. The primary outcomes were haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG). The secondary outcomes included 2-h blood glucose (2hBG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and acupuncture-related adverse events. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as the effect measure in the meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-one RCTs (n=1,188) were included. The meta-analytic results showed that the acupuncture group had greater reductions in FBG (MD -6.46 mg/dL, 95% CI -11.95 to -0.98; moderate-quality evidence) and HOMA-IR (MD -1.23, 95% CI -2.16 to -0.31; low-quality evidence), but comparable changes in HbA1c (MD -0.39%, 95% CI -0.84 to 1.61; very-low-quality evidence), 2hBG (MD -4.99 mg/dL, 95% CI -20.74 to 10.76; low-quality evidence), and FINS (MD -1.32 µIU/mL, 95% CI -3.76 to 1.12; low-quality evidence). No data on the incidence of diabetic complications were found. All acupuncture-related adverse events reported were mild.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The current evidence suggests that acupuncture, as a complementary therapy to antidiabetic drugs, has a small but statistically significant effect on decreasing FBG and improving insulin resistance. The effects of acupuncture on HbA1c, 2hBG, and FINS remain uncertain. Acupuncture is generally safe in patients with mild diabetes. More evidence for the long-term effects of acupuncture on T2DM is needed. (Trial registration No. CRD42018115639).
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Blood Glucose , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effects , Insulin Resistance , Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To systematically review the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) of gastric cancer with meta-analysis.@*METHODS@#The articles of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for postoperative GID of gastric cancer were retrieved from the following databases from the time of database establishment to December 31, 2020, including PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP database and China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed). RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Using Stata16.0 software, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were performed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 16 RCTs were included finally, including 1 360 patients, of which, there were 681 cases in the intervention group and 679 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture and moxibustion shortened the time of first flatus (P<0.000 01, MD =-14.52, 95%CI = [-17.31, -11.74]), the time of first bowel sound (P<0.000 01, MD =-10.50, 95%CI =[-13.99, -7.01]) and the time of first defecation (P<0.000 1, MD =-13.79, 95%CI =[-20.09, -7.50]). Meanwhile, acupuncture and moxibustion shortened the time of the first food intake (P<0.000 1, MD =-3.23, 95%CI = [-3.45, -3.00]) and the hospital stay (P<0.000 01, MD =-1.94, 95%CI =[-2.20, -1.69]) after gastric cancer operation, and reduced the incidences of postoperative adverse reactions, i.e. nausea and vomiting (P =0.000 3, RR =0.43, 95%CI =[0.28, 0.68]) and abdominal distention (P =0.000 5, RR =0.41, 95%CI =[0.25, 0.68]).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture and moxibustion can promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in the patients with gastric cancer. But, for the comparison among different measures of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention, it needs more high-quality trials for a further verification.