Influence of acupuncture and acupressure on labor duration: a systematic review / Influencia da acupuntura e acupressão no tempo do trabalho de parto: uma revisão sistemática

Objective: in this regard, the main goal of this systematic review is to identify and compare results that can build different perspectives on the efficacy of acupuncture using work time. Methods: the model followed for the construction of this systematic review was the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The keywords chosen were "Acupuncture" and "Labor Time". Studies originally published were analyzed in English and Portuguese between 1987 and 2020. The selected articles were those including acupuncture and acupressure techniques during labor. Results: 17 articles were in eligibility criteria. In six studies, the use of a standard questionnaire was not described. Sixteen were randomized clinical trials. Fourteen articles had the size of the sample equal to or less than one hundred, and only two exceeded three hundred participants. In most studies (n = 12), the early average acupuncture was between 37 ° and 42 ° week of pregnancy. Ten studies used acupuncture as the main technique. All cited the types of points used, including more present: SP6 and LI4. Conclusion: Acupuncture can be considered an effective technique in reducing the duration of work. However, more high-quality articles are needed to consolidate these positive results.

Objetivo: identificar e comparar resultados que possam construir diferentes perspectivas sobre a eficácia da acupuntura no tempo de trabalho de parto. Métodos: O modelo seguido para a construção desta revisão sistemática foi o Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). As palavras-chave escolhidas foram "Acupuncture" e "Labor Time". Foram analisados estudos originalmente publicados em inglês e português entre 1987 e 2020. Os artigos selecionados foram aqueles que incluíam técnicas de acupuntura e acupressão durante o trabalho de parto. Resultados: Dezessete artigos estavam dentro dos critérios de elegibilidade. Em seis estudos, o uso de um questionário padrão não foi descrito. Dezesseis foram ensaios clínicos randomizados. Quatorze artigos tinham o tamanho da amostra igual ou inferior a cem participantes, e apenas dois ultrapassaram trezentos participantes. Na maioria dos estudos (n = 12), a média inicial da acupuntura foi entre a 37ª e a 42ª semana de gestação. Dez estudos utilizaram a acupuntura como técnica principal. Todos citaram os tipos de pontos utilizados, sendo os mais presentes: BP6 e IG4. Conclusão: A acupuntura pode ser considerada uma técnica eficaz na redução da duração do trabalho de parto. No entanto, mais artigos de alta qualidade são necessários para consolidar esses resultados positivos.

Perspective of Calcium Imaging Technology Applied to Acupuncture Research / 中国结合医学杂志

Acupuncture, a therapeutic treatment defined as the insertion of needles into the body at specific points (ie, acupoints), has growing in popularity world-wide to treat various diseases effectively, especially acute and chronic pain. In parallel, interest in the physiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia, particularly the neural mechanisms have been increasing. Over the past decades, our understanding of how the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system process signals induced by acupuncture has developed rapidly by using electrophysiological methods. However, with the development of neuroscience, electrophysiology is being challenged by calcium imaging in view field, neuron population and visualization in vivo. Owing to the outstanding spatial resolution, the novel imaging approaches provide opportunities to enrich our knowledge about the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia at subcellular, cellular, and circuit levels in combination with new labeling, genetic and circuit tracing techniques. Therefore, this review will introduce the principle and the method of calcium imaging applied to acupuncture research. We will also review the current findings in pain research using calcium imaging from in vitro to in vivo experiments and discuss the potential methodological considerations in studying acupuncture analgesia.

Sociodemographic and training profile of nursing professionals in the state of São Paulo in relation to Integrative and Complementary Health Practices / Perfil sociodemográfico y de formación de los profesionales de enfermería del estado de São Paulo en relación a las Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias de Salud / Perfil sociodemográfico e de formação dos profissionais de Enfermagem do estado de São Paulo em relação às Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde

Objective: to analyze the sociodemographic and training profile of nursing professionals in the state of São Paulo in relation to Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health. Method: cross-sectional study, developed with 3,794 nursing professionals in the state of São Paulo, from 645 municipalities. To collect data, an online questionnaire was used containing sociodemographic and professional training variables. A hierarchical multiple Poisson regression model was constructed, considering training in practices as the dependent variable, with a significance level of 5%. Results: of the 3,794 (100%) participants, 479 (12.62%) had training in Integrative and Complementary Health Practices. The most frequent practices were auriculotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncture and Reiki. The predominant training modalities were free, face-to-face and theoretical-practical courses. The variables age, no formal religion, higher education and specialization level, working hours and knowledge and previous experience on integrative practices were significant. Conclusion: the results indicate the need to encourage and expand the training of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices for nursing professionals, in order to strengthen their performance in health services.

Objetivo: analizar el perfil sociodemográfico y de formación de los profesionales de enfermería del estado de São Paulo en relación a las Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias en Salud. Método: estudio transversal, desarrollado con 3.794 profesionales de enfermería del estado de São Paulo, provenientes de 645 municipios. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó un cuestionario online que contenía variables sociodemográficas y de formación profesional. Se construyó un modelo de regresión de Poisson múltiple jerárquico, considerando la formación en prácticas como variable dependiente, con nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: de los 3.794 (100%) participantes, 479 (12,62%) tenían formación en Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias en Salud. Las prácticas más frecuentes fueron la auriculoterapia, la Medicina Tradicional China/acupuntura y el reiki. Las modalidades de formación predominantes fueron cursos libres, presenciales y teórico-prácticos. Las variables edad, sin religión formal, nivel superior de formación y especialización, carga horaria de trabajo, y conocimiento y experiencia previa sobre prácticas integrativas presentaron significancia. Conclusión: los resultados indican la necesidad de incentivar y expandir la formación en Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias en Salud a los profesionales de enfermería, con el fin de fortalecer su actuación en los servicios de salud.

Objetivo: analisar o perfil sociodemográfico e de formação dos profissionais de Enfermagem do estado de São Paulo em relação às Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde. Método: estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 3.794 profissionais de Enfermagem do estado de São Paulo, provenientes de 645 municípios. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário online contendo as variáveis sociodemográficas e de formação profissional. Foi construído um modelo de regressão de Poisson múltiplo hierárquico, considerando a formação em práticas como variável dependente, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: dos 3.794 (100%) participantes, 479 (12,62%) tinham formação em Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde. As práticas mais frequentes foram a auriculoterapia, a Medicina Tradicional Chinesa/acupuntura e o Reiki . As modalidades de formação predominantes foram cursos livres, presenciais e teórico-práticos. As variáveis idade, sem religião formal, nível superior de formação e especialização, carga horária de trabalho e conhecimento e experiência prévia sobre práticas integrativas apresentaram significância. Conclusão: os resultados indicam a necessidade de incentivar e expandir a formação em Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde dos profissionais de Enfermagem, a fim de fortalecer sua atuação nos serviços de saúde.

Quem pode atuar com acupuntura no Brasil? / Who can work with acupuncture in Brazil?

Resumo A acupuntura é ofertada no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), mas seu exercício é disputado juridicamente. Este estudo analisa os aspectos desse exercício por diferentes profissionais da área da saúde. Realizou-se uma análise de literatura científica e institucional (brasileira e internacional), cuja seleção foi intencionalmente orientada. Os resultados abordam aspectos da disputa sobre o exercício da acupuntura; o ensino da acupuntura e suas normativas; e a operacionalização dos registros do exercício da acupuntura no SUS. A ausência de regras unificadas desse exercício gerou regramento infralegal de instituições governamentais e corporações profissionais no Brasil, admitindo a prática multiprofissional, em conformidade com a Organização Mundial de Saúde .

Abstract Acupuncture is offered in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), but its practice is matter of legal disputes. This study analyzes aspects of this practice by different professionals of the field of health. An analysis of scientific and institutional literature (Brazilian and international), whose selection was intentionally guided, was carried out. The results address aspects of the dispute over the practice of acupuncture; the teaching of acupuncture and its regulations; and the operationalization of records of acupuncture practice in the SUS. The absence of unified rules for this exercise generated infra-legal regulation of governmental institutions and professional corporations in Brazil, admitting multidisciplinary practice, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

Acupuntura: intervenção terapêutica natural para controle dos efeitos adversos do pós-operatório / Acupuncture: natural therapeutic intervention to control adverse effects post-operative / Acupuntura: intervención terapéutica natural para el control efectos adversos postoperatorios

Apesar da evolução da tecnologia minimamente invasiva com procedimentos cirúrgicos extremamente seguros, são recorrentes no período pós-operatório complicações como dor, náusea, vômito, cefaleia, sonolência e depressão respiratória, sendo estes os principais motivos de internações hospitalares prolongadas. A pesquisa da Acupuntura reveste-se portanto de grande interesse, na medida em que poderá traduzir estes conhecimentos milenares, contribuindo para sua aceitação e incorporação no âmbito hospitalar e ambulatorial... (AU)

Despite the evolution of minimally invasive technology with extremely safe surgical procedures, complications such as pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness and respiratory depression are recurrent in the postoperative period, being the main reasons for prolonged hospitalizations. A Research in acupuncture is, therefore, of great interest, as it can translate this ancient knowledge, contributing to its acceptance and incorporation in hospital and outpatient settings... (AU)

Apesar de la evolución de la tecnología mínimamente invasiva con procedimientos quirúrgicos extremadamente seguros, complicaciones como dolor, náuseas, vómitos, cefalea, somnolencia y depresión respiratoria son recurrentes en el postoperatorio, siendo los principales motivos de estancia hospitalaria prolongada. Por lo tanto, la investigación en acupuntura es de gran interés, ya que puede traducir este conocimiento antiguo, contribuyendo a su aceptación e incorporación en entornos hospitalarios y ambulatorios.

Acupuntura na qualidade de vida do paciente com retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica: relato de caso / Acupuntura en la calidad de vida de pacientes con colitis ulcerosa inespecífica: reporte de caso / Acupuncture on the quality of life of patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis: case report

Objetivo: relatar a contribuição da acupuntura sistêmica na qualidade de vida de um paciente com retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica. Método:estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, na modalidade de relato de caso, desenvolvido em três etapas: coleta de dados pré-tratamento; aplicação dos protocolos de tratamento com acupuntura sistêmica; e coleta de dados pós-tratamento. Os acupontosescolhidosse relacionaram aos aspectos emocionais e fisiopatológicos, particularmenteos sintomas intestinais, aplicados em sessões semanais domiciliares. Para a avaliação da qualidade de vida, utilizou-se de instrumento adaptado e validado para a cultura brasileira, e específico para doenças inflamatórias intestinais. Resultados: observou-se melhora estatisticamente significativa nas dimensões "sintomas intestinais", "sintomas sistêmicos", "aspectos emocionais" e no escore total de qualidade de vida. Conclusão: a acupuntura contribuiu para a melhoria da qualidade de vida, especialmente na remissão dos sintomas intestinais e nos aspectos emocionais.

Objective: to report the contribution of systemic acupuncture to the quality of life of a patient with nonspecific ulcerative colitis.Method: descriptive, retrospective study, in the form of case report, developed in three stages: pre-treatment data collection; application of treatment protocols with systemic acupuncture; and post-treatment data collection. Acupoints were related to emotional and pathophysiological aspects, particularly intestinal symptoms, applied in weekly home sessions. To assess the quality of life, an instrument adapted and validated for the Brazilian culture was used, specifically for inflammatory bowel diseases. Results: there was a statistically significant improvement in the dimensions "intestinal symptoms", "systemic symptoms", "emotional aspects" and in the total quality of life score.Conclusion: acupuncture contributed to the improvement of quality of life, especially in the remission of intestinal symptoms and emotional aspects.

Objetivo: relatar la contribución de la acupuntura sistémica a la calidad de vida de un paciente con colitis ulcerosa inespecífica.Método: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en forma de reporte de caso, desarrollado en tres etapas: recolección de datos pretratamiento; aplicación de protocolos de tratamiento con acupuntura sistémica; y recopilación de datos posteriores al tratamiento. Los puntos de acupuntura se relacionaron con aspectos emocionales y fisiopatológicos, particularmente síntomas intestinales, aplicados en sesiones domiciliarias semanales. Para evaluar la calidad de vida se utilizó un instrumento adaptado y validado para la cultura brasileña, específicamente para enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales.Resultados: hubo una mejora estadísticamente significativa en las dimensiones "síntomas intestinales", "síntomas sistémicos", "aspectos emocionales" y en el puntaje total de calidad de vida. Conclusión: la acupuntura contribuyó a la mejoría de la calidad de vida, especialmente en la remisión de los síntomas intestinales y aspectos emocionales.

El valor de la acupuntura en la práctica de la medicina tradicional complementaria en el sector salud de México / The value of acupuncture in the practice of complementary traditional medicine in Mexico's health sector

Introduction: Complementary traditional medicine acquires an essential value from the diversity and pluralism of care and therapy. In this logic, it is up to people to search for alternatives when it comes to caring for and improving their own health. Specifically, acupuncture has had rapid growth, largely due to processes derived from globalization, migration and cultural exchange, which in some way force countries to modify their health system towards one that takes into account the transculturality of its population and treatment preferences. Development: With the establishment of a comprehensive health model, physicians can assess the person as a homeodynamic process (information exchange process between environment and man, to keep an internal and external homeostasis to the individual) and pandimensional (spiritual and energetic care) that allows to identify the health problem's origin and thus determine an intervention more in line with the person's needs during the health-disease, life-death processes, with the corresponding conventional or non-conventional therapy. Conclusions: The value and interest of acupuncture in the population derives from the degree of development of a country, its origin and the incorporation of the West as part of the diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal, in order to respond to the population needs by incorporating low-cost complementary treatments with proven effectiveness, without ceasing to consider its unquestionable cultural heritage.

Introducción: la medicina tradicional complementaria adquiere un valor imprescindible desde la diversidad y el pluralismo de la asistencia y la terapéutica. En esa lógica, corresponde a las personas la búsqueda social de alternativas cuando se trata de atender y mejorar la propia salud. En específico la acupuntura ha tenido un rápido crecimiento, en gran parte debido a la globalización, la migración y el intercambio cultural, que de alguna forma obligan a los países a modificar su sistema de salud hacia uno que tome en cuenta la transculturalidad de su población y las preferencias de tratamiento. Desarrollo: con el establecimiento de un modelo de salud integral, los médicos pueden valorar a la persona como un proceso homeodinámico (intercambio de información entre el ambiente y el hombre para mantener una homeostasis interna y externa del individuo) y pandimensional (cuidado espiritual y energético) que permita identificar el origen real del problema de salud y determinar una intervención más acorde a las necesidades de la persona durante los procesos de salud-enfermedad, de vida-muerte, con la terapia convencional o no convencional que corresponda. Conclusiones: el valor e interés de la acupuntura en la población se deriva del grado de desarrollo de un país, de su origen y de la incorporación de occidente como parte del arsenal diagnóstico y terapéutico, para responder a las necesidades de la población al incorporar tratamientos complementarios de bajo costo y con efectividad demostrada, y sin dejar de considerar su herencia cultural incuestionable.

A prática da acupuntura por enfermeiras: revisão integrativa / Acupuncture practice by nurses: an integrative review / La práctica de la acupuntura por enfermeros: revisión integradora

Objetivo: analisar como a prática da acupuntura por enfermeiras tem se desenvolvido ao longo do tempo. Método: revisão integrativa, realizada no período de abril a junho de 2020, nas bases Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS e MEDLINE de artigos originais publicados no período de 1990 a 2020. Resultados: a partir da análise dos dados, foram selecionados 27 artigos originais, que deram origem a três categorias: Acupuntura na prática clínica aplicada a gestantes e puérperas; Acupuntura na prática clínica aplicada aos profissionais da área da saúde; e Acupuntura na prática clínica aplicada: obesidade, dor e outras patologias. Conclusão: a efetividade da acupuntura é verificada em todas as técnicas implementadas pelas enfermeiras e definida como prática inovadora. Configura-se como mais uma possibilidade de atuação profissional tanto para benefício dos usuários do sistema de saúde quanto para incentivar o fortalecimento dessa especialidade na enfermagem.

Objective: to analyze how acupuncture practice by nurses has developed over time. Method: an integrative review, carried out from April to June 2020, in the Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS and MEDLINE databases of original articles published from 1990 to 2020. Results: from data analysis, 27 original articles were selected, which originated three categories: Acupuncture in clinical practice applied to pregnant and postpartum women; Acupuncture in clinical practice applied to health professionals; and Acupuncture in applied clinical practice: obesity, pain and other pathologies. Conclusion: the effectiveness of acupuncture is verified in all techniques implemented by nurses and defined as an innovative practice. It is configured as one more possibility of professional action both for the benefit of health system users and to encourage the strengthening of this specialty in nursing.

Objetivo: analizar cómo se ha desarrollado a lo largo del tiempo la práctica de la acupuntura por parte de los enfermeros. Método: revisión integradora, realizada de abril a junio de 2020, en las bases de datos Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS y MEDLINE de artículos originales publicados de 1990 a 2020. Resultados: a partir del análisis de los datos, fueron seleccionados 27 artículos originales, que originaron tres categorías: Acupuntura en la práctica clínica aplicada a mujeres embarazadas y puérperas; Acupuntura en la práctica clínica aplicada a los profesionales de la salud; y Acupuntura en la práctica clínica aplicada: obesidad, dolor y otras patologías. Conclusión: la efectividad de la acupuntura se verifica en todas las técnicas implementadas por los enfermeros y se define como una práctica innovadora. Se configura como una posibilidad más de actuación profesional tanto en beneficio de los usuarios del sistema de salud como para incentivar el fortalecimiento de esta especialidad en enfermería.

Parestesia do nervo alveolar inferior decorrente de procedimentos cirúrgicos e suas formas de tratamentos / Paresthesi of the lower alveolar nerve resulting from surgical procedures and its forms of treatment

Nas cirurgias odontológicas é possível que ocorra alguns acidentes ou complicações que podem interferir no dia a dia do paciente. A lesão do nervo alveolar inferior é uma complicação decorrente de cirurgias orais que podem causar um distúrbio de sensibilidade transitória ou persistente, na região do lábio inferior e na região delimitada do forame mentoniano e hemi-arco da mucosa. O diagnóstico da parestesia pode ser feito através de testes mecanoceptivos e nocioceptivos em que o profissional escolherá para qual melhor se adapte no paciente. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi abordar por meio de uma revisão de literatura as formas de diagnóstico e tratamento da parestesia do nervo alveolar inferior decorrentes de cirurgias orais. As bases de dados utilizadas para confecção desta revisão são encontradas nas bibliotecas virtuais eletrônicas: BVS (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde), LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e Pubmed. Como critério de inclusão foram selecionados artigos publicados de 2012 a 2022 em língua inglesa, portuguesa e espanhola. Após a leitura do título e resumo dos resultados da pesquisa e aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão dentre eles foram excluídos 883, pois não se enquadravam no nosso critério de inclusão. No final, foram selecionados 13 estudos por meio de base de dados, que serviram de base para esta revisão. Concluímos que as formas de tratamento para a parestesia na literatura, são um pouco escassas e conflitantes, mas relata que o uso da laserterapia e acupuntura tem sido uma forma de tratamento com um bom índice de sucesso, e para os casos que não sejam suficientes tais tratamentos, pode-se optar por uma cirurgia(AU)

In dental surgeries it is possible to have some accidents or complications that can interfere with the patient's day. Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve is a complication resulting from oral surgeries that can cause a disturbance of sensitivity that can be transient or persistent in the region of the lower lip and in the delimited region of the mental foramen and hemiarch of the mucosa. The diagnosis of paresthesia can be made through mechanoceptive and nocioceptive tests that the professional will choose, which best suits the patient. The objective of the present work is to approach, through a literature review, the forms of diagnosis and treatment aimed at inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia resulting from oral surgeries. The databases used for this review are found in the virtual electronic libraries: VHL (Virtual Health Library), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences) and Pubmed. As inclusion criteria, articles published from 2012 to 2022 in English, Portuguese and Spanish were selected. After reading the title and summary of the research results and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 883 were excluded, as they did not meet our inclusion criteria. In the end, 13 studies were selected from the database, which served as the basis for this review. We conclude that the forms of treatment for paresthesia in the literature are a little scarce and conflicting, but it reports that the use of laser therapy and acupuncture has been a form of treatment with a good success rate, and for cases that are not enough, such treatments, one can opt for surgery(AU)

Formación médica en la terapéutica no convencional en el mundo (homeopatía y acupuntura) / Medical training in non-conventional therapeutics in the world (homeopathy and acupuncture)

Utilizadas de forma complementaria, alternada o integrada con la medicina convencional, la demanda de la población por las terapias no convencionales se ha incrementado considerablemente en las últimas décadas, requiriendo de los médicos un conocimiento de las nociones básicas de tales enfoques terapéuticos para orientar a sus pacientes en relación con tratamientos distintos a aquellos que suelen prescribir. Entre las mismas, la homeopatía y la acupuntura se han considerado especialidades médicas en Brasil durante varias décadas. Objetivo: Describir el estado actual de la formación médica en terapias no convencionales (homeopatía y acupuntura) alrededor del mundo. Métodos: Actualizamos los datos relacionados con los estudios y revisiones publicados hasta 2013 a través de una revisión de los estudios más recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: En todos los países, la enseñanza de terapias no convencionales se considera un tema relevante para la formación de médicos como una función del creciente interés de la población en su uso, con un amplia variedad de enfoques dirigidos a los estudiantes de licenciatura y posgrado, médicos residentes y profesionales con otras especialidades médicas. Conclusiones: Las escuelas brasileñas de medicina deben proporcionar a los estudiantes de licenciatura y posgrado, así como a los médicos residentes, un conocimiento preciso de los supuestos teóricos y enfoques clínico-terapéuticos propios de la homeopatía y la acupuntura, entre otras terapias no convencionales.

Used as complementary to, alternating or integrated with mainstream medicine, the population's demand for non-conventional therapies has substantially increased in the past decades, requiring from doctors knowledge on the basic notions of such therapeutics to orient their patients regarding treatments different to the ones they usually prescribe. Among them, homeopathy and acupuncture are considered medical specialties in Brazil for various decades. Aim: To describe the current state of medical education in non-conventional therapies (homeopathy and acupuncture) around the world. Methods: We updated data resulting from studies and reviews published until 2013 through a review of more recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: In all countries the teaching of non-conventional therapies is considered a relevant topic for the training of doctors as a function of the increasing interest of the population in their use, with a broad range of approaches targeting undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents and doctors from other medical specialties. Conclusions: The Brazilian medical schools must provide undergraduate and graduate students and medical residents accurate knowledge on the theoretical assumptions and clinical-therapeutic approaches proper to homeopathy and acupuncture, among other non-conventional therapies.

Mechanism of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Promoting Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis / 中国结合医学杂志

The latest guideline about ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical practice stresses that mucosal healing, rather than anti-inflammation, is the main target in UC clinical management. Current mucosal dysfunction mainly closely relates to the endoscopic intestinal wall (mechanical barrier) injury with the imbalance between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regeneration and death, as well as tight junction (TJ) dysfunction. It is suggested that biological barrier (gut microbiota), chemical barrier (mucus protein layer, MUC) and immune barrier (immune cells) all take part in the imbalance, leading to mechanical barrier injury. Lots of experimental studies reported that acupuncture and moxibustion on UC recovery by adjusting the gut microbiota, MUC and immune cells on multiple targets and pathways, which contributes to the balance of IEC regeneration and death, as well as TJ structure recovery in animals. Moreover, the validity and superiority of acupuncture and moxibustion were also demonstrated in clinic. This study aims to review the achievements of acupuncture and moxibustion on mucosal healing and analyse the underlying mechanisms.

Differences in Contents and Formation Methods of Clinical Questions in Chinese and Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines of Acupuncture-Moxibustion: Scoping Review / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the differences in the needs of users and the value orientation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) by comparing the contents and formation methods of clinical questions in Chinese and Korean CPGs of acupuncture-moxibustion (Acup-Mox).@*METHODS@#The full text of CPGs was systematically searched from the official websites of Chinese and Korean traditional medicine societies and Acup-Mox associations, with the topic "Acup-Mox for treating diseases" and the retrieval time up to September 28, 2022. Two researchers screened the CPGs independently, and extracted the guidelines' topics, content, quantity and formation methods of clinical questions. The quantitative data were collected by counting the frequency, and the qualitative data were classified and described by thematic analysis.@*RESULTS@#A total of 29 guidelines were included in this study, including 20 Chinese guidelines (305 questions) and 9 Korean guidelines (223 questions). The differences lie in the aspects of content and diversity, and formation method. As for content and diversity, Chinese guidelines focused mainly on the questions related to treatment such as the operation of specific intervention (86, 28.2%), efficacy of intervention (78, 25.6%), and also involving questions in diagnosis, prevention, and prognosis. While the clinical questions in Korean guidelines were concentrated to efficacy of intervention (218, 97.8%). As for formation method, in Chinese guidelines, questions were usually collected directly from clinicians, and then determined and optimized by experts. In Korean guidelines, frequently used clinical Acup-Mox interventions would be screened first. Then the expert group would set up corresponding intervention control measures so as to form clinical questions related to treatment efficacy.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The differences reflect the different needs of clinical practitioners, and the different aims or concepts in developing Acup-Mox guidelines between China and South Korea. Chinese guidelines emphasized promoting operation protocols and techniques of Acup-Mox for practical use, while Korean guidelines emphasized promoting the frequently used clinical intervention therapies. It is speculated that the guidelines from these two countries would play different roles in guiding clinical operation and supporting medical decision. In terms of formation methods of clinical questions, it is suggested to attach importance to optimizing process in formatting clinical questions to improve the clinical applicability of CPGs of Acup-Mox.

Delivery of acupuncture in clinical trials: Research acupuncturists' perspectives / 中西医结合学报

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.

Improving acupuncture research: progress, guidance, and future directions / 中国针灸

This paper makes an interpretation of the collection Acupuncture: how to improve the evidence base published by BMJ & BMJ Open. Studies show that the quality of randomized controlled trial (RCT) of acupuncture is low, and multivariable Meta-regression analysis fails to confirm most factors commonly believed to influence the effect of acupuncture. The methodological challenges in design and conduct of RCT in acupuncture were analyzed, and a consensus on how to design high-quality acupuncture RCT was developed. The number of acupuncture systematic reviews was huge but the evidence was underused in clinical practice and health policy, and a large number of western clinical practice guidelines recommended acupuncture therapy, but the usefulness of recommendations needed to be improved. In view of the problems in clinical research on acupuncture mentioned in this collection, combined with the analysis of the purpose of clinical research on acupuncture, perspectives, study types, as well as the relationship between evidence and clinical decision-making, a five-stage study paradigm of clinical research on acupuncture is proposed.

Research on ontology construction of acupuncture effect based on ISO/TS 16843-6: 2022 / 中国针灸

In order to specify the information expression of acupuncture effect and realize the knowledge reuse and sharing, in view of animal experiments and clinical trials, the relevant knowledge of acupuncture effect is allocated. Using seven-step method and Protégé5.5.0 tool, the ontology of acupuncture effect is constructed on the base of ISO/TS 16843-6: 2022. A total of 199 classes are constructed, including 7 categories (acupuncture point, acupuncture therapy, needling method, biological process, genes and gene products, disorder, and anatomic structure), 12 object properties, 1 108 instances and 5 123 axioms. A semantic network with the characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion is established and the structured expression for the knowledge of acupuncture effects is obtained, which lays the foundation for the innovation and development in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Adding acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints: preliminary assumption / 中国针灸

To deepen the understanding of the acupoint indications, clarify the targeting of acupoints, and provide a basis for the composition of acupuncture prescriptions, it is suggested to add acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints, and a preliminary assumption that relevant acupoints can be identified by taking the indications, locations, and meridians as the key points is proposed. In this paper, acupoints for treating stomach disease, acupoints of eye region, and five-shu points of lung meridian are taken as examples, combined with ancient literature and modern scientific research achievements, the main indications of acupoint is identified, which is of great significance to the discipline's development, talent training, and achievement transformation.

Constructed "ashi point" / 中国针灸

Ashi point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergency) as one of the effective folk methods. The theoretic development of ashi point goes through the innovation period of contemporary and modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory, specifically in three aspects, definition, property and status. Through the analysis of historical data, it is found that the bias of ashi point theory results from the misunderstanding of connotation, the distortion of application techniques, the misinterpretation of semantics and the gradual promotion of status. All of these are generally caused by the reform of acupuncture-moxibustion theory in Japan, which covers the essence of ashi point, limits its connotation and clouds the concept of acupoint. It is necessary to re-understand the literal sense and theoretic construction of ashi point and timely update the knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion in association with the results of theoretical researches.

Relationship between the inserting sites of Fu's subcutaneous needling and traditional acupoints: revelation to acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

Focusing on the phenomenon of "de-acupoints" of the needle insertion sites in Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN), the authors allocated the evolution and characteristics of the needle insertion sites of FSN. From six aspects, named morphology and structure, location, nomenclature, numbers and meridian tropism, indications and acupuncture manipulations, the comparison was made between the insertion sites of FSN and traditional acupoints. It is believed: ①The needle insertion sites of FSN has the basic attributes of acupoint, which not only refers to the operation site, but also indicates the reaction of disease; moreover, it is the treatment site with significant therapeutic effect. ②The optimized sites of insertion in FSN should be named differently and their locations and numbers should be specified relatively. ③The insertion sites of FSN should be further intersected and integrated with traditional acupoints, and a part of traditional acupoints should become the insertion sites of FSN. ④Accepting and integrating the insertion sites of FSN, and expanding the scope of traditional acupoints may be the new project in the research of traditional acupoints.

Application and research progress of ultrasound in acupuncture treatment / 中国针灸

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.

Non-linear characteristic of acupoint resistance and its application / 中国针灸

Acupoint specificity is a key scientific issue in acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupoint electric resistance is a commonly-used biophysical index to study the functional specificity of acupoints. The non-linear characteristics of acupoint electric resistance have great impacts on the measured values, but it has been greatly ignored. By analyzing the non-linear characteristics of acupoint resistance and its application in the study of acupoint function specificity, a new idea of introducing chaos theory and technology into the study of acupoint function is proposed.