Questionnaire survey and analysis of implementability of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion / 中国针灸

The current usage and the existing problems in the implementability of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion were investigated by questionnaire survey, aiming to provide reference for the development or update of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion in the future. The results showed most of the acupuncture-moxibustion clinicians did not have a deep understanding of the guidelines, but they had a strong will of uniform standards and related guidelines. Although the published clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion achieved some success, they still had not got rid of the shackles of the previous textbook. The main existing problems in the guidelines included insufficient promotion, poor credibility, no evaluation criteria for curative effect, and lack of consideration for patients' will, etc. As the guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion were based on the latest evidence of current clinical research, it reflected the low quality of current clinical research on acupuncture-moxibustion and lacking of evidence-based concept among acupuncture-moxibustion clinicians. The implementability of clinical practice guidelines is a key step in evidence-based translational medicine, while the research on the implementability of acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines is still blank. More attention should be paid to this field in the future.

History of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies / 中国针灸

The history of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) was reviewed through summarizing the background and process of the establishment of WFAS. The establishment background was explained in different aspects, named the recovery of acupuncture-Moxibustion in the world, the successive setup of world acupuncture-Moxibustion organizations, the divergences of International Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, striding forward of China reform and opening policy as well as the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), etc. The establishment of WFAS was introduced on the proposal from eight countries, the important time of the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, 1984, divergences and consensus as well as the final phase. The official establishment of WFAS represents the global benefits of acupuncture-Moxibustion colleagues. It is the international organization of acupuncture and moxibustion, contributing to the promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world.

The development of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies / 中国针灸

From cooperation between World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and World Health Organization, works of academics and standardization, acupuncture-moxibustion education, technique service, organization development, etc., the 27-year development of WFAS since 1987 was summarized and reviewed in details. The growth of WFAS witnesses and promotes the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world, so by learning the experience and lessons, WFAS could have a wider path, becoming a core organization for communicating and promoting the development of acupuncture, even the traditional medicine in the world.

Bibliometrics study of the development trend of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trials in foreign countries / 中国针灸

On the basis of MEDLINE and EMBASE database, through bibliometrics, the quantitative research was conducted on the published literatures on the acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trial abroad. The situation of published articles in each continent, country and institution was analyzed statistically. It was found that the number of published articles was higher in Germany, America, England, Sweden, Austria, Japan, South Korea, etc. In Europe, the clinical trial of acupuncture and moxibustion was in the tendency of more country participants, wider distribution and larger amount of research. In North America, America was the main country for the study. In Asia, Japan and South Korea played the leading role. Of those countries, some institutions in Germany America, and South Korea were on the top of the list. In future, the above-mentioned countries and institutions should be monitored specifically so as to launch the active cooperation and strategic project.

Intervention of electroacupuncture for patients with impaired glucose tolerance / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the regulation on 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h PBG) for patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in the intervention with electroacupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of IGT were divided randomly into an electroacupuncture group and a blank control group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied to Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the intervention, lasting for 6 sessions. In blank control group, no any intervention was adopted. The levels of fasting blood-glucose (FBG), 2 h PBG with 75 g glucose and hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) were observed before and after the intervention for the patients in electroacupuncture group, as well as in blank con trol group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 76.7% (23/30) in electroacupuncture group, which was superior to that of 16.7% (5/30) in blank control group (P < 0.01). 2h PBG [(7.08 +/- 0.74) mmol/L] and HbAlc [(5.74 +/- 0.35)%] were down-regulated significantly after the intervention with electroacupuncture of 6 sessions in electroacupuncture group. The therapeutic effects of it were superior remarkably to those [(8.93 +/- 1.87) mmol/L, (5.97 +/- 0.591)%] in blank control group, indicating statistical significant difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But, there was no any impact for the patients with normal FBG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture may be the means to achieve the clinical effective intervention for the people with IGT and the approach in the prevention and treatment of diabetes at the early stage.</p>

Great master of TCM CHENG Xin-nong 's three key points of acupuncture clinical experience / 中国针灸

Professor CHENG Xin-nong has practiced in medicine for over 70 years and gained profound clinical experience. He points out that these rules below should be obeyed to improve the efficacy of acupuncture. Firstly, the diseases should be diagnosed basing on meridians order and meridian syndrome differentiation while acupoints should be chosen and adjuncted according to their main medical functions. Secondly, the three Cai inserting method should be flexibly applied on different patients, by adjusting the needling depth and manipulation to reinforce the deficiency and reduce the excess. Thirdly, the arrival of qi is a key point and such methods as the retaining of needles, electroacupuncture and moxibustion should be cointegrated used.

Efficacy assessment of acupuncture and moxibustion on tear secretion in xerophthalmia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between acupuncture-moxibustion and medication in xerophthalmia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases of xerophthalmia were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. In acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied to the local and distal points, such as Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Quchi (LI 11) etc., combined with non-smoking moxibustion. In medication group, Sodium Hyaluronate eye drops were administered, three times per day, 1 drop each time. Before and after treatment, tear secretion volume (Schirmer's test), break-up time (BUT), symptom score, visual function score and tear film grade were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 73.1% (57/78) in acupuncture-moxibustion group, and was 37.2% (29/78) in medication group, indicating significant statistical difference in comparison (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in statistics in tear secretion volume between two groups after treatment (P < 0.05), in which, the result in acupuncture-moxibustion group was superior to that in medication group. The significant statistical differences presented in tear secretion volume, BUT, symptom score, visual function score and tear film grade in comparison before and after treatment in acupuncture-moxibustion group (all P < 0.05). The significant statistical difference presented in symptom score and tear film grade before and after treatment in medication group (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture-moxibustion apparently relieves the symptoms of xerophthalmia, promotes tear secretion and improves the life quality of patients.</p>

Multicentral randomized controlled studies on acupuncture at Shaoze (SI 1) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effect of acupuncture at Shaoze (SI 1) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multicentral randomized controlled and single blind clinical trial was adopted, and 276 cases were divided into a treatment group and a control group, 138 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at Shaoze (SI 1) and the control group with EA at Shangyang (LI 1). After treatment of 2 courses, the therapeutic effects and changes of cumulative score of TCM symptoms, mammary filling degree, lactation amount, prolactin level were evaluated and investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured and markedly effective rate was 97.8% in the treatment group and 24.3% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The treatment group in improvement of the cumulative score of TCM symptoms and the mammary filling degree, and increasing the lactation amount and the prolactin level were better than the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Shaoze (SI 1) has obvious therapeutic effect on hypolactation.</p>