Tiaoshen acupuncture for primary insomnia: a pilot randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Tiaoshen (regulating the spirit) acupuncture on cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia (PI).@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with PI were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off, 1 case was excluded). The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), and bilateral Benshen (GB 13), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The patients in the control group were treated with shallow needling at non-effective points. Each treatment was provided for 30 min, once every other day, 3 treatments per week for 4 weeks. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), digit span test (DST), trail making test (TMT)-A, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) were used to assess cognitive function and sleep quality before and after treatment, as well as in follow-up of 4-week after treatment completion. Correlation analysis was conducted between the differences in PSQI scores and differences in MoCA scores before and after treatment in the observation group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, the total score, visuospatial and executive function score and delayed memory score of MoCA as well as DST backward score were increased (P<0.01), while TMT-A time, PSQI and FS-14 scores were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment and in follow-up in the observation group. Compared with before treatment, the PSQI score in the control group was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment and in follow-up, the observation group had significantly higher total score, visuospatial and executive function score, delayed memory score of MoCA, and DST backward score compared to the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the observation group, the TMT-A time was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PSQI and FS-14 scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). In the observation group, there was a negative correlation between the difference in PSQI scores (post-treatment minus pre-treatment) and the difference in MoCA scores (post-treatment minus pre-treatment) (r=-0.481, P<0.01). A similar negative correlation was found between the difference in PSQI scores (follow-up minus pre-treatment) and the difference in MoCA scores (follow-up minus pre-treatment) (r=-0.282, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tiaoshen acupuncture could improve cognitive function, enhance sleep quality, and alleviate daytime fatigue in patients with PI. The improvement in cognitive function in patients with PI is correlated with the improvement in sleep quality.

Therapeutic Observation of Wheat-sized Moxibustion in Assisting the Treatment of Mild—to-moderate Persistent Chronic Bronchial Asthma in the Elderly / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wheat-sized moxibustion in assisting the treatment of mild—to-moderate persistent chronic bronchial asthma in the elderly with Salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate aerosol. Method Eighty-four old patients with mild—to-moderate persistent chronic bronchial asthma were randomized into an observation group and a control group by using the random number table, 42 each. The control group was given Salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate aerosol, 1 inhalation each time, twice a day;the observation group was additionally given wheat-sized moxibustion by selecting Pishu (BL20), Feishu (BL13) and Geshu (BL17), twice a week. The two groups were both treated for 2 months. Before and after the intervention, Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and pulmonary function parameters [peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC)] were observed, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Result The total effective rate was 92.9% in the observation group versus 78.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the ACT and AQLQ scores, as well as PEF, FEV1 and FVC were significantly increased after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05); after the treatment, the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Wheat-sized moxibustion is effective in assisting the treatment of mild-to-moderate persistent chronic bronchial asthma in the elderly with Salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate aerosol. It can effectively controlasthma and enhance the quality of life.

Effect of artemisia burning products on antioxidant enzymes in serum of SAMP8 mouse / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anti-aging effect of artemisia burning products (ie. smoke of moxibustion) and its proper intervention parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to factorial experiment design, 70 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into one model group (group M) and 6 intervention groups: low concentration with 15 min group (group A1), low concentration with 30 min group (group A2), middle concentration with 15 min group (group B1), middle concentration with 30 min group (group B2), high concentration with 15 min group (group C1), high concentration with 30 min group (group C1). There were 10 cases in each group. Ten age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal group (group Z). All the mice in the 6 intervention groups were fumed with artemisia burning products of different concentration and time. The content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Px) were tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MDA content in group M was significantly higher than that in group Z (both P < 0.05), while SOD and GSH-Px activity were significantly lower in group M than that in group Z (both P < 0.05). Results of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in 6 intervention groups were either of no statistically significant differences, or better than that in group M. Among 6 intervention groups, results of MDA and GSH-Px were better in group B1, while the result of SOD was better in group B2. Time factor didn't make any difference, while concentration of artemisia burning products is meaningful. As to SOD and GSH-Px, there's a strong interaction between the two factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With certain concentration and time period, the intervention of artemisia burning products can exert anti-aging effect by increasing antioxydative capability and reducing metabolites of free radicals. Middle concentration and 30 minutes are recommended when intervened with artemisia burning products.</p>