Superiority of motor imagery acupuncture in improving muscle tension for patients with upper limb hemiplegia of stroke in early stage / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the superiority of motor imagery acupuncture in improving muscle tension for patients with upper limb hemiplegia in early stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (32 cases, 4 cases dropped off ). The observation group was treated with motor imagery acupuncture (both acupuncture and motor imagery therapy at affected upper limb were performed).The control group was treated with acupuncture plus motor imagery therapy at affected lower limb, 2 h later after acupuncture, motor imagery therapy was applied to upper limb. Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) of healthy side, Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianyu (LI 15), Jianjing (GB 21), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, ect. were selected in both groups, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, 4, 8 weeks after treatment, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade and Brunnstrom stage were compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the muscle tension of shoulder, elbow and wrist each time point after treatment was increased in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Motor imagery acupuncture could promote hemiplegia upper limb muscle tension recovery in patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis, make the patients gradually shift to the separate fine movement mode, inhibit and relieve the appearance and development of spasm.

Clinical Study on the Specificities of Needling Manipulation in Point-toward-point Needling at Scalp Acupoints for Acute Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy difference between different needling manipulations in treating acute stroke with point-toward-point needling at scalp acupoints, for seeking the optimal treatment protocol. Method Ninety patients with acute stroke were randomized into a manual needling group, an electroacupuncture group, and a needle-retaining group, 30 cases each. In addition to the neurological treatment, the three groups were all given point-toward-point needling from Baihui (GV20) to Taiyang (EX-HN5) on the affected side, respectively with manual twisting, electroacupuncture and needle retaining methods. Before and after 14-day treatment, the Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), level of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and total efficacy were compared among the three groups. Result The NDS dropped significantly in the three groups after the intervention (P<0.05); the manual needling group showed the most significant improvement, better than the electroacupuncture group and needle retaining group. The level of NSE declined significantly in the three groups after the intervention (P<0.05); the decrease in the manual needling group was the most significant compared to that in the electroacupuncture group and needle retaining group. The total effective rate in the manual needling group (90.0%) was significantly higher than that in the electroacupuncture group and needle retaining group (P<0.05). Conclusion Point-toward-point needling at scalp acupoints with manual operation can effectively improve the neurological deficit in stroke patients, and the application of needling manipulations can further enhance the therapeutic efficacy, which is specific.

Developmental status and prospect of musical electroacupuncture / 中国针灸

Through searching domestic and foreign medical journals in CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and Pubmed database from January of 2003 to November of 2013, 39 articles regarding musical electroacupuncture (MEA) were analyzed. The result showed that MEA was clinically used to treat neurological and psychotic disorders; because it was combined with musical therapy and overcame the acupuncture tolerability, and MEA was superior to traditional electroacupuncture. However, problems such as low research efficiency and the mechanism of MEA superiority and the musical specificity not being revealed by research design still exist. In future, large-sample multi-center RCT researches should be performed to clarify MEA clinical efficacy. With modern science and technology and optimized study design, guided by five-element theory of TCM, researches on different musical elements and characteristics of musical pulse current as well as MEA's correlation with meridians and organs should be studied, so as to make a further exploration on MEA mechanisms and broaden the range of its clinical application.

Clinical safety research of penetrating acupuncture at the head points for cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the safety of penetrating acupuncture at the head points for cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage were selected and randomized into a western medication group and a head-point group, 30 cases in each one. In the western medication group, the anti-cranial pressure and anti-blood pressure program was administered with the conventional intravenous infusion of Sodium Nitroprusside, Mannite, etc. In the head-point group, on the basis of the treatment as the western medication group, the penetrating acupuncture at the head points was supplemented. For consciousness disturbance, Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Benshen (GB 13) and penetrating needling from Shenting (GV 24) to Shangxing (GV 23) were selected. For headache, the penetrating needling was adopted from Shangxing (GV 23) to Yintang (EX-HN 3) and from Fengchi (GB 20) to Fengchi (GB 20). For disturbance of urination and defecation, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Sishencong (EX-HN 1). For aphasia, the penetrating needling was adopted from Fengfu (GV 16) to Yamen (GV 15), etc. For facial paralysis, the penetrating needling from Dicang (ST 4) to Jiache (ST 6) and Xiaguan (ST 7) were selected. For paralysis, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. Before and after treatment, the changes in cerebral hemorrhagic volume, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination, the situations of the life indices such as heart, liver and kidney functions, blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were observed, as well as the impacts on ECG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cranial CT sania cn indicated that the rate of the basic and significant absorption of hematoma was 80.0% (24/30) in the head-point group, which was superior to 56.7% (17/30) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination and the life indices such as blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were all in the normal scope for the patients in the head-point group (all P > 0.05). There were no any abnormal changes in liver and kidney functions. In the head-point group, the abnormality rate of ECG was lower obviously than that in the western medication group [16.7% (5/30) vs 43.3% (13/30), P < 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The penetrating acupuncture at the head points is safe in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of Tongluo Guben needling method for lumbar disc herniation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECT</b>To explore the better treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, sixty-six cases in each group. In observation group, Baihui (GV 20) penetrating to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiaji (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied; in control group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied. Once a day, 6 treatments made one session and one day break between courses. The curative effects after 4 and 8 courses and the recurrence rate that 6 months after treatment were observed; the pain scale evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and total effective rate were 44.3% (27/61) and 100.0% (61/61) in observation group, 26.7% (16/60) and 93.3% (56/60) in control group after 4 courses; there were significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). After 8 courses, the cured rate and total effective rate were no significant differences between two groups (all P > 0.05). In observation group, the recurrence rate was 9.4% (5/53) 6 months after treatment, which was lower than that (24.1%,13/54) in control group (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scale were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and which in observation group were inferior to those in control group (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with puncture by opening meridian and consolidating origin is rapidly effected with low recurrence rate.</p>

Efficacy observation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to lung and kidney deficiency treated with acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy combined western medication / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy combined conventional western medication on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable stage due to lung and kidney deficiency.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cases were randomized into observation group and control group, 30 cases in each one. In control group, the conventional western medication was administered. In observation group, on the basis of conventional western medication, the catgut-embedding therapy was applied at Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Fenglong (ST 40) and Zusanli (ST 36). The total attack frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), the attack frequency of AECOPD at moderate or above moderate stage and TCM syndrome score were compared before treatment and 6 months after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in observation group and was 90.0% (27/30) in control group, indicating equivalent efficacy between two groups. 6 months after treatment, in two groups, the total attack frequency of AECOPD and the attack frequency of AECOPD at moderate or above moderate stage were reduced remarkably as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The total attack frequency of AECOPD in observation group was reduced remarkably as compared with that in control group (P < 0.05). The scores of cough, expectoration and chest oppression as well as the total score of TCM syndrome were reduced remarkably after treatment in observation group (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Integrated therapy of acupoint-catgut-embedding and conventional medication has similar efficacy as simple medication. But, the combination of acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy and western medication can reduce the attack frequency of AECOPD and improve in cough, chest oppression and other symptoms in patients with COPD at stable stage effectively.</p>

Clinical observation on acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis, and to probe into the best therapy for this kind of disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-three cases of dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy group (observation group) and a medication group (control group). The observation group (36 cases) was treated with acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy, Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1) etc. were selected; the control group (37 cases) was treated with oral administration of Jiawei Mojie tablet. The clinical effects, pain scores, onset time of producing analgesic and duration of both groups were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The short term total effective rate of 91.2% (31/34) in observation group was better than that of 83.3% (30/36) in control group (P < 0.05); the long term total effective rates were 97.1% (33/34) and 69.4% (25/36) in observation group and control group respectively, with significant difference between two groups (P < 0. 05). The pain scores of both groups were decreased after treatment, and the improvement degree was more significant in observation group (P<0. 01); the onset time in observation group was shorter than that in control group (P<0. 05), the duration of effect in observation group was longer, and with a stable effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint sticking therapy is very significant for dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis, and it is a good therapy for this kind of disease.</p>

Introduction on the schools of the scalp acupuncture for treatment of the stroke hemiplegia / 中国针灸

Three representative schools of scalp acupuncture for the stroke hemiplegia such as Jiao's scalp acupuncture, Yu's scalp acupuncture and temporal three-needle are introduced and analyzed. Since the schools of scalp acupuncture are numerous and the bases of selection acupoints are complicated, it demands to determine the optimal needling acupoints by means of scientific research. Therefore, the selection acupoints would be adhering to scientific principles. The theoretical basis needs to be explored and studied further.

Study on the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on the plasticity protein MAP-2 in rats with focal cerebral infarction / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the material base and underlying mechanism of the effect of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on the neuronal plasticity in rats with focal cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The model rats with acute cerebral infarction were made by blocking the middle cerebral artery with monofilament. One hundred and thirty two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operation group (A), model group (B), point-to-point scalp acupuncture group (C) and cluster-needling of scalp acupunture group (D). Puncturing from "Baihui (GV 20)" to "Qubin (GB 7)" was used in group C. Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture was used in group D, in which needles were inserted forward and slantingly into "Baihui (GV 20)" and its left and right sides at 4 mm. In both groups, the treatment was carried out with rapid twirling reinforcing-reducing for 1 min then retaining needle for 30 min, once a day, 6 days in one course, for treating 4 courses. There was no treatment for group A and B. The change of neurological function was evaluated with Bederson score, while the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in the ischemic penumbra was examined with immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-peroxidase method).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison,with group B, the score of neurological function in group D decreased on 7th day (P<0.05), while the scors in group C and D also decreased on 14th and 28th days (both P<0.05). As compared with group C, the score of neurological function in group D obviously decreased on 28th days (P<0. 05). Comparing with group B, the expression of MAP-2 on the ischemic cortex was significantly increased in group D and C on 7th, 14th and 28th days (all P<0. 05), however, this expression in group D was higher than that in group C on 14th and 28th days (P<0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cluster needling of scalp acupuncture can improve the neurological function of rats with focal cerebral infarction, and increase the expression of MAP-2 in the ischemic penumbra.</p>

Observation on specificity of acupuncture location in treatment of acute apoplexy by scalp penetration needling / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effects of scalp penetration acupuncture and conventional scalp acupuncture for treatment of acute apoplexy, to seek the effective location and mechanism of scalp acupuncture treatment for acute apoplexy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of the apoplexy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Basis on the neurological treatment, the observation group was treated with penetration needling through Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) on the affected side, with four needles relay; the control group was treated with penetration needling at anterior oblique line of parietotemporal region, with four needles relay. After 14 days of treatment, the neurological deficit scores (NDS) and the therapeutic effects were compared before and after treatment, and the contents of plasma endothelins (ET) and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were tested respectively on the 2nd and 14th day after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate of 86.7% (26/30) in the observation group was superior to that of 80.0% (24/30) in the control group; the NDS of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01), the improvement degree in the observation group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.01); the ET level was obviously decreased and the CGRP level was obviously increased in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.01), and the range of change was more significant in the observation group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Penetration needling through Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) is an effective treatment for acute apoplexy, which is better than conventional scalp acupuncture.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types, so as to understand the syndrome type most suitable to this therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using prospective and double blind method one hundred and thirty-seven cases were divided into a group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (n=30), a stomach heat-dampness stagnation group (n=30), a group of stagnation of liver qi (n=27), a group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney (n=26) and a group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency (n=24). They were treated with catgut implantation at main acupoints Liangmen (ST 21), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Fenglong (ST 40) and adjuvant points selected according to different syndromes, once each week, 4 weeks constituting one course, for 2 courses. Changes of body weight, body mass index (BMI), circumferences of chest, waist and hip, and symptoms and signs before and after treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the body weight, BMI, circumferences of waist and hip in the 5 groups had significant changes; the total effective rates in the group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency, the stomach heat-dampness stagnation group, the group of stagnation of liver qi, the group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney deficiency, the group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency were 83.3%, 93.3%, 48.2%, 69.2% and 41.70%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoints is the best for simple obesity of the stomach heat-dampness stagnation type and the worst for the type of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at shu-points of the five zang-organs on electrophysiologic function of sciatic nerve in the rabbit of Guillain-Barre syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture at shu-points of the five zang-organs for treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty healthy giant-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, a blank group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and an immunoglobulin group, 20 rabbits in each group. The internationally recognized P 2 immune rabbit model was used in the study. The EA group were treated with EA at shu-points of the five zang-organs and the immunoglobulin group with intravenous injection of immunoglobulin 80 mg/kg/day. The sciatic nerve movement conduction velocity (MCV) and F wave incidence rate were investigated respectively at the 7th and 14th days of treatment in the rabbits of GBS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sciatic nerve MCV significantly reduced in the model group, and it significantly increased (P < 0.01) and F wave abnormal cases was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after treatment for 14 days in the EA group as compared with those in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at shu-points of the five zang-organs can increase the sciatic nerve MCV and decrease the abnormal F wave incidence rate of the sciatic nerve in the rabbit of GBS.</p>

Remarks on the research of specificities of acupoints / 中国针灸

The scholars at home and abroad pay great attention to the studies of specificities of acupoints, but the studies were superficial and non-systemic because of lacking to application of modern sciences and technology. There are not persuasive conclusive achievements for the specificities of acupoints and the key factors influencing the effect of acupuncture. The study of the specificities of acupoints should be concentrate on the diseases for which acupuncture and moxibustion are effective. And multiple modern sciences and techniques should be adopted to resolve the key problems about biological and physical characteristics, pathological response, effects and law of compatibility of acupoints usually selected for the diseases, and then to create the model of the theory about the specificities of acupoints and to richen and develop the theory of the specificity of acupoints.

Effects of scalp penetration acupuncture on plasma endothelin (ET) and calcitonin related peptide (CGRP) contents in the patient of acute intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of scalp penetration acupuncture treating acute cerebral hemorrhage (ACH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The treatment group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30) were treated with the same basic therapy, but scalp penetration acupuncture was added to the treatment group. Changes of plasma ET and CGRP contents were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment for 14 days, the content of plasma ET in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the content of plasma CGRP was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Scalp penetration acupuncture is able to improve the prognosis of the patient with ACH by means of regulating the contents of plasma ET and CGRP.</p>