Standardized Jin's three-needle therapy for stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

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.

Serious complications of the microvascular decompression in cerebellopontine angle / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the serious complications of microvascular decompression and (or) selective neurectomy in cerebellopontine angle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To review 322 cases of microvascular decompression and (or) facial nerve splitting, selective neurectomy for hemifacial spasm, trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia respectively. Among 322 cases, hemifacial spasm 164, which 96 underwent facial nerve splitting, 68 underwent microvascular decompression and facial nerve splitting. The selective neurectomy and neurectomy were performed in 128 cases of trigeminal neuralgia and 30 cases for glossopharyngeal neuralgia respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the serious complications 2 died (0.6%), The mild to severe hearing impairment occurred in 21 cases (6.5%), in which 3 cases presented total hearing loss (0. 9%); Postoperative cerebellospinal leakage in 20 (6. 2%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It was demonstrated that, even though the microvascular decompression and /or neurectomy was a safe procedure for posterior neuropathy, mortal and serious complications might occur. It was essential to pay great attention to the entire decompression procedure in avoiding cerebellar injury. Using of intraoperative ABR and avoiding of impairment of the acoustic nerve might contribute to the prevention of the postoperative hearing loss.</p>