Effect of Acupuncture plus Acupoint Injection on the Hyperhomocystinemia in the Convalescent Stage of Cerebral Infarction patients / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture plus acupoint injection on the hyperhomocystinemia in the convalescent stage of cerebral infarction patients.Method A total of 120 patients in the convalescent stage of cerebral infarction with hyperhomocystinemia were randomized into group A, group B, and group C, 40 cases in each group. The three groups were intervened by conventional western medicine treatment and rehabilitation therapy, the group A was byXing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture treatment in addition, the group B was by acupoint injection with cobamamide for injection and the group C was byXing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture plus acupoint injection treatment. The change of the plasma homocysteine (HCY) level, the Barthel Index (BI) score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were observed before and after treatment.ResultEach index(the HCY level, BI score and NIHSS score) in the three groups was significantly changed after treatment(P<0.01). Each index in the group C was significantly different from that in the group A and group B after treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01). The HCY level of the group B after the treatment was significantly different from that of the group A.Conclusion Acupuncture plus acupoint injection can significantly change the HCY level of the convalescent stage of cerebral infarction patients with hyperhomocystinemia, improve the activity of daily living and nerve function.

Observations on Characteristic Decoction Cup Hot Compress Dose / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To administer a lower dose according to different indoor temperatures to give play to the effect of characteristic decoction cup hot compress and be able to save the cost of medicine. Method Twenty subjects were allocated, according to different indoor temperatures, to four groups, 5 cases each. Each subject received 10 sessions of decoction cupping with different doses. The decoction in all the cups was 45℃ before cupping. The temperature of decoction in the cups was measured after cupping. The average value of temperatures of the same doses at the same indoor temperature was calculated after cupping. The graph of average temperature curve of decoction in the cups was produced according to the indoor temperature after cupping with different doses. Finally obtained were the lowest doses of decoction with hot compress effect in the cup required at different indoor temperatures. Result To produce the effect of characteristic decoction cup hot compress, the decoction in the cup must be more than 55 mL in a indoor temperature of 10℃~14℃, more than 45 mL in a indoor temperature of 15℃~19℃ and more than 25 mL in a indoor temperature of 20℃~24℃. Only 20 mL of decoction was needed in indoor temperatures above 25℃. Conclusion A dose of decoction is flexibly selected according to a seasonal change in indoor temperature. That can not only have the effect of hot compress but also save the dosage.

Therapeutic Observation of Different Medicinal Forms of Hydro-medicinal Cupping for Discogenic Low Back Pain / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of hydro-medicinal cupping using Chinese medicinal granules in treating discogenic low back pain. Methods Sixty patients with discogenic low back pain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The two groups were both intervened by hydro-medicinal cupping at Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and two sides of the point, while the Chinese medicinal granules were used in the treatment group and the conventional form of medicine was used in the control group. The pain score was observed before treatment and after 4 treatment courses, and the clinical efficacies were also compared. Results The pain scores were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3%in the treatment group versus 96.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusions Hydro-medicinal cupping is an effective approach in treating discogenic low back pain, and there is no marked difference in efficacy between the Chinese medicinal granules and conventional form of medicine.

Innovation of characteristic medicinal cupping devices / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the characteristic medicinal cupping therapy between the traditional cupping device and the innovated cupping device.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty patients of neck and low back pain were selected. The self-comparison was adopted. The cupping therapy was applied to the acupoints located on the left or right side with the traditional cupping device and the innovated cupping device. The cupping sites were centered at bilateral Quyuan (SI 13) and Dachangshu (BL 25). The cups were retained for 10 min. The traditional cupping device was the glass with smooth border, 100mL. The innovated cupping device was the vacuum-sucking cup. The operative time, medicinal leakage, comfort and cupping marks were observed for the two different cupping devices.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operative time with the innovated medicinal cupping device was shorter obviously compared with the traditional one at Quyuan (SI 13) and Dachangshu (BL 25, both P<0. 05). The comfort with the innovated medicinal cupping device was remarkably improved as compared with the traditional one at the two acupoints (both P<0. 05). The medicinal leakage was similar between the two different devices during the cupping operation (both P>0. 05). The cupping marks with the innovated medicinal cupping device were much deeper than those with the traditional one after cupping therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The innovated cupping device is more convenent and comfortable in operation during the characteristic medicinal cupping therapy.</p>