Community promotion of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To investigate the community promotion feasibility of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. Methods:A total of 180 cases (duration 0.05). After a 60-day treatment, the shoulder pain severity, active range of motion of the shoulder joint and ADL in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group (allP<0.01). In addition, no adverse events were reported by participants in the observation group. Conclusion:Superficial needling plus club swing plays a positive role in improving post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. This safe, reliable and economical therapy has good patient compliance and is suitable for community promotion.

Clinical research of mild and moderate lumbar disc herniation of blood stagnation syndrome treated with-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints combined with electroacupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical therapeutic effects on mild and moderate lumbar disc herniation (LDH) of blood stagnation syndrome between-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints combined with electroacupuncture (EA) and conventional EA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and one patients of LDH at the mild and moderate stage, differentiated as blood stagnation syndrome were randomized into an observation group (101 cases) and a control group (100 cases). In the observation group, the-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints and EA were used. The acupoints were Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). Afterarrival, the-conducting needling technique was used at Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Shiqizhui (EX-B 8); the EA was at Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week. The treatment for 12 times was as one session. The observation lasted for 1 session. In the control group, the acupoints were the same as the observation group and stimulated with EA. The EA parameters, treatment frequency and duration were all the same as the observation group. The lumbar back pain score of Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score before treatment, after treatment and in 3-month follow-up visit in the two groups, the infrared thermogram temperature in lumbar region and the relaxation area under curve (RAUC) before and after treatment as well as the short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total short-term effective rate was 89.11% (90/101) and the total long-term effective rate was 91.11% (82/90) in the observation group, and those were 86.00% (86/100) and 89.53% (77/86) in the control group respectively, without significant differences between the groups (both>0.05). The short-term clinical curative rate was 52.48% (53/101) and the long-term clinical curative rate was 55.56% (50/90) in the observation group, better than 36.00% (36/100) and 34.88% (30/86) in the control group (both<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, JOA scores were all improved after treatment and in follow-up visit in the two groups (all<0.01), without statistical significance at each time point between the two groups (all>0.05). The infrared thermogram temperature was improved after treatment in the two groups (both<0.01). The increasing amplitude in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.01). The lumbar RAUC after treatment was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment in the observation group (<0.01) and larger than that in the control group (<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints combined with EA achieve the better clinical therapeutic effects than regular EA in the treatment of mild and moderate LDH of blood stagnation sydrome.</p>

Observations on the Efficacy of Modified Electrical Superficial Surround Acupuncture in Treating Postherpetic Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of modified electrical superficial surround acupuncture in treating postherpetic neuralgia. Method One hundred and eighty-six patients with postherpetic neuralgia were randomly allocated to electrical acupuncture, superficial acupuncture and electrical superficial acupuncture groups, 62 cases each. All the three groups were given acupuncture at ashi points around the painful region. The electrical acupuncture group received electroacupuncture alone. The superficial acupuncture group received sweeping-dispersing manipulation and following 24-hour retention of the soft tube. The electrical superficial acupuncture group received sweeping-dispersing manipulation based on modified superficial acupuncture and following electroacupuncture, without retention of the soft tube after the completion of treatment. The therapeutic effects were evaluated and compared after one course of treatment. Result There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the VAS score in the three groups (P0.05). The evaluation of the therapeutic effects according to WHO pain rating showed that the marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 45.2% and 82.3%, respectively, in the electrical acupuncture group, 52.3% and 88.7%, respectively, in the superficial acupuncture group and 62.9% and 91.9%, respectively, in the electrical superficial acupuncture group. There was no statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between the three groups (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the marked efficacy rate between the electrical acupuncture and electrical superficial acupuncture groups (P0.05) and between the superficial acupuncture and electrical superficial acupuncture groups(P>0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of electrical superficial acupuncture is better than that of superficial acupuncture and electrical acupuncture. Electrical superficial acupuncture is characterized by selection of few points, small number of treatments and meanwhile, avoidance of potential medical risks.

Clinical research of shoulder-arm pain of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy treated with acupunc- ture based on the axillary nerve distribution / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) between acupuncture at the acupoints on the axillary nerve distribution and the regular selection of acupoints. Methods Eighty patients of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 ca.ses in each one. In the observation group, Jianjing (GB 21), Jianzhen (SI 9), Jianliao (TE 14) , Jianyu (LI 15) , Quyuan (SI 13), Tianzong (SI 11) and the trigger points in the scalpular region were selected along the axillary nerve distribution. The Hegu needling was adopted at the trigger points and stimulated with electric apparatus, continuous wave, 1Hz. In the control group, Dazhui (GV 14), Tianzhu (BL 10), Houxi (SI 3), cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) were selected and stimulated with the regular acupuncture. Electric stimulation was added at cervical Jiaii (EX-B 2), with continuous wave, 1Hz. The needles were retained for 30 min in the two groups, once every two days and 10 treatments made one session. The efficacy was assessed in one session of treatment. The 20-point scale of CSR developed by Japanese scholar, Tanaka Yasuhisa, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted to score the clinical symptoms and pain degree before and after treatment in the patients and assess the efficacy of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The symptom scores and VAS scores after treatment were improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0. 05, P<0. 01), and the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both P<0. 05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 85. 0% (34/40), better than 71. 8% (28/39) in the control group (P<0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupuncture at the acupoints on the axillary nerve distribution achieves the definite efficacy on CSR, better I than the regular acupuncture at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2).</p>

Effect of long needle penetration needling on matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 in the synovium of knee osteoarthritis model rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Matrix metal oproteinase inhibitor 1 plays an important role in the inhibition of articular cartilage degeneration and destruction. OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of matrix metal oproteinase inhibitor 1 expression level in synovium of knee osteoarthritis rats after treated with penetration needling of long needle. METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into normal group, penetration needling group, drug group and model group, with 10 rats in every group. 1.6% papain solution was injected into knee joint cavity of Sprague-Dawley rats. 2 weeks later, knee osteoarthritis models were established. Rats in the normal and model groups did not receive any intervention. In the penetration needling group, rats were treated by penetration needling with 0.3 mm×125.0 mm filiform needle. Rats in the drug group were intraarticularly injected with sodium hyaluronate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay: at 4 weeks after treatment, matrix metal oproteinase inhibitor 1 expression in synovial membrane was higher in the normal group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Matrix metal oproteinase inhibitor 1 expression in synovial membrane was higher in the penetration needling group and drug group than in the model group (P < 0.05). (2) Results verified that long needle penetration therapy can effectively increase matrix metal oproteinase inhibitor 1 expression in synovial membrane of knee osteoarthritis model rats.

Herniation Surgery and the Change of Infrared Thermal Image Therapeutic Observation of Qi-guiding Needling plus Electroacupuncture for Intractable Low Back Pain after Lumbar Disc / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of qi-guiding needling plus electroacupuncture in treating intractable low back pain after lumbar disc herniation surgery and the change of infrared thermal image.Method Totally 172 patients with intractable low back pain after lumbar disc herniation surgery were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 86 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by qi-guiding needling plus electroacupuncture, while the control group was by electroacupuncture alone. The infrared thermal image of the affected low back area was observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The change of infrared thermal image of the affected low back area in the treatment group after intervention was significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate and the recovery-markedly-effective rate were respectively 87.2% and 66.3% in the treatment group, versus 74.4% and 37.2% in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Qi-guiding needling plus electroacupuncture can mitigate the intractable low back pain after lumbar disc herniation surgery.

Efficacy differences between different position in patients treated with electroacupuncture for lumbar herniated disc / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy differences between modified lateral position and prone position in patients treated with electroacupuncture (EA) for lumbar herniated disc (LHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-six patients with LHD were randomly divided into a lateral position group and a prone position group, 38 cases in each one. The acupoint selection and treatment method were identical in the two groups except the position. Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Dachangshu (BL 25), Xiaochangshu (BL 27), Zhibian (BL 54) and Huantiao (GB 30) were selected. EA was given three times a week, ten times were taken as one course and totally 20 times were given. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) scale were taken as efficacy criteria, which were evaluated before and after treatment as well as one month after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, VAS and JOA were significantly improved in the two groups (lateral position group:JOA 10.60±2.60 vs 18.92±3.87, VAS 8.13±0.99 vs 2.34±0.81; prone position group:JOA 10.94±2.06 vs 17.02±3.96, VAS 8.02±1.05 vs 2.86±0.96, all<0.01); the VAS and JOA in the lateral position group were higher than those in the prone position group (both<0.05). One month after treatment, VAS and JOA were significantly improved in the two groups (all<0.01), which was more significant in the lateral position group (both<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The treatment position could influence the efficacy of EA for LHD, and lateral position pre-sents certain advantages to prone position group.</p>

Clinical Study of Neck Point Bailao(Ex-HN15) Injection as Main Therapy plus Acupuncture for Cervical Spondylotic ;Radiculopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of neck point Bailao injection as main therapy plus acupuncture for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Method Two hundred patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomly allocated to treatment (neck point Bailao injection as main therapy plus acupuncture) and control (oral administration of Western medicines, e.g. nonsteroid diclofenac sodium as a main drug and meanwhile, mecobalamin tablets) groups. The therapeutic effects and pre-/post-treatment changes in clinical symptoms and signs, TCM syndrome, pains and numbness were observed in the two groups. Result The total efficacy rate was 86.0%in the treatment group and 75.0%in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post-treatment clinical symptom and sign score difference values between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01), indicating that the symptoms and signs improved more in the treatment group than in control group. Conclusion Both treatments can improve the clinical symptoms and signs and relieve pains in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, but neck point Bailao injection as main therapy plus acupuncture is more effective than oral administration of Western medicines.

Therapeutic Observation of LU’s Heat-producing Needling (Shao Shan Huo) for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the short-term and long-term therapeutic efficacies of LU’s heat-producing needling (Shao Shan Huo) in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). MethodTwo hundred patients with CSR were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 100 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by using heat-producing needling method, while the control group was by regular acupuncture technique with even reinforcing-reducing manipulations. For both groups, the treatment was given once a day, 10 sessions as a treatment course. The Pain Rating Index (PRI), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were adopted for observation before intervention and after two treatment courses. The clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result Right after the intervention and in the 3-month follow-up, the VAS, PPI, and PRI scores were significantly different from that before intervention in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the VAS, PPI, and PRI scores between the two groups after intervention and in the 3-month follow-up (P<0.01). The VAS, PPI, and PRI scores in the treatment group right after intervention were markedly different from that in the 3-month follow-up (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 98.0% in the treatment group versus 79.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion LU’s heat-producing needling is an effective way in treating CSR, as it can significantly reduce pain intensity, and improve other symptoms and body signs.

Efficacy observation of combining tuina and Chinese herbal fumigation for chronic ankle sprain / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of combining tuina and Chinese herbal fumigation for chronic ankle sprain. Methods:A total of 93 cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=47) and a control group (n=46) according to the table of random number. Cases in the observation group received tuina combining with Chinese herbal fumigation, whereas cases in the control group received oral blood-circulating and pain-alleviating capsules combining with Chinese herbal fumigation. Both tuina and Chinese herbal fumigation were done once every other day and 10 times made up a course of treatment. The Baird-Jackson ankle scoring system and clinical efficacy were observed after 1 course of treatment. Results:After treatment, except for radiographic findings, there were significant intra-group differences in individual item scores of Baird-Jackson (P Conclusion:Combining Chinese herbal fumigation and tuina based on the muscle region theory can obtain better effect than combining oral blood-circulating and pain-alleviating capsules and Chinese herbal fumigation for chronic ankle sprain.

Observation on clinical effect of acupuncture for peripheral facial paralysis in acute period and facial nerve F-wave / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on peripheral facial paralysis in acute period and changes in facial nerve F-wave. Methods:A total of 148 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=74) and a control group (n=74) by their visiting sequence. In addition to oral Prednisone and Aciclovir tablets, patients in the observation group received point-towards-point acupuncture therapy, whereas patients in the control group received routine acupuncture therapy. The treatment was done once a day and 6 times made up a course of treatment. The efficacy evaluation was made after 2 courses. The electromyography (EMG) F-wave was monitored before and after treatment. Results:After 2 courses of treatment, the recovery rate and total effective rate were 47.3% and 94.6% respectively in the observation group, versus 20.3% and 82.4% in the control group, showing statistical differences (P Conclusion:In addition to Western medication, point-towards-point acupuncture therapy can obtain more accurate and better effect than routine acupuncture therapy for acute peripheral facial paralysis.

Electroacupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain：a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Houxi (SI 3) in treating acute lumbar sprain. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving EA at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain were retrieved from PubMed (1966-2014), EMBASE (1980-2014), Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2014), CQVIP Database (1989-2014), Wanfang Digital Journal (1998-2014), the Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database (CBM, 1978-2014), and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI, 1979-2014). The collection of data also adopted hand-search of the relevant journals from the Library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All of the data were first evaluated and extracted by two reviewers independently with a specially designed form. Then, the available data were analyzed by the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.2.0 software. Results:A total of 6 trials involving 1 288 patients were eligible. Meta-analysis showed that the total effectiveness rate in the EA group was significantly different when compared with Nimesulide [RR=1.33; 95% CI (1.19 to 1.49)] and Mobic [RR=1.08; 95% CI (1.03 to 1.14)], but similar to that of acupuncture at Yaotongdian (EX-UE 7) [RR=71.09; 95% CI (1.00 to 1.19)] and Diclofenac Sodium [RR=1.08; (95% CI 0.96 to 1.21)]. The recovery rate in the EA group was significantly different when compared with Mobic [RR=1.67; (95% CI 1.45 to 1.92)] and Nimesulid [RR=1.37; (95% CI 1.15 to 1.62)], but similar to that of acupuncture at Yaotongdian [(RR=1.35; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.84)] and Diclofenac Sodium [(RR=1.19; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.61)]. Conclusion:Up to the search date, there are few high quality RCTs to evaluate the clinical efficacy of EA at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain, especially studies in English. Yet EA at Houxi (SI 3) still appeared to be an efficacious method for acute lumbar sprain, despite several inherent defects of the included studies. Further large scale trials are required to define the role of EA at Houxi (SI 3) in the treatment of this disease.

Clinical Study on Acupuncture plus Medication for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Due to Spleen-stomach Deficiency / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of combining acupuncture and medication in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) due to spleen-stomach deficiency. Methods: Totally 176 patients with CAG were randomized into two groups by the random number table. The 91 subjects in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture and oral Chinese patent medication; the other 85 subjects were by oral Chinese patent medication alone. The clinical efficacies were compared at the end of intervention. Results: After a treatment course, the total effective rate was 87.9% in the treatment group versus 75.3% in the control group; according to the gastroscopy and pathological biopsy examinations, the total effective rate was 85.7% in the treatment group versus 74.1% in the control group. There were significant differences in comparing the clinical efficacy, gastroscopy and pathological examinations between the two groups (P Conclusion: Combining acupuncture and medication can produce a better therapeutic efficacy than medication alone in treating CAG due to spleen-stomach deficiency.

Clinical Study of Qi-guiding Acupuncture at Points Selected According to Meridian Differentiation for Treatment of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of meridian differentiation-based point selection plus qi-guiding acupuncture in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.MethodFive hundred and forty-nine patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly allocated, using a random number table, to two groups. The treatment group of 280 patients received qi-guiding acupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation and the control group, electroacupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 87.5% in the treatment group and 86.6% in the control group; there was no statistically significantdifference between the two groups (P>0.05). The cure rate was 51.8% in the treatment group and41.6% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). ConclusionThe total efficacy rate of qi-guiding acupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is similar to that of electroacupuncture at points selected according to meridian differentiation, but the cure rate of the former is higher thanthat of the latter.

Qi-guiding Needling Based on Meridian Differentiation for Lumbar Disc Herniation:A Multi-centered, Randomized Controlled Trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the efficacy of acupoint selection by meridian differentiation plus qi-guiding needling in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods: By using the random number table, 549 patients with LDH were randomized into two groups. Two hundred and eighty participants in the observation group were intervened by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling method, and the other 269 participants in the control group were by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture. At the end of intervention, the changes of conduction velocities of the common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, and tibial nerve were observed, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared. Results: The total effective rate was 87.5% in the observation group versus 86.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The recovery rate was 51.8% in the observation group versus 37.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P Conclusion: Selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling can produce a similar total effective rate to selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture, while its recovery rate is comparatively higher.

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on‘Setting F ire on the Mountain’ Manipulation by Lu Shou-yan for Cervical Radiculopathy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of‘setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation by Lu Shou-yan for cervical radiculopathy as well as the infrared thermographic changes of the cervical area before and after treatment. Methods:A total of 120 eligible cases with cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 60 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with Lu Shou-yan’s ‘setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation, whereas cases in the control group were treated with even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. After two courses of treatment, the infrared thermographic changes and overall therapeutic efficacies in the two groups were compared. Results: The recovery rate and total effective rate in the observation group were 68.3%and 98.3%respectively, versus 28.3%and 81.7%in the control group, showing statistical differences in recovery rate and total effective rate (both P Conclusion:‘Setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation by Lu Shou-yan is better than even reinforcing-reducing manipulation for cervical radiculopathy.

Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined with Tuina on Lumbar Muscle Tone in Patients with Acute Lumbar Sprain / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with tuina on acute lumbar sprain and lumbar muscle tone before and after treatment. ＜br> Methods: A total of 130 acute lumbar sprain cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 65 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with EA combined with tuina, whereas cases in the control group were treated with Diclofenac Sodium Dual Release Enteric-coated capsules. The muscle tones in two groups were tested before and after treatment. ＜br> Results: The recovery rate and overall response rate in the observation group were 66.2% and 93.8% respectively, versus 56.9% and 87.7% in the control group, showing no between-group statistical significances (P>0.05). After treatment, the force-displacement area under curve (AUC) in both groups showed a significance difference (P＜0.05). ＜br> Conclusion: Both EA combined with tuina and aforementioned oral medication have remarkable effects for acute lumbar sprain, and the former can better improve the lumbar muscle tone in patients with acute lumbar sprain.

Therapeutic Observation on Tuina plus Electroacupuncture for Lateral Humeral Epicondylitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina combined with electroacupuncture (EA) in treating lateral humeral epicondylitis. ＜br> Methods: Totally 118 patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 59 cases in each. The patients in the treatment group were treated with tuina combined with EA treatment, while those in the control group were treated by EA alone. Clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared after the treatment. ＜br> Results: The total effective rate was 93.2% in the treatment group, versus 84.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). ＜br> Conclusion: Tuina combined with EA treatment for lateral humeral epicondylitis has a significant effect.

Clinical Study of Joint Needling plus Warm-unblocking Needling Method for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of efficacy of joint needling plus warm-unblocking needling method in treating knee osteoarthritis. Method Three hundred and twenty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to a treatment (joint needling plus warm-unblocking needling method) group of 161 cases and a control (acupuncture alone) group of 159 cases. Result The total efficacy rate was 90.7%in the treatment group and 79.9%in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in therapeutic effect between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Joint needling plus warm-unblocking needling method is more effective than acupuncture alone in treating knee osteoarthritis.

Effect and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine has a certain effect in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism and effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The animal models of knee osteoarthritis were established to detect the expression levels of related factors, including matrix metal oproteinase 3, transforming growth factor β, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. The knee osteoarthritis patients treated with acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine were fol owed-up, and the patients received acupuncture in the main points and the adjunct points, as wel as the Chinese medicine administration and the external application and fumigation. Then, the active function recovery of the knee joint was observed to identify the effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine. RESUTLS AND CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can delay the destruction of knee joint articular cartilage and improve the knee function through decreasing the contents of matrix metal oproteinase 3, transforming growth factor β, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, thus playing the treatment effect on knee osteoarthritis. The knee osteoarthritis patients treated with acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine can obtain better effect, and the treatment efficiency is more than 90%. Compared with the single application of sodium hyaluronate or acupuncture treatment, acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine has higher treatment efficiency and better treatment effect.