Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn of diabetic neuropathic pain rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Professor ' clinical experience in the treatment of primary cervical dystonia / 中国针灸

Professor ' clinical experience in the treatment of primary cervical dystonia based on the syndrome differentiation of TCM was explored preliminarily. Based on the disease identification of western medicine and the syndrome differentiation of TCM, in combination with the differentiations of meridians and collaterals of acupuncture, Professor proposes the three-dimensional system of diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture, named "disease differentiation, TCM syndrome differentiation and meridian differentiation". Regarding the diagnosis and treatment of primary cervical dystonia, the physical examination of nerve system, TCM syndrome differentiation and meridian differentiation are equally important. It is pointed out that the key pathogenesis of the disease is and blood obstruction and the malnutrition in the muscle regions of meridians. Hence, the treating principle is proposed as eliminating the exogenous pathogens, regulating and blood and unblocking the muscle regions of meridians. Professor also stresses that the affected sites and the factors of dystonia should be considered in acupuncture treatment. The local points are mainly those adjacent to the responsible muscles with the motor disturbance in the neck region. "Xinshe" point (Extra) is taken as the empirical point. The distal points are selected in accordance with the three-dimensional system of diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, the percutaneous acupoint electric stimulation is applied to the starting and ending points or the conjunctive points of the affected muscles, acting on regulating , nourishing blood and promoting the circulation in meridians and collaterals.

Effect of inhibition of PAR2?PKA/PKCε signaling pathway in periphery neurons on the transition from acute to chronic pain / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To detect the role of PAR2-PKA/PKCε signaling pathway in periphery neurons in the tran-sition from acute to chronic pain,and investigate the possible approach to prevent both acute and chronic pain simultane-ously. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into control group,sham model group,model group,iPAR2-1 group and iPAR2-2 group. The hyperalgesia priming model was established by injection of carrageenan and PGE2 into the left hind-paw except control and sham model group. PGE2 was administrated at 7 days after carrageenan injection. The PAR2 inhibi-tor was administrated before and after PGE2 injection separately in the iPAR2-1 group and iPAR2-2 group. The paw with-drawal thresholds(PWTs)of rats in each group was detected before and at 5 h,3 d,6 d,7 d 0.5 h,7 d 4 h,7 d 24 h after carrageenan injection. The expression level of PAR2, PKA and PKCε proteins in the dorsal root ganglion(DRG) were detected at 24 h after carrageenan injection. Results The hyperalgesia priming model was successfully generated. When PGE2 was administrated at 7 days after carrageenan injection, the hyperalgesia induced by PGE2 was significantly prolonged. The PWTs of rats in the model group were significantly lower than that of the control and sham model groups(P<0.01),though the PWTs of sham model group had no significant difference with the control on 7 d 24 h after carrageenan injection(P>0.05). The expression level of PAR2 and PKCε in the ipsilateral DRG neurons were significantly increased on 7 d 24 h after carrageenan injection,when compared with the control and sham model groups(P<0.05). PAR2 inhibi-tor prevented the prolonged hyperalgesia induced by PGE2(P<0.05)and decreased the PKCε expression in DRG neurons whenever it was given(P<0.05). However,PAR2 inhibitor did not regulate the acute inflammatory pain of PGE2 and the expression of PKA in DRG neurons(P>0.05). Conclusions Inhibition of the expression of PAR2 can prevent the tran-sition from acute to chronic pain. This effect may be related with the inhibitory effect on the activation of PAR2-PKCε sig-naling pathway in DRG neurons. However,inhibition of PAR2 can not regulate the acute pain. These may because of that the PAR2-PKA signaling pathway does not play a role in acute pain.

Clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion in the diagnosis and treatment of persistent somatoform pain disorder / 中国针灸

The clinical manifestation and clinical diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture for persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD) were observed to explore its etiology. It is found that the causative factor of PSPD is probably relevant with pain memory induced by the negative emotions during the first attack of pain, which is in the category of "depression" in TCM. In clinical diagnosis, the medical history should be explored to discover the potential etiology and determine the diagnosis. In treatment, the root cause should be considered, focusing on mind andregulation and associating with analgesia. It is different from the common treatment for analgesia in other pain disorders. For PSPD, the root cause is considerable, with "mind regulation" in priority. The acupoints relevant with mind on the head[such as Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN1)], the acupoints for warming and tonifying the primary[such as Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36)] and the auricular points (such as xin (CO), gan (CO), shenmen (TF), neifenmi (CO)) are selected to regulateactivity and calm down the mind. Additionally, the therapy for reliving pain specifically is applied with transcutaneous electric stimulation, 2 Hz/100 Hz, disperse-dense wave at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) to erase pain memory trace. Ultimately, the therapeutic effects are achieved for mind regulation and pain easing.

Effects of electroacupuncture on expression of μ-opioid receptor in nucleus ceruleus in rats with bone cancer pain-morphine tolerance / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on pain behavior in rats with bone cancer pain and morphine tolerance, and to explore partial action mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two SD healthy female rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group (7 rats), a bone cancer pain group (8 rats), a morphine tolerance group (9 rats), an EA group (9 rats) and a sham EA group (9 rats). The rats in the sham operation group were treated with injection of phosphate buffer saline at medullary cavity of left-side tibia, and the rats in the remaining groups were injected with MRMT-1 breast cancer cells. After operation, no treatment was given to rats in the sham operation group and bone cancer pain group. 11 days after operation, rats in the morphine tole-rance group, EA group and sham EA group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of morphine hydrochloride, once every 12 hours, for 11 days to establish the model of bone cancer pain and morphine tolerance. One day after the establishment of this bone cancer pain model, the rats in the morphine tolerance group were injected with morphine, once every 12 hours (9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.) for 7 days; the rats in the EA group and sham EA group were injected with morphine at 9:00 a.m., and treated with EA (2 Hz/100 Hz) and sham EA (only injected into the subcutaneous tissue) at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60), 30 min per treatment, once a day for 7 days. One day before cancer cell injection, 6 days, 8 days, 10 days after operation, after 30 min on 1 days, 5 days, 9 days, 11 days of morphine injection, and after 30 min on 1 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days of EA treatment, the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured in each group. On 11 day of morphine injection, HE staining was applied to observe the morphology and structure change of tibia in the sham operation group, bone cancer pain group and morphine tolerance group, random 2 rats in each group. On 7 days of EA treatment, fluorescent immunohistochemical method was applied to observe the expression of μ-opioid receptor positive cells in nucleus ceruleus in each group, random 4 rats in each one.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 10 days of the cancer cells injection, the PWT of 28 rats of bone cancer pain model (8 rats in the bone cancer pain group, 8 rats in the morphine tolerance group, 6 rats in the EA group and 6 rats in the sham EA group) was significantly lower than that of 7 rats in the sham operation group (<0.01). After one day of morphine injection, the PWT of the morphine tolerance group, EA group and sham EA group was higher than that of the bone cancer pain group (all<0.01); on 11 d of morphine injection, the PWT of the morphine tolerance group, EA group and sham EA group was not significantly different from that of the bone cancer pain group (all>0.05). On 11 d of morphine injection, the tumor induced by cancer cells was observed in upper 1/3 tibia in the bone cancer pain group and morphine tolerance group, and the marrow cavity was filled with MRMT-1 cancer cells; no abnormal change was observed in the sham operation group. On 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d of EA treatment, the PWT of the cancer pain group, morphine tolerance group and sham EA group was lower than that of the EA group (all<0.01). On 7 d of EA treatment, the positive expression of MOR in nucleus ceruleus in the cancer pain group, morphine tolerance group, EA group and sham EA group was lower than that in the sham operation group (<0.01,<0.05), and that in the cancer pain group, morphine tolerance group and sham EA group was lower than that in the EA group (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA can improve mechanical pain threshold in rats with bone cancer pain-morphine tolerance, and improve the abnormal pain, which is likely to be involved with improvement of the MOR positive cells expression in nucleus ceruleus by EA.</p>

A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Aelectroacupuncture Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for trigeminal neuralgia. Method Randomized controlled trials of a electroacupuncture treatment for trigeminal neuralgia were sought by a computer search of CNKI,Wan Fang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,EMbas and The Cochrane Library.The retrieval time limit was from March 1996 to March 2016. Two reviewers sifted the literature and extracted data independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria andthen assessed the riskofbias of the included literatureusing the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.Ameta-analysis was made using RevMan 5.3.Result Finally, 12 articles were included with atotal of 847 subjects.The results ofmeta-analysis showed that the total efficacy rate was higher in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group [OR=4.04,95%CI(2.67, 6.13),P<0.00001].There were no statistically significant differences in the VAS score [MD=﹣0.06,95%CI(﹣0.59, 0.47),P=0.82] and the recurrence rate [OR=0.64,95%CI(0.05,7.45),P=0.54] between the electroacupuncture and control groups.Conclusion The currentlimited evidenceshows that the total efficacy rate fortrigeminal neuralgiais higher in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group.There are no statistically significant differences in the VAS score and the recurrence rate of trigeminal neuralgia between the electroacupuncture and control groups of patients.But the conclusions need more high-qualitytrials for validation owing to the limitation of the sample size of the included studies.

Inhibitory effect of low frequency electroacupuncture on the P2 X3 receptor in dorsal root ganglion of rats suffering from type II diabetic neuropathic pain / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency electroacupuncture on the P2X3 receptor expres-sion in dorsal root ganglion ( DRG) of rats with type II diabetic neuropathic pain. Methods Part 1:Fifty normal SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (8 rats) and model group (42 rats). The rat model of type II diabetic neuropathic pain was generated by high fat and high sugar diet with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin ( STZ, 35 mg/kg) . 2 Hz electroacupuncture was administered at ipsilateral acupoints Zusanli and Kunlun for consecutive 7 days. Insulin sensitivity index ( ISI) was measured at 0 w and 5 w, and fasting plasma glucose ( FPG) was measured at 0 w, 5 w, and 7 w. Paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured by mechanical pain threshold, and P2X3 receptor was determined by immunofluorescence. Part 2:Twelve rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) were divided into EA + vehicle group (6 rats) and EA + αβ?meATP group (6 rats). Rats in the two groups received the same EA treatment as Part 1. Rats in the EA + αβ?meATP group were injected with P2X3 receptor agonistαβ?meATP (0. 6μmol/L, 100μL) into the ventral sur?face of each hind paw every time before EA treatment. Rats in the EA + vehicle group received the same dose of vehicle ( PBS buffer) as a control. Pain threshold of the rats were measured. Results ① Compared with the normal group, the ISI levels of the rats in DNP group was significantly decreased after 5 weeks of the high?fat high?sugar diet (P < 0. 01). Two weeks after STZ injection, the fasting plasma glucose levels in the rats receiving STZ were significantly elevated ( P <0. 01 ) . The type 2 diabetes model was established with a successful rate of 69. 04%. ②PWTs:The PWTs of rats in DNP group were reduced compared with rats in the normal group (P < 0. 01), indicating that the type 2 DNP model was suc?cessfully established. Compared with the PWTs of DNP?controlled rats, the 2 Hz electroacupuncture significantly increased bilateral PWT of rats subjected to DNP from day 3 after treatment (P < 0. 01). P2X3 receptor agonistαβ?meATP greatly reduced bilateral PWT of EA?treated DNP rats compared with that of the EA + vehicle group (P < 0. 01). ③The immu?nofluorescence essay showed that P2X3 receptor expression in bilateral L5 DRGs in the DNP group was significantly in?creased as compared with that in the normal group ( P < 0. 01 ) . The increases were inhibited by 2 Hz EA in L5 DRGs compared with the DNP group (P < 0. 01). Conclusions 2Hz electroacupuncture can effectively treat the type II diabet?ic neuropathic pain by decreasing the expression of L5 DRG P2X3 receptors in rats.

Effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus at perioperative stage / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the intervention effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on small intestinal motility in the rats of postoperative ileus (POI) at perioperative stage and explore the mechanism on the regulation of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the treatment of POI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty heathy male SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA group and a sham-EA group, 15 rats in each one. Except the sham-operation group, POI modeling was done in the rest groups. In the EA group, separately, 48 h, 24 h and 0.5 h before modeling, during modeling and 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after modeling, EA was given bilaterally to "Zusanli" (ST 36), 5 Hz, 1-2 mA, for 30 min. The sham-EA stimulation was given in the sham-EA group at the same time points. The same fixation was the only intervention in the model group. No intervention was applied in the sham-operation group. Five rats were selected randomly from each group 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after modeling for the determination of small intestine motility and they were sacrificed. Afterwards, the small intestinal muscular layer was collected for the determination of c-kit and P2X7 mRNA. In 24 h of modeling, the immunofluorescence test was done for c-kit determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 6 h, 12 h and 24 h of modeling, in the model group, the EA groupand the sham-EA group, the small intestine motility was apparently lower than that in the sham-operation group at the same time points (all<0.01). In 6 h and 12 h of modeling, the small intestine motility in the EA group was not different significantly as compared with that in the model group (both>0.05). In 24 h of modeling, the small intestine motility in the EA group was better than that in the model group and the sham-EA group at the same time points (both<0.05). The difference was not significant between the sham-EA group and the model group (>0.05). In 6 h, 12 h and 24 h of modeling, c-kit mRNA expression of small intestine muscular layer was reduced apparently in the model group (all<0.01) and P2X7 mRNA expression did not change apparently (all>0.05). In 24 h of modeling, as compared with the model group and the sham-EA group, c-kit mRNA expression and positive cell area in the small intestine muscular layer were increased in the EA group (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA effectively increases the small intestinal motility in POI rats, shortens the recovery time, which is probably closely relevant with the increase of ICC count in small intestinal muscular layer.</p>

Research Progress in the Mechanism of Neuropathic Pain and the Intervention Effect of Electroacupuncture / 上海针灸杂志

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain caused by primary nervous system damage and nerve dysfunction. Its pathogenesis is complex and diverse. It is difficult to treat clinically. In recent years, researchers used electroacupuncture to treat neuropathic pain and obtained a desirable effect. This article summarizes recent years’ studies on the main mechanisms of neuropathic pain and the intervention effect of electroacupuncture to provide reference for following studies on electroacupuncture treatment of neuropathic pain.

The effects of low-frequency electroacupuncture on hyperalgesia PKA-TRPV1 signal pathway and neurotransmitters in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve injury and its underlying mechanism.Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a sham spared nerve injury (SNI) group,an SNI group and an SNI+EA group,each of 8.The rats in the SNI and SNI+EA groups were given SNI surgery,while those of the sham-SNI group only had the sciatic nerve and its branches exposed without any lesion.EA at 2 Hz was applied over the ipsilateral Zusanli and Kunlun acupoints daily for 14 days after the surgery.The ipsilateral paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured,along with protein kinase A (PKA) levels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord,calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) levels along with transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1).Results Compared to the normal group,the SNI groups all showed significant decreases in their PWTs on the affected side and significant increases in PKA,TRPV1,CGRP and substance P on the affected side.Compared to SNI group,the average ipsilateral PWT in the SNI+EA group increased significantly after EA treatment,while PKA levels,TRPV1,CGRP levels and SP expression all decreased significantly.Conclusion Electroacupuncture at low frequency can effectively relieve neuropathic pain,perhaps through down-regulation of PKA in the spinal cord and by decreasing pain hypersensitivity related to CGRP and SP.

Electroacupuncture in Treating Severe Functional Constipation：A Randomized Controlled Trial / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating severe functional constipation. Method Seventy patients with severe functional constipation were randomized into a treatment group (35 cases) and a control group (35 cases). The treatment group was intervened by deeply needling bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Fujie (SP14) with electrical stimulation in addition to ordinary acupuncture at bilateral Shangjuxu (ST37);the control group was by superficially needling the areas beside bilateral Tianshu, Fujie and Shangjuxu with sham electroacupuncture. The two groups were both treated for successive 8 weeks and were followed up for another 3 months. The complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs), Bristol stool form Scale (BSFS) and difficulty in bowel movements were observed every week. Result The two groups both showed significant improvements in average weekly CSBMs (P0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve CSBMs in severe functional constipation, but it’s insignificantly different from sham acupuncture in improving stool form and defecation difficulty.

Advances in the Modern Studies of Acupuncture Treatment of Postoperative Ileus / 上海针灸杂志

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common abdominal postoperative complication of surgery as well as obstetrics and gynecology. There is a lack of an effective method of modern medicine due to its complex pathophysiological mechanism and the postoperative physiological disorder of patient. Acupuncture has remarkable regulatory effects on gastrointestinal function. Some clinical studies indicated that acupuncture was an effective method to treat POI, which could reduce the duration of POI and the treatment costs of patients in hospital. However, the mechanism and law of acupuncture on treating POI is still unclear. Some clinical studies indicated that the regulatory effect of acupuncture on the gastrointestinal motility was associated with its regulation of the autonomic nerve system and immune system. Based on its effect on regulating autonomic nerve system and immune system, acupuncture would be a potential and safe treatment for POI.

Clinical Study on Acupuncture for Ambulation Disturbance in Subacute Stage of Cerebral Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on walk ability and motor function of lower limbs in subacute stage of cerebral stroke.Method A hundred patients in subacute stage of cerebral infarction or hemorrhage and scored 4-24 according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally intervened by acupuncture. The neural deficit degree (NIHSS score), motor function of lower limbs [Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)], activities of daily life [Barthel Index(BI)], and ambulation ability [Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)] were evaluated before and after intervention.Result After 1 treatment course, the NIHSS score was significantly changed in the treatment group compared to that before intervention (P<0.05). The NIHSS scores after 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that before intervention and that after 1 treatment course in both groups (P<0.05). In both groups, the FMA score, BI, and FAC score after 1 treatment course and 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that before intervention (P<0.05). The FMA and FAC scores after 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that after 1 treatment course in both groups (P<0.05). After 2 treatment courses, there were significant differences in comparing the NIHSS score, FMA, BI, and FAC scores between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the ambulation ability, neural deficit, motor function of lower limbs, and activities of daily life of hemiplegia patients in subacute stage of cerebral stroke.

Prospect and Progress of the Research on the Technology of Metabolism in Acupuncture and Moxibustion / 浙江中医药大学学报

Objective] Metabolomics is a genomics research methods, has good prospects in the study of mechanisms of acupuncture. In this paper, the progress of the research on the mechanism of the action of metabolism in the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion were reviewed. [Methods] Retrieve acupuncture mechanism studies,which use metabolic technology in nearly 15 years, and to summarize. [Results]Nearly 15 years metabolomics research techniques and tools developed rapidly. But the acupuncture metabomoic studies were still based on the research of animal experiments mainly, relative clinical research less. [Conclusion] With the deepening development of metabolomics studies, the metabolic characteristics of various diseases will gradually clear. Acupuncture clinical mechanisms research combined with metabolomics technology will have broader prospects. But the research strategy of metabololic technology on acupuncture clinical efficacy is yet to be further explored and improved.

Clinical Study on Electroacupuncture in Mitigating the Symptoms Related to Menopausal Transition / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe and compare the regulating effect between electroacupuncture and sham electroacupuncture on the symptoms of menopausal transition and levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), for evaluating the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in mitigating the relevant symptoms of menopausal transition. Method Thirty eligible subjects with menopausal transition were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 15 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by electroacupuncture at the ordinary acupoints, while the control group was by electroacupuncture at non-meridian points. The E2, FSH, and LH contents were detected after intervention and at the 20th week during the follow-up study, the flush score and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were evaluated respectively after 4-week and 8-week treatment and at the 20th week and 32nd week during the follow-up study, and the safety of electroacupuncture was also estimated.Result The flush and MRS scores were significantly changed after 4-week and 8-week treatment and at the 20th week and 32nd week during the follow-up study in both groups compared to that before the treatment in the same group (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the changes of MRS score after 8-week treatment between the two groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the changes of flushing scores between the two groups after 8-week treatment and at the 20th week and 32nd week during the follow-up study (P<0.01). The serum levels of E2, FSH, and LH were significantly changed in the treatment group after 8-week treatment (P<0.05). There were significant differences in comparing the changes of FSH and LH levels between the two groups after 8-week treatment (P<0.05). The difference in comparing the change of serum E2 level between the two groups at the 20th week during the follow-up study was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the flushing intensity and produce a benign regulation on the relevant hormone levels in menopausal transition, though this regulation is insignificant when the treatment terminates.

Clinical Study on Acupuncture plus Rehabilitation Training for Post-stroke Depression / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke depression.Method Forty-one patients with post-stroke depression were randomized into a treatment group of 22 cases and a control group of 19 cases. In addition to the basic internal medicine treatment, the treatment group received acupuncture plus rehabilitation training, while the control group was intervened by rehabilitation training alone. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were observed and compared before and after treatment.Result The HAMD and NIHSS scores in the two groups were significantly changed respectively after 4-week and 8-week treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). Respectively after 4-week and 8-week treatment, the HAMD and NIHSS scores in the treatment group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture plus rehabilitation training is an effective approach in treating post-stroke depression.

Exploration of Preponderant Electroacupuncture Parameters in Stage Treatment of Facial Neuritis / 上海针灸杂志

Facial neuritis is clinically a common disease. Electroacupuncture has a positive effect on it and has been widely applied clinically, but how to select electroacupuncture waveform parameters, and whether and how to use electroacupuncture in the acute stage are still inconclusive. Through clinical practice and study, the authors found that the role of electroacupuncture was effectively played and the recover from the disease was quickened by combining the pathological characteristics of facial neuritis in different stages and adjusting the electroacupuncture protocol at a proper time. That is, during the acute stage when the disease is progressing, electroacupuncture is not used or used with sparse-dense waves for anti-inflammation and analgesia; during the convalescent stage, interrupted waves are used to excite the muscles and sparse waves are used to excite the motor neurons after the recovery of facial muscle excitability; during the sequela stage, sparse waves are used to maintain the therapeutic effect or dense waves to relieve facial spasm.

Efficacy on the range of motion of the lower limbs in patients of post-stroke spasmodic paralysis regulated with multi-directional stimulation technique / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy between the multi-directional stimulation technique and routine needling technique in the range of motion (ROM) of the lower limbs in patients of post-stroke spasmodic paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomized into a multi-directional stimulation technique group and a routine needling technique group, 30 cases in each one. In the two groups, Biguan (ST 31), Fengshi (GB 31), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Xiyangguan (GB 33), Zhongfeng (LR 4), Jiexi (ST 41), Qiuxu (GB 40), Kunlun (BL 60) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on the affected side, scalp acupuncture sites and the acupoints on the upper limb of the affected side were selected. The even needling technique was used in the routine needling technique group and the multi-directional stimulation technique was used in the multi-directional stimulation technique group. The treatment was given once daily, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks totally. Before and after treatment, Fugl-Meyer function and Berg balance were scored. The three-dimensional gait analysis was adopted to analyze ROM of hip, knee and ankle joints.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fugl-Meyer function score and Berg balance score were improved significantly after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.01). The scores in the multi-directional stimulation technique group were all higher than those in the routine needling technique group (<0.01,<0.05). The abduction and adduction of hip joints and flexion-extension ROM were all improved after treatment as comparedwith those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05). The maximum flexibility and flexion extension ROM of knee joint were improved after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05), and the changes in extension of knee joint were not apparent (both>0.05). After treatment, the maximal flexion and the flexion-extension ROM of knee joint in the multi-directional stimulation technique group were improved significantly as compared with those in the routine needling technique group (both<0.05). The maximal dorsal flexion of ankle joint in the multi-directional stimulation technique group after treatment was increased as compared with that before treatment (<0.05), and the change was better than that in the routine needling technique group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture effectively increases the maximal adduction angle and flexion-extension ROM of hip joint, and reduces abduction of hip joint. The multi-directional stimulation technique contributes to the flexion of knee joint and dorsal flexion of ankle joint and the maintenance of limb balance. The efficacy of it is better than that of routine acupuncture stimulation technique.</p>

Experience of professor FANG Jianqiao treating trigeminal neuralgia at different stages / 中国针灸

Trigerninal neuralgia is a common refractory disease in clinic. Professor FANG Jianqiao has rich experience through diagnosing and treating the disease for many years. In the first diagnosis, professor FANG underlines the position of damaged neuron and syndrome differentiation. He considers acupuncture should be implemented by stages,namely according to whether the patients are in the period of pain attack, different acupuocture prescriptions are made. Acupuncture manipulation and needle-retention time should be adjusted according to the condition of disease. And the appropriate application of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation can strengthen the effect.

Acupuncture combined with western medication for mild cognitive disorder after stroke: a rando- mized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the clinical effect of the penetration acupuncture at the acupoints of governor vessel(GV) and bladder meridian on head for mild cognitive disorder after stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ten patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 55 cases in each one. Penetration acupuncture was used at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head in the observation group,namely Wuchu (BL 5) to Chengguang (BL 6) and Tongtian (BL 7) to Luoque (BL 8) bilaterally, and Shenting (GV 24) to Xinhui (GV 22), Qianding (GV 21) to Baihui (GV 20), Houding (GV 19) to Qiangjian (GV 18). Body acupuncture and conventional western medication were applied in the both two groups. Acupuncture was adopted once a day, five times a week and eight weeks totally. The changes of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini mental state examination scale(MMSE), self-rating depressive scale (SDS) and activities of daily living scale (Barthel index) were compared between the two groups before treatment, in the middle of treatment(at the forth week) after treatment(at the eighth week) and in three weeks after treatment(follow-up).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment of four and eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the results of MoCA, MMSE, SDS and Barthel index were apparently im proved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment of eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the scores of MoCA and SDS were obviously improved in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvements of MMSE in the observation group were more marked than those in the control group at all times (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But there was no statistical significance about the change of Barthel index between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Penetration acupuncture at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head can remarkablely improve the cognitive function of the patients with mild cognitive disorder after stroke,and have some efficacy of relieving the bad mood such as depression.</p>