Clinical Study of Auricular Point Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of auricular point therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.Methods Eighty patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 40 cases each. The treatment group received ear acupuncture plus auricular plaster therapy and the control group, conventional acupuncture. The overall symptom was scored, the Fatigue Assessment Instrument (FAI) score was recorded and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were measured in the two groups before treatment and after four courses.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the overall symptom score, the FAI score and immunoglobulins in the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the FAI score, and IgA and IgG between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Auricular point therapy is an effective way to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

Observations on the Efficacy of Multi-functional Fire Needling plus Auricular Plaster Therapy for Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 75 cases each. Both groups were first given bloodletting at Ear apex and Helix 4. Then the treatment group received multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy and the control group, auricular plaster therapy alone. The symptom and sign score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score between the two groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate and the cure and marked efficacy rate were 98.6% and 88.7%, respectively, in the treatment group and 93.2% and 60.8%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy is an effective way to treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris.