RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects between fast acupuncture and retaining acupuncture for the cervical type of cervical spondylosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomized into a fast acupuncture group and a retaining needle group, 30 cases in each one. The acupoints in the two groups were Fengchi (GB 20), Jiaji (EX-B 2, C, C, C) and Jianjing (GB 21), Jianjing 1 (Extra) and Jianjing 2 (Extra). The needles in the fast acupuncture group were out afterarrival, while those in the retaining needle group were retained for 30 min, three times a week, once the other day. One week was seen as a course and the treatment was given for 2 courses. The indices were observed before and after treatment, including Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) [pain rating index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI)]. The effects were compared in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the NPQ score was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (both<0.01), and that in the fast acupuncture group was better (<0.01). All the items of SF-MPQ decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.01), with the better results of PRI sensation score and PRI total score in the fast acupuncture group (both<0.05). The PRI feeling score, VAS score, and PPI score were not significantly different after treatment between the two groups (all>0.05). The total effective rate in the fast acupuncture group was 83.3% (25/30), not significantly different from 76.7% (23/30) in the retaining needle group (>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fast acupuncture and retaining needle are both effective for the cervical type of cervical spondylosis, which can apparently improve the clinical symptoms. Fast acupuncture is superior to retaining acupuncture.</p>
RESUMO
Objective To observe the effect of fast acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery. Methods In this randomised placebo-controlled single-blind clinical trial, patients received abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery were assigned to a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received fast acupuncture and the control group received superficial conciliative acupuncture. The acupuncture was taken at both sides of Zusanli (ST36) for 1 minute respectively during 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m..We began from the first postoperative day and stopped when the patients got initial postoperative flatus or stool, or at the end of the fifth postoperative day. Results 37 controlled patients were assigned to the treatment group (18 patients) and the control group (19 patients) randomly. There were no differences on general information between the two groups. The treatment group had stronger feeling than the control group on the comparison of the acupuncture sensation level (5.7 ± 3.0 vs. 2.7 ± 2.2;t=-3.471, P=0.001). For the treatment group, the initial postoperative flatus or stool time is 19 hours earlier than the control group (65.9 ± 18.1 h vs. 85.0 ± 24.5 h; t=2.682, P=0.011). And the treatment group patients’ postoperative abdominal distension is lesser than the control group (P=0.006). Conclusion Fast acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery, and can also lighten the patients’ postoperative abdominal distension.