Distinguishment of XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points / 中国针灸

In addition to the well-known thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang (Important Formulas worth a Thousand Gold Pieces), "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" is recorded in other medical books. The contents of "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" are not exactly same among these medical books, which mainly focus on the nomination and selection of the ghost points. Even though, there are many similarity when compared with the thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang in terms of acupoint selection, acupoint location and the sequence of needle insertion, as well as the therapeutic methods. The authors believe that "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" is actually adapted based on the framework of the thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang.

Effect of Acupuncture at the Thirteen Ghost Points on the Electroencephalogram of Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points on the electroencephalogram (EEG) of patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Method Eighty patients with hepatic encephalopathy were divided into a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 40 cases by the random number table. The control group was intervened by basic treatment, while the treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points in addition to the treatment given to the control group. EEG was observed before and after the treatment.Result After 2-week treatment, the total effective rate was 65.0% in the control group versus 75.0% in the treatment group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The change of EEG towards normal level was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points can obviously help improve the EEG of patients with hepatic encephalopathy and it can enhance the treatment efficacy of the basic treatment for hepatic encephalopathy.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Acupuncture at the Thirteen Ghost Points for Postpartum depression and Its Effect on the Quality of Life / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points in treating postpartum depression and its effect on the quality of life. Methods Sixty patients with postpartum depression were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points, while the control group was by oral administration of Fluoxetine. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and the Short-Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were compared before and after intervention. Results The HMAD score was significantly changed in both groups after intervention (P＜0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the HAMD score between the two groups after intervention (P＜0.05). There were significant differences in comparing the post-treatment bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), mental health (MH), and health transition (HT) between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at the thirteen ghost points can effectively improve the postpartum depression and the quality of life.

Therapeutic Observation of Electroacupuncture plus Puncturing the Thirteen Ghost Points for Diabetic Gastroparesis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus puncturing the thirteen ghost points in treating diabetic gastroparesis.Method Sixty patients with diabetic gastroparesis were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by electroacupuncture plus puncturing the thirteen ghost points, while the control group was by electroacupuncture alone. The clinical efficacies were then compared.Result The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus puncturing the thirteen ghost points is an effective approach in treating diabetic gastroparesis.