[Effect of auricular point sticking therapy on perioperative pain in patients with partial lung resection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of auricular point sticking therapy during the perioperative stage in the patients with partial lung resection. METHODS: A total of 92 patients with partial lung resection were randomized into an auricular point group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off), the sham-auricular point group (30 cases) and a medication group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). The routine medication for analgesia was provided in all of the three groups. In the auricular point group, 1 day before operation, the auricular point sticking therapy was applied at shenmen (TF4), sympathetic (AH6a), subcortex (AT4), brain stem (AT3,4i), anterior ear lobe (LO4), chest (AH10) and lung (CO14), retained till the third day after operation. In the sham-auricular point group, the auricular adhesive tape without semen vaccariae was used at the same points as the auricular point group. Separately, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) in 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, the time for obtaining the mean of the postoperative VAS score<3 points, the scores of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) in 8, 72 h after operation and the plasma concentration of ß-endorphin in 24, 48 h after operation, as well as the adverse reactions after operation were recorded in the patients of each group. RESULTS: In 8, 16, 24, 48 h and 72 h after operation, VAS scores in the auricular point group were lower than those in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group separately (P<0.05). In the auricular point group, 16 h after operation the mean of VAS score was less than 3 points, but in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group, 48 h after operation, such a mean score of VAS was obtained. In 8, 72 h after operation, HAD score in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively. In 24, 48 h after operation, the concentration of plasmaß-endorphin was all higher than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). In 24 h after operation, the plasma concentration ofß-endorphin in the sham-auricular point group was higher than the medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the auricular point group was lower than that in the sham-auricular point group and the medication group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular point sticking therapy relieves perioperative pain, shortens analgesic time, releases anxious and depressive emotions and reduces postoperative adverse reaction in the patients with partial lung resection. The analgesic mechanism is probably related to the increase of plasma concentration of ß-endorphin.

[A further discussion on acupuncture treatment plan of facial neuritis in Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice in Acupuncture and Moxibustion].

The treatment plan of facial neuritis in Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice in Acupuncture and Moxibustion (2011 edition) is discussed, and case information of facial neuritis during the recent five years in department of acupuncture and moxibustion, PLA General Hospital, is retrospectively analyzed. In accordance with anatomy of the facial nerve to form the acupuncture prescription, the detailed diagnosis and treatment method for facial neuritis are introduced. The advantages of the diagnosis and treatment method for facial neuritis are summarized, hoping to establish a more comprehensive, standardized and unified treatment plan.

Effects of acupuncture on heart rate variability in beagles; preliminary results.

Evidence-based animal experimental research concerning the effects of acupuncture on autonomic function was performed by two research teams from China and Austria. This study describes measurements in beagles. Heart rate variability (HRV) recordings were performed under stable conditions in Beijing, China, and the data analysis and interpretation were completed in Graz, Austria. The electrocardiograms were recorded during bilateral body acupuncture (PC6, Neiguan). Power of the low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and the ratio (LF/HF) changed significantly during acupuncture stimulation in beagles after injection of atropine and ß -blocker. However, there was no significant change in HF power after needling the Neiguan acupoint when a cervical vagotomy has been performed. Our findings show that acupuncture can mediate the HRV even after pharmaceutical blocking of autonomic function. Acupuncture effects on HRV should rely not only on autonomic nervous system but on complete central nervous system.

[Correlation between facial nerve functional evaluation and efficacy evaluation of acupuncture treatment for Bell's palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess and grade facial nerve dysfunction according to the extent of facial paralysis in the clinical course of acupuncture treatment for Bell's palsy, and to observe the interrelationship between the grade, the efficacy and the period of treatment, as well as the effect on prognosis. METHODS: The authors employed the House-Brackmann scale, a commonly used evaluation scale for facial paralysis motor function, and set standards for eye fissure and lips. According to the improved scale, the authors assessed and graded the degree of facial paralysis in terms of facial nerve dysfunction both before and after treatment. The grade was divided into five levels: mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe dysfunction and complete paralysis. The authors gave acupuncture treatment according to the state of the disease without artificially setting the treatment period. The observation was focused on the efficacy and the efficacy was evaluated throughout the entire treatment process. RESULTS: Fifty-three cases out of 68 patients with Bell's palsy were cured and the overall rate of efficacy was 97%. Statistically significant differences (P<0.01) were perceived among the efficacy of five levels of facial nerve dysfunction. Efficacy was correlated with the damage level of the disease (correlation coefficient r=0.423, P<0.01). The course of treatment also extended with the severity of facial nerve dysfunction (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Differences exist in patients with Bell's palsy in terms of severity of facial nerve dysfunction. Efficacy is reduced in correlation with an increase in facial nerve dysfunction, and the period of treatment varies in need of different levels of facial nerve dysfunction. It is highly necessary to assess and grade patients before observation and treatment in clinical study, and choose corresponding treatment according to severity of damage of the disease.

[Analysis of facial far-infrared thermogram of patients with acute facial neuritis].

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide an objective observational index for facial neuritis, the authors monitored the changes of facial far-infrared thermogram in patients with acute facial neuritis. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with acute facial neuritis were enrolled from Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Another 21 healthy participants were selected as the control group. Focal plane thermal imaging system (thermal sensitivity 0.05 degrees centigrade) was applied to collect facial far-infrared thermogram. Temperature differences in the thermogram of both sides of the cheeks, inner canthus, supraorbitals and forehead of the same patient were compared separately and statistically and analyzed by software provided by the imaging system. RESULTS: Results of far-infrared thermography of the patients displayed obvious temperature differences ranging from 0.01 to 0.26 degrees centigrade between two sides of the cheeks, inner canthus, supraorbitals and forehead areas. In the control group, far-infrared thermogram showed that there were no obvious temperature differences between two sides of the cheeks, inner canthus, supraorbitals and forehead. There were significant differences in temperature difference in the four monitoring areas between the two groups (P<0.01). Among the 23 patients, there were 14 patients with congestive change, 7 with ischemic change and 2 with both congestive and ischemic changes. CONCLUSION: The facial far-infrared thermogram of patients with acute facial neuritis is characterized mainly by congestive changes. Far-infrared thermography can objectively reflect the changes of blood-supply status in patients with facial neuritis.