Effect of suspension combined with acupuncture on chronic non-specific neck pain / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of suspension combined with acupuncture on chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP). MethodsA total of 81 patients with unilateral CNNP from the rehabilitation outpatient clinic of Wangjing Hospital from March, 2022 to March, 2023 were divided into suspension group (n = 27), acupuncture group ((n = 27) and combined group (n = 27) randomely. The suspension group underwent conventional suspension, the acupuncture group received conventional acupuncture treatment, and the combined group underwent suspension and acupuncture, for six weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of longus colli and multifidus in the neck using ultrasound imaging were compared before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the VAS and NDI score, and CSA of longus colli and multifidus improved in three groups (|t| > 4.473, P < 0.001), and the combined group was better than the other two groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionSuspension and acupuncture can relief the pain, improve function, and increase CSA of longus colli and multifidus in patients with unilateral CNNP, while the combination of the two methods is better.

Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Potential Gene Biomarkers and Analysis of Function in Human Degenerative Disc Annulus Fibrosus Cells.

Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide. Although numerous potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis or treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) have been identified subsequent to the development of molecular biology technologies, the mechanisms of IDD remain unknown. Published studies found the unbalance of anabolism and catabolism of annulus fibrosus (AF) played an important role in it. The present study was aimed to identify the potential targets and signaling pathways of IDD, through the combined analysis of differential expression and based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset from NCBI. PPI Networks Analysis indicated that MMP2 and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and estrogen signaling pathway may play important roles in initiation and development of IDD. This study forecasted the pathogenesis molecular mechanism of IDD and the potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, but we need to make further molecular biological experiments to confirm our assumptions.

Kinematics Analysis of Cervical Rotation-Traction Manipulation Measured by a Motion Capture System.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the kinematics of cervical rotation-traction manipulation (CRTM). METHODS: An experimental study measuring the kinematics of CRTM was conducted. A total of 18 healthy volunteers participated in the study. A single manipulator operated the CRTM for all subjects. Motion capture technology was adopted to track the trajectory during the CRTM operation. RESULTS: The manipulated side did not influence the cervical spine motion. The motion ranges obtained during CRTM were well below the active range of motion reported in the literature. The head rotation angle after thrusting was less than the angle of the rotary-position (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the head rotation angle between pretraction and upward-thrust. The thrust direction of CRTM was mainly upward. The thrust operation was of high-velocity and low-amplitude (thrust velocity: 203.06 ± 49.95 mm/s; thrust acceleration: 3836.27 ± 1262.28 mm/s2; thrust displacement: 3.25 ± 1.30 mm). CONCLUSIONS: CRTM has clear operation steps and repeatability that is suitable for clinical application.

The clinical study on “Qing Dynasty Palace manipulation” in combination with plaster immobilization and foot bath with traditional Chinese medicine for acute soft tissue sprain of the ankle / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical curative effect of“Qing Dynasty Palace manipulation” in combination with plaster immobilization and foot bath with traditional Chinese medicine for acute soft tissue sprain of the ankle.Method A total of 90 patients with acute soft tissue sprain of the ankle from emergency department of WangJing Hospital, CACMS were recruited from July 2013 to April 2014 and randomly divided into two groups with 45 patients in each. The patients in the treatment group were treated with the court manipulation, plaster and Chinese herbs washing, and those in the control group were only treated with cast immobilization. The clinical curative effect was evaluated using Baird-Jackson score system(excellent: 96-100; good: 91-95; fair: 81-90; poor: 0-80).Result At the second, third week after treatment, the excellent/good rates in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group(at week 2: 73.3%vs. 44.4%;χ2=11.468,P<0.01; at week 3: 86.7%vs.60.0%;χ2=6.875,P<0.05). At week 2 and 3, Baird-Jackson scores in the treatment group(87.41±14.12, 93.16±9.51)and in the control group(76.32±11.41, 82.54±9.22)were significantly higher than those before treatment(treatment group: 72.11±12.61; control group: 71.67±13.12, allP<0.05); at week 3, Baird-Jackson score in the treatment group were significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion“Qing Dynasty Palace manipulation” in combination with plaster immobilization and foot bath with traditional Chinese medicine can increase Baird-Jackson score and aid recovery of the ankle function in patients with acute soft tissue sprain of the ankle.