ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture based on the supporting-yang theory and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with yang deficiency and cold congelation. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with KOA of yang deficiency and cold congelation were randomized into a combination group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a warming acupuncture group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the warming acupuncture group, warming acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), etc. on the affected side, once a day. On the basis of the treatment in the warming acupuncture group, governor vessel moxibustion was applied in the combination group, once a week. The 14-day treatment was taken as one course, and totally 2 courses with 2-day interval were required in the two groups. The clinical symptom score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) score were observed before treatment, after treatment and in the follow-up of 12 weeks after treatment; the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion was detected before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment and in the follow-up in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in the follow-up, the scores of clinical symptom, VAS and WOMAC were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and those in the combination group were lower than the warming acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion was decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After treatment and in the follow-up, the total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30) and 86.7% (26/30) in the combination group, which were superior to 87.1% (27/31) and 74.2% (23/31) in the warming acupuncture group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Governor vessel moxibustion combined with warming acupuncture can improve the clinical symptoms i.e. pain and dysfunction and reduce the volume of suprapatellar bursa effusion in KOA patients with yang deficiency and cold congelation, its short-term effect and long-term effect are both superior to simple warming acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Yang Deficiency , Humans , Universities , Yang Deficiency/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Determining a subdural hematoma (SDH) to be chronic by definition takes 3 wk, whereas organized chronic SDH (OCSDH) is an unusual condition that is believed to form over a much longer period of time, which generally demands large craniotomy. Therefore, it is a lengthy process from the initial head trauma, if any, to the formation of an OCSDH. Acute SDH (ASDH) with organization-like, membranaceous appearances has never been reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a seizure, and computed tomography (CT) on admission was negative for signs of intracranial hemorrhage. She had clear consciousness and unimpaired motor functions on arrival and remained stable for the following week, during which she underwent necessary examinations. On the morning of day 10 of hospitalization, she accidentally hit her head hard against the wall in the bathroom and promptly lapsed into complete coma within 2 h. Therefore, we performed emergency CT and identified a left supratentorial SDH that was an absolute indication for surgery. However, the intraoperative findings were surprising, with no liquefaction observed. Instead, a solid hematoma covered with a thick membrane was noted that strongly resembled an organized hematoma. Evacuation was successful, but the family stopped treatment the next day due to financial problems, and the patient soon died. CONCLUSION: Neurosurgeons should address SDHs, especially ASDHs, with discretion and individualization due to their highly diversified features.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect between warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency. METHODS: A total of 66 patients of knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 33 cases in each one. Warming acupuncture was applied at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on the affected side in both of the groups. In the observation group, mild moxibustion at bilateral Yongquan (KI 1) was adopted additionally. Each treatment lasted for 30 min, 3 times a week (once every other day), and the consecutive 6 weeks of treatment were required. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score (such as joint pain, stiffness and physical function), the amount of joint effusion and the serum contents of interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was superior to 87.1% (27/30) in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the pain scores, stiffness scores, physical function scores, the amount of joint effusion and the contents of IL-1ß, TNF-α and hs-CRP after treatment were significantly reduced in the two groups (P<0.05), and the improvements of these indices in the observation group were superior to the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) can improve joint function, reduce the amount of joint effusion and the contents of inflammatory response indices for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency. The therapeutic effect of warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) is better than simple warming acupuncture.
