A Case of Prurigo Nodularis Treating by Acupuncture.

AIM: Male, 68 years old, suffering from prurigo nodularis for 7 months, and did not show any significant improvement after oral and topical medications. After 4 months of acupuncture treatment, the NRS for itch scores decreased from 9 to 1; the NRS for sleep scores increased from 5 to 9; HADS decreased from 14 to 2; DLQI decreased from 9 to 5; IGA decreased from 4 to 3. After a 2-month follow-up, the patient was stable in all aspects without new rash. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is a feasible method for the treatment of prurigo nodularis.

[Superiority of motor imagery acupuncture in improving muscle tension for patients with upper limb hemiplegia of stroke in early stage].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the superiority of motor imagery acupuncture in improving muscle tension for patients with upper limb hemiplegia in early stroke. METHODS: A total of 64 patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (32 cases, 4 cases dropped off ). The observation group was treated with motor imagery acupuncture (both acupuncture and motor imagery therapy at affected upper limb were performed).The control group was treated with acupuncture plus motor imagery therapy at affected lower limb, 2 h later after acupuncture, motor imagery therapy was applied to upper limb. Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5) of healthy side, Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianyu (LI 15), Jianjing (GB 21), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, ect. were selected in both groups, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, 4, 8 weeks after treatment, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade and Brunnstrom stage were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the muscle tension of shoulder, elbow and wrist each time point after treatment was increased in the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the proportion less than grade Ⅱ of elbow MAS grade in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05); 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, the proportion less than grade Ⅱ of shoulder, elbow and wrist MAS grades in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01). The Brunnstrom stage of arm and hand each time point after treatment was higher than the previous time point in the two groups (P<0.05), those in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Motor imagery acupuncture could promote hemiplegia upper limb muscle tension recovery in patients of stroke hemiplegia with upper limb flaccid paralysis, make the patients gradually shift to the separate fine movement mode, inhibit and relieve the appearance and development of spasm.

Effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke. DESIGN: One hundred and thirty-four patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke were randomized to receive acupuncture treatment plus conventional treatment (treatment group) or conventional treatment only (control group). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Blinded evaluation was based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index with an intention-to-treat analysis. For those patients who were able to walk, a three-dimensional gait analysis system was employed to objectively record spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the treatment group showed a significantly greater over-time improvement in total Fugl-Meyer, lower-limb Fugl-Meyer, but not in upper-limb Fugl-Meyer and Barthel Index. The spatiotemporal parameters of velocity, step length, cadence, step width all showed significant difference between the 2 groups. The velocity in treatment group decreased unexpectedly at day 14, then increased sharply and overcame control group at day 28. The treatment group also showed a significantly greater increase in peak circumduction, peak hip hiking, hip range of motion, knee range of motion and a tendency for the ankle range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may promote the motor function recovery of hemorrhagic stroke patients in subacute phase mainly by enhancing the lower limb ability. It probably diminishes the compensation strategies earlier to correct the abnormal gait pattern. Although this adjustment may result in a compromise in the improvement of gait velocity temporarily, patients would benefit from it in a long run.

Acupuncture for symptoms in menopause transition: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been used for women during menopause transition, but evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture on relieving symptoms of women during menopause transition. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, participant-blinded trial in China mainland. Subjects were randomized to receive 24 treatment sessions of electroacupuncture at traditional acupoints or sham electroacupuncture at nonacupoints over 8 weeks with 24 weeks' follow-up. Primary outcome was the change from baseline in the total score of Menopause Rating Scale at week 8. Secondary outcomes included the changes from baseline in the average 24-hour hot flash score, the Menopause Rating Scale subscale scores, the total score of Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and its subscales, and serum female hormones. All analyses were performed with a 2-sided P value of < .05 considered significant based on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 360 women (180 in each group) with menopause-related symptoms during menopause transition were enrolled from June 9, 2013, through Dec 28, 2015. At week 8, the reduction from baseline in the Menopause Rating Scale total score was 6.3 (95% confidence interval, 5.0-7.7) in the electroacupuncture group and 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.8) in the sham electroacupuncture group with a between-group difference of 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.8; P = .0002), less than the minimal clinically important difference of 5 points' reduction. For secondary outcomes, the between-group differences for the decrease in the mean 24-hour hot flash score were significant at weeks 8, 20, and 32, but all were less than the minimal clinically important difference in previous reports. Interestingly, the between-group differences for the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire total score reduction were 5.7 at week 8, 7.1 at week 20, and 8.4 at week 32, greater than the minimal clinically important difference of 4 points. Changes from baseline in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol levels at weeks 8 and 20 (P > .05 for all), with the exception of follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratios (P = .0024 at week 8 and .0499 at week 20), did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Among women during menopause transition, 8 weeks' electroacupuncture treatment did not seem to relieve menopausal symptoms, even though it appeared to improve their quality of life. Generalizability of the trial results may be limited by mild baseline menopausal symptoms in the included participants.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Preconditioning on Myocardial Ischemia and Expression of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs in "Neiguan" (PC 6) Area in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on acute myocardial ischemia (MI) and expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD 88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNAs in the "Neiguan" (PC 6) area of rats with MI-reperfusion injury (MIRI), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of MIRI. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, control ＋ EA, sham operation, model, EA and sham EA groups (n＝8). The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. Before modeling, EA preconditioning was respectively applied to PC 6 or sham PC 6 for 30 min, once daily for 5 days. Electrocardiogram (ECG) of the standard limb-lead Ⅱ was recorded before and after the modeling, and 0.25 h after reperfusion. The expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB genes in the PC 6 tissue were detected by Real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the height of ECG J-point was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), suggesting an acute MI, and the height of J-point was significantly lower in the EA group than in the model and sham EA groups (P<0.01). In comparison with the control group, the expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs were markedly up-regulated in the area of PC 6 in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the increased expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs in the EA preconditioning group were significantly inhibited (P<0.05). No significant differences were found among the control, control＋EA and sham operation groups and between the model and sham EA groups in the expression levels of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs (P>0.05)．. CONCLUSION: EA preconditioning can improve myocardial ischemia and reduce the expression of TLR 4, MyD 88 and NF-κB mRNAs in PC 6 area of MIRI rats, suggesting an involvement of the regional cutaneous TLR 4/MyD 88/NF-κB signaling suppression in the initiation-transfer-amplification of EA stimulating signal inputs for relieving MIRI.

Immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on the gait of patients with subacute intracerebral haemorrhage analysed by three-dimensional motion: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on walking pattern, using three-dimensional gait analysis (3D-GA), among patients in the subacute stage of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: A subset of 30 patients with subacute ICH participating in a recently published randomised controlled trial who were able to walk independently were assessed by 3D-GA before and immediately after scalp acupuncture treatment (treatment group) or no intervention (control group) and the results presented here as a secondary analysis. The acupuncture manipulation was repeated three times with an interval of 5 min. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters during walking were collected and analysed using a 3D motion analysis system. RESULTS: After treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the spatiotemporal parameters of step length, velocity and cadence (p<0.05) and double-limb support. No significant difference was found in step width. When kinematic parameters were evaluated, the treatment group showed a significantly decreased peak pelvic anterior tilt angle and an increased hip extension angle after scalp acupuncture treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated no temporal changes. There were no significant changes in any other kinematic parameters in either group. CONCLUSIONS: As the first exploratory study to investigate the effect of the scalp acupuncture on gait performance in patients with subacute ICH, this secondary analysis of a recent randomised trial suggested an immediate effect of treatment on spatiotemporal parameters. Improvement in gait pattern may be associated with a decreased anterior tilt of the pelvis and augmented hip joint motion during walking. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-TRC-08000225; Post-results.

Role of Acupoint Area Collagen Fibers in Anti-Inflammation of Acupuncture Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation.

The role of the acupoint area collagen fibers in the efficacy of acupuncture lifting and thrusting (L&T) manipulation will be explored in this paper. 30 male NZW rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham operation group (Group N), model group (Group M), acupuncture without manipulation group (Group W), acupuncture L&T manipulation group (Group A), collagenase pretreatment group (Group JM), and collagenase pretreatment + acupuncture L&T manipulation group (Group JA). The bacterial endotoxin was used to generate the rabbit fever models. Acupuncture was applied at IL-11. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-4 and the rectal temperature were measured at 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after modeling and the collagen fiber morphology at acupoint area was observed after 6 hours. Results. As compared with Group N, the levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in Group M were significantly higher; the level of IL-4 was significantly lower (P < 0.05). As compared with Group M, IL-1ß and TNF-α in Groups W and A were significantly lower and IL-4 was significantly higher (P < 0.05). As compared with Group W, IL-1ß and TNF-α in Group A were lower and IL-4 was higher (P < 0.05). The collagen fiber in Group A was slightly rough, distorted, and fractured. As shown in studies, the endotoxin-induced inflammatory response can be significantly inhibited by acupuncture whose efficacy can also be significantly improved by the manipulations. Collagenase pretreatment may be the first receptor to the mechanical force of the L&T manipulation.

Efficacy and safety of penetration acupuncture on head for acute intracerebral hemorrhage: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture, especially acupuncture treatment on head for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), has long been disputable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of penetration acupuncture on head in patients with acute ICH. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with acute ICH were randomized to receive penetration acupuncture treatment on head combined with conventional treatment (treatment group [TG]) or conventional treatment only (control group [CG]). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Measures included Clinical Neurological Function Deficit Scale (CNFDS), Barthel Index (BI), vital signs (respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation), and hematoma absorption ratio. RESULTS: Both groups showed a progressively improvement in CNFDS and BI scores from day 7 to 90. The TG showed a significantly greater improvement in CNFDS than CG over time (P < 0.05). However, BI failed to show significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The vital signs were stable and no expansion of hematoma occurred over the course of acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION: Penetration acupuncture treatment on head appeared to be safe over the course of treatment on acute ICH and may result in additional functional improvements detected in the CNFDS but not reflected in the BI. A larger-scale clinical trial with longer follow-up assessments is required to confirm these findings.

Acupuncture for Chronic Severe Functional Constipation: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been used for chronic constipation, but evidence for its effectiveness remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for chronic severe functional constipation (CSFC). DESIGN: Randomized, parallel, sham-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01726504). SETTING: 15 hospitals in China. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with CSFC and no serious underlying pathologic cause for constipation. INTERVENTION: 28 sessions of EA at traditional acupoints or sham EA (SA) at nonacupoints over 8 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the change from baseline in mean weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during weeks 1 to 8. Participants were followed until week 20. RESULTS: 1075 patients (536 and 539 in the EA and SA groups, respectively) were enrolled. The increase from baseline in mean weekly CSBMs during weeks 1 to 8 was 1.76 (95% CI, 1.61 to 1.89) in the EA group and 0.87 (CI, 0.73 to 0.97) in the SA group (between-group difference, 0.90 [CI, 0.74 to 1.10]; P < 0.001). The change from baseline in mean weekly CSBMs during weeks 9 to 20 was 1.96 (CI, 1.78 to 2.11) in the EA group and 0.89 (CI, 0.69 to 0.95) in the SA group (between-group difference, 1.09 [CI, 0.94 to 1.31]; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients having 3 or more mean weekly CSBMs in the EA group was 31.3% and 37.7% over the treatment and follow-up periods, respectively, compared with 12.1% and 14.1% in the SA group (P < 0.001). Acupuncture-related adverse events during treatment were infrequent in both groups, and all were mild or transient. LIMITATIONS: Longer-term follow-up was not assessed. Acupuncturists could not be blinded. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of EA increases CSBMs and is safe for the treatment of CSFC. Additional study is warranted to evaluate a longer-term treatment and follow-up. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China through the Twelfth Five-Year National Science and Technology Pillar Program.

Immediate effects of scalp acupuncture with twirling reinforcing manipulation on hemiplegia following acute ischemic stroke: a hidden association study.

Data mining has the potential to provide information for improving clinical acupuncture strategies by uncovering hidden rules between acupuncture manipulation and therapeutic effects in a data set. In this study, we performed acupuncture on 30 patients with hemiplegia due to acute ischemic stroke. All participants were pre-screened to ensure that they exhibited immediate responses to acupuncture. We used a twirling reinforcing acupuncture manipulation at the specific lines between the bilateral Baihui (GV20) and Taiyang (EX-HN5). We collected neurologic deficit score, simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment score, muscle strength of the proximal and distal hemiplegic limbs, ratio of the maximal H-reflex to the maximal M-wave (Hmax/Mmax), muscle tension at baseline and immediately after treatment, and the syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine at baseline. We then conducted data mining using an association algorithm and an artificial neural network backpropagation algorithm. We found that the twirling reinforcing manipulation had no obvious therapeutic difference in traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of "Deficiency and Excess". The change in the muscle strength of the upper distal and lower proximal limbs was one of the main factors affecting the immediate change in Fugl-Meyer scores. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between the muscle tension change of the upper limb and Hmax/Mmax immediate change, and both positive and negative correlations existed between the muscle tension change of the lower limb and immediate Hmax/Mmax change. Additionally, when the difference value of muscle tension for the upper and lower limbs was > 0 or < 0, the difference value of Hmax/Mmax was correspondingly positive or negative, indicating the scalp acupuncture has a bidirectional effect on muscle tension in hemiplegic limbs. Therefore, acupuncture with twirling reinforcing manipulation has distinct effects on acute ischemic stroke patients with different symptoms or stages of disease. Improved muscle tension in the upper and lower limbs, reflected by the variation in the Hmax/Mmax ratio, is crucial for recovery of motor function from hemiplegia.

[Immediate effects of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe differences of immediate effect of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 126 patients who met the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into a twirling reinforcing group, a mild reinforcing-reducing group and a twirling reducing group, 42 cases in each one. The lines between Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) were selected and treated with successive insertion of three needles. The twirling reinforcing method was used in the twirling reinforcing group, and mild reinforcing-reducing method was used in the mild reinforcing- reducing group, and twirling reducing method was used in the twirling reducing group. Each needle was manipulated for 1 min, which was repeated once every 10 min. The needles were retained for 30 min. Muscle force was evaluated immediately after treatment. RESULTS: (1) Muscle force of upper limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends were all improved significantly in three groups (all P < 0.05), which was more obvious in proximal end (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end in the twirling reinforcing group was superior to those in the mild reinforcing-reducing group and twirling reducing group (both P < 0.05); the differences of the muscle force of remote end were not significant among three groups (all P > 0.05). (2) Muscle force of lower limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends was all improved significantly in the three groups (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end was superior to that of remote end in the twirling reinforcing group and mild reinforcing-reducing group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The twirling reinforcing manipulation at head acupoints is superior to mild reinforcing-reducing and twirling reducing manipulation for muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which is more significant in proximal end of limbs.

[Impacts on fine movement of upper extremity with flaccid paralysis in stroke treated with acupuncture combined with motor imagery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impacts on the fine movement of upper extremity with flaccid paralysis in stroke treated with acupuncture and motor imagery. METHODS: Sixty-two cases of flaccid paralysis of upper extremity in stroke were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (32 cases). In the control group, the conventional western medication and the passive movement of the extremity were applied. Additionally, the penetrating needling technique was used at the head points [penetrating needling from Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5)] and the local affected extremity [penetrating needling from Jianyu (LI 15) to Binao (LI1 14), from Quchi (LI 11) to Shaohai (HT 3), from Waiguan (TE 5) to Neiguan (PC 6), etc]. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the observation group, on the basic treatment as the control group, during the needle retaining, the motor imagery therapy was supplemented. The treatment was given once a day, 5 treatments a week, for 4 weeks totally in the either group. The scores in the action research arm test (ARAT) and the modified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) were recorded at the moment of enrollment, in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, in the 6th and 8th weeks, as well as after 90 days separately. RESULTS: (1) ARAT score: since the 2nd week, ARAT scores in the observation group were all improved significantly as compared with those in the control group at the each time points (all P<0. 05). In the observation group, the scores were improved significantly in the pair comparison at the time points (all P<0. 05). In the control group, the score in the 2nd week was not different significantly as compared with that before treatment (P>0. 05), but the scores at the rest time points were improved significantly in the pair comparison (all P<0. 05); (2) FMA score: in the 2nd week and on the 90th day, FMA score in the observation group was higher significantly than those in the control group (both P < 0. 05). In the observation group, the scores were all improved significantly in the pair comparison at the time points (all P<0. 05). In the control group, except that in comparison between the 90th day and the 8th week (P>0. 05), the results were all P<0. 05 at the rest time points. CONCLUSION: The early intervention of the combined therapy of acupuncture and motor imagery effectively promotes the recovery of the coordination function and the fine movement of upper extremity, especially the improvements of the fine movement in stroke at flaccid paralysis stage. The efficacy is better than the single acupuncture treatment.

Using acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling to treat post-stroke spastic paralysis: a clinical progress review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics and advantages of acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling (AAPN) treatment for post-stroke spastic paralysis (PSSP) to improve the clinical outcomes of this disease in the future. METHODS: Randomized, controlled trials of PSSP patients receiving AAPN treatment were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database between January 2006 and June 2013. Key words included: clinic or clinical, acupuncture, needling, acupoint-to-acupoint, penetrative or penetration or penetrating, stroke or apoplexy or cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, spastic paralysis or spasticity or palsy, and hypermyotonia. Language was limited to English and Chinese. Case series reports, review articles, and, animal studies were excluded. RESULTS: AAPN showed better clinical results on PSSP than other acupuncture treatments, especially when combined with adjunct therapies such as electroacupuncture, bloodletting, and rehabilitation. The greatest benefit was achieved with rehabilitation combined with penetration from Yang-channel acupoints to Yin-channel acupoints in the upper limbs, and from Yin-channel acupoints to Yang-channel acupoints in the lower limbs with a reinforcing maneuver. CONCLUSION: AAPN is an effective treatment for PSSP, and it can accelerate and enhance functional repair of PSSP patients.

[Developmental status and prospect of musical electroacupuncture].

Through searching domestic and foreign medical journals in CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and Pubmed database from January of 2003 to November of 2013, 39 articles regarding musical electroacupuncture (MEA) were analyzed. The result showed that MEA was clinically used to treat neurological and psychotic disorders; because it was combined with musical therapy and overcame the acupuncture tolerability, and MEA was superior to traditional electroacupuncture. However, problems such as low research efficiency and the mechanism of MEA superiority and the musical specificity not being revealed by research design still exist. In future, large-sample multi-center RCT researches should be performed to clarify MEA clinical efficacy. With modern science and technology and optimized study design, guided by five-element theory of TCM, researches on different musical elements and characteristics of musical pulse current as well as MEA's correlation with meridians and organs should be studied, so as to make a further exploration on MEA mechanisms and broaden the range of its clinical application.

[Clinical safety research of penetrating acupuncture at the head points for cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the safety of penetrating acupuncture at the head points for cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage. METHODS: Sixty cases of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage were selected and randomized into a western medication group and a head-point group, 30 cases in each one. In the western medication group, the anti-cranial pressure and anti-blood pressure program was administered with the conventional intravenous infusion of Sodium Nitroprusside, Mannite, etc. In the head-point group, on the basis of the treatment as the western medication group, the penetrating acupuncture at the head points was supplemented. For consciousness disturbance, Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Benshen (GB 13) and penetrating needling from Shenting (GV 24) to Shangxing (GV 23) were selected. For headache, the penetrating needling was adopted from Shangxing (GV 23) to Yintang (EX-HN 3) and from Fengchi (GB 20) to Fengchi (GB 20). For disturbance of urination and defecation, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Sishencong (EX-HN 1). For aphasia, the penetrating needling was adopted from Fengfu (GV 16) to Yamen (GV 15), etc. For facial paralysis, the penetrating needling from Dicang (ST 4) to Jiache (ST 6) and Xiaguan (ST 7) were selected. For paralysis, the penetrating needling was adopted from Baihui (GV 20) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc. Before and after treatment, the changes in cerebral hemorrhagic volume, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination, the situations of the life indices such as heart, liver and kidney functions, blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were observed, as well as the impacts on ECG. RESULTS: The cranial CT sania cn indicated that the rate of the basic and significant absorption of hematoma was 80.0% (24/30) in the head-point group, which was superior to 56.7% (17/30) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the results of blood, urine and stool routine examination and the life indices such as blood pressure, respiration and heart rate were all in the normal scope for the patients in the head-point group (all P > 0.05). There were no any abnormal changes in liver and kidney functions. In the head-point group, the abnormality rate of ECG was lower obviously than that in the western medication group [16.7% (5/30) vs 43.3% (13/30), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The penetrating acupuncture at the head points is safe in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage at the acute stage.

[Effect of penetrative needling of scalp-acupoints on cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate and choline levels in intracerebral hemorrhage rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of scalp-acupuncture on N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho) leveIs in the brain tissue in rabbits with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in resisting neural lesion. METHODS: A total of 30 Newzealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model and acupuncture groups (n=10). ICH model was duplicated by injection of the rabbit-own blood (200 microL) into the bilateral Basal Nuclei (A: 2 mm; R, L; 5 mm; H: 10 mm). A filiform needle was inserted into "Baihui" (GV 20) to "Taiyang" (EX-HN 5) on the hemorrhage side, manipulated for 1 min, and then retained for 30 min (manipulated once again every 10 min). The treatment was conducted once daily for 7 days. Contents of NAA, Cho and creatine (Cr) in the intracerebral peri-hematoma tissues were detected by using 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, NAA/Cr ratios at the time points of 2 h, 3 d and 7 d after ICH in the model group were decreased markedly (P < 0.05), while Cho/Cr ratios at the same 3 time-points after ICH in the model group were increased markedly (P < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, NAA/Cr ratio on day 3 after ICH in the acupuncture group was obviously higher (P < 0.05), while Cho/Cr ratios on day 3 and 7 were significantly down-regulated in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in NAA/Cr ratios at 2 h and on day 7 and in Cho/Cr ratio at 2 h after ICH between the acupuncture group and the model group. CONCLUSION: Penetrative acupuncture of GV 20-EX-HN 5 is effective in suppressing ICH-induced increase of Cho/Cr ratio in ICH rabbits, which may contribute to its function in accelerating neural repair process.

[Progress of researches on mechanism of acupuncture therapy underlying improvement of acute cerebral hemorrhage].

In the present paper, the authors review the progress of researches on the mechanism of acupuncture therapy underlying improvement of acute cerebral hemorrhage from experimental studies and research methods. The effects of acupuncture intervention mainly involve (1) lessening inflammatory reactions, (2) reducing impairment of free radicals and excitatory amino acids on cerebral neurons, (3) balancing release of vascular bioactive substances to increase regional cerebral blood flow, and (4) promoting repair and regeneration of the neural tissue, etc. In regard to the research methods, many new biological techniques such as biological molecular approaches, neuro-cellular chemical methods, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or quantitative real time-PCR, situ hybridization, western blotting, electron microscope, etc., have been extensively applied to researches on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture therapy for cerebral infarction. In addition, the authors also pointed out that in spite of achieving some bigger progresses in experimental studies, most of the results basically reflect static, isolated and regional changes rather than dynamic and whole body changes. For this reason, more vivo research techniques and noninvasive research methods are highly recommended to be used in the future research on the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for acute cerebral ischemia.