Acupuncture in chronic aspecific low back pain: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This Bayesian network meta-analysis investigated the available randomized control trials (RCTs) to point out which acupuncture protocol is the most effective for chronic aspecific low back pain (LBP). Efficacy was measured in terms of pain (Visual Analogic Scale, VAS) and disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMQ), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). METHODS: PubMed, Google scholar, Embase, and Scopus were accessed in March 2022. All the RCTs comparing two or more acupuncture modalities for aspecific chronic LBP were accessed. Only studies which investigated the efficacy of acupuncture on patients with symptoms lasting a minimum of 1.5 months, or with at least three episodes in the previous 12 months, were considered eligible. The Review Manager Software (The Nordic Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen) was used for the methodological quality assessment. The STATA Software/MP, Version 14.1 (StataCorporation, College Station, Texas, USA), was used for the statistical analyses. The NMA was performed through the STATA routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model analysis. RESULTS: Data from 44 RCTs (8338 procedures) were retrieved. 56% of patients were women. The mean age of the patients was 48 ± 10.6 years. The mean BMI was 26.3 ± 2.2 kg/m2. The individual group (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02, 7.98) and the standard combined with TENS (95% CI 2.03, 7.97) demonstrated the highest improvement of the RMQ. The VAS score was lower in the standard combined with TENS group (95% CI 3.28, 4.56). Considering the standard acupuncture group, different studies used similar protocols and acupuncture points and the results could thus be compared. The equation for global linearity did not find any statistically significant inconsistency in any of the network comparison. CONCLUSION: Verum acupuncture is more effective than sham treatment for the non-pharmacological management of LBP. Among the verum protocols, individualized acupuncture and standard acupuncture with TENS were the protocols that resulted in the highest improvement in pain and quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.

Use of the Bovine Udder Skin model to evaluate the tolerability of Mesem cosmetic cream.

Observational studies of Mesem cream (based on Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. plant extract) found that it had positive effects on skin hydration and smoothing of the skin. However, some patients reported skin irritation effects. The current study evaluated the skin tolerability of Mesem cream, as compared to the carrier cream (without the active ingredient), by using the isolated perfused bovine udder skin model. The primary outcomes investigated were cytotoxicity (i.e. cell viability), assessed with the MTT assay, and irritancy and inflammation, assessed by measuring PGE2 tissue levels. A total reaction score was calculated by combining the results for each parameter. In the case of a single topical application, significant differences were found between the carrier cream and the Mesem cream. While the application of carrier cream resulted in low cytotoxicity (-8.4% change in viability, as compared to the untreated control), the Mesem cream was more cytotoxic (-18.7% change). In addition, one hour after application, PGE2 levels were higher in Mesem cream-treated skin, as compared to carrier cream-treated skin (16.6% versus 11.3%). Further experiments (tape-stripped skin and repeated application) also found significant differences between the two creams in the results obtained. Evaluation of the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of phyto-cosmetic products is important. Our results confirmed the findings of two previous human observational studies (the human patch test and open application study). Future experiments to understand the underlying principles of its effectiveness, safety and tolerability should include extracts of M. crystallinum L. juice, as well as the Mesem cream itself.

Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, and Breathing Exercises for Facial Paralysis in a Young Boy Caused by Lyme Disease-A Case Report.

The case study reports on the effect of pharmacological, complementary, and alternative medicine including YNSA, Applied Kinesiology, and respiratory exercises in a 9-year-old boy with facial paralysis. The boy suffered from borreliosis and one-sided facial paralysis that occurred 3.5 weeks after being bitten by a tick and persisted despite 4 weeks of medication with antibiotics. In the first treatment, muscle function as assessed by the coachman׳s test was normalized, and improvement in the facial paralysis was observed. Within 8 additional treatments over a period of 2 months, the boy showed complete recovery. The case shows a multimodal approach to facial paralysis integrating pharmacological treatment and CAM including YNSA, Applied Kinesiology, and breathing exercises.

Improvements in sleep and handwriting after complementary medical intervention using acupuncture, applied kinesiology, and respiratory exercises in a nine-year-old ADHD patient on methylphenidate.

The case study reports on the effect of pharmacological, complementary, and alternative medicine including acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, and respiratory exercises in a boy with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on methylphenidate. A nine-year-old male patient was referred to treatment with a three-year diagnosis of ADHD, sleeping troubles, and dissatisfaction with methylphenidate. Examination included Applied Kinesiology, the coachman׳s test, assessment of breathing pattern disorders, and traditional chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis. Muscle weakness related to thoracic breathing was found in the coachman׳s test. Respiratory exercises, acupuncture with permanent needles, and Applied Kinesiology treatments were given. Within the first treatment, muscle function as assessed by the coachman׳s test normalized. After two treatments, sleep behavior improved rapidly, and with further treatments, handwriting was improving. Methylphenidate continues to be given. The results were stable after 15 months. A multimodal approach to ADHD integrating pharmacological treatment and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including Applied Kinesiology, breathing exercises, and acupuncture.

Regular consumption of sauerkraut and its effect on human health: a bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sauerkraut is one of the most common and oldest forms of preserving cabbage and can be traced back as a food source to the 4th century BC. It contains a large quantity of lactic acid and tyramines, as well as vitamins and minerals, and has few calories. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide an overview regarding the evidence of the effects of sauerkraut on human health by means of a bibliometric analysis. METHODOLOGY: Electronic databases (Medline, AMED, CamBase, CamQuest, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, the Karger-Publisher and the Thieme-Publisher databases) were searched from their inception until September 2012. RESULTS: The search revealed 139 publications ranging over a 90-year period from 1921 to 2012. The majority of publications originated from Europe (48.6%), followed by the United States (30.7%) and Asia (10%). More than half of the research (56.8%) focused on food analysis, and 23.7% evaluated the impact of sauerkraut on health, including risk factors or digestive well-being. Direct research in humans was almost constant over time at about 11.5%. The studies found that sauerkraut induced inflammation locally, but repeated intake may result in diarrhea. Some studies pointed out anticarcinogenic effects of sauerkraut, while others concentrated on the interaction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). DISCUSSION: Sauerkraut, one of the oldest traditional foods, has a variety of beneficial effects on human health. However, unwanted effects such as intolerance reactions must be considered when dealing with sauerkraut as a functional food.

[Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. as dermatologically effective medicinal plant - first results from 3 pilot studies]. / Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. als dermatologisch wirksame Heilpflanze - erste Ergebnisse aus 3 Pilotstudien.

BACKGROUND: Apart from well-known medical plants of rational phytotherapy there is a variety of plants, such as Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., whose potential effects are not examined sufficiently to date. Therefore, in 3 pilot studies we investigated the dermatological effect of an extract of M. crystallinum (Mesem Cream). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective user survey and a pre-post study with 6 persons in a wheelchair the efficacy profile of Mesem Cream was investigated. In a third placebo-controlled pilot study changes in skin hydration was measured using corneometer measurement in 6 healthy volunteers with dry skin. RESULTS: Compared to untreated skin, corneometer measurement revealed a significant increase of skin hydration with Mesem Cream (25.8 ± 5.8 pre to 46.6 ± 9.2 post treatment vs. 26.3 ± 6.0 pre to 33.8 ± 6.0 post treatment) as well as a statistical trend (p=0.11; t-Test) compared to basic cream (25.1 ± 4.7 pre to 41.9 ± 7.3 post treatment). Improvement in skin hydration was also found in 17 of 29 survey participants. Further, the volunteers in the wheelchair showed significant improvements in their subjectively rated skin softness and hydration level. CONCLUSION: These pilot studies investigated skin hydrating effects of the traditional medical plant M. crystallinum. Although the results were promising, they have to be interpreted with caution in particular due to low sample size. Further, study design should be more clear-cut and focus skin hydration as a main outcome parameter in more detail.

Acupuncture in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of orchestra musicians.

OBJECTIVE: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) are common among musicians. Acupuncture is well established in Germany as a treatment for orthopedic conditions, but it is not commonly used in the treatment of PRMD yet. The authors examined the musicians' health literature and provide a brief overview about the background of acupuncture. Three case studies are presented to show possible benefits for the treatment of PRMD. PARTICIPANTS: 2456 medical doctors, members of the German research group for acupuncture. METHODS: We searched literature and Medline Database for publications about acupuncture, musicians' medicine and musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally we asked medical doctors, via a questionnaire, about the treatment of professional musicians as patients. Case studies are presented. RESULTS: No research was found to support the use oft acupuncture in PRMD. The survey study found that medical doctors are not satisfied with the quality of medical health care provided to musicians and regard specialist knowledge as being important. CONCLUSION: Evidence on the benefits of acupuncture for musculoskeletal disorders suggests that it could be of benefit as a complementary treatment of PRMD. We suggest performing clinical trials to demonstrate the value of standard treatment, acupuncture and complementary medicine for PRMD.

[Anaesthetic effect of acupuncture during an inguinal hernia repair ­ a self-experiment]. / Akupunkturanästhesie bei Leistenbruchoperation - ein Selbstversuch.

There are references in the media and in the literature to the use of acupuncture as an anaesthetic in surgical operations. The author, an experienced acupuncturist, tested the anaesthetic effect of acupuncture during an inguinal hernia repair in a self-experiment. Acupuncture combined with electrostimulation was administered for the 6-cm skin cut and preparation to 15 mm in depth. However, acupuncture alone provided an inadequate anaesthetic effect for the entire operation and an additional local anaesthetic had to be administered.