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Cells, Tissues, Organs May 2024Background Acupuncture has been used for pain management for thousands of years. However, it is largely unclear whether this therapeutic approach can effectively reduce...
Background Acupuncture has been used for pain management for thousands of years. However, it is largely unclear whether this therapeutic approach can effectively reduce heart failure-associated symptoms, including dyspnea. Summary The hypothesis posited in this study was that acupuncture does indeed aid in management of such symptoms and was motivated by the following statistics that establish a requisite need for efficient management of dyspnea to improve patient outcomes with heart failure: In 2020, an estimated 6.2 million adults in the USA had a heart failure diagnosis; in 2018, 379,800 death certificates reported heart failure; and the national cost of heart failure in 2012 was approximately $30.7 billion. The methodology employed to conduct this study involved review of trial data extracted from review of papers pertaining to acupuncture, symptoms of heart failure and dyspnea, from academic and clinical data repositories subject to various inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the initial set of 293 studies identified, the resulting inclusion set comprised 30 studies. The analysis conducted revealed that the highest frequency of combined acupuncture points prescribed for the foregoing search criteria were as follow: BL13, BL23, LU9, LU5, Dingchuan, LI4, PC6 and HT7. A meta-analysis of combined pooled p-values for the studies revealed that acupuncture does aid in the management of symptoms of dyspnea and heart failure, subject to various limitations including but not limited to heterogeneity inherent between the studies in the inclusion set that was analyzed. Such limitations underscore the need to restrict generalizations from the conclusions of this study. Key messages The impact and novelty of this research study is its attempt to target the apparent paucity of literature that focuses on the management of dyspnea specifically in the context of heart failure with acupuncture, and to bridge the gap of the application of acupuncture research on dyspnea to the cardiovascular context of heart failure. Further statistical analysis and a pilot study are warranted to consolidate or nullify the results of the research undertaken under this review study.
PubMed: 38824915
DOI: 10.1159/000539593 -
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu = Acupuncture Research Feb 2024Neuroimaging technology provides objective and visualized research tool to study the mechanisms of acupuncture effects. Building on a systematic review of previous...
Neuroimaging technology provides objective and visualized research tool to study the mechanisms of acupuncture effects. Building on a systematic review of previous clinical studies on acupuncture treatment for functional dyspepsia using neuroimaging technology, this paper summarizes and synthesizes past researches from 4 aspects: acupoint-specific effects, factors influencing the effects, different physiological responses, and predictive factors for acupuncture efficacy. It suggests that acupuncture treatment for FD involves central integration with disease-targeted (acupuncture treatment can target and regulate abnormal brain functional activity patterns in patients with FD), meridian-specific (stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the stomach meridian can significantly regulate abnormal brain functional activity patterns in FD patients), and dynamic conditional features(the effects of acupuncture treatment for FD are influenced by multiple factors). Lastly, considering the current research status, this paper outlines prospects in terms of research subjects, influencing factors, and result validation, aiming to provide references for future in-depth research.
Topics: Humans; Dyspepsia; Acupuncture Therapy; Meridians; Acupuncture Points; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 38413041
DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221289 -
Enfermeria Clinica (English Edition) 2024To perform a literature review aimed to analyze if acupoint stimulation increases lactation quantity. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To perform a literature review aimed to analyze if acupoint stimulation increases lactation quantity.
METHOD
Studies were collected from five electronic databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews. Eligibility criteria were full-text articles in English or Spanish with clinical trial design and observational studies, with no restriction on time of publication, in which the effect of acupoint stimulation on improving the quantity of lactation by conventional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, laser, fire needling, manual stimulation, tuina or catgut had been evaluated. Two authors independently extracted data for the characteristics and main outcomes of the studies selected for inclusion. The risk of bias (RoB 2 and Robins-I) and the quality assessments (GRADE) were performed. For the quantitative synthesis, the standardized mean difference was calculated for each individual study selected and then the data were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies were included in the present review. Most of the included studies exhibited some concerns in the risk of bias assessment. The quality of the studies was moderate. The meta-analysis showed that manual acupoint stimulation improves the lactation quantity (SMD 95% CI = 1.63 [1.13-2.13]; p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The literature suggests that manual stimulation of acupuncture points improves the amount of milk produced during lactation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Lactation Disorders
PubMed: 38185370
DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcle.2024.01.002 -
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Oct 2023To assess the efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for simple obesity in preclinical animal experiments. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for simple obesity in preclinical animal experiments.
METHODS
We searched the following 14 electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, Science-on, Research Information Sharing Service, Korea Citation Index, Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biology Medicine Database, from inception to November 2021 without language limitation. The assessment was performed according to the guidelines of Animal Research: Reporting of experiments; and Meta-analysis was performed using Reviewer Manager 5.4.1 software.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies involving 813 animals were selected. Meta-analysis showed that ACE was beneficial for weight control [ 40, = -50.63, 95% (-57.59, -43.67), 0.000 01, = 0%] and reduced the Lee index [ 40, = -18.79, 95% (-20.01, -17.57), 0.000 01, = 0%]. However, when efficacy of ACE was compared with that of manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or oilistat therapy, statistical difference was not observed between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review suggests that ACE may be efficacious in treating obesity. Moreover, the analyses highlighted the necessity to perform well-designed, higher-quality experiments.
Topics: Animals; Acupuncture Points; Catgut; Obesity; Acupuncture Therapy; China
PubMed: 37679973
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2023.05.002 -
Medicine Jan 2024Previous clinical trials have reported that acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is a useful modality for weight loss. However, no study has specifically investigated the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Previous clinical trials have reported that acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is a useful modality for weight loss. However, no study has specifically investigated the effectiveness and safety of comparing verum and sham ACE in adults with obesity. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of comparing verum and sham ACE in obese adults.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the electronic databases of PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China Biomedical Literature Service System from inception to April 1, 2022. Randomized clinical trials that focused on evaluating the effectiveness of comparing verum and sham ACE in adults with obesity were included. The primary outcomes included reduction in body weight, body mass index, hip circumference, and waist circumference. The secondary outcomes consisted of a decrease in body fat percentage and the occurrence rate of adverse events. The methodological quality of the included randomized clinical trials was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias tool. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.
RESULTS
Six trials involving 679 adults with obesity were included in this study and entered in the data analysis of systematic review and meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis revealed significant reduction in body weight (mean difference [MD] = -1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [-2.34, -1.01], I2 = 51%, P < .001), body mass index (MD = -0.51, 95% CI [-0.81, -0.21], I2 = 74%, P < .001), hip circumference (MD = -1.11, 95% CI [-1.67, -0.55], I2 = 0%, P < .001), waist circumference (MD = -2.42, 95% CI [-3.38, -1.45], I2 = 68%, P < .001), and decrease in body fat percentage (MD = -0.83, 95% CI [-1.30, -0.36], I2 = 16%, P < .001) in comparing verum and sham ACE. However, no significant difference was identified in AEs (odds ratio = 1.53, 95% CI [0.80, 2.95], I2 = 0%, P = .20) between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSION
ACE is effective in the treatment of obesity in adults with safety profile. Further studies with higher quality and larger sample size are warranted to confirm the current findings.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Catgut; Acupuncture Points; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Obesity; Body Weight
PubMed: 38277544
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036653 -
Medicine Aug 2023The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used in surgical practice for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, numerous studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Transversus abdominis plane block versus local anesthetic infiltration for anesthetic effect in peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used in surgical practice for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that TAP block is also suitable for intraoperative anesthesia of peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion, although its efficacy and safety are still controversial. Local anesthetic infiltration (LAI) is currently the most general anesthesia strategy for PDC insertion. Consequently, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to identify which anesthesia strategy is better between TAP block and LAI.
METHODS
A systematic and comprehensive search was conducted on 5 databases, retrieving published and registered randomized controlled trials as of March 10, 2022, comparing the anesthesia effects of TAP block and LAI. The primary outcomes are the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score of patients at various time points in the surgery. The secondary outcomes are the VAS pain score at rest at 2 and 24 hours postoperatively, intraoperative rescue anesthesia, general anesthesia switching rate, and PD-related complications.
RESULTS
There were 9 trials with 432 patients identified. TAP block was more effective than LAI at reducing intraoperative and postoperative VAS pain scores in patients. Compared to LAI, TAP block significantly reduces the dosage of anesthetics used to rescue anesthesia during surgery, the general anesthesia switching rate, and the incidence of postoperative PD-related complications in patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review and meta-analysis proved that TAP block could be used as the primary anesthetic technique for PDC insertion, with superior anesthetic effects to LAI.
Topics: Humans; Anesthetics, Local; Abdominal Muscles; Nerve Block; Peritoneal Dialysis; Catheters; Pain; Pain, Postoperative; Analgesics, Opioid
PubMed: 37543799
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034517 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) affects the efficacy and safety of swallowing, causing serious complications. Acupuncture is a promising and cost-effective treatment for...
BACKGROUND
Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) affects the efficacy and safety of swallowing, causing serious complications. Acupuncture is a promising and cost-effective treatment for PSD; however, as the number of randomized controlled trials increases, scientific analysis of the parameters and acupoint prescription is required. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of acupuncture on parameters related to post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).
METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and Chongqing VIP Database for randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for PSD in the last 15 years and relevant parameters were analyzed using data mining techniques.
RESULTS
In total, 3,205 records were identified, of which 3,507 patients with PSD were included in 39 studies. The comprehensive analysis demonstrated that the closest parameter combinations of acupuncture on PSD were 0.25 mm × 40 mm needle size, 30 min retention time, five treatments per week, and a 4-week total course of treatment. Additionally, the gallbladder and nontraditional meridians, crossing points, and head and neck sites are the most commonly used acupoint parameters. The core acupoints identified were GB20, RN23, EX-HN14, Gongxue, MS6, SJ17, EX-HN12, EX-HN13, and the commonly used combination of EX-HN12, EX-HN13, GB20, and RN23.
CONCLUSION
This study analyzed the patterns of PSD-related needling and acupoint parameters to provide evidence-based guidelines for clinical acupuncturists in treating PSD, potentially benefitting affected patients.
PubMed: 38854959
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1394348 -
Medicine Jan 2024This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people.
METHODS
(1) Four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Periodical Database, Chinese Citation Database, China Biology Medicine) and 4 foreign databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase) were searched, excluded, and included in randomized controlled trials of Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application for the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people. (2) Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis using the RevMan 5.3 software. (3) Harbord linear regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate publication bias using Stata 14.0. (4) Reliability of the conclusion assessment by sequential test analysis in TSA0.9 software. (5) Quality of evidence evaluation of outcome indicators was evaluated using Gradepro 3.6 software.
RESULTS
Eight randomized controlled trials including 658 case sample sizes were included. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed improved clinical cure rate and effective rate of functional constipation in elderly people, reduced recurrence rate, and efficacy regulated the levels of defecation-related indices and indices of gastrointestinal function. In addition, trial sequential analysis indicated that the total clinical efficacy rate was conclusive, which showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the intervention group was superior to that of the control group. However, the incidence of adverse effects in intervention group was comparable to that of control group, and trial sequential analysis suggests that this result needs to be supported by additional research.
CONCLUSION
Buzhongyiqi decoction combined with acupoint application has potential value in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly people. Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to objectively evaluate safety grades for this combination therapy.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Acupuncture Points; Reproducibility of Results; Constipation; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38241527
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036579 -
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu = Acupuncture Research Oct 2023Gastrointestinal dysfunction is manifested as digestive symptoms. Clinically, Zusanli (ST36) is crucial in the acupoint prescriptions of acupuncture no matter which type...
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is manifested as digestive symptoms. Clinically, Zusanli (ST36) is crucial in the acupoint prescriptions of acupuncture no matter which type of the disease is differentiated in traditional Chinese medicine, but the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. Aiming to summarize the current status of the researches in terms of ameliorating gastrointestinal mucosal damage and regulating gastrointestinal motility disorders, we systematically reviewed the basic researches on the intervention with electroacupuncture (EA) at "ST36" in treatment of the diseases related to gastrointestinal dysfunction in the past 5 years, after searching the articles from Chinese and English databases. The results suggest that EA at ST36 may regulate the local gastrointestinal inflammation, oxidative stress and immune microenvironment to relieve gastrointestinal mucosal damage and adjust gastrointestinal motility disorders by means of modulating the central and peripheral nerve signaling as well as the function of mast cells and Cajal interstitial cells.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Humans; Electroacupuncture; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupuncture Points; Gastrointestinal Diseases
PubMed: 37879956
DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230184 -
Medicine Jan 2024This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupoint herbal patching in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupoint herbal patching in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
METHODS
Eight databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, China Biomedical Literature Service System, and Chongqing VIP Chinese Science were searched. The search time was set to October 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria; extracted the basic information, acupoints, Chinese herbal medicine, pain score, sleep score, depression score, and other information of the subjects, and independently assessed the risk of bias by 2 researchers. Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed using the StataMP 16 software.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies with 1362 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Ashi is the acupoint frequency at the forefront, and Borneol is the Chinese herbal medicine frequency at the forefront. The acupoint herbal patching group showed significant improvements in visual analog score (SMD: -2.09; 95% Cl: -2.77, -1.42; P < .001), sleep score (SMD: -1.58; 95% Cl: -2.11, -1.05; P < .001), depression score (SMD: -1.61; 95% Cl: -2.22, -0.99; P < .001), Chinese medicine syndrome score (SMD: -2.32; 95% Cl: -2.84, -1.80; P = .06), dermatology life quality index (weighted mean differences: -4.11; 95% Cl: -4.58, -3.63; P = .98), and related laboratory indicators compared to the control group, and the total effective rate was significantly higher (relative risk: 1.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.15, 1.26; P = .99) than the control group. Two studies reported adverse reactions, but the 2 groups were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupoint herbal patching intervention in postherpetic neuralgia is effective in improving the pain, sleep, anxiety, depression, quality of life of patients, and related laboratory indicators.
Topics: Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Acupuncture Points; Quality of Life; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38277557
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037029