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CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Mar 2024Electroacupuncture (EA) at the Lianquan (CV23) could alleviate swallowing dysfunction. However, current knowledge of its neural modulation focused on the brain, with...
AIMS
Electroacupuncture (EA) at the Lianquan (CV23) could alleviate swallowing dysfunction. However, current knowledge of its neural modulation focused on the brain, with little evidence from the periphery. Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) is an ion channel predominantly expressed in sensory neurons, and acupuncture can trigger calcium ion (Ca ) wave propagation through active TRPV1 to deliver signals. The present study aimed to investigate whether TRPV1 mediated the signal of EA to the primary sensory cortex (S1) during regulation of swallowing function.
METHODS
Blood perfusion was evaluated by laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and neuronal activity was evaluated by fiber calcium recording and c-Fos staining. The expression of TRPV1 was detected by RNA-seq analysis, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. In addition, the swallowing function was assessed by in vivo EMG recording and water consumption test.
RESULTS
EA treatment potentiated blood perfusion and neuronal activity in the S1, and this potentiation was absent after injecting lidocaine near CV23. TRPV1 near CV23 was upregulated by EA-CV23. The blood perfusion at CV23 was decreased in the TRPV1 hypofunction mice, while the blood perfusion and the neuronal activity of the S1 showed no obvious change. These findings were also present in post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) mice.
CONCLUSION
The TRPV1 at CV23 after EA treatment might play a key role in mediating local blood perfusion but was not involved in transferring EA signals to the central nervous system (CNS). These findings collectively suggested that TRPV1 may be one of the important regulators involved in the mechanism of EA treatment for improving swallowing function in PSD.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Electroacupuncture; Deglutition; Calcium; Acupuncture Therapy; Central Nervous System; Stroke; TRPV Cation Channels; Acupuncture Points
PubMed: 37718934
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14457 -
JMIR Medical Education Aug 2023ChatGPT (Open AI) is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence model with potential applications in the medical fields of clinical practice, research, and education.
BACKGROUND
ChatGPT (Open AI) is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence model with potential applications in the medical fields of clinical practice, research, and education.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ChatGPT as an educational tool in college acupuncture programs, focusing on its ability to support students in learning acupuncture point selection, treatment planning, and decision-making.
METHODS
We collected case studies published in Acupuncture in Medicine between June 2022 and May 2023. Both ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 were used to generate suggestions for acupuncture points based on case presentations. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to compare the number of acupuncture points generated by ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4, and the overlapping ratio of acupuncture points was calculated.
RESULTS
Among the 21 case studies, 14 studies were included for analysis. ChatGPT-4 generated significantly more acupuncture points (9.0, SD 1.1) compared to ChatGPT-3.5 (5.6, SD 0.6; P<.001). The overlapping ratios of acupuncture points for ChatGPT-3.5 (0.40, SD 0.28) and ChatGPT-4 (0.34, SD 0.27; P=.67) were not significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS
ChatGPT may be a useful educational tool for acupuncture students, providing valuable insights into personalized treatment plans. However, it cannot fully replace traditional diagnostic methods, and further studies are needed to ensure its safe and effective implementation in acupuncture education.
PubMed: 37590034
DOI: 10.2196/47427 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Jul 2023Chronic pain refers to pain that persists for over three months. Chronic pain may restrict activities of daily living, including work, learning, social life, and can...
BACKGROUND
Chronic pain refers to pain that persists for over three months. Chronic pain may restrict activities of daily living, including work, learning, social life, and can lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. Imaging data have demonstrated that central sensitization often occurs in the brain of patients with chronic pain, which arises from imbalanced neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is an ion channel to serve as an inflammatory detector in the brain. We aim to determine the properties of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on cold stress-induced mice fibromyalgia (FM) and surveyed the character of TRPV1 and linked molecules in chronic FM pain.
METHODS
Intermittent cold stress (ICS) was used to induce mice FM model. Mice were subgrouped into normal mice, ICS-induced FM group, FM mice with ACE, and FM in group. ACE is a novel acupuncture technique that provides convenience and continuous nerve stimulation that has been reported effective on pain management.
RESULTS
Our behavioral experiments showed similar levels of pain response among all groups before treatment. After ICS, prolonged mechanical and thermal pain was initiated (mechanical threshold: 1.96 ± 0.12 g; thermal latency: 4.86 ± 0.21 s) and were alleviated by ACE treatment and gene deletion. Inflammatory mediators were increased in the plasma of FM mice, while TRPV1 and related kinases were amplified in the hypothalamus and cerebellum. These changes were ameliorated in the ACE-treated and groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These novel findings suggest that chronic FM pain can be modulated by ACE or gene deletion. The analgesic effect of ACE through the TRPV1 pathway may reflect its potential as a therapeutic target for FM treatment.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Activities of Daily Living; Acupuncture Points; Brain; Catgut; Chronic Pain; Fibromyalgia; TRPV Cation Channels
PubMed: 37519181
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2204097 -
Complementary Medicine Research May 2024Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) significantly impacts the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing treatment, often leading to treatment...
INTRODUCTION
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) significantly impacts the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing treatment, often leading to treatment interruptions and compromised adherence to therapy. Our objective was to identify patterns for selecting the optimal acupoints and explore the treatment principles behind forming effective acupoint combinations for CINV.
METHODS
Clinical trials were retrieved from eight databases. Descriptive statistics analysis was performed, followed by association rule mining, network analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and correlation analysis, all implemented with R software.
RESULTS
In summary, this study investigated the potential acupoints and combinations for CINV treatment in 104 published controlled clinical trials and randomized controlled trials. 104 prescriptions involving 48 acupoints were extracted. ST36, PC6, CV12, SP4, LI4, and ST25 appeared to be the most frequently used acupoints for CINV. Stomach Meridian, Conception Vessel (Renmai), and Pericardium Meridian were the most common selected meridians. The lower limbs, chest, and abdomen appeared as the predominant sites for acupoint selection. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that ST36, PC6, and CV12 were central key node acupoints. The clustering analysis displayed the treatment principle of "harmonizing the stomach, stopping vomiting, and descending counterflow." Association rule mining revealed that the combination of CV4, CV12, ST36, CV6, and PC6 emerged as the optimal acupoint combination for effectively treating CINV.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our research provides evidence-based optimal acupuncture prescription for acupuncturists to treat CINV and presents a complementary therapy for chemotherapy physicians as well as patients to address CINV symptoms.
PubMed: 38710159
DOI: 10.1159/000538839 -
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu = Acupuncture Research Dec 2023To compare the effects of 2 Hz continuous wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz dilatational wave setting in electroacupuncture(EA) on ovulation frequency, hormone levels, body fat... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effects of 2 Hz continuous wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz dilatational wave setting in electroacupuncture(EA) on ovulation frequency, hormone levels, body fat parameters, quality of life and depression-anxiety level in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with abdominal obesity.
METHODS
PCOS patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into low-frequency group (=29) and dilatational wave group (=29). Patients in both groups were treated with "Tongtiaodaimai" (regulating Dai Meridian) acupuncture therapy, and EA was applied to bilateral Daimai (GB26), Tianshu (ST25), Shenshu (BL23) and Ciliao (BL32). The low-frequency group received EA using a continuous wave at a frequency of 2 Hz, while the dilatational wave group received dilatational wave at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. Both groups received treatment for 30 min each time, 3 times per week for 12 consecutive weeks. Ovulation frequency was calculated according to the ovulation cycle. The contents of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were detected with electrochemiluminescence method. Body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. PCOS questionnaire (Chi-PCOSQ), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were evaluated.
RESULTS
Compared with before treatment, both the low-frequency group and the dilatational wave group showed an increase in ovulation frequency (<0.01, <0.05), and a decrease in BW, BMI, WC, WHtR, and SDS score (<0.01, <0.05);the dilatational wave group showed decreased serum AMH contents (<0.05) and increased serum SHBG contents (<0.05), the scores related to acne, fatigue, and dysmenorrhea in the Chi-PCOSQ increased (<0.01, <0.05). Compared with the low-frequency group, the dilatational wave group showed a reduction (<0.05) in WC after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
2 Hz/100 Hz dilatational wave EA is equally effective as 2 Hz low-frequency EA in improving ovulation frequency. In terms of reducing WC in abdominal obesity type PCOS patients, 2 Hz/100 Hz dilatational wave EA is superior to 2 Hz low-frequency EA. 2 Hz/100 Hz dilatational wave EA can decrease serum AMH, increase serum SHBG, and improve symptoms of acne, fatigue, and dysmenorrhea.
Topics: Female; Humans; Electroacupuncture; Obesity, Abdominal; Quality of Life; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Dysmenorrhea; Acupuncture Points; Obesity; Acne Vulgaris
PubMed: 38146250
DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230575 -
Medicine Nov 2023To examine the effect of low-frequency acupoint electrical stimulation (LFES) on the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of the thumb-to-finger movement muscles in... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of low-frequency acupoint electrical stimulation (LFES) on the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of the thumb-to-finger movement muscles in stroke patients, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of LFES on hand function recovery after stroke.
METHODS
Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a LFES group or an electroacupuncture (EA) group, with 30 patients in each group. Both groups received conventional treatment, and the EA group was treated with acupoints from the book of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, while the LFES group was treated with acupoints from a previous study. The sEMG characteristic values (maximum value and RMS), Chinese Stroke Clinical Neurological Deficit Scale (CSS), Brunnstrom Motor Function Evaluation, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Lindmark Hand Function Score and Lovett Muscle Strength Classification were measured before and after treatment.
RESULTS
After treatment, both groups showed improvement in sEMG characteristic values, Brunnstrom motor function score, Lindmark hand function score, and Lovett muscle strength classification compared with before treatment, and the improvement in the LFES group was significantly better than that in the EA group (P < .05). The CSS score and MAS classification of both groups decreased compared with before treatment, and the decrease in the LFES group was significantly better than that in the EA group (P < .05). The total effective rate of the LFES group was 92.86%, and that of the EA group was 79.31%. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < .05).
CONCLUSION
Both LFES and EA were effective in restoring thumb-to-finger movement function after stroke, as evidenced by the increased maximum value and root mean square values of the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the extensor pollicis brevis muscle, the decreased CSS score, the increased Brunnstrom motor function score, the decreased MAS classification, the increased Lindmark hand function score, and the increased Lovett muscle strength classification. However, LFES showed more obvious improvement and better efficacy than EA, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Points; Thumb; Electroacupuncture; Stroke; Electric Stimulation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38013325
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035755 -
Lasers in Medical Science Feb 2024The application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to acupuncture points may produce effects similar to that of needle stimulation in patients with temporomandibular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to acupuncture points may produce effects similar to that of needle stimulation in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and aimed to address clinical questions using the following strategy: Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO). A comprehensive literature search was performed upto April 26, 2023, across nine electronic databases (BVS, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Google Scholar) supplemented with gray literature. The risk of bias in randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials was assessed using two tools: risk-of-bias (RoB) 2 and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Meta-analysis involved the extraction of mean and standard deviation values for spontaneous pain and mouth opening levels. Seven studies were included in this review, all of which used LLLT. The applied wavelengths ranged from 690 to 810 nm without significant variations in light emission patterns. LLLT demonstrated a significant reduction in instantaneous pain levels (standard mean difference [SMD] = 3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.09, 5.62; p < 0.003) and an improvement in instantaneous mouth opening ability (mean difference [SMD] = -7.15; 95% CI = -11.73, -2.58; p < 0.002), with low certainty of evidence. LLLT may alleviate symptoms in patients with TMD; however, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results because of protocol variations among studies and the limited number of studies included in the meta-analysis.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Therapy; Laser Therapy; Pain; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Lasers
PubMed: 38374226
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-03999-z -
Heliyon May 2024Evidence-based scientific studies focusing on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and potential functional improvement after an insult of the central nervous system... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Evidence-based scientific studies focusing on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and potential functional improvement after an insult of the central nervous system are lacking.
AIMS
We aim to demonstrate that functional recovery after stimulation applied as a CAM treatment through cauterization might trigger neural repair and regenerative paths similarly as acupuncture, cupping, electrical or magnetic stimulations. Those paths are important in recovery of function.
PROCEDURES
Medical records and information of ten patients, with initial presentations of cerebral trauma or spinal cord insult inducing paralysis, were studied. Patients ages ranged from 17 to 95-year-old. Patients consulted for alternative medical treatment one year or more after initial diagnosis.CAM treatment consisted in 10-point stimulation on the skull and 4-point stimulation located at the right and left calves and forearms. Stimulations consisted of a heated steel rod application (cautery) in a one-time session. The duration of each stimulation was about 0.5 s.
RESULTS
Most studies using CAM stimulations (acupuncture, cautery, cupping, moxibustion, electrical and magnetic stimulations) describe improvement. In all 10 medical records and information from our practitioner, patients had improvement in their motor skills, including gain of weight support, unassisted small walks, independent and voluntary movements of limbs. Improvement was steady over a period of one to several years.
CONCLUSION
We compared our findings to acupuncture, electrical, magnetic field effects to highlight common paths and to provide scientific evidence for recovery of the function. We believe that CAM treatments triggered existing or new neuronal networks as well as synaptic efficiency or reactivation, through highly increased, sensory nociceptive coupled to proprioceptive, afferences. Those results also highlight the need to further investigate neural function of cortical and subcortical areas through indirect pathways stimulations.
PubMed: 38726182
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30010 -
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture... Oct 2023points play a significant role in the clinical localization and qualitative diagnosis of acupuncture, as well as in selecting acupoints along the meridians and applying...
points play a significant role in the clinical localization and qualitative diagnosis of acupuncture, as well as in selecting acupoints along the meridians and applying tonifying or reducing techniques. This paper introduces the theoretical basis and existing technical methods of objectification of point diagnosis and treatment. It proposes that using sensory quantitative testing to determine the temperature and tenderness thresholds of points could help to identify the pathological characteristics of "cold" "heat" "deficiency" or "excess" of points. In addition, the possibility of objectification of point diagnosis-treatment plan is explored from three perspectives, precision of selection of point therapy, objectification of effect evaluation of point analgesia, and differentiation of the studies on point analgesic mechanism, aiming to provide new research ideas for the modernization of traditional Chinese acupuncture.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Meridians; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture; Analgesia
PubMed: 37802526
DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20221103-k0007 -
Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi (Beijing, China... Sep 2023Xujiang School of acupuncture and moxibustion has a long history with distinctive academic characteristics and regional influence. Xujiang School, originated from Xi...
Xujiang School of acupuncture and moxibustion has a long history with distinctive academic characteristics and regional influence. Xujiang School, originated from Xi Hong in Song Dynasty, is the oldest acupuncture and moxibustion school recorded in Chinese history. Later, it was passed down from family to family for more than ten generations. The tenth generation Xi Xinqing passed it on to Chen Honggang and gradually evolved into a school of acupuncture and moxibustion with regional characteristics and a certain national influence. In terms of academic characteristics, doctors in Xujiang School kept innovating based on the Classics.Its acupuncture and moxibustion academic ideas including reinforcement and reduction , point selection and searching for the primary cause of disease in treatment have had an important impact on contemporary acupuncture in clinic.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupuncture; Moxibustion; Physicians; China; Acupuncture Points
PubMed: 37935513
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112155-20230612-00054