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Medical Acupuncture Aug 2023My background is in nursing, midwifery, and acupuncture. In November of 2021, I came across a blog post about volunteering as an acupuncturist in a rehabilitation clinic...
My background is in nursing, midwifery, and acupuncture. In November of 2021, I came across a blog post about volunteering as an acupuncturist in a rehabilitation clinic for migrant refugees and asylum seekers on the island of Lesvos. With experience in the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol and trauma training provided by Acupuncturists Without Borders, I decided to apply to the nongovernmental organization Earth Medicine rehabilitation clinic. I stayed for 2 weeks in January 2022, and went again in September 2022 for 2 weeks, but that time, I was based inside the camp. On returning home from my first trip, and while giving a talk about Lesvos to our regional group, a fellow acupuncturist suggested that we could do something closer to home. Thus, we set up a project in our city, Exeter, in the United Kingdom. Thanks to a willing team of volunteers, asylum seekers and refugees are offered free acupuncture treatments weekly on Saturday mornings. This takes place in a community center in a group setting, using the NADA ear protocol, as well as other acupuncture points and occasional full-body treatments when the circumstances allow this. Although the work on Lesvos was hard, it was also very rewarding. Working there has had a profound effect on me and I plan to go back. At our local project, we receive very positive feedback from the people who come to us. Using acupuncture to address post-traumatic stress disorder is very worthwhile, and I encourage others to consider doing the same.
PubMed: 37928316
DOI: 10.1089/acu.2023.0012 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Dec 2023Craniotomy aneurysm clipping is one of the main treatments for intracranial aneurysm (IA). Endotracheal intubation and intraoperative operation may induce dramatic... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Craniotomy aneurysm clipping is one of the main treatments for intracranial aneurysm (IA). Endotracheal intubation and intraoperative operation may induce dramatic hemodynamic fluctuations and increase the risk of aneurysm rupture. Intraoperative high-dose opioid use is the main measure to reduce the intraoperative stress response, but it increases the incidence of complications such as postoperative vomiting and delayed awakening. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) stimulates β-endorphin expression levels and reduces opioid requirements. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of TEAS on remifentanil dosage and oxidative stress (OS) in craniotomy aneurysm clipping.
METHOD
Forty-two patients with craniotomy aneurysm clipping were randomized into two groups: the TEAS group (T group) and the sham TEAS group (S group). "Hegu" (LI4), "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Zusanli" points (ST36) were selected, and a "HANS" percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulator was used for intervention 30 min before anesthesia induction until the end of the operation. The primary outcome was intraoperative remifentanil dosage. The secondary outcomes were intraoperative propofol dosage, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 5 min before the TEAS intervention (T), 5 min before head holder pinning (T), immediately after pinning (T), 5 min before craniotomy (T), immediately after craniotomy (T), at craniotomy (T), and at the end of surgery (T), as well as serum β-endorphin levels at T, T and T and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100β, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at T, T and 24 h after surgery (T).
RESULTS
The dosage of remifentanil in the T group was reduced compared to that in the S group (P < 0.05). At T, T and T, the MAP and HR in the T group were lower than those in the S group (P < 0.05). At T and T, the levels of NSE, S100β and MDA in group T were lower than those in group S (P < 0.05), while the SOD levels in group T were higher than those in group S (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of TEAS can reduce the dosage of remifentanil and reduce hemodynamic fluctuations during craniotomy aneurysm clipping. It reduces the occurrence of OS and central nervous system damage during surgery and has a certain brain protective effect.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ChiCTR2100052353. https://www.chictr.org.cn/about.html .
Topics: Humans; Remifentanil; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Analgesics, Opioid; Acupuncture Points; Prospective Studies; beta-Endorphin; Aneurysm; Craniotomy; Superoxide Dismutase
PubMed: 38093254
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04297-x -
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu = Acupuncture Research Nov 2023To compare the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture of combined "Biao-Ben" acupoints (Biao indicates pathogenic factors of disease, Ben refers to body constitution) on...
Comparison of the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture of combined "Biao-Ben" acupoints on intestinal sensitivity and autonomic nervous system function in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture of combined "Biao-Ben" acupoints (Biao indicates pathogenic factors of disease, Ben refers to body constitution) on a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).
METHODS
Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group, model group, moxibustion group, and acupuncture group, with 10 rats in each group. The IBS-D rat model was established by administering acute-chronic stress combined with folium sennae gavage for 28 days. Rats in the moxibustion group received moxibustion at bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36), "Guanyuan"(CV4), and "Neiguan"(PC6), while those in the acupuncture group received acupuncture at the same acupoints, both for 15 min every time, once a day. The treatments were administered for 21 days. The loose stool rate was observed. Colonic pain threshold and colonic distension threshold were measured by a self-made balloon catheter. Total distance traveled and grid crossing numbers were observed by open field test. Heart rate variability(HRV) time domain indexes SDANN and PNN50 were acguired by using electrophysiological recorder. Histopathological changes in the colon tissue were observed after HE staining. Contents of interleukin-6(IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in serum were detected by ELISA.
RESULTS
Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed increased loose stool rate(<0.05), decreased pain threshold and distension threshold(<0.05), reduced total distance traveled and grid crossing numbers in the open field test(<0.05), decreased HRV time domain indexes SDANN and PNN50(<0.01, <0.05), and elevated levels of serum IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α contents(<0.05). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group and acupuncture group showed decreased loose stool rate(<0.05), increased total distance traveled and grid crossing numbers in the open field test(<0.05), increased pain threshold and distension threshold(<0.05), increased SDANN and PNN50 (<0.05), and decreased levels of serum IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α contents(<0.05). Compared with the acupuncture group, the moxibustion group showed further decreased loose stool rate(<0.05), increased total distance traveled and grid crossing numbers in the open field test(<0.05), increased pain threshold and distension threshold(<0.05), increased SDANN and PNN50(<0.05), and decreased levels of serum IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α contents(<0.05). No significant pathological changes were observed in the colon tissue of rats in each group.
CONCLUSIONS
Moxibustion of combined "Biao-Ben" acupoints is more effective in regulating HRV and serum IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α contents in the IBS-D rat model. Based on the combined "Biao-Ben" acupoints method, moxibustion has better therapeutic effects on IBS-D than acupuncture.
Topics: Rats; Female; Animals; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Moxibustion; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Interleukin-8; Interleukin-6; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Diarrhea; Autonomic Nervous System
PubMed: 37984911
DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230147 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Uremic pruritus (UP) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease that causes sleep disturbances and increases all-cause mortality. Currently, the first-line...
BACKGROUND
Uremic pruritus (UP) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease that causes sleep disturbances and increases all-cause mortality. Currently, the first-line medications for UP exhibit inadequate pruritus control with adverse effects. Various acupuncture point stimulation treatments (APSTs) have been shown to be effective as adjuvant therapies in UP, and a network meta-analysis can offer relative efficacy estimates for treatments for which head-to-head studies have not been performed.
METHODS
We conducted a random-effects network meta-analysis on a consistency model to compare the different APSTs for UP. The primary outcomes were the mean visual analog scale (VAS) score and effectiveness rate (ER).
RESULTS
The network meta-analysis retrieved 27 randomized controlled trials involving 1969 patients. Compared with conventional treatment alone, combination treatment with acupuncture (mean difference, -2.63; 95% confidence interval, -3.71 to -1.55) was the most effective intervention in decreasing VAS scores, followed by acupoint injection and massage (mean difference, -2.04; 95% confidence interval, -3.96 to -0.12). In terms of the ER, conventional treatment with acupuncture and hemoperfusion (risk ratio, 14.87; 95% confidence interval, 2.18 to 101.53) was superior to other therapeutic combinations. Considering the VAS score and ER, combination treatment with acupoint injection and massage showed benefits in treating UP.
CONCLUSION
Our network meta-analysis provided relative efficacy data for choosing the optimal adjuvant treatment for UP. Combined treatment with acupuncture was more effective than conventional treatment only and was the most promising intervention for treating UP.: PROSPERO (CRD42023425739: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023425739).
PubMed: 38595850
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1342788 -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... 2023Knee osteoarthritis is a common and disabling disease. We aimed to examine the effect of low-level laser therapy in addition to routine physical therapy modalities...
OBJECTIVE
Knee osteoarthritis is a common and disabling disease. We aimed to examine the effect of low-level laser therapy in addition to routine physical therapy modalities (transcutaneous electrical stimulation, superficial heating modality of infrared, ultrasound, and exercise) on the functional status and pain in knee osteoarthritis.
METHODS
Patients with knee osteoarthritis (n=71) who underwent physical therapy (transcutaneous electrical stimulation, infrared, ultrasound, exercise therapy, and low-level laser therapy) were retrospectively screened. Patients who received low-level laser therapy on acupuncture points, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, infrared, ultrasound, and exercise were included in the low-level laser therapy (+) (n=35), and patients who received only transcutaneous electrical stimulation, ultrasound, infrared, and exercise were included in the low-level laser therapy (-) group (n=36). The Visual Analog Scale for activity pain, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and walking and stair climbing tests were used before and after treatment obtained from patient files.
RESULTS
The post-treatment Visual Analog Scale activity score and walking and stair climbing test results were statistically significantly lower in the low-level laser therapy (+) group than in the low-level laser therapy (-) group. There was no significant difference in post-treatment Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale scores between the two groups. In both groups, the Visual Analog Scale activity, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and walking and stair climbing test scores statistically significantly decreased after treatment.
CONCLUSION
Knee osteoarthritis increases with aging and creates significant functional limitations. low-level laser therapy with routine physiotherapy contributed to the improvement in the pain and functional status of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Low-level laser therapy can be recommended in osteoarthritis treatment guidelines with the support of further studies, which is an easy-to-apply, effective, and reliable method.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Low-Level Light Therapy; Acupuncture Points; Retrospective Studies; Pain; Exercise Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Acupuncture Therapy
PubMed: 38126411
DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20230264 -
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture... Sep 2023The academic thoughts of professor regarding the use of electroacupuncture in the treatment of dry eye are introduced. Professor believes that the occurrence of dry...
The academic thoughts of professor regarding the use of electroacupuncture in the treatment of dry eye are introduced. Professor believes that the occurrence of dry eye is mainly related to the stagnation of and blood in the eye meridians, leading to inadequate nourishment of the eyes. The acupuncture treatment principle focuses on promoting blood circulation, clearing and benefiting the eye orifices. By integrating traditional acupuncture theory with modern neuroanatomy, the treatment approach centers on stimulating the lacrimal gland, emphasizing the importance of promoting, addressing symptoms as a priority, and considering both the root cause and symptoms.The precise acupoint selection is emphasized. Acupoints of periocular region, such as Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Leixian point are selected along with Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue point to treat dry eye. Attention is also given to the use of electroacupuncture and the selection of its frequencies, emphasizing specific needling techniques based on the severity and classification of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Electroacupuncture; Meridians; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupuncture Points; Dry Eye Syndromes
PubMed: 37986255
DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230320-k0006 -
Biomedical Optics Express Nov 2023Deep learning techniques have, to a certain extent, solved the problem of overreliance on clinical experience for traditional acupoint localization, but the accuracy and...
Deep learning techniques have, to a certain extent, solved the problem of overreliance on clinical experience for traditional acupoint localization, but the accuracy and repetition rate of its localization still need to be improved. This paper proposes a hand acupoint localization method based on the dual-attention mechanism and cascade network model. First, by superimposing the dual-attention mechanism SE and CA in the YOLOv5 model and calculating the prior box size using K-means++ to optimize the hand location, we cascade the heatmap regression algorithm with HRNet as the backbone network to detect 21 predefined key points on the hand. Finally, "MF-cun" is combined to complete the acupoint localization. The FPS value is 35 and the average offset error value is 0.0269, which is much lower than the error threshold through dataset validation and real scene testing. The results show that this method can reduce the offset error value by more than 40% while ensuring real-time performance and can combat complex scenes such as unequal lighting, occlusion, and skin color interference.
PubMed: 38021119
DOI: 10.1364/BOE.501663 -
Medical Acupuncture Dec 2023Patients with chronic pain and high-level catastrophic thoughts often do not respond to acupuncture. This may be related to hypofunctioning of the dorsolateral...
INTRODUCTION
Patients with chronic pain and high-level catastrophic thoughts often do not respond to acupuncture. This may be related to hypofunctioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the descending pain inhibitory system. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the level of catastrophic thinking and the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture using the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). We also evaluated the descending pain inhibitory system using conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and offset analgesia (OA). The relationship between catastrophic thinking and the descending pain inhibitory system was also examined.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
After testing the hospital anxiety and depression scale and the PCS in 14 healthy adults, the current pain threshold (CPT), CPM, and OA were measured, in order, before the intervention. Thereafter, electroacupuncture was applied to 3 limbs (the dominant hand and both lower extremities) at 4 Hz, and to the scalp at 100 Hz, for 30 minutes, and the CPT was measured again immediately after the intervention. The difference in the CPT before and after the intervention was taken as the analgesic effect.
RESULTS
The participants were divided into 2 groups, the H-PCS group (≥16 points) and the L-PCS group (≤15 points), according to the PCS score, and the analgesic effects of electroacupuncture were significantly different ( = 0.04). However, no relationship was found between the PCS score and the CPM ( = -0.02, = 0.94) and OA effects ( = -0.19, = 0.49).
CONCLUSION
It was suggested that people with high-level catastrophic thinking may find it difficult to obtain the analgesic effects of electroacupuncture.
PubMed: 38162552
DOI: 10.1089/acu.2023.0010 -
Journal de Medecine Vasculaire Sep 2023The therapeutic challenge in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is often to increase walking distance, improve pain or heal a wound when PAD is symptomatic.... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
The therapeutic challenge in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is often to increase walking distance, improve pain or heal a wound when PAD is symptomatic. Walking rehabilitation or surgical revascularization techniques are limited. Others strategies as alternatives and/or complementary treatments are needed. Among alternative options, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations (TENS) could be of interest, both for improved walking distance or pain reduction. The Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacological, mini-invasive technique involving transcutaneous electrical stimulation. However, there are other transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation techniques based on the principle of vagus nerve stimulation with different mechanistics. Trans-auricular Vagus nerve stimulation (Ta-VNS) is another TENS technique (electrode on the external ear) which relies on the anti-inflammatory pathways of efferent and afferent vagal fibers. We propose here to review the literature of mini-invasive electrical stimulations, whatever the anatomical zone concerned, in PAD.
METHOD
The aim was to evaluate the use of non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation therapies (regardless of location) in PAD of the lower limbs, whatever the disease grade. A review of the literature was carried out via a search of the MEDLINE/PubMed database from 1975 to 2023. The articles were selected via abstracts by checking (1) medical indications: PAD patients with claudication were retained, excluding neurological or venous claudication, PAD whatever the disease grade (intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia [CLI]) and (2) non invasive electrical stimulations were considered (neuromuscular electrical stimulation and spinal cord stimulation were excluded) whatever the anatomical site. Non-electrical stimuli such as acupuncture and reflexotherapy were excluded.
RESULTS
Only 9 items were selected, including 7 studies with TENS treatment on the calf, one with trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation and one with electro-acupuncture points of stimulation.
CONCLUSION
Even if the mechanisms involved are different, TENS on the calves or in the external ears show an improvement of walking distance in PAD patients with intermittent claudication. The results of the studies show few positive effects in arteriopathy but we should keep vigilant in the technics used since mechanisms are different and not fully understood. Electro-stimulation of the calf and external ear appears to be an easy-to-use and accessible therapeutic option, especially since some PAD patients are still failing to be released from pain, despite the rise of endovascular interventional techniques.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Intermittent Claudication; Pain; Lower Extremity
PubMed: 37914456
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdmv.2023.10.001 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Feb 2024The effectiveness of manual acupuncture for treating bronchial asthma is still debatable and broad, and the effects of different acupuncture points, treatment durations,...
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of manual acupuncture for treating bronchial asthma is still debatable and broad, and the effects of different acupuncture points, treatment durations, or illness trajectories have never been rigorously assessed. The objective of this revised systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to ascertain the clinical efficacy of manual acupuncture on bronchial asthma and whether these effects varied depending on the acupuncture points, length of treatment, or course of the disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria were followed for creating a systematic review and meta-analysis. From the beginning through March 25, 2022, six electronic databases were checked. For the treatment of asthma, all RCTs contrasting acupuncture therapy along with conventional treatment against conventional treatment alone were chosen. The information was examined using Review Manager version 5.3 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3. Clinical efficacy (including the effective rate and the recurrence rate) was the primary outcome, and pulmonary function (including FEV1%, PEF) and The secondary results were T-lymphocyte immunity (containing CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+). Based on the acupuncture points, length of therapy, and nature of the condition, subgroup analyses were carried out.
RESULTS
There were a total of 21 RCTs that enrolled 2510 individuals. According to the meta-findings, analysis's manual acupuncture in addition to conventional treatment significantly increased the effective rate when compared to conventional treatment alone [OR = 5.14 95% CI 3.58-7.38, P < .00001], lung functions [FEV1% (MD = 6.18, 95% CI 2.40-9.96, P = .001) and PEF (MD = 0.45 95% CI 0.18-0.73, P = .001)], immune functions [CD3+ T lymphocytes (MD = 7.55 95% CI 6.55-8.56, P < .00001), CD4+ T-lymphocytes (MD = 5.11 95% CI 4.09-6.13, P < .00001), T-lymphocyte CD8+ (MD = -0.37.11 95% CI -3.62--2.51, P < .00001)] and noteworthy reduction in the recurrence rate (OR = 0.19 95% CI 0.10-0.38, P < .00001). Results from the subgroup analysis were consistent.
CONCLUSION
Manual acupuncture combined with Western Medicine is more effective than conventional treatment alone for bronchial asthma. Combination therapy can significantly improve clinical efficacy, lung function, and immune function while reducing the relapse rate. But to further support the results of this investigation, high-quality RCTs with long-term outcomes are still required, taking into account the inherent limitations of the included studies.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO (no. CRD42022357805) (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).
PubMed: 38401063
DOI: No ID Found