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International Review of Neurobiology 2013Acupuncture, as a modality treatment, has gained increasing popularity and acceptance between public and health-care professionals worldwide. Recently, there has been... (Review)
Review
Acupuncture, as a modality treatment, has gained increasing popularity and acceptance between public and health-care professionals worldwide. Recently, there has been intensive debate about the efficacy of acupuncture therapy due to the conflicting outcome of clinical trials. Acupoint specificity was regarded as one of the core scientific issues with respect to acupuncture practice at the Society for Acupuncture Research international symposium held in 2007. In this chapter, we reviewed the recent development in basic science and clinical studies on the role of acupoint specificity. The evidence cumulated from brain imaging and many biological studies showed that the point specificity in acupuncture does exist, although acupoint specificity-related issues such as sham acupoint and placebo phenomenon need to be seriously considered. How to optimize the efficacy of acupoint and minimize the impact of sham acupuncture is an urgent issue faced by acupuncture community, and more studies are warranted on the subjects.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Brain; Humans
PubMed: 24215917
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-411545-3.00003-1 -
QJM : Monthly Journal of the... Oct 2016This overview reports the global research advances in acupuncture point injection in the last 5 years. Acupuncture point injection can be applied to a wide range of... (Review)
Review
This overview reports the global research advances in acupuncture point injection in the last 5 years. Acupuncture point injection can be applied to a wide range of curable diseases, predominantly those involving pain, but it has poor clinical evidence. Progress has been attained in the mechanism research on acupuncture point injection, but further studies remain necessary. With the reported adverse effects of acupuncture point injection, the need to standardize its clinical procedure has become urgent.
Topics: Acupuncture Analgesia; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Biomedical Research; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Injections
PubMed: 27083985
DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcw055 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Oct 2005Assess the effectiveness of acupuncture-point stimulation on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Assess the effectiveness of acupuncture-point stimulation on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Randomized trials of acupuncture-point stimulation by needles, electrical stimulation, magnets, or acupressure were retrieved. Data were provided by investigators of the original trials and pooled using a fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
Eleven trials (N = 1,247) were pooled. Overall, acupuncture-point stimulation reduced the proportion of acute vomiting (relative risks [RR] = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.99; P = .04), but not the mean number of acute emetic episodes or acute or delayed nausea severity compared with controls. By modality, stimulation with needles reduced the proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.94; P = .01), but not acute nausea severity. Electroacupuncture reduced the proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.97; P = .02), but manual acupuncture did not; delayed symptoms were not reported. Acupressure reduced mean acute nausea severity (standardized mean difference = -0.19; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.01; P = .03) and most severe acute nausea, but not acute vomiting or delayed symptoms. Noninvasive electrostimulation showed no benefit for any outcome. All trials used concomitant pharmacologic antiemetics, and all, except electroacupuncture trials, used state-of-the-art antiemetics.
CONCLUSION
This review complements data on postoperative nausea and vomiting, suggesting a biologic effect of acupuncture-point stimulation. Electroacupuncture has demonstrated benefit for chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting, but studies with state-of-the-art antiemetics as well as studies for refractory symptoms are needed to determine clinical relevance. Acupressure seems to reduce chemotherapy-induced acute nausea severity, though studies did not involve a placebo control. Noninvasive electrostimulation seems unlikely to have a clinically relevant impact when patients are given state-of-the-art pharmacologic antiemetic therapy.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acute Disease; Antineoplastic Agents; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Humans; Nausea; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Vomiting, Anticipatory
PubMed: 16192603
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2005.06.028 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2006There have been recent advances in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting using 5-HT(3) inhibitors and dexamethasone. However, many still experience these symptoms,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
There have been recent advances in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting using 5-HT(3) inhibitors and dexamethasone. However, many still experience these symptoms, and expert panels encourage additional methods to reduce these symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
The objective was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture-point stimulation on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycLIT, MANTIS, Science Citation Index, CCTR (Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry), Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register, Cochrane Pain, Palliative Care and Supportive Care Specialized Register, Cochrane Cancer Specialized Register, and conference abstracts.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized trials of acupuncture-point stimulation by any method (needles, electrical stimulation, magnets, or acupressure) and assessing chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting, or both.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data were provided by investigators of the original trials and pooled using a fixed effect model. Relative risks were calculated on dichotomous data. Standardized mean differences were calculated for nausea severity. Weighted mean differences were calculated for number of emetic episodes.
MAIN RESULTS
Eleven trials (N = 1247) were pooled. Overall, acupuncture-point stimulation of all methods combined reduced the incidence of acute vomiting (RR = 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.99; P = 0.04), but not acute or delayed nausea severity compared to control. By modality, stimulation with needles reduced proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.94; P = 0.01), but not acute nausea severity. Electroacupuncture reduced the proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.97; P = 0.02), but manual acupuncture did not; delayed symptoms for acupuncture were not reported. Acupressure reduced mean acute nausea severity (SMD = -0.19; 95% confidence interval -0.37 to -0.01; P = 0.04) but not acute vomiting or delayed symptoms. Noninvasive electrostimulation showed no benefit for any outcome. All trials used concomitant pharmacologic antiemetics, and all, except electroacupuncture trials, used state-of-the-art antiemetics.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This review complements data on post-operative nausea and vomiting suggesting a biologic effect of acupuncture-point stimulation. Electroacupuncture has demonstrated benefit for chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting, but studies combining electroacupuncture with state-of-the-art antiemetics and in patients with refractory symptoms are needed to determine clinical relevance. Self-administered acupressure appears to have a protective effect for acute nausea and can readily be taught to patients though studies did not involve placebo control. Noninvasive electrostimulation appears unlikely to have a clinically relevant impact when patients are given state-of-the-art pharmacologic antiemetic therapy.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Antiemetics; Antineoplastic Agents; Electroacupuncture; Humans; Nausea; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vomiting
PubMed: 16625560
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002285.pub2 -
Journal of Alternative and... Feb 2003In 1977, Melzack and colleagues examined the possible correspondence of acupuncture points and trigger points for the treatment of pain. They claimed a 71%... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
In 1977, Melzack and colleagues examined the possible correspondence of acupuncture points and trigger points for the treatment of pain. They claimed a 71% correspondence between these two classes of points. Their findings have influenced many researchers and practitioners but have not been examined since 1977. The current study explores the claim of a 71% correspondence between these two classes of points through a more extensive examination of the acupuncture literature.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the claim of a 71% correspondence of acupuncture points and trigger points for the treatment of pain.
METHODS
The study involved a review of acupuncture texts published since 1977, focusing on five textbooks for the in-depth analyses and a broader range of texts for the more general analyses.
RESULTS
If trigger points correspond to any class of acupuncture points it would have to be to the a shi points rather than the "channel" or "extra" points with which the 1977 study attempted to find correlation. Approximately 35% of recommended acupuncture points in the treatment of pain are distant from the site of the pain, making assumptions about the infrequency of use of distant acupuncture points for pain suspect. Sixty-one percent (61%) of the acupuncture points that the 1977 study examined for the treatment of pain are not recommended at all for the treatment of pain, and 44% are not recommended in the treatment of any problem, while only 19% of the acupuncture points are frequently recommended for pain and 20% for all conditions. For the acupuncture points that corresponded in the 1977 study, the equivalent numbers are: 60% not recommended at all for pain, 47% not recommended for anything, 18% commonly recommended for pain, and 16% commonly recommended for anything.
CONCLUSION
The claimed 71% correspondence of trigger points to acupuncture points is conceptually not possible. Furthermore, even putting this conceptual problem aside, no more than 40% of the acupuncture points that the 1977 study examined could correlate for the treatment of pain, and more likely, only approximately 18%-19% correlate rather than the 71% that was claimed. However, this study found a probable correspondence of trigger points to a different class of acupuncture points, the a shi points, which appears to be an important finding. Researchers and clinicians who have assumed the conclusions of the 1977 study to be correct will need to reexamine the impact of the current findings on any claims that are dependent on the conclusions of that study.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Back; Extremities; Head; Humans; Neck; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Sensation; Thorax
PubMed: 12676038
DOI: 10.1089/107555303321222973 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2014
Meta-Analysis Review
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Antiemetics; Antineoplastic Agents; Electroacupuncture; Humans; Nausea; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vomiting
PubMed: 25412832
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002285.pub3 -
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 1989A hypothesis is proposed on the nature of acupuncture point and organizing center, the role of meridian system in growth regulation, and the mechanism of acupuncture.... (Review)
Review
A hypothesis is proposed on the nature of acupuncture point and organizing center, the role of meridian system in growth regulation, and the mechanism of acupuncture. Both organizing centers and acupuncture points have low electric resistance. The low electric resistance is related to the distribution of gap junction and thus intercellular communication. Some acupuncture points may be organizing centers. The meridian system is important in coordination and regulation of morphogenesis. The properties of organizing centers and acupuncture points can be explained in view of singular point. Coupling and oscillation may underlie the mechanism of acupuncture as well as growth regulation.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Animals; Connexins; Electric Conductivity; Humans; Membrane Proteins; Models, Biological; Morphogenesis; Regeneration
PubMed: 2561250
DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X8900019X -
Journal of Oral Science Oct 2021The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of laser acupuncture and intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) for managing anxiety in pediatric... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of laser acupuncture and intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) for managing anxiety in pediatric dentistry. Eighty-four children recruited at a university dental clinic were randomly assigned to three groups: the Sham group (n = 27) underwent sham laser irradiation of three acupuncture points, the ILIB group (n = 25) underwent 10 min of ILIB, and the laser acupuncture group (LAC, n = 32) underwent 40 s of laser acupuncture over points VG20 (Baihui), PC6 (Neiguan), and the Oppression Point. The results suggest that ILIB and laser acupuncture are feasible alternatives for managing dental anxiety in children.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Child; Dental Anxiety; Humans; Lasers
PubMed: 34408110
DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.21-0025 -
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture... Jan 2023point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in () as one of the effective folk...
point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in () as one of the effective folk methods. The theoretic development of point goes through the innovation period of contemporary and modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory, specifically in three aspects, definition, property and status. Through the analysis of historical data, it is found that the bias of point theory results from the misunderstanding of connotation, the distortion of application techniques, the misinterpretation of semantics and the gradual promotion of status. All of these are generally caused by the reform of acupuncture-moxibustion theory in Japan, which covers the essence of point, limits its connotation and clouds the concept of acupoint. It is necessary to re-understand the literal sense and theoretic construction of point and timely update the knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion in association with the results of theoretical researches.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Moxibustion; Acupuncture; Acupuncture Points; Japan
PubMed: 36633246
DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220618-k0003 -
Acupuncture in Medicine : Journal of... Apr 2021The proportional method of acupuncture point location (APL) currently taught at Endeavor College of Natural Health and advocated by the World Health Organization...
BACKGROUND
The proportional method of acupuncture point location (APL) currently taught at Endeavor College of Natural Health and advocated by the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) was found to be imprecise and/or inaccurate in previous student studies. The ruler and elastic methods of APL were identified as more accurate or precise than the proportional method of APL but were not well received by student participants. Use of an adjustable ruler may overcome barriers to uptake of the more accurate APL methods. This pilot study was the first to evaluate the comparative accuracy of the adjustable ruler and the proportional methods of APL in first-year students at a major Australian acupuncture training college.
METHODS
After 10 weeks of in-class instruction in both proportional and adjustable ruler methods of APL, student participants (n = 14) attempted location of three acupuncture points (LI10, SP6 and ST38) on a volunteer using both APL methods of interest. A self-administered questionnaire and lecturer field notes elucidated attitudes to implementation of both APL methods.
RESULTS
Points marked using the adjustable ruler were closer to the correct location than those marked using the proportional method across all three acupuncture points. Students and lecturers rated the adjustable ruler more highly than the proportional method for ease of learning and ease of use.
CONCLUSION
Encouraging results with the adjustable ruler method warrant further larger scale studies. Use of the adjustable ruler method of APL should be considered for use in point location training at educational institutions teaching traditional acupuncture.
Topics: Acupuncture; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Adult; Australia; Education; Female; Humans; Male; Pilot Projects; Program Evaluation; Students; Young Adult
PubMed: 32403998
DOI: 10.1177/0964528420920302