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Alternative Therapies in Health and... Apr 2024This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combining adhesion release under brachial plexus block with silver needle warm acupuncture for the...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combining adhesion release under brachial plexus block with silver needle warm acupuncture for the treatment of frozen shoulder, compared to adhesion release under brachial plexus block alone.
METHODS
A total of 72 patients with frozen shoulder were randomly assigned to receive either adhesion release under brachial plexus block (control group) or adhesion release under brachial plexus block plus silver needle warm acupuncture (treatment group). Outcome measures included changes in shoulder pain scores assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), shoulder mobility scores evaluated using the Constant-Murley Score, shoulder function scores measured using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and overall clinical outcomes based on a comprehensive evaluation. Both groups received functional exercise 2 days after the operation, and the treatment duration was 3 weeks.
RESULTS
The treatment group exhibited a mean reduction in shoulder pain scores of 3.2 points on the Short-form McGill pain scores, while the control group showed a reduction of 1.5 points. Shoulder mobility scores, assessed by the Constant-Murley Score, increased by an average of 18.6 points in the treatment group, compared to 9.2 points in the control group. Moreover, the treatment group achieved better shoulder function scores on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, with an average improvement of 25.4 points, compared to 13.8 points in the control group.
CONCLUSION
This study provides valuable insights into the clinical efficacy of adhesion release under brachial plexus block plus silver needle warm acupuncture for frozen shoulder, there are still areas that warrant further investigation. Future research could focus on the long-term effects of the treatment, optimal treatment duration and frequency, comparison with other treatment modalities, and the inclusion of larger sample sizes to enhance the robustness of the findings.
PubMed: 38639609
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has received widespread attention in the field of cancer pain treatment. This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the...
PURPOSE
In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has received widespread attention in the field of cancer pain treatment. This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture point stimulation in the treatment of stomach cancer pain.
METHODS
For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, WANFANG, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Journal of Science and Technology (VIP) databases as well as forward and backward citations to studies published between database creation to July 27, 2023. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture point stimulation for the treatment of patients with stomach cancer pain were included without language restrictions. We assessed all outcome indicators of the included trials. The evidence from the randomized controlled trials was synthesized as the standardized mean difference (SMD) of symptom change. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. This study is registered on PROSPERO under the number CRD42023457341.
RESULTS
Eleven RCTs were included. The study included 768 patients, split into 2 groups: acupuncture point stimulation treatment group ( = 406), medication control group ( = 372). The results showed that treatment was more effective in the acupuncture point stimulation treatment group than in the medication control group (efficacy rate, RR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.94, < 0.00001), decreasing in NRS score was greater in acupuncture point stimulation treatment group than in the medication control group (SMD = -1.30, 95% CI -1.96 to -0.63, < 0.001).
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier CRD42023457341.
PubMed: 38638316
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1334657 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Aug 2024Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by a rapid inflammatory reaction caused by the build-up of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding the... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by a rapid inflammatory reaction caused by the build-up of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding the joints. This condition often associated with hyperuricemia (HUA), is distinguished by its symptoms of intense pain, active inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Traditional approaches in AGA management often fall short of desired outcomes in clinical settings. However, recent ethnopharmacological investigations have been focusing on the potential of Traditional Herbal Medicine (THM) in various forms, exploring their therapeutic impact and targets in AGA treatment.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review briefly summarizes the current potential pharmacological mechanisms of THMs - including active ingredients, extracts, and prescriptions -in the treatment of AGA, and discusses the relevant potential mechanisms and molecular targets in depth. The objective of this study is to offer extensive information and a reference point for the exploration of targeted AGA treatment using THMs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This review obtained scientific publications focused on in vitro and in vivo studies of anti-AGA THMs conducted between 2013 and 2023. The literature was collected from various journals and electronic databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The retrieval and analysis of relevant articles were guided by keywords such as "acute gouty arthritis and Chinese herbal medicine," "acute gouty arthritis herbal prescription," "acute gouty arthritis and immune cells," "acute gouty arthritis and inflammation," "acute gouty arthritis and NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3)," "acute gouty arthritis and miRNA," and "acute gouty arthritis and oxidative stress."
RESULTS
We found that AGA has a large number of therapeutic targets, highlighting the effectiveness the potential of THMs in AGA treatment through in vitro and in vivo studies. THMs and their active ingredients can mitigate AGA symptoms through a variety of therapeutic targets, such as influencing macrophage polarization, neutrophils, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and addressing factors like inflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome, signaling pathways, oxidative stress, and miRNA multi-target interactions. The anti-AGA properties of THMs, including their active components and prescriptions, were systematically summarized and categorized based on their respective therapeutic targets.
CONCLUSION
phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid and alkaloid compounds in THMs are considered the key ingredients to improve AGA. THMs and their active ingredients achieve enhanced efficacy through interactions with multiple targets, of which NLRP3 is a main therapeutic target. Nonetheless, given the intricate composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), additional research is required to unravel the underlying mechanisms and molecular targets through which THMs alleviate AGA.
Topics: Arthritis, Gouty; Humans; Animals; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Acute Disease
PubMed: 38621464
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118182 -
Journal of Dental Sciences Apr 2024Dry needling therapy and acupuncture can effectively relieve myofascial pain in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This study evaluated dental students' satisfaction...
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Dry needling therapy and acupuncture can effectively relieve myofascial pain in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This study evaluated dental students' satisfaction with the "needling therapies for TMDs" lectures given in 2022 and 2023.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The "needling therapies for TMDs" lectures included mainly a dry needling therapy lecture and an acupuncture lecture which were given to the fifth-year dental students in both 2022 and 2023. An additional needling therapy demonstration lecture was given in 2023 only. Immediately after the lectures, the students were asked to complete an online-based questionnaire with four survey questions regarding their satisfaction with (1) the dry needling therapy, (2) the acupuncture, (3) the overall, and (4) the needling therapy demonstration lectures using 5-point Likert scale ratings.
RESULTS
Fifty-three (80 %) of 66 and 60 (81 %) of 74 students answered the questions in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The satisfaction rates improved from 70 % in 2022 to 83 % in 2023 for the dry needling therapy lecture, from 64 % in 2022 to 85 % in 2023 for the acupuncture lecture, and from 70 % in 2022 to 88 % in 2023 for the overall lecture. The satisfaction rate was 88 % in 2023 for the needling therapy demonstration lecture.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that inclusion of the needling therapy demonstration lecture in 2023 can results in a marked increase in the satisfaction rates for the lectures. The relatively-lower satisfaction rate for the acupuncture lecture in 2022 may be due to the difficulty in understanding the mechanisms underlying the acupuncture therapy.
PubMed: 38618067
DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2023.12.016 -
Medicine Apr 2024CiteSpace6.1.R2 is used to analyze the research status of acupuncture in the treatment of cerebral infarction, and to find relevant hot spots and frontiers.
OBJECTIVE
CiteSpace6.1.R2 is used to analyze the research status of acupuncture in the treatment of cerebral infarction, and to find relevant hot spots and frontiers.
METHODS
The researchers searched the Web of Science Core Collection database. The search date is from the establishment of the database to August 31, 2023. The search terms and expressions are: ("Cerebral Infarction" OR "Ischemic stroke") AND ("Acupuncture" OR "fire needle"). The researchers used CiteSpace software to draw a knowledge map to explore the hot spots and frontiers of acupuncture in treating cerebral infarction.
RESULTS
We screened 414 articles in the Web of Science Core Collection database. China is the country with the largest number of publications, with a total of 343 papers published. China's institutions cooperate most closely, and cooperation between countries is less and more scattered. The author with the highest number of published articles is Chen L, with a total of 31 published articles. The research focus mainly revolves around the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction and electroacupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction. Among them, acupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction is the most.
CONCLUSION
According to CiteSpace's analysis results, China is at the forefront of this research field, while other countries have less research in this field and little cooperation among countries. At present, the mainstream aspect of research is the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction electroacupuncture and acupuncture points. Therefore, in future research, we should pay more attention to the treatment of cerebral infarction mechanism of acupuncture, problems with the type of acupuncture used, and acupuncture points.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Therapy; Cerebral Infarction; Electroacupuncture; Ischemic Stroke; Bibliometrics; Dermatitis
PubMed: 38608052
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037800 -
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 -
Explore (New York, N.Y.) Apr 2024Acute injury to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can result from high-energy external forces that cause a combination of axial loading and sudden rotational movements,...
RATIONALE
Acute injury to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can result from high-energy external forces that cause a combination of axial loading and sudden rotational movements, resulting in severe pain that cannot be relieved by regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The treatment includes injections of steroids and local anesthetics to reduce pain and promote healing. Here, we report the case of a patient with acute sacroiliac pain who did not respond to conventional injection therapy.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 58-year-old male patient who did not exercise regularly experienced pain in his left groin and difficulty walking while kicking on his right leg. He received two injections and manual therapy at a local orthopedic clinic; however, his symptoms did not improve despite taking painkillers.
DIAGNOSES
Radiographic images showed no abnormalities. After confirming the cause of onset, pain pattern, physical examination, and tenderness, the patient was diagnosed with an acute SIJ sprain (static blood).
INTERVENTIONS
At the first visit, a single acupotomy was performed on the seven treatment points identified during the physical examination, and immediate improvement in symptoms was confirmed. From then on, Korean medicine (KM) treatments, such as acupuncture, cupping, chuna, and bee venom pharmacopuncture, were performed.
OUTCOMES
Immediately after acupotomy, groin pain improved by 80 %, gait immediately normalized, and the patient showed no symptoms at the 9th visit.
LESSONS
For SIJ-type groin pain that does not respond to existing treatments, immediate relief is achieved after a single acupotomy at the exact treatment point. Therefore, in the future, the importance of identifying a precise treatment point for SIJ pain should be recognized, and the use of Korean medicine treatment techniques, including acupotomy, should be considered.
PubMed: 38594112
DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.04.003 -
PloS One 2024Aging and age-related declines lead to varying degrees of decreased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in apparently healthy older adults. Exercise training, the primary...
BACKGROUND
Aging and age-related declines lead to varying degrees of decreased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in apparently healthy older adults. Exercise training, the primary approach for enhancing CRF, encounters several constraints when used with elderly individuals. Existing evidence implies that moxibustion might enhance the CRF of older adults. However, clinical research in this area still needs to be improved.
METHODS
This study will employ a randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial design involving 126 eligible participants. These participants will be stratified and randomly assigned to one moxibustion group, one sham moxibustion group, and one blank control group. Acupoints of bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shenque (CV8), and Guanyuan (CV4) are selected for both real and sham moxibustion groups. The treatment will last 60 min per session, 5 sessions a week for 12 weeks. The blank control group will not receive any intervention for CRF improvement. Primary outcomes will be the mean change in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold (AT), and serum central carbon metabolites (CCB) from the baseline to observation points. Secondary outcome measures involve the six-minute walk distance (6MWD), the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and the Qi and Blood Status Questionnaire (QBSQ). Outcome assessments will be conducted at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24 as part of the follow-up. Adverse events will be assessed at each visit.
DISCUSSION
This trial can potentially ascertain moxibustion's effectiveness and safety in enhancing CRF among apparently healthy older adults.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
ChiCTR, ChiCTR2300070303. Registered on April 08, 2023.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Moxibustion; Treatment Outcome; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Research Design; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38593172
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301673 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024To explore the modulations of electroacupuncture in subjective tinnitus (ST) by comparing the difference of functional connectivity (FC) in ST patients and healthy...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the modulations of electroacupuncture in subjective tinnitus (ST) by comparing the difference of functional connectivity (FC) in ST patients and healthy volunteers between the insular (INS) and the whole brain region.
METHODS
A total of 34 ST patients were selected into electroacupuncture group (EG) and 34 age- and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited into control group (CG). The EG received acupuncture at SI19 (), GB11 (), TE17 (), GV20 (), GV15 (), GV14 (), SJ13 (), among which the points of SI19 and GB11 were connected to the electroacupuncture instrument with the density wave of 2/50 Hz, and 3 treatments per week for 10 sessions in total. The severity of tinnitus was evaluated by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the hearing status was recorded using pure tone audiometry, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed on the brain before and after treatment, the CG received no intervention yet only rs-fMRI data were collected.
RESULTS
With the electroacupuncture treatment, the total THI score, average air conduction threshold of patients of EG were significantly lower than before ( < 0.01), and the total effective rate was 88.24%. Compared with CG, FC of ST patients between INS and left superior temporal gyrus and right hippocampal significantly decreased before treatment, while FC of ST patients between INS and right superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus and right anterior cuneus significantly decreased after treatment (voxel < 0.001, cluster < 0.05, corrected with GRF). FC of ST patients between the INS and right middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus and right paracentral lobule showed a significant decrease after treatment (voxel < 0.001, cluster < 0.05, corrected with GRF). In addition, THI score in EG was negatively correlated with the reduction of FC value in INS-left superior frontal gyrus before treatment ( = -0.41, = 0.017). Therefore, this study suggests that abnormal FC of INS may be one of the significant central mechanisms of ST patients and can be modulated by electroacupuncture.
DISCUSSION
Electroacupuncture treatment can effectively reduce or eliminate tinnitus symptoms in ST patients and improve the hearing by decreasing FC between the INS and the frontal and temporal brain regions.
PubMed: 38585348
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1373390 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Mar 2024To explore the effect of acupuncture at Fuguan point combined with tamoxifen citrate tablet on sperm motility parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of acupuncture at Fuguan point combined with tamoxifen citrate tablet on sperm motility parameters.
METHODS
A total of 115 individuals with asthenospermia were categorized based on different treatment regimens: 53 patients in the control group (receiving tamoxifen citrate tablets) and 62 patients in the observation group (undergoing acupoint acupuncture in conjunction with tamoxifen citrate tablets). Both groups underwent a 3-month treatment period. The computer-assisted sperm analysis system was employed to measure various motility parameters of human sperm, including sperm motility rate, average path velocity (VAP), lateral swing amplitude (ALH), percentage of class a sperm, and percentage of class a + b sperm.
RESULTS
Prior to treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sperm motility rate, VAP, ALH, percentage of class a sperm, and percentage of class a + b sperm ( > 0.05). Following treatment, both groups exhibited significant enhancements in sperm motility rate, VAP, ALH, percentage of class a sperm, and percentage of class a + b sperm compared to pretreatment levels ( < 0.05). Furthermore, all measured indicators in the observation group demonstrated significantly superior improvements than those of the control group, with the differences proving statistically significant ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of acupuncture at Fusiguan point and tamoxifen citrate tablets exerts a notably positive effect on sperm motility in individuals diagnosed with asthenospermia.
Topics: Humans; Male; Sperm Motility; Semen; Asthenozoospermia; Tamoxifen; Acupuncture Therapy; Tablets
PubMed: 38583006
DOI: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20247702.19