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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies May 2020This is the second part of a large spectrum systematic review which aims to identify and assess the evidence for the efficacy of non-pharmacological acupuncture... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This is the second part of a large spectrum systematic review which aims to identify and assess the evidence for the efficacy of non-pharmacological acupuncture techniques in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results of all techniques except for filiform needle are described in this publication.
METHODS
Eleven different databases were screened for randomised controlled trials up to June 2019. Authors in pairs extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias independently. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Thirty-three trials met the inclusion criteria, which involved the follow techniques: AcuTENS (7 trials), moxibustion (11 trials), acupressure (7 trials), ear acupuncture (6 trials), acupressure and ear acupuncture combined (1 trial) and cupping (1 trial). Due to the great heterogeneity, only 7 meta-analysis could be performed (AcuTENS vs sham on quality of life and exercise capacity, acupressure vs no acupressure on quality of life and anxiety and ear acupuncture vs sham on FEV and FEV/FVC) with only acupressure showing statistical differences for quality of life (SMD: -0.63 95%CI: - 0.88, - 0.39 I = 0%) and anxiety (HAM-A scale MD:-4.83 95%CI: - 5.71, - 3.94 I = 0%).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, strong evidence in favour of any technique was not found. Acupressure could be beneficial for dyspnoea, quality of life and anxiety, but this is based on low quality trials. Further large well-designed randomised control trials are needed to elucidate the possible role of acupuncture techniques in the treatment of COPD.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42014015074).
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 32375775
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2022This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of practicing acupressure on the Shenmen and Neiguan acupoints with a view to reduce anxiety and improve the comfort and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of practicing acupressure on the Shenmen and Neiguan acupoints with a view to reduce anxiety and improve the comfort and physical health of patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.
METHODS
A total of 100 hospitalized patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were assigned randomly into the experimental ( = 49) and control groups ( = 51). Subjects in the experimental group received routine care plus acupressure on the Shenmen and Neiguan acupoints, while those in the control group received regular routine care. The data were collected using demographic information, physical and surgical data, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-A, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y Form (STAI-Y1), and Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire scores. The linear mixed model was used to examine the influences of acupressure on VAS-A and STAI-Y1 scores at different time points before and after the surgery to observe group-by-time interactions.
RESULTS
The mean age of the subjects was 60.97 years. All subjects had mild-to-moderate anxiety after surgery and showed a statistically significant decline in regression coefficients on the first and second days after the intervention (β = -11.61, = 0.002; β = -18.71, < 0.001). Similarly, for STAI-YI scores, the data showed a significant difference in the pre-test and post-test interactions between the two groups (β = 4.72, = 0.031). Conversely, acupressure did not have a statistically significant difference on comfort (F = 2.953, = 0.057). Compared with the control subjects, the experimental subjects used less morphine and developed side effects less frequently ( < 0.01). They were also able to get out of bed after surgery 163.79 min earlier ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Acupressure is a simple and easy-to-practice treatment. Acupressure on the Shenmen and Neiguan acupoints reduces anxiety and improves recovery in patients after undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.
Topics: Acupressure; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Middle Aged; Thoracoscopy
PubMed: 35162891
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031869 -
Trials Aug 2020In December 2019, pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. The number of cases has increased rapidly. Patients with...
Acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong for pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with severe novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
In December 2019, pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. The number of cases has increased rapidly. Patients with severe disease have a poor prognosis, and there are no effective therapies for COVID-19. Only rapid advice guidelines for symptomatic supportive care have been used. A traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation (TCMR) program consisting of acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong can be used as a complementary therapy for COVID-19. Hence, we designed a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of TCMR for treating patients with severe COVID-19.
METHODS/DESIGN
This is a parallel-design, two-arm, analyst assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 128 patients with COVID-19 aged from 20 to 80 years will be recruited and assigned randomly into a guideline therapy group and a guideline therapy plus TCMR group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in both groups will receive guideline therapy. The patients in the intervention group will perform acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong exercises in addition to conventional treatments twice a day and will be persistent from admission to discharge. The primary outcome will be measured with the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, and the secondary outcomes will include the Activities of Daily Living Barthel Index Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale, and the Respiratory Symptoms Scale. The assessments of the clinical scales will be performed at three points (before treatment, the 7th day during hospitalization, and the discharge day). Adverse events will be noted and recorded for the safety evaluation.
DISCUSSION
This trial will provide high-quality evidence of the value of TCMR, which consists of acupressure therapy and Liu Zi Jue Qigong exercises, for treating patients with severe COVID-19.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000029994 . Registered on 18 February 2020.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Acupressure; Betacoronavirus; Complementary Therapies; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Dyspnea; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Pandemics; Patient Health Questionnaire; Pneumonia, Viral; Qigong; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32854761
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04693-5 -
Cureus Aug 2022Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in maintaining sleep and early morning awakenings. Although pharmacotherapies and psychological interventions remain essential... (Review)
Review
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in maintaining sleep and early morning awakenings. Although pharmacotherapies and psychological interventions remain essential for conventional treatment, motivational factors and interest in using complementary and alternative therapies for insomnia have developed over the last two decades. This review aims to comprehensively explore the effects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on improving sleep quality to guide evidence-based clinical decision-making and inform future research. Several electronic databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Clinical key, Cochrane, and Research gate were explored to search the relevant articles. For the systematic review, CAM studies were classified under "manual practices," "natural practices," and "mind-body practices." A total of 35 clinical trials were selected for inclusion in the systematic review, comprising adult samples. The systematic review revealed 11 RCTs with manual practice, 12 with mind-body practice, and 12 with natural medicine practice. The methodological quality of the RCTs was measured using the modified Jadad scale, a scientific quality index of ≥ 5/10 (on the augmented Jadad scale). Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated and reported in all placebo-controlled studies with the available data. Regardless of systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials on CAM, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, yoga, and tai chi, for insomnia, most of the RCTs did not agree with the findings. Further RCT for insomnia should be developed by considering the current advanced studies in the field of CAM.
PubMed: 36176875
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28425 -
Medicine Jun 2021Functional constipation is a disease with a high incidence, which has a bad effect on general health, mental health, and social functioning. However, current treatment...
BACKGROUND
Functional constipation is a disease with a high incidence, which has a bad effect on general health, mental health, and social functioning. However, current treatment is sometimes unsatisfactory. Acupuncture has been proven effective in some randomized controlled trials. Acupressure is a subtype of acupuncture and can be manipulated by the patients at home. But the evidence is limited now. This study aims to provide some strict evidence for the use of self-administered acupressure in the treatment of functional constipation.
METHODS
This 2-armed, parallel, nonspecific controlled, randomized trial will be conducted at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou. A total of 154 FC patients will be enrolled into the acupoint group and the sham acupoint group with a ratio of 1:1 into this trial and it will consist of a 2-week run-in period, an 8-week intervention period, and an 8-week follow-up period. The treatment will be done by the patients themselves at home twice a day and they should sign in on the WeChat APP every day to make sure they have done the acupressure. The outcome will also be collected in WeChat APP through the diary and questionnaires. For the one who is unable to use the WeChat, the print edition of the diary and questionnaires are provided and the supervision will be done by the short message. The primary outcome will be the proportion of participants whose CSBM≥3 during week 3 to 10. The secondary outcome will be the proportion of participants whose CSBM ≥3 between 2 groups in week 11 to 18, Spontaneous bowel movements, Bristol Stool Form Scale, Straining severity scores, Patient assessment of constipation quality of life, and Medicine use.
DISCUSSION
Acupressure is not an invasive method and can be done by the patient itself at home. We hope this trial will provide credible evidence to the application of self-acupressure for the management of severe chronic functional constipation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000038594).
Topics: Acupressure; Adult; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Self Care; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 34160401
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026349 -
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2024Among leukemia patients, sleep disruptions are prevalent and can profoundly affect their overall quality of life. Acupressure and foot reflexology, modalities rooted in... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Among leukemia patients, sleep disruptions are prevalent and can profoundly affect their overall quality of life. Acupressure and foot reflexology, modalities rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have garnered attention for their potential to address sleep disturbances and mitigate associated symptoms.
METHODS
This research utilized a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design involving 102 leukemia patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia. Participants were randomly allocated to 3 groups: acupressure (n = 34), reflexology (n = 34), or control (n = 34). Prior to the intervention, patients completed a demographic survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for baseline assessments. Acupressure involved stimulation of the SP6 point twice daily for 10 minutes over 4 weeks, while reflexology entailed daily 10-minute sessions with sweet almond oil on the soles for the same duration. The control group received standard care without additional interventions. Following the 4-week intervention period, post-intervention evaluations were conducted using identical measurement tools.
RESULTS
The findings underscored the efficacy of both acupressure and foot reflexology in significantly improving sleep quality within the intervention groups ( < .001). Initially, there were no notable differences in sleep quality among the 3 groups ( > .05). Subsequently, pairwise comparisons adjusted with Bonferroni corrections revealed significant disparities in sleep quality between the acupressure and reflexology groups compared to the control group ( < .001). However, post-intervention analysis indicated no statistically significant variance in enhancing sleep quality between the acupressure and foot reflexology groups ( < .05).
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that acupressure and foot reflexology interventions can enhance sleep quality in individuals with leukemia. These findings support the effectiveness of these complementary modalities, offering targeted relief and relaxation. While these non-invasive therapies show promise in improving well-being, further research is needed to confirm and expand upon these results due to study limitations.
Topics: Humans; Acupressure; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Quality of Life; Sleep Quality; Foot; Leukemia; Massage; Sleep Wake Disorders; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38872330
DOI: 10.1177/15347354241261356 -
Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem Jun 2016To describe responses issued by pregnant women, and the improvement of the gravidic discomforts after the use of the acupressure technique.
OBJECTIVE
To describe responses issued by pregnant women, and the improvement of the gravidic discomforts after the use of the acupressure technique.
METHOD
Qualitative and descriptive study conducted with 15 pregnant women between November 2013 and February 2014 in a Basic Health Unit in Natal, RN, Brazil. The data were collected through unstructured interviews and depositions that were then transcribed and treated according to Minayo's operative proposal, carefully read, compared and organized into two groups.
RESULTS
The categories that resulted were: Positive effects of acupressure, and the recommended use of acupressure. According to pregnant women, the discomforts of pregnancy cramps, fatigue in the legs, lower back pain and headaches decreased with the use of acupressure.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results, acupressure should be introduced by the nurse in pre-natal care as a therapeutic resource for the pregnant woman's well-being.
Topics: Acupressure; Adult; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Nurse-Patient Relations; Pain Management; Patient Satisfaction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 27356804
DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.54699 -
Trials Jun 2021Nowadays, because of the increasing incidence, the prevention and control of myopia has become an urgent issue. In China, auricular acupressure has been commonly used in...
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, because of the increasing incidence, the prevention and control of myopia has become an urgent issue. In China, auricular acupressure has been commonly used in the clinical treatment of myopia in children, but the exact effectiveness remains unproven. The purpose of this trial is to observe the efficacy of auricular acupressure in myopia prevention and control, as well as its effect on the choroidal and retinal thickness.
METHOD/DESIGN
A total of 480 subjects at 8-9 years old will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group versus a control group. The intervention group will receive auricular acupressure for 12 months, while the control group will be taken as a blank control. The primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, and again at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after recruitment. The myopia incidence (spherical equivalent ≤ - 0.50 D) and the mean change of spherical equivalent will be taken as the primary variables; the secondary outcome measures include axial length, uncorrected visual acuity, and choroidal and retinal thickness.
DISCUSSION
This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupressure for myopia prevention and control with objective evidence and to preliminarily explore the plausible mechanism and provide reference for adopting this approach to retard the onset and control the progression of myopia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000038456 . Registered on September 23, 2020.
Topics: Acupressure; Child; China; Choroid; Humans; Myopia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retina
PubMed: 34099018
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05334-1 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Jun 2020Menopause is an important physiological phenomenon in women's lives. Women's concern about taking the hormone treatment to ease menopausal symptoms is increasing. Over... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Menopause is an important physiological phenomenon in women's lives. Women's concern about taking the hormone treatment to ease menopausal symptoms is increasing. Over the past decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of menopausal problems instead of hormone therapy has increased.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the role of herbal medicine, acupressure, and acupuncture in the menopausal symptoms.
METHODS
Data source: related articles were searched from internal scientific databases and external databases of "Web of Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid, and Google scholar."
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The keywords such as menopause, menopausal symptoms, complementary menopausal medicine, acupuncture in menopause, herbal medicine in menopause, and acupuncture in menopause were searched in the studies from 1987 to 2019. Exclusion criteria were inadequate information in the study, lack of access to full-text articles, animal studies, and reports. At the end of the search, 145 articles out of a total of 400 articles were reviewed.
RESULTS
In various studies, different herbs such as licorice, valerian, soy, sage, ginseng, etc., were used to improve menopausal symptoms. In addition, acupuncture and acupressure were used to reduce menopausal symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The efficacy and use of complementary and alternative medicine, along with other classical medicine care, can be a new model for improving menopausal symptoms in women. It is recommended that further clinical and review studies be conducted to develop complementary and alternative medicine.
PubMed: 32984100
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1094_19 -
Chinese Medicine Aug 2022Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure has been used as a complementary and alternative treatment for smoking cessation in Hong Kong for over 10 years. This...
Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for smoking cessation and its effects on tobacco dependence and smoking behavior among Hong Kong smokers: a multicenter pilot clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure has been used as a complementary and alternative treatment for smoking cessation in Hong Kong for over 10 years. This study aimed to investigate the success rates of smoking cessation posttreatment, and to evaluate treatment effects on tobacco dependence, smoking behavior, anxiety levels, and sleep disturbances between successful and unsuccessful quit smokers in Hong Kong.
METHODS
This prospective, multicenter clinical study conducted between September 2020 and February 2022 in Hong Kong was part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area project on smoking cessation. Thirty eligible current smokers (mean age 47.10 years; 40% female) were recruited and received a combination of standardized acupuncture and auricular acupressure treatments twice weekly for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the success rate of smoking cessation at week 24. The secondary outcomes were the success rates of smoking cessation at weeks 8 and 16, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels, and changes in scores on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Autonomy Over Smoking Scale (AUTOS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Adverse events were also recorded.
RESULTS
Of 30 eligible participants, 28 completed 6 or more treatment sessions; all completed follow-up assessments. At week 24, the success rate of smoking cessation was 46.67%. The successfully quit rates at weeks 8 and 16 were 36.67% and 43.33%, respectively. The overall change in mean FTND scores from baseline improved significantly from weeks 2 to 24 (P < 0.05), with the successful quit group showing significantly greater improvement between weeks 8 and 24 (P < 0.01). Compared with baseline values, there were significant reductions in mean AUTOS scores from weeks 6 to 24 (P < 0.001), with the successful quit group showing greater improvement at weeks 16 (P = 0.04) and 24 (P < 0.001). No significant changes were detected in exhaled CO levels or HAM-A, SAS, and PSQI scores. No study-related adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure could be an effective alternative treatment for smoking cessation and reduction of tobacco dependence among Hong Kong smokers. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No. ChiCTR2000033650. Registered on June 7, 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=54866.
PubMed: 35941599
DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00649-w