CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC BRONCHIAL ASTHMA WITH ACUPOINT APPLICATION THERAPY

In the present paper, the therapeutic effect of acupoint application of Chinese Materia Medica in the treatment of allergic asthma was observed. The results revealed that topical application of drug paste [mixture of powder of Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Xixin (Herba Asari), Baijiezi (Semen Sinapis Albae), etc.] at the acupuncture points could improve symptoms and signs of allergic asthma patients, with the total effective rate being 69.57% (16/23) for the short term effect, and 52.17%(12/23) for the long term effect. In medication (Aminophylline) group, of the 25 cases of allergic asthma, 16 (64.0%) were effective after 4 weeks of treatment, while 6 (24.0%) were still effective that was shown by 6 months’ follow up. The therapeutic effect of acupoint application group was significantly better than that of medication group in the long term effect. Results also showed that no obvious interrelation between the short term therapeutic effect and the duration or the severity of the disease. Results also display that acupoint application therapy is an effective, safe and handy method with fewer side effects for asthma.

Long-term efficacy of point application therapy on different acupoints and durations in the treatment of asthma:a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To optimise point application therapy for the treatment of asthma.METHODS:A total of 456 patients with asthma were randomly divided into treatment groups 1,2,and 3,with 152 patients each.The Dazhui(GV14),Feishu(BL13),Xinshu(BL15),Geshu(BL17),Pishu(BL20),Shenshu(BL23),and Guanyuan(CV4)acupoints were selected for treatment groups 1 and 2,with 2 and 4 h of application,respectively.The Feishu(BL13),Xinshu(BL15),and Geshu(BL17)acupoints were selected in group 3,with 2 h of application.All patients underwent application of the“prevention of disease”plaster during the dog days of summer(approximately July and August each year)between 2015 and 2019.RESULTS:The analysis showed that the numbers of asthma attacks and total serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)levels of the three groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment.In addition,the reductions in treatment groups 1 and 2 were more significant than those in group 3.The total treatment efficacy rates and post-treatment quality of life scores of the patients in treatment groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those in group 3.CONCLUSIONS:Point application therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with asthma,reduce the number of attacks,improve the quality of life,and decrease the total serum IgE level.The choice of acupuncture points,but not the length of the application time,influenced the therapeutic effect of point application therapy in asthma.

MEDICINAL VESICULATION THERAPY AND ITS CLINICAL APPLICATION

In this paper, the authors introduce medicinal vesiculation therapy from its origin, points for attention in clinical application, and their individual experiences. In clinical application, the authors advocate: ① avoid using drugs that are over-irritating in the property, and strictly controlling the dose of drugs and the duration of application, ② in selection of drugs, some factors as patients’ conditions, the season, the geographic location, etc. should be taken into account. In the present paper, 3 typical cases of bronchial asthma, tonsil swelling and facial paralysis treated with medicinal vesiculation therapy are introduced. Clinical practice demonstrates that this therapy is economical, simple and convenient and fairly effective in treatment of some chronic diseases.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPOINT APPLICATION OF FAR-INFRARED ASTHMA-RELIEVING PLASTER FOR ASTHMA

Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupoint application of Yuanhongwai Xiaochuankang Plaster （Far-infrared Asthma-relieving Plaster, FIRARP） for prevention and treatment of asthma. Methods Three hundred and sixty-six cases of bronchial asthma were randomly divided into treatment group （n = 185） and control group （n = 181 ）. Patients of treatment group were treated with FIRARP and those of control group treated with external application of traditional ＂Sonfu （Dog-days） moxibustion＂ （herbal-paste-cake separated moxibustion） and acupoints used were Dazhui（大椎 GV14）, Feishu（肺俞BL13）, Tiantu （天突 CV22）, etc. which were given to the patients. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1） and peak expiratory flow （PEF） of the pulmonary function were determined and the changes of main symptoms and signs were observed before and after the treatment. Results The pulmonary functions were effectively improved, the symptoms were controlled, and the asthma attack was reduced in the two groups with no significant difference between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. Conclusion There is no significant difference between Yuanhongwai Xiaochuonkong Plaster and traditional ＂Sanfu moxibustion＂ on bronchial asthma. It may substitute for traditional ＂Sonfu moxibustion＂.

Electroacupuncture plus external application of Chinese medicine for knee osteoarthritis

Objective： To reveal the action mechanism and efficacy of electroacupuncture（EA） plus external application of Wei Ling Xian（Radix Clematidis） extract in treating knee osteoarthritis（KOA）, for providing theoretical evidence and novel plan for the treatment of KOA. Methods： Totally 284 inpatients were divided into an EA group and an observation group by the random number table, 142 cases in each group. The EA group was intervened by EA, ultrashort waves, and oral administration of Glucosamine Hydrochloride capsules; while the observation group was by external application of Wei Ling Xian（Radix Clematidis） extract at topical area in addition to the treatment given to the EA group. The intervention lasted 14 d in both groups. X-ray examination of knee joint was ordered before and after treatment, as well as the detection of positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1（MMP-1） in cartilage of knee joint, hyaluronic acid（HA） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） in the inflammatory effusion; the Western Ontario and McM aster Universities osteoarthritis index（WOMAC） and visual analogue scale（VAS） were adopted to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results： In the observation group, the X-ray examination result of knee joint was significantly improved, the positive expressions of MMP-1 and IL-1β content were significantly decreased, the level of HA was increased, WOMAC and VAS scores dropped, and the total effective rate was 91.5%, which were significantly different from those in the EA group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA plus external application of Wei Ling Xian（Radix Clematidis） extract can produce a more significant efficacy in treating KOA compared to ordinary EA treatment.

Umbilicus application with Chinese medicine for chronic diarrhea due to food intolerance in kids:a multicenter randomized trial

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of umbilicus application with Chinese medicine in treating children＇s chronic diarrhea due to food intolerance and the value of healthy diet education. Methods： Eighty kids with chronic diarrhea due to food intolerance were recruited from multiple centers and divided by using the random number table into a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 40 cases. For both groups, based on the level of serum food-specific immunoglobulin G（Ig-G）, the patients were given unified diet following the healthy diet guidance： safe, alternate, and forbidden, while the treatment group was additionally given umbilicus application with Chinese medicine. The therapeutic efficacy and symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） were observed and compared respectively after 1-week, 2-week, 4-week, and 12-week treatment. Results： The diarrhea symptoms and coupled symptoms scores dropped significantly in the two groups after treatment（ all P〈0.05）, and the inter-group comparisons also showed statistical significances（P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 97.5% in the treatment group versus 77.5% in the control group, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The healthy diet guidance based on the food intolerance test is effective in helping treat diarrhea, while umbilicus application with Chinese medicine works better in treating diarrhea for kids with chronic diarrhea due to food intolerance and can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical study of optimizing acupoint combining in treatment of bronchial asthma with acupoint application

Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint application at different groups of acupoints in treating bronchial asthma in remission stage.Methods:A total of 120 patients with bronchial asthma in remission stage were recruited and divided by the random number table method into acupoint application group 1,acupoint application group 2 and acupoint application group 3,with 40 cases in each group.In all the three groups,Tiantu(CV 22),Dazhui(GV 14)and Feishu(BL 13)were selected,with Dingchuan(EX-B 1)added in acupoint application group 1,Shenshu(BL 23)added in acupoint application group 2,and Gaohuang(BL 43)added in acupoint application group 3.Before intervention,one month and 3 months after intervention,clinical symptoms,peak expiratory flow(PEF)and forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage of predicted value(FEV1%)of the three groups were observed,and their clinical efficacies were evaluated.Results:Comparing the therapeutic efficacy regarding traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and signs,after 1-month treatment,the total effective rate was 87.5%in acupoint application group 1,versus 62.5%in acupoint application group 2 and 55.0%in acupoint application group 3,and the between-group differences were statistically significant.After 3-month treatment,the total effective rate was 95.0%in acupoint application group 1,versus 70.0%in acupoint application group 2 and 65.0%in acupoint application group 3,and the between-group differences were statistically significant.After intervention,the three groups all showed significant improvements in pulmonary function with statistical significance;among the three groups,the improvement in acupoint application group 1 was more significant than that in the other two groups.Conclusion:Tiantu(CV 22),Dazhui(GV 14)and Feishu(BL 13)as basic prescription plus Dingchuan(EX-B 1)can improve symptoms of bronchial asthma in remission stage,and it works better in improving pulmonary function than the basic prescription plus Shenshu(BL 23)or Gaohuang(BL 43).

A Study on the Basic Drugs and Points for Point Application in Summer to Treat the Diseases with Attacks in Winter

Objective: To study the basic prescriptions of drugs and points for point application in summer to treat the diseases with attacks in winter and the law governing their compatibility. Methods: A database was set up by collecting and sorting out the relevant literature, and the analysis was made with the complex network. Results: It was found that Bai Jie Zi (白芥子 Semen Sinapis Albae), Xi Xin (细辛 Herba Asari), Gan Sui (甘遂 Radix Euphorbiae Kansui) and Yan Hu Suo (延胡索 Rhizoma Corydalis) were used as the basic prescriptions of drugs, Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shanzhong (CV 17) were selected as the basic prescription of points. Conclusion: The knowledge obtained from the complex networks on the basic prescriptions of drugs and points for point-application in summer to treat diseases with attacks in winter can provide a data support for working out operation norms and carrying on verification research.

Efficacy comparison of different forms of dog-days acupoint application for prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis

Objective: To analyze the clinical effect of traditionaldog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch (Manji) in the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis (CB) in remission stage in the past five years, and explore the principle of action and effective stimulation, to provide the evidence for treating CB by acupoint application. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 405 patients with CB who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with dog-days acupoint application or Magic Acupuncture Patch between 2013 and 2017. The clinical data of 405 patients were statistically analyzed to compare the prevention and treatment effects of dog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch, and different degrees of stimulation of dog-days acupoint application. Results: Among the dog-days acupoint application groups, the total effective rate was 63.6% in the light stimulation group, 93.1% in the moderate stimulation group, and 94.8% in the strong stimulation group. The differences in the total effective rate between the light stimulation group and the moderate stimulation group, as well as the strong stimulation group, were statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the moderate stimulation group and the strong stimulation group (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 83.9% in the dog-days acupoint application group, versus 45.4% in the Magic Acupuncture Patch group, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of dog-days acupoint application in the prevention and treatment of CB is better than that of Magic Acupuncture Patch;the degree of stimulation is the basis for the effect of dog-days acupoint application on prevention and treatment of CB, and the moderate and strong stimulations are more appropriate.

Clinical Study on Point Application Using Chinese Herbal Medicine for Pediatric Chronic Cough

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of point application using Chinese herbal medicine for chronic cough in children. Methods： A total of 200 children with chronic cough were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 100 cases in each group. Conventional Western medication was used for cases in the control group, whereas conventional Western medication plus point application using Chinese herbal medicine were used for cases in the observation group. Changes of indexes including eosinophils （EOS）, peak expiratory flow （PEF） and forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1） were observed before and after treatment. In addition, the clinical effects were compared between the two groups. Results： After treatment, coughs in children were alleviated in both groups; however, it took a shorter period of time for cough alleviation in the observation group than that in the control group （P^0.01）. On the 28th day of treatment, the EOS, PEF and FEVl were improved in both groups （P〈0.01）, and the improvements were more significant in the observation group （P〈0.05）. Additionally, the frequencies of cough variant asthma attacks were decreased in both groups, but a better effect in the observation group than the control group. Conclusion： Complementary point application using Chinese herbal medicine could substantially improve the clinical effect, alleviate coughs and benefit lung functions.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment selection for straightened cervical curvature and therapeutic observation

Objective：To observe the clinical efficacy of different therapies in treating straightened cervical curvature. Methods：A hundred patients with straightened cervical curvature were randomized into 5 groups to receive corresponding treatment. The clinical efficacies and the changes of cervical curvature in the five groups were compared. Results：Different therapies all produced certain effectiveness in treating cervical spondylosis patients. The total effective rates in the acupuncture group and tuina group were both 100%, and the rates in the traction group, oral medication group and Chinese medicinal application group were all lower than the rates in the acupuncture group and tuina group （P〈0.05）. It was shown that the more significant the change of cervical curvature, the more significant the clinical efficacy. Conclusion：Correcting the straightened cervical curvature is a way to swiftly release pain brought by cervical spondylosis; the optimization of different therapies ensures the achievement of long-term effectiveness; acupuncture and tuina are both effective in restoring the cervical curvature.

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture plus Jiawei Jinhuanggao(Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste) for gouty arthritis

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture（EA） plus self-made Jiawei Jinhuanggao（Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste） for gouty arthritis. Methods： A total of 80 cases with gouty arthritis were randomly allocated into an observation group（n=40） and a Western medication group（n=40）. Cases in the observation group received EA and external application of self-made Jiawei Jinhuanggao（Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste）, whereas cases in the Western medication group took Colchicine and Allopurinol tablets orally. After 10 d of treatment, the pain, joint swelling and uric acid in blood were observed. In addition, the follow-up was conducted 6 months after end of the treatment to evaluate the long-term effect. Results： After treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in pain and uric acid in blood（P〈0.05）; and there were between-group statistical differences in joint swelling and relapse rate（P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 97.5% in the observation group, versus 95.0% in the Western medication group, showing no statistical difference（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA plus Jiawei Jinhuanggao（Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste） has safe and long-term efficacy for gouty arthritis efficacy.

Effectiveness of external Sanjierupi Gao on mastalgia caused by mammary gland hyperplasia: a placebo controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the curative effect of external application of the Chinese drug,Sanjierupi Gao,on mastalgia caused by mammary gland hyperplasia.METHODS:This randomized,double-blinded,and placebo controlled study enrolled 260 patients with mammary gland hyperplasia from five hospitals.Patients were randomly and equally divided in-to a Sanjierupi Gao treatment group and a placebo control group.An adhesive plaster was applied to the most painful area on either breast for 7 h a day.Treatment lasted for two menstrual cycles without application during menstruation.Mastalgia was used as the main index of curative effect.The change before and after treatment in days of mastalgia,the time to alleviate pain,pain extent,and severe pain scores were observed.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the treatment group had significantly fewer days of mastalgia(P<0.01),a significantly lower severe pain score(P<0.01),and significantly less subjective pain and tenderness(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).Three days before the follow-up visit,the pain score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).A non-parametric test was used to compare the time to alleviate mastalgia between the two groups and found no statistical difference(Z=0.313,P=0.754).CONCLUSION:Application of Sanjierupi Gao can decrease mastalgia duration in patients with mammary gland hyperplasia during menstruation and alleviate the extent of mastalgia.The time to alleviate pain is psychologically influenced.