Meta-analysis of Clinical Efficacy of Warm Needling Acupuncture in the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation

[Objectives]To evaluate the efficacy of warm needling acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)by Meta-analysis.[Methods]Randomized controlled trial of warm needling acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation published from January 2000 to December 2021 was searched by Cochrane Library,PubMed,VIP,CNKI and Wanfang.After the quality evaluation of the literature,the Meta-analysis of the literature was carried out by using Review Manager 5.3.[Results]A total of 10 studies were included,involving a total of 980 patients.The results of Meta-analysis showed that warm needling acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation could improve the total clinical effective rate,OR=5.38,95%CI(3.40,8.49),P<0.00001;decrease the VAS score,MD=-3.33,95%CI[-4.53,-2.12],z=5.42(P<0.00001);increase the JOA score,MD=-5.63,95%CI[-8.12,-3.14];improve the dysfunction,MD=-5.63,95%CI[-8.12,-3.14],z=4.43(P<0.00001);decrease inflammatory factors,MD=-11.09,95%CI[-13.60,-8.58],z=8.65(P<0.00001).And the recurrence rate was low,OR=0.33,95%CI[0.15,0.70],z=2.86(P=0.004).[Conclusions]Warm needling acupuncture could effectively treat lumbar disc herniation and relieve pain symptoms.However,due to the general poorness of literature quality and the low quality of evidence,high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed.

Clinical Observation of Warm Needling Acupuncture of Mongolian Medicine in the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation

[Objectives]To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling acupuncture of Mongolian medicine in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation(LDH).[Methods]120 patients with lumbar disc herniation hospitalized in Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital from June 2019 to June 2022 were randomly divided into observation group(n=60)and control group(n=60).The observation group was treated with warm needling acupuncture of Mongolian medicine,and the control group was treated with common acupuncture of Mongolian medicine,with two weeks as a course of treatment.The pain visual analogue scale(VAS)and Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)score were observed before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy was evaluated by the changes of clinical symptoms and signs of Mongolian medicine.[Results]The cure rate of the observation group was 71.7%,which was better than that of the control group(53.3%).The difference in the cure rate between the two groups was statistically significant,X 2=4.302,P=0.038.The total markedly effective rate(cured+markedly effective)of the observation group was 90.0%,while that of the control group was 83.3%.There was no significant difference in the total markedly effective rate between the two groups,X 2=1.154,P=0.283.The total effective rate(cured+markedly effective+effective)of the observation group was 100%,while that of the control group was 95.0%.There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups,and the continuous corrected chi-square value was 1.368 and 0.242.After treatment,the degree of low back pain,lower limb pain and dyskinesia were significantly improved in the two groups,the observation group was better than the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The warm needling acupuncture of Mongolian medicine was effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,which is worth popularizing.

A Set of Acupuncture Needles in the Late Qing Dynasty Collected by George Souliéde Morant

In the early 20th century,French vice-consul George Souliéde Morant encountered acupuncture during his visit to China,and then brought it back to France.After more than a century,his collection was transported from Paris,France to Kunming,China,and later recognized as a Chinese national third-class precious cultural heritage.Currently housed in the Museum of Western Studies on Chinese Medicine at Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine,this set of instruments includes one needle holder converted from a fan-shaped holder,ten acupuncture needles,and eleven paper tags handwritten in English with names of diseases and body parts.This article attempts to present the foundational information and historical significance of this collection of this set of late Qing dynasty acupuncture instruments by reviewing the collection and related research on acupuncture instruments,consulting acupuncture professionals,measuring the detailed information of the set of instruments,and employing a method of translating and summarizing the content of the attached tags.

CHINESE HUAI TANG NINE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES: RESEARCH ON THE NEW NINE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES THERAPY AND THE NEEDLING INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

PART TWOThe Research on Chinese Huai TangNine Acupuncture Needles TherapyI The theoretical basis of ChineseHuai Tang Nine Needles Therapy.1) The kernel of the theoretical basis ofChinese Huai Tang Nine Needles Therapy.Chinese Huai Tang Nine Needles Therapyis to give full play to the treatment action of thespecifity and entirety of each needle. The speci-fity means that each needle has its own

Effects of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on neurofilament protein 200 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in rats with acute cerebral ischemia

Objective:Cluster needling at scalp acupoints has showed satisfying effects with acute cerebral ischemia in clinic whereas the mechanisms are not yet clear completely.This study investigated the influence of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on neurological function,as well as on neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)expression,in rats with acute cerebral ischemia.Methods:Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned in equal numbers to the false operation(group F),model(group M),or cluster needling scalp acupuncture(group C)groups.Each group was divided into three subgroups,of six rats each,by acupuncture treatment time(24 h,7 days,and 14 days).The rat local cerebral ischemia model was prepared using a modified suture occlusion method.Group C rats were treated by cluster needling scalp acupuncture,while groups F and M did not receive acupuncture treatment.Neurological effects were evaluated using the Longa score.NF200 and STAT3 expression were measured by western blotting.Results:At 24 h,there were no statistical difference between group C and group M in nerve function(P>.05).On days 7 and 14,nerve function scores in group C were significantly lower than that in group M(respectively were P<.05 and P<.01).In addition,on days 14,expression of NF200 was significantly higher in group C compared with group M(P<.05).Compared with group M,STAT3 expression was also higher in group C on days 7 and 14,although these differences were not statistically significant(both P>.05).Conclusion:Cluster needling scalp acupuncture were efficient in improving nerve function scores in rats with cerebral ischemia,and promoting the recovery of motor function.These improvements were associated with increases in NF200 and STAT3 expression.

CONTROL OBSERVATION OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS ON SYNDROME OF THE 3^(rd) LUMBAR TRANSVERSE PROCESS WITH THICK SILVER WARMING NEEDLING AND ELECTRIC ACUPUNCTURE

Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effects on the syndrome of L3 transverse process between thick silver warming needling and electric acupuncture. Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of the syndrome of L3 transverse process were randomized into observation group and the control, 60 cases for each one. Thick silver warming needling was applied in observation group and electric acupuncture in the control. Results: The curative rate was 81.7% in observation group and 58.3% in the control, indicating significant difference （P<0.01）. The significant difference in the therapeutic effects between two groups had not been discovered yet for the cases within 3 months of sickness （P>0.05）, but, the therapeutic effect in observation group was superior to that in the control for the cases over 3 months of sickness （P<0.01）. Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of thick silver warming needling and electric acupuncture were quite advantageous on the syndrome of L3 transverse process, but that of thick silver warming needling was superior to electric acupuncture.

AN OBSERVATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF WARMING NEEDLING TECHNIQUE ON JIAJI POINTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON EEG-α WAVE IN PATIENTS

Objective To discuss the therapeutic effect and mechanism of warming needling technique for the treatment of depression. Methods A total of 60 patients with depression were randomly divided into treatment group and control group with 30 cases each. The treatment group was treated with warming needle technique on the Jiaji points of the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney, control group with Amitriptyline, HAMD scale and the qualitative change of EEG-α wave were observed before and after the treatment. Results The total effective rate of treatment group was 100%, much better than that of the control group with 80% (P<0.05); the HAMD scale of treatment group was better than that of control group (P<0.05); the comparison of the improvement of somatic symptoms between treatment group and control group was significant (P<0.05); the comparison of frequency and amplitude of EEG-α wave was significant (P<0.05), there was no toxic and side effect in the treatment group. Conclusion Warming needling technique for depression has better effect than Amitriptyline, and there was no toxic and side effect in the treatment group. Warming needle technique can effectively regulate the frequency and amplitude EEG-α wave, and acts to improve depressive condition.

Early filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled clinical trials

OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression, and to compare acupuncture with the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant drugs. DATA RETRIEVAL： We retrieved data from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure （1979-2012）, Wanfang （1980-2012）, VIP （1989-2012）, Chinese Biomedical Literature （1975- 2012）, PubMed （1966-2012）, Ovid Lww （-2012）, and Cochrane Library （-2012） Database using the internet. SELECTION CRITERIA： Randomized controlled trials on filiform needle acupuncture versus antidepressant drugs for treatment of poststroke depression were included. Moreover, the in- cluded articles scored at least 4 points on the Jadad scale. Exclusion criteria： other acupuncture therapies as treatment group, not stroke-induced depression patients, score 〈 4 points, non-ran- domized controlled trials, or animal trials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： These were the Hamilton Depression Scale scores, clinical ef- fective rate, Self-Rating Depression Scale scores, Side Effect Rating Scale scores, and incidence of adverse reaction and events. RESULTS： A total of 17 randomized controlled clinical trials were included. Meta-analysis results displayed that after 4 weeks of treatment, clinical effective rate was better in patients treated with fill- form needle acupuncture than those treated with simple antidepressant drugs [relative risk = 1.11, 95% confidence interval （C/）： 1.03-1.21, P = 0.01]. At 6 weeks, clinical effective rate was similar between filiform needle acupuncture and antidepressant drug groups. At 2 weeks after filiform needle acupuncture, Hamilton Depression Scale （17 items） scores were lower than in the antide- pressant drug group （mean difference = -2.34, 95%CI： -3.46 to -1.22, P 〈 0.000,1）. At 4 weeks, Hamilton Depression Scale （24 items） scores were similar between filiform needle acupuncture and antidepressant drug groups. Self-Rating Depression Scale scores were lower in filiform needle acupuncture group than in the antidepressant drug group. Side Effect Rating Scale was used in only two articles, and no meta-analysis was conducted. Safety evaluation of the 17 arti- cles showed that gastrointestinal tract reactions such as nausea and vomiting were very common in the antidepressant drug group. Incidence of adverse reaction and events was very low in the filiform needle acupuncture group. CONCLUSION： Early filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression can perfectly con- trol depression. Filiform needle acupuncture is safe and reliable. Therapeutic effects of filiform needle acupuncture were better than those of antidepressant drugs.

Ureteral calculi secondary to a gradually migrated acupuncture needle

We herein presented a case of calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle.A 74-year-old woman with a history of acupuncture therapy for lumbago was referred to our hospital for treatment of ureteral and renal pelvic calculi.Abdominal multi-detector computed tomography scans showed ipsilateral hydronephrosis and two calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle.First,a percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed to extract two calculi and fine needle fragments from the pelvis.Subsequently,residual needle fragments and calculi in the ureter were then removed by flexible transurethral lithotripsy using a holmium laser.In the present case,the formation of the calculi was caused by a migrated acupuncture needle.Calculi and needle fragments were removed safely endoscopically because the whole calculi and needle fragments were located in the ureteral lumen.ª2021 Editorial Office of Asian Journal of Urology.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression

To the editor, I read with interest the recent report on ＂filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression＂ （Zhang et al., 2014）. Zhang et al. （2014） performed a meta-analysis and conclud- ed that ＂early filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression can perfectly control depression：＇ In fact, the in- cluded meta-analysis might support the clinical effectiveness of filariform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression. However, there are several concerns. First, the hospital infection due to acupuncture manipulation with filiform is a big topic to be addressed. As Gang et al. （2012） noted, ＂aseptic technic principles aren＇t strictly followed; disinfection and isolation systems are unsound;

Continuous Separation of Multiple Size Microparticles using Alternating Current Dielectrophoresis in Microfluidic Device with Acupuncture Needle Electrodes

The need to continuously separate multiple microparticles is required for the recent development of lab-on-chip technology. Dielectrophoresis（DEP）-based separation device is extensively used in kinds of microfluidic applications. However, such conventional DEP-based device is relatively complicated and difficult for fabrication. A concise microfluidic device is presented for effective continuous separation of multiple size particle mixtures. A pair of acupuncture needle electrodes are creatively employed and embedded in a PDMS（poly-dimethylsiloxane） hurdle for generating non-uniform electric field thereby achieving a continuous DEP separation. The separation mechanism is that the incoming particle samples with different sizes experience different negative DEP（n DEP） forces and then they can be transported into different downstream outlets. The DEP characterizations of particles are calculated, and their trajectories are numerically predicted by considering the combined action of the incoming laminar flow and the n DEP force field for guiding the separation experiments. The device performance is verified by successfully separating a three-sized particle mixture, including polystyrene microspheres with diameters of 3 μm, 10 μm and 25 μm. The separation purity is below 70% when the flow rate ratio is less than 3.5 or more than 5.1, while the separation purity can be up to more than 90% when the flow rate ratio is between 3.5 and 5.1 and meanwhile ensure the voltage output falls in between 120 V and 150 V. Such simple DEP-based separation device has extensive applications in future microfluidic systems.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL INTENTION OF "NEEDLING METHOD FOR TRANQUILLIZATION AND CALMING THE MIND" FOR TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA

A set of scientific theories and an effective acupuncture therapy for insomnia about ＂the needling method for tranquillization and calming the mind＂ are gradually formed through many years＇theoretical and clinical studies. In this paper, the theoretical intention about ＂the needling method for tranquillization and calming the mind＂ for treatment of insomnia are briefly introduced mainly from the cause of disease, pathogenesis, therapeutic method and characteristics of composition of a prescription, etc. in order to provide a new train of thoughts and a new method for working out scientific and standard prescriptions in the treatment of insomnia.

The effect of laser acupuncture on hypoxia tolerance and inflammation reaction in mice with optical fiber acupuncture needle intra body

Hypoxia is a disorder in which the tissues are not oxygenated adequately.The lack of oxygen may cause irreversible damage to the major organs such as the brain,heart and lungs.In severe cases,coma,seizures,and death may happen.In addition to the routine medication,acupuncture.treatment has been applied as a complementary treatment to counter hypoxia.In this paper,the optical fiber acupuncture needle was fabricated using the optical fiber imbedding into the metal capillary tube with needle tip,therefore made it easy to insert into the body for the laser treatment.The laser optical fiber needle treatment to the ST36 acupoint conducted with the laser.irradiation intra body.The normobaric hypoxia tolerance test results in mice show that the optical fber needle treatment to the ST36 acupoint with laser acupuncture appears to improve the tolerance to hypoxia.The mice treated with laser acupuncture expressed high level of IL-1βin serum.Our results suggest that laser optical fiber needle acupuncture may serve as a potential treatment for hypoxia.

Study of Mongolian Warming Needle Acupuncture Therapy

The Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy is a Mongolian traditional external treatment method that uses special silver needles to insert specific acupoints on the human body,and then stimulates them with warm acupuncture to achieve the purpose of disease prevention and treatment.This paper reviewed the theoretical basis,acupuncture methods,acupuncture classification,acupuncture tools,acupuncture points,indications,and contraindications of Mongolian acupuncture.Besides,it also summarized the clinical application of the Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy.In addition,it elaborated the its principle of regulating cold and heat in the body,leading the disease out,dialectically coordinating the whole,and changing the local part,highlighting its important position in medicine,so as to better promote clinical practice.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CT-AIDED SURROUNDING NEEDLING TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC STROKE

121 cases of ischemic stroke were randomly divided into CT-aided surrounding needling group (CTASN, 61 cases) and scalp Acupuncture group (SA, 60 cases). After 30 sessions of treatment the therapeutic results of the two groups are significantly different (P ＜ 0.05), the therapeutic effect of CTASN group is better than that of SA group. The plasma contents of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a of the two groups change considerably after acupuncture treatment, the change in CTASN group is more obvious.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CT-AIDED SURROUNDING NEEDLING IN THE TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC STROKE AND CHANGES OF PLASMA CATECHOLAMINE LEVEL

In this study, 61 cases of ischemic stroke patients are randomly divided into surrounding needling group (n=31) and scalp acupuncture group (n=30). The ischemic focus of the brain is determined by CT examination. For patients of the surrounding needling group, Gauge 29-30 stainless steel filiform needles are inserted into the surrounding scalp of the focal projection region one by one, with the needle tips toward the center of the focal projection area, and combined with other body acupoints according to syndrome differentiation. For patients of scalp acupuncture group, Motor Area (MS 6) and Sensory Area (MS 7) of the contralateral side of the focus are used. The treatment is performed once daily in both groups, with 30 sessions being a therapeutic course. After one course of treatment, in surrounding needling and scalp acupuncture groups, 20 and 11 cases are cured basically, 10 and 15 have a marked improvement, 1 and 4 are effective, the therapeutic effect of the former group is significantly superior to that of scalp acupuncture group. After treatment, plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) levels of the two groups decrease considerably compared with pre treatment of each group (P<0.01), and the effects of surrounding needling on E and NE are more evidently than those of scalp acupuncture (P<0.05). Results suggest that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture may be related to the decline of plasma E and NE levels.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDLING METHODS

Purpose: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of different needling methods in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. Methods: A total of 158 cases of peripheral facial palsy patients are randomly divided into treatment group (n=116 cases, who are treated by penetration needling method) and control group (n=42 cases, who are treated with traditional acupuncture method). In treatment group, main acupoint pairs for penetration needling are Yangbai (GB 14) -Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Tongziliao (GB 1) -Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiache (ST 6) -Dicang (ST 4) and Chengjiang (CV 24) -Jiachengjiang (EX-HN) on the affected side, and in control group, the main acupoints used are Yifeng (TE 17), Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Jingming (BL 1) and Chengjiang (CV 24). The treatment is given once daily with 10 sessions being a therapeutic course. Results: After 3 courses of treatment, the cure rates of treatment group and control group are 81.8% and 66.7% separately, showing a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The total effective rates of treatment and control groups are 96.5% and 88.1% separately, presenting a significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of penetration needling method is better than that of traditional acupuncture method.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE TREATMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS BY ACUPUNCTURE IN BA-HE TECHNIQUE

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Ba-He techniqu e of acupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A total of 90 cases of knee osteoarthritis were evenly randomized into Ba-He technique group (observation group) and common technique group (control group), with 45 cases in each group. Zusanli (足三里 ST 36), Heding (鹤顶 EX-LE 2) and Dubi (犊鼻 ST 35 ) were punctured respectively in Ba-He technique and common technique in the two gr oups. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared after one course o f treatment (10 sessions) in accordance with Japanese assessment criteria for kn ee-joint functions. Results: After treatment, among the 74 and 7 1 affected knees in the observation and control groups, the therapeutic effect was excellent in 42 (56.8%) and 26 (36.6%) knees, fine in 14 (18.9%) and 20 (28.2%), OK in 10 (13 .5%) and 11 (15.5%), and poor in 8 (10.8%) and 14 (19.7%) respectively. The ther apeutic effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of co ntrol group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The Ba- He technique of acupuncture applied to the above-mentioned three acupoints exerted remarkable therapeutic effect for k n ee osteoarthritis, which is obviously better than that of the common needling te chnique.

Practice and Evaluation : Management of Acupuncture Needle Disinfection and Sterilization

Objective： To investigate the necessity and importance of enhancing the sterilization management of acupuncture needles. Methods： Traditionally, acupuncture needles were cleaned manually without thermal disinfection, which often caused needle-stick injuries. To solve the problems, a special cleaning case for acupuncture needles was designed and built to help achieve optimization of the processing flow if the case is used correctly in the process of recycling, cleaning, and package checking. Results： Closed treatment of acupuncture needles reduced the percentage of needle-stick injuries to zero, and centralized management raised patients＇ satisfaction rate from 93% to 98%. Conclusions： Effective sterilization of acupuncture needles is a precondition for the safe treatment of patients. Optimization of the processing flow can ensure the safety of medical personnel and patients; safety is stipulated by relevant regulationsconcerning sterilization and disinfection standards.

PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS TREATED BY MULTI-DIRECTIONAL NEEDLING

Objective：To search for an effective therapy in treating peripheral facial paralysis. Methods： One hundred and eight patients were randomly divided into treatment group （n = 68） and control group （n = 40）. The multi-directional needling technique was used by selecting Jiache （颊车 ST 6）, Yangbai （阳白 GB 14） and Dicang （地仓 ST 4） in the treatment group, and the traditional acupuncture technique with conventional needle selection was used in the control group. The treatment was given once daily with 10 treatments constituting a therapeutic course, and 2 courses of treatment were given in both the groups. Results： After the treatment, of the 68 and 40 cases in treatment and control groups, 56 （82.3%） and 28 （70.0%） were cured, 11 （16.2%） and 8 （20.0%） improved in clinical symptoms and signs, 1 （1.5%） and 4 （10.0%） failed, with the total effective rate being 98.5% and 90.0% respectively, and the therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group （ P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The multi-directional needling is an effective therapy for treating peripheral facial paralysis.