Cerebral functional imaging of Waiguan (SJ 5) acupoint specificity using single-photon emission computed tomography

The action of needling in acupoint therapy has to first be regulated and integrated by the brain, and then it affects the target organ and manifests its therapeutic effects, which is dependent on the specificity of the acupoints. The authors put forward the hypothesis of the ＂acupoint-related brain＂. Single-photon emission computed tomography was used to explore the activation of brain regions following true needling in true acupoint Waiguan （SJ 5）, sham needling in true acupoint Waiguan, true needling in a sham point, and sham needling in a sham point. The relative specificity of Waiguan in normal persons was analyzed by observing changes in regional cerebral blood flow. Compared with the sham needling in true acupoint group and sham needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can activate brain regions controlling movement. Compared with true needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can also activate brain regions controlling movement. The results suggest that the specificity of needling at an acupoint is related to certain activated cerebral functional regions, which are associated with the clinical application of the acupoint.

Acupuncture at Waiguan (TE5) influences activation/deactivation of functional brain areas in ischemic stroke patients and healthy people A functional MRI study

In the present study, 10 patients with ischemic stroke in the left hemisphere and six healthy controls were subjected to acupuncture at right Waiguan （TE5）. In ischemic stroke subjects, functional MRI showed enhanced activation in Broadmann areas 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 24, 32, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the mamiilary body, and the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 4, 6, 7, 18, 19 and 32 of the right hemisphere, but attenuated activation of Broadmann area 13, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum, and the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, in the left hemisphere and Broadmann area 13 in the right hemisphere. In ischemic stroke subjects, a number of deactivated brain areas were enhanced, including Broadmann areas 6, 11,20, 22, 37, and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, alae lingulae cerebella, and the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 8, 37, 45 and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, pars tuberalis adenohypophyseos, inferior border of lentiform nucleus, lateral globus pallidus, inferior temporal gyrus, and the parahippocampal gyrus of the right hemisphere. These subjects also exhibited attenuation of a number of deactivated brain areas, including Broadmann area 7. These data suggest that acupuncture at Waiguan specifically alters brain function in regions associated with sensation, vision, and motion in ischemic stroke patients. By contrast, in normal individuals, acupuncture at Waiguan generally activates brain areas associated with insomnia and other functions.

Description of the critical point symmetry in ^(124)Te by IBM-2

Based on the neutron and proton degrees of freedom, low-lying energy levels, E2, M1, and E0 transition strengths of nucleus ^(124)Te have been calculated by the neutron-proton interacting boson model. The calculated results are reasonably consistent with the experimental data. By comparing the key observables of the states at the critical point of U_(πv)(5)-O_(πv)(6) transition with the experimental data and calculated results, we show that the ^(124)Te is a possible nucleus at the critical point of the second-order phase transition from vibration to unstable rotation, and such a critical point exhibits slight triaxial rotation. The 0_2^+ state of ^(124)Te can be interpreted as the lowest state of the first-excited family of the intrinsic levels in the critical point symmetry.

Penetration needling on complementary acupoints for insomnia

Objective To observe the comparison of the clinical efficacy between penetration needling from Neiguan （内关 PC 6） to Waiguan （外关 TE 5） and western medicine estazolam for insomnia. Methods Sixty insomnia patients were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table, 30 cases in each group. Penetration needling from PC 6 to TE 5 was mainly adopted in acupuncture group for once a day, 5timesa week, and treatment for 4 weeks was 1 course of treatment. Estazolam was orally given in medicine group before sleep every night in a dosage of 1 mg per time, and treatment for 4 weeks was 2 course of treatment. After 4 weeks, the clinical efficacy and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） score were compared respectively between the two groups. Results The total effective rate was 90.00% in acupuncture group and 63.33% in medicine group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. PSQI score in acupuncture group was （7.93＋3.77）, which was superior to that in medicine group （10.60＋4.20）, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The penetration needling of complementary acupoints from PC 6 to TE 5 was simple and convenient which can significantly improve the patients＇ sleep quality.

Activated and deactivated functional brain areas in the Deqi state: A functional MRI study

We compared the activities of functional regions of the brain in the Deqi versus non-Deqi state, as reported by physicians and subjects cludng acupuncture, Twelve healthy volunteers received sham and true needling at the Waiguan （TE5） acupoint. Real-time cerebral functional MRI showed that compared with non-sensation after sham needling, true needling activated Brodmann areas 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 37, 39, 40, 43, and 47, the head of the caudate nucleus, the parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus and red nucleus. True needling also deactivated Brodmann areas 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. 10. 18.24.31.40 and 46.

Post-stroke hand motor impairment treated with acupuncture at Zhōngzhǔ(中渚 TE 3) and Wàiguān(外关 TE 5)

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of post-stroke hand motor impairment treated with acupuncture at Zhongzhu （中渚 TE 3） and Waiguan （外关TE 5）. Methods Sixty cases of post-stroke hand motor impairment were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other rehabilitation trainings were applied in both groups. In observation group, Zhongzhu （中渚 TE 3） and Waiguan （外关TE 5） were punctured. The assessment was performed with neurologie deficit scoring of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS）, hand motor function, walking ability and the modified Barthel index scale of the Activities of Daily Living （ADL） in both groups before and after treatment. Results After treatment, the scores of hand function, walking ability, ADL and NIHSS were improved in both groups as compared with those before treatment （all P〈0.01）. The improvements of hand function, walking ability and ADL ：in observation group were superior to those in control group （all P〈0.05）. Conclusion The conventional medication and rehabilitation trainings combined with acupuncture at Zhongzhu （中渚 TE 3） and Waiguan （外关TE 5） ean obviously improve hand motor function, walking ability, the activities of daily living and rehabilitation efficacy in the patients with post-stroke hand motor impairment.

针刺外关穴激活脑区的PET脑功能成像研究

目的:研究针刺外关穴对不同脑区的激活情况。方法:12名健康志愿者随机分为外关针刺组、非穴针刺组,分别接受相应的针刺刺激。运用PET仪进行脑部扫描,所得图像采用SPM2软件包进行处理和分析。结果:与非穴针刺组比较,外关穴针刺组能够激活Brodmann area(BA)7、13、21、22、39、40、45、46、右侧海马、双侧小脑和脑干等区域。结论:外关穴的主治功效与针刺外关所激活的脑部特定区域密切相关。

针刺外关穴和非穴SPECT脑功能成像的比较研究

目的:运用SPECT脑功能成像技术,比较针刺外关穴、针刺非穴不同状态下,青年志愿者不同脑区的激活情况,以印证"经穴特异性-脑相关假说"。方法:18例健康志愿者,随机分为正常对照组、外关穴针刺组、非穴针刺组,分别接受不同的处理。同时,运用GE公司M illennium MG SPECT系统完成脑部扫描。所得图像采用SPM2软件包进行处理和分析。结果:与正常对照组比较,外关穴针刺后BA 3、2、20、46区、以及壳核、尾核、岛叶等区域有激活点;非穴针刺后BA10、18、19、30、21、9、8、6、22区等区域有激活点,激活区域都集中在左侧;外关穴针刺组与非穴针刺组比较则表明,BA10、9、8、18、19、21、22、30区、以及小脑扁桃体等区域有负激活点。结论:针刺对脑区血流状态有着肯定的影响;针刺外关穴与针刺非穴存在着一定的差异。

生物全息疗法结合远端取穴法对髋关节疼痛患者疼痛及Harris评分的影响

目的:观察生物全息疗法结合远端取穴法对髋关节疼痛患者疼痛及Harris评分的影响。方法:选取本院诊治的髋关节疼痛患者120例,按照随机数字表法分为研究组和对照组各60例。对照组给予常规治疗,研究组在对照组治疗的基础上给予生物全息疗法结合远端取穴法进行治疗。观察两组患者的临床疗效、疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual Analogul score, VAS)及髋关节功能评分。结果:研究组有效率为88.33%,对照组有效率为66.67%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后VAS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后Harris评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:生物全息疗法结合远端取穴法能有效减轻髋关节疼痛患者疼痛,促进髋关节功能恢复。

针刺中渚、外关治疗脑卒中后手功能障碍

目的:观察针刺中渚、外关改善脑卒中后手功能障碍的临床疗效。方法:将60例脑卒中后手功能障碍患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组30例,两组均给予常规药物治疗及物理治疗、作业治疗等康复训练,观察组加针刺患手中渚、外关。两组治疗前后分别进行神经功能缺损评分、手功能、步行能力、日常生活活动能力(ADL)改良巴氏指数量表等评定。结果:两组患者治疗后,手功能、步行能力、ADL、NIHSS评分较治疗前均有明显改善(均P<0.01)。观察组手功能、步行能力、ADL改善较对照组更为明显(均P<0.05)。结论:脑卒中后手功能障碍患者常规药物治疗及康复训练配合针刺中渚、外关治疗,能明显改善脑卒中后手功能障碍,提高步行能力,提高日常生活活动能力,提高康复疗效。

生理状态下针刺“合谷”穴区对恒河猴面口部肌电活动的影响

目的:运用神经肌电检测技术观察生理状态下针刺恒河猴"合谷"穴区与面口部肌肉运动的特异性联系。方法:将18只恒河猴随机分为合谷穴区组、后溪穴区组、外关穴区组,每组6只。在生理状态下检测针刺不同穴区前后面口部额肌、颧肌及口轮匝肌的肌电活动,比较研究针刺不同穴区对面口部肌电的影响。结果:针刺"合谷"穴使额肌肌电的潜伏期降低(P<0.01),峰峰值、面积增高(P<0.05,P<0.01);颧肌肌电的面积增高(P<0.01),峰峰值升高(P<0.05)、潜伏期降低(P<0.05);口轮匝肌肌电的频率增高(P<0.01),潜伏期降低(P<0.01);针刺"合谷"穴前后额肌、颧肌、口轮匝肌的肌电频率、峰峰值、面积及潜伏期变化率明显高于针刺"后溪""外关"穴(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:合谷穴区与面口部肌肉运动之间存在相对特异的联系。

刘孔藤教授“内关透外关”针刺法的临证运用

介绍刘孔藤教授采用"内关透外关"针刺法治疗各类疾病的临床经验。对穴位特性、透刺技巧和方法以及"内关透外关"针刺法的临证适宜范围进行总结,举例说明治疗肘臂痿痹、头痛、失眠、颈项拘急、呕吐、呃逆、心胸诸疾、急腹痛、急性腰扭伤、急性踝关节扭伤、肩周炎等病证的"内关透外关"的针刺方法。

温针灸外关穴治疗脑卒中后肩手综合征Ⅰ期的临床观察

目的:在常规针刺及康复训练基础上,观察温针灸外关穴对脑卒中后肩手综合征Ⅰ期的治疗作用。方法:将60例脑卒中后肩手综合征Ⅰ期患者随机分为温针灸组30例和对照组30例。温针灸组采用温针灸外关穴配合常规针刺及康复训练,对照组采用常规针刺及康复训练。针刺及康复训练每次各30min,温针灸每次20min,每日治疗1次,每周5次,共治疗10次。分别于治疗前后应用疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、水肿分级评分、简式Fugl-Meyer量表进行评定。结果:两组治疗后VAS、水肿分级评分、简式Fugl-Meyer评分均较治疗前改善(P<0.01),温针灸组的改善作用优于对照组(P<0.01)。温针灸组的总有效率[96.7%(29/30)]明显高于对照组[80.0%(24/30)],P<0.05。结论:常规针刺及康复疗法配合温针灸外关穴治疗脑卒中后肩手综合征Ⅰ期有很好的临床疗效。