Clinical Observation of the Hot and Humid Compress Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Type of Lumbar Disc Herniation

Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.

Symptoms associated with nucleic acid turning-negative-time in COVID-19 patients?

Objective:To explore on the association between nucleic acid turning-negative-time and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients with the Omicron variant.Method:For this retrospective cross-sectional study,we enrolled 189 patients with COVID-19(age 20-90 years)were included.multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the TCM symptoms affecting the nucleic acid turning-negative-time of COVID-19 patients,during the process of data analysis,taking with nucleic acid turning-negative-time as the dependent variable,and TCM symptoms as independent variables,and at the same time,sex,age,hypertension,diabetes,and coronary heart disease were as confounding variables.Results:The study found that the most common TCM symptoms of COVID-19 patients with Omicron were cough,dry throat,expectoration,fever,sore throat,pharyngeal itching,running nose,and nasal congestion.Regression analysis showed that the fit regressive equation showed a significant difference(F=4.286,P<0.001),R=0.400,the adjusted R^(2)=0.123,and three variables in the regression equation showed significant difference(P<0.05).The results showed that nucleic acid turningnegative-time was mostly related to constipation,fever,and expectoration.If the patients had the symptoms of constipation,fever,and expectoration;that is,if patients showed these symptoms,the turning-negative-time of nucleic acid in patients with Omicron will be prolonged.Conclusions:Treatment based on symptoms for patients with constipation,fever,and expectoration may have important clinical significance for the COVID-19 patients with Omicron.

Clinical Study on the Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion with the Method of Acupoints on the Treatment of Chronic Gastritis with Sleep Disorder

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints on the treatment of chronic gastritis with sleep disorders.Methods:Sixty patients with chronic gastritis and sleep disorders in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected and recruited.These patients were divided into two groups,namely the control group and experimental group by using random number table method.Each group consisted of 30 cases.The control group was treated with conventional drugs,whereas the observation group was treated with acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints on top of the treatment prescribed for the patients in control group.The TCM syndrome score,gastrin level,and sleep quality level were compared between the two groups.Results:After four weeks of treatment,the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptom score,gastrin level,and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints can improve TCM symptom scores,reduce gastrin levels,and improve sleep quality in patients with chronic gastritis and sleep disorders.

Ningxin Tongyu Zishen Tang in Treatment of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency:A Retrospective Control Study

Background:Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)is a common refractory disease in gynecology,and its etiology and pathogenesis are complex.Psychological stress exerts an impact on women’s physical and mental health,and in turn affects the ovarian reserve function,which is one of the important etiologies and pathogenesis of POI.The compound formula Ningxin Tongyu Zishen Tang(NTZT)is composed of Chinese herbal medicines which can nourish heart and tranquilize mind,tonify kidney and supplement essence.By comparing the menstrual symptoms,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone before and after treatment,the NTZT is clarified for its curative effect and advantages in patients with POI.Objective:The study aimed to observe the effects of NTZT on menstrual symptoms,TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone in POI patients.Methods:60 POI patients were divided into two groups,namely observation group and control group,with 30 patients in each group.The patients in both groups were treated by hormone replacement therapy(HRT).The observation and control groups received treatment with NTZT and or Liuwei Dihuang Wan(LDW),respectively.All of the patients were treated for 3 months continuously.The menstrual symptoms,TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone of the two groups were investigated before and after treatment.Results:It was found that the menstrual symptoms,TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone improved dramatically after treatment in the observation group(P<0.01).By comparison,the menstrual symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone improved significantly(P<0.01),but no obvious improvement in TCM symptoms(P>0.05)in the control group was observed.Compared with the control group,the observation group showed significant improvement in TCM symptoms and the levels of serum sex hormone(P<0.01),but no significant difference was observed in the menstrual symptoms(P>0.05).In addition,there was no any adverse events such as gastrointestinal dysfunction and drug allergyobserved in both groups,indicating the safety of the two TCM formulas.Conclusion:The study found that NTZT could restore menstruation and improve the levels of sex hormone in patients with POI.It was also found that NTZT could eliminate the feelings of vexation,insomnia and dream-fulness,as well as tidal fever and sweating,aching pain of loins,and vaginal dryness significantly.It can be proved that NTZT is effective in treating patients with POI owing to its effects of nourishing heart and tranquil-izing mind,tonifying kidney and supplementing essence together,leading to elimination of psychological stress,which further promotes the development of the ovaries.