Efficacy evaluation of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training for post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern.Methods:Sixty-six patients with post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis patter were divided into an observation group and a rehabilitation group using the random number table method.The two groups both received conventional medications and supportive treatment for stroke.In addition,the observation group received acupuncture plus rehabilitation training while the rehabilitation group only received the same rehabilitation training.The interventions were conducted 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks in both groups.They were evaluated using Kubota water swallowing test(KWST),Fujishima Ichiro food intake level scale(FILS)and symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)before and after treatment,and at the 1-month follow-up.The therapeutic efficacy was assessed at the 1-month follow-up.Results:The KWST grading and FILS result after treatment and at the follow-up were significantly different from those before treatment in both groups(all P<0.001);the results of these two items at the follow-up were not significantly different from those after treatment in the two groups(all P>0.05).There were significant differences in the KWST grading and FILS result between the two groups after treatment and at the follow-up(all P<0.05).The TCM symptoms score changed significantly after treatment and at the follow-up compared with that before treatment in both groups(all P<0.001).The TCM symptoms grading efficacy at the follow-up was significantly different from that after treatment in the observation group(P<0.05),while the difference was statistically insignificant in the rehabilitation group(P>0.05).The TCM symptoms grading efficacy in the observation group was significantly different from that in the rehabilitation group after treatment and at the follow-up(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Based on the conventional treatment for stroke,acupuncture plus rehabilitation training or use of rehabilitation training alone both can improve the clinical symptoms in post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern,but acupuncture plus rehabilitation training can produce more significant efficacy and better long-term efficacy in improving TCM symptoms.

Evaluation of a granulated formula for the nerve root type and vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis：a multicenter,single-blind,randomized,controlled,phase Ⅲ clinical trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cervical spondylosis formula granules in reducing the symptoms of patients with the nerve root type and the vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis.METHODS:This was a multicenter, single-blind,randomized, controlled trial.From April 2002 to November 2003, 499 patients were randomly assigned to either the treatment or the control group.The treatment group was orally administered granules prepared with a formula for cervical spondylosis, while the control group was given Jingfukang granules.The treatment course was 1 month for both groups.RESULTS:In patients with the nerve root type of cervical spondylosis, the total effect rate in the treatment group(87.21%) was significantly higher than that in the control group(80.70%, P < 0.01).After the treatment period in both groups, the treatment group had a significantly greater rate of resolution of pain, numbness of the upper limbs, muscle strength of the upper limbs, and fatigue than the control group(all P < 0.05).In patients with the vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis, the total effect rate in the treatment group(82.07%) was similar to that in the control group(71.21%, P >0.05).After the treatment period in both groups,the treatment group had a significantly greater rate of resolution of weakness of the waist and knees than the control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:The cervical spondylosis formula granules significantly improve numbness, muscle strength, and fatigue, and reduce pain in patients with the nerve root type of cervical spondylosis,and improve the weakness of the waist and knees in patients with the vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis.

Effect of supplementing Qi and promoting blood circulation therapy on left ventricular remodeling: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an adjuvant therapy from Traditional Chinese Medicine for supplementing Qi and promoting blood circulation(CMSQPBC) on left ventricular remodeling in patients after myocardial infarction(MI).METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were identified in the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang databases, reviews, and reference lists of relevant articles. The weighted mean difference(WMD) was calculated for changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), LV end-diastolic volume(LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume(LVESV) from baseline to follow-up(> 3 months) by using random-effects Meta-analysis. The primary outcome was change in LVEF, and secondary outcomes were changes in LV dimensions including LVEDV and LVESV.RESULTS: A total of 10 trials(enrolling 854 participants, median follow-up six months) evaluated the association between CMSQPBC and changes in LV function and volume. Compared with the control group, CMSQPBC significantly improved LVEF(854 patients;WMD: 4.97%, 95% CI: 3.78-6.15;P < 0.001)and attenuated the enlargement of LVEDV(607 patients;WMD:-7.89 mL, 95% CI:-11.54 to-4.24;P<0.001) and LVESV(364 patients;WMD =-5.80 mL,95% CI,-9.60 to-2.01;P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: CMSQPBC may reverse deleterious pathological remodeling after myocardial infarction. Higher quality and more rigorous randomized trials with larger sample sizes are needed to further confirm the findings.

Clinical and Experimental Study on Huodan Tablet (藿丹片) in Treating Infantile Viral Myocarditis

Objective: To study the effect of Huodan tablet (藿丹片, HDT) in treating infantile viral myocarditis. Methods: Clinical manifestations and physical signs as well as laboratory examinations have been observed. Results: The markedly effective rate was 68%, and total effective rate 91.67% in the treated group, while in the control group, the markedly effective rate was 30.83%, and the total effective rate 70.84%. According to Ridit analysis, significant difference was shown between the two groups. r-treated group=0.5000, r-control group=0.295+2×0.025 respectively. Conclusion: HDT has no toxic side-effect and can be taken safely and conveniently, it conforms to the demands of WHO on new drug for prevention and cure of myocarditis.