Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Wumen Acupuncture in the Adju-vant Treatment of Non-arteriticAnterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

[Objectives]To explore the clinical efficacy of Wumen acupuncture in the adjuvant treatment of non-arteritic anterior ischemic op-tic neuropathy(NAION).[Methods]From June 2023 to April 2024,40 NAION patients were randomly divided into treatment group(Wu-men acupuncture method+methylprednisolone sodium succinate+compound Danshen dripping pills orally)and control group(methylpred-nisolone sodium succinate+compound Danshen dripping pills orally).The clinical symptoms such as fundus condition and visual field were compared between the two groups before treatment,after 2 courses of treatment and 6 months after the first diagnosis.[Results](i)After 2 courses of treatment,the patients with optic disc edema in the treatment group were more than those in the control group,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The number of patients with retinal hemorrhage in the treatment group was less than that in the control group,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The color of the optic nerve in the treatment group was less than that in the control group,and the difference was not significant(P>0.05).(ii)Six months after the first diagnosis,the improvement of fundus in the treatment group was bet-ter than that in the control group(P<0.05).After 2 courses of treatment and 6 months after the first diagnosis,the visual evoked potential was significantly improved compared with the control group(P<0.05).After 2 courses of treatment and 6 months from the first diagnosis,the number of lines of visual acuity improvement in the treatment group was greater than that in the controlgroup(P<0.05).After 2 courses of treatment and 6 months from the first diagnosis,the average visual field defect in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Wumen acupuncture method can significantly improve the symptoms of patients with non-arteritic anterior ische-mic optic neuropathy,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

"Meridian-sinew Acupuncture Method"Improves Deformity Joint Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joint deformity and dysfunction are common and serious complications in the late stage of rheumatoid arthritis,which seriously affect the quality of life of patients.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)believes that joint deformity and dysfunction in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis are closely related to the apraxia of meridians and tendons due to enduring illness.Based on the theory of meridians and tendons circulation,using the local and nearby therapeutic effect of acupoints as the treatment method in clinical practice,we conducted penetration needling of Houxi,Baxie,Wailaogong as well as Ashi points of interphalangeal joints of both hands through bilateral Sanjian,and used the uniform reinforcing-reducing method to soothe tendons and meridians,thus effectively improving the dysfunction of deformed joints.

Mechanism of"Five Meridians Acupuncture"in Treating Postoperative Urinary Retention after Anorectal Diseases

In recent years,with the change of rhythm and eating habits of the public,the number of patients with anorectal diseases has gradually increased,and postoperative urinary retention has also become more common.Urinary retention refers to the symptoms of anorectal diseases and is caused by improper urination and incompletion of urination due to surgical and pain causes that result in bladder and urine filling and are accompanied by lower abdominal distention and pain.In traditional Chinese medicine,acupuncture is simple and effective as a treatment.In this article,we focus on five meridians that pass through the lower abdomen Ren meridian,kidney meridian,spleen meridian,stomach meridian,and liver meridian,namely the"five meridians,"and study the mechanism of action so as to provide new therapeutic ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment of postoperative urinary retention of anorectal diseases.

Exploring the mechanism of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method for ischemicstroke based on EEG dynamic changes: a study protocol of an exploratory,prospective,interventional trial

Background: The Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method, founded by Academician ShiXuemin, has outstanding efficacy in the treatment of ischemic stroke and has been widelyused at home and abroad. However, after half a century of animal experiments and clinicalstudies, clearly and intuitively revealing its therapeutic mechanism is still a great challengefor researchers. Therefore, this experiment is based on the combination of medicine andengineering to study the immediate effects of the acupuncture method in treating patientsby recording the electroencephalography (EEG) activities of subjects during the acupunctureprocess and to further reveal the therapeutic mechanism at the brain level. Methods: Thistrial is an exploratory, prospective, single-arm interventional study involving a total ofpatients with ischemic stroke. Physicians will record EEG data from patients duringacupuncture as the primary outcome indicator. After pre-processing the EEG data,researchers will use various methods to analyze the immediate effects of acupuncture toobtain brain effectiveness. Deep learning will then be used to identify acupoint stimuli andreceive correspondence between the acupuncture effect and the brain’s internal state.National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score before and after the acupuncture process willbe used as the secondary outcome indicator. Conclusion: This is the first study protocol toapply dynamic changes in EEG to explore a range of mechanisms of action of acupuncture inthe treatment of ischemic stroke. We propose a method to analyze EEG signals ofacupuncture patients. The deep learning model will be applied for supervised training toobtain the compelling relationship between the acupuncture method and internal brainstates, providing a new prospect for the digitization of traditional Chinese medicine.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE HEAD PONINT-THROUGH-POINT BY PENETRATING TWO POINT ON ISCHEIC STROKE

Objective To probe methods and therapeutic effects of Head Acupuncture on ischemic stroke. Methods One hundred and twelve cases were randomly divided into observation group (head acupuncture group) and control group (body acupuncture group). After treatment of 28 days, changes of linguistic function and paralysis level of limbs before and after treatment were investigated. Results The total effective rate was 96.6% in the observation group and 90.7%, in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The electroacupuncture head point-through-point by penetrating two point therapy is one of effective methods for ischemic stroke.

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON APOPLECTIC SEQUELAE TREATED WITH “XINGNAO KAIQIAO”(XNKQ) ACUPUNCTURE METHOD

The research sumed up the main acupoints of prescription and clinical therapeutic effects of apoplectic sequelae.In the series, 60 in-patients were observed, they were divided into two groups at random, 30 cas es in the Xing Nao Kai Qiao group, 30 cases in the traditional group. There are compara bility on different diseases, courses of the disease, ages and so on between the two groups. On the treatment method, Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture manipulation and acupoints prescription were adopted in the Xing Nao group, and the method descriped in the fifth edition textbook was applied in the traditional group. Acupuncture treatment was given two times a day. After 60 days, evaluation of clinital therapeutic effects were made and the changes of blood rheology, blood liPOids microcirculation and electromyogram in the two groups were observed before and after acupuncture treatment. The re sults of therapeutic effects suggested that the cure rates were 26. 67% in the 6. 67 % in the Xng Nao group and traditional group respectively, obvious improvement rates were 46. 69 % and 20.00% re spectively in the two groups. There was an obvious difference between the two groups according to sta tistical analysis (P<0.05, P <0.01 ). It showed that Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture method could obviously improve blood rheology and blood-lipoids (P <0.05 ), and played an active regulation role in the nail fold microcirculation. After treatment, electromyogram showed that electric potential of motor unit was markedly incrcased, myodynamia became stronger. It indicated that the Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture method was better than the traditional acupuncture method on the treatment of apoplectic sequelae. It is worth popularizing.

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 STUDY ON LASER NEEDLE-KNIFE AND ACUPUNCTURE FOR VERTEBRAL-ARTERY-TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Objective To compare the effect of laser needle-knife and acupuncture with medication for vertebral-artery-type cervical spondylosis （CSA）. Methods The 88 outpatients of CSA were divided with single-blind method into Treatment Group （treated by laser needle-knife and acupuncture） with 48 patients in it and Control Group （treated by Intravenous drip of Compound Salvia Miltiorrhiza Injection and oral taking of Flunarizine （Sibelium） with 40 patients in it. Before the treatment, the two groups were without difference statistically. Results In the treatment group, the curative rate was 60.42% and the total effective rate 97.92%. In the control group, the curative rate was 30% and the total effective rate 87.5%. In statistics, P〈0.05, a significant difference existed between the two groups. Conclusion The effect of laser needleknife and acupuncture for CSA is obviously better than that of medication, worth spreading.

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.

Treatment of peripheral facial paralysis with acupuncture at Rényíng (人迎 ST 9) combined with stellate ganglion block:a randomized controlled trial

Objective To explore the best therapeutic method in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. Methods One hundred and twenty cases were randomized into a conventional acupuncture group [Yangbai （阳白 GB 24）, Sibai （四白 ST 2）, Yingxiang （迎香 LI 20）, etc.], a Renying （人迎ST 9） acupuncture group and an operation ＋ acupuncture group [acupuncture at ST 9 as the main acupoint and the stellate ganglion block （SGB）], 40 cases in each one. The treatment was given once a day, 7 treatments made one session. After 3 sessions of treatment, the latency and the amplitude of the direct stimulation evoked potential of the facial nerve （ENoG） were compared before and after treatment in three groups, as well as R2 and R2 values of blink reflex （BR）. The total clinical efficacy was assessed. Results The latency of ENoG was shortened and the amplitude was increased significantly in three groups. After treatment, ENoG latency was lower significantly in the operation ＋ acupuncture group as compared with that in the conventional acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. In the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group, the amplitude of ENoG was increased as compared with P〈0.05）. After treatment in three groups, those in the other two groups （all R2 and R2 values were decreased significantly. The differences in R1 and R2 values in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group and the operation ＋ acupuncture group before and after treatment were bigger than those in the conventional acupuncture group （all P〈0.05）, and the difference in R2 value in the operation ＋ acupuncture group was bigger than that in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group （P〈O.05）. The clinical markedly effective and curative rate was 87.5% （35/40） in the operation ＋ acupuncture group, which was superior to 77.5% （32/40） in the Renying （）人迎 ST 9）acupuncture group and higher significantly than 65.0% （26/40） in the conventional acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Compared with the conventional acupuncture, the efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis is much better in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group and the operation ＋ acupuncture group. Moreover, the early reflex function of the damaged facial nerve is much better recovered in the operation ＋ acupuncture group as compared with that in the Renying （人迎 ST 9） acupuncture group.

Acupuncture for 40 cases of spasmodic torticollis

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of professor WU Lian-zhong＇s ＂resuscitation and regulating muscle＂ acupuncture method for spasmodic torticollis（ST） based on syndrome differentiation,and to compare the efficacy of acupuncture treatment between the patients with spasmodic torticollis who were not given botulinum toxin A by injection and the patients given botulinum toxin A by injection.Methods Forty patients were divided into treatment group（not given botulinum toxin A by injection） and control group（given botulinum toxin A by injection）,with 20 patients in each group.＂Resuscitation and regulating muscle＂ acupuncture method was adopted in both two groups,and the treatment lasted for 6 months.The clinical efficacy in both two groups was compared after treatment.Tsui＇s Scale was applied to evaluate the overall effect,the abnormal posture of cervical spine and dystonic tremor.Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale（TWSTRS） was used for scoring the severity of torticollis,quality of life and pain.Results After treatment,the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in treatment group were 35.0% and 90.0%,respectively,which were superior to those in control group,namely 20.0% and 75.0%,and the efficacy difference was statistically significant for the total effective rate（P0.05）.It was shown according to the Tsui＇s Scale and TWSTRS that the differences were statistically significant when compared the two groups before and after treatment（all P0.01）;the difference of intergroup comparison after treatment was statistically significant（P0.05）.No adverse effect was found in both two groups during acupuncture treatment.Conclusion ＂Resuscitation and regulating muscle＂ acupuncture method can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of ST patients,and better efficacy is found in the patients not given botulinum toxin A by injection.The course of treatment of acupuncture treatment for torticollis patients is longer,and the patients should insist on treatment,and keep a good attitude.

Application of Nape Acupuncture in Treatment of Vertebral-artery Type Cervical Spondylosis

Objective： To observe the effect of nape acupuncture on vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis. Methods： Eighty patients with vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into nape acupuncture group and Jiaji acupuncture group, with 40 cases in each group. The patients in the nape acupuncture group were treated with the nape acupuncture plus Jiaji acupuncture, while the patients in the Jiaji group were treated with Jiaji acupuncture only, to observe the functional scale before and after treatment. Results： The total effective rate in the nape acupuncture group was 95.0%, while the total effective rate in the Jiaji acupuncture group was 82.5%. By Ridit analysis, u=5.186, P〈0.01. It indicated that the therapeutic effect in the nape acupuncture group was better than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group. Compared with Jiaji acupuncture group, the difference value of pre- and post-treatment about functional scale of vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis and the post-treatment score have statistic differences （P〈0.01）. It indicated that the therapeutic effect of nape acupuncture group was more obvious in treating vertigo than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group. Conclusion： The treatment of vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis by Jiaji acupuncture plus the nape acupuncture may enhance the therapeutic effect significantly.

Design and establishment of warehouse on literature of acupunture-moxibustion methods

Objective To establish a warehouse on acupuncture-moxibution （acup-mox） methods to explore valuable laws about research and clinical application of acup-mox in a great number of literature by use of data mining technique and to promote acup-mox research and effective treatment of diseases. Methods According to the acup-mox literature information of different types, different subjects of the aeup-mox literature are determined and the relevant database is established. In the continuously enriched subject database, the data warehouse catering to multi-subjects and multi-dimensions is set up so as to provide a platform for wider application of aeup-mox literature information. Results Based on characteristics of the acup-mox literature, many subject databases, such as needling with filiform needle, moxibustion, etc., are established and clinical treatment laws of acup-mox are revealed by use of data mining method in the database established. Conclusion Establishment of the acup-mox literature warehouse provides a standard data expression model, rich attributes and relation between different literature information for study of aeup-mox literature by more effective techniques, and a rich and standard data basis for acup-mox researches.

Observation on lower-reinforcing and upper- reducing acupuncture method for hyperplasia of mammary gland and its influence on estradiol and progesterone

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method for hyperplasia of mammary gland （HMG） and its influence on estradiol （E2） and progesterone （P）. Methods： A randomized, single-blinded and controlled trial was conducted. A total of 124 cases conforming to the inclusion criteria were randomized by random number table into a treatment group and a control group, with 62 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received acupuncture therapy at the same acupoints, while patients in the treatment group received lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing method, and patients in the control group received even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The treatment started around 10 d before menstruation and was conducted every other day. Patients received 5 treatments in each menstruation cycle for consecutive 3 cycles. The levels of E2, P and E2/P and clinical efficacy were measured before and after treatment. Results： After treatment, the breast lump size, pain intensity and concomitant symptoms score in both groups were substantially lower than those before treatment, showing statistical significances （all P〈0.01）, and the improvement in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significances （all P〈0.01）. After treatment, the overall effective rate was 91.9% in the treatment group, higher than 72.6% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance （P〈0.01）. After treatment, levels of E2, P and E2/P value showed no statistical significance when compared with those before treatment in the two groups （all P〉0.05）. Conclusion： Lower-reinforcing and upper-reducing acupuncture method can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and signs in HMG patients, and produce a better effect than even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. The majority of HMG patients＇ E2, P level and E2/P value were not beyond the normal ranges; therefore, acupuncture showed no substantial influence on E2 and P levels and E2/P value.

Acupuncture with Du's heat-reinforcing method for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a ran domized con trolled trial

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of Du's heat-reinforcing method and Western medication in treating diarrheapredominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Methods: Sixty-five IBS-D patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table. Thirty-three cases in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture with Du's heat-reinforcing method, while thirty-two cases in the control group were given oral administration of pinaverium bromide tablets. The intervention lasted 4 weeks for both groups. The IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS), IBS-quality of life (IBS-QOL) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) were adopted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results: The two groups each had two dropout cases. The clinical recovery rate was 38.7% and the total effective rate was 90.3% in the treatment group versus 13.3% and 66.7% in the control group. The treatment group was superior to the control group in both clinical recovery rate and total effective rate (both P<0.05). After 1-week and 4-week treatment, respectively, the IBS-SSS scores were lower compared with the baseline in both groups, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05);the score in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group, and the betwee n-g roup differe nee was statistically sign ifica nt (both P<0.05). After 4-week treatme ntz the comp on ent scores of IBS-QOL showed improvements in both groups, and the treatment group was superior to the control group in the improvements of dysphoria, interference with activity, health worry and food avoidanee (all P<0.05). The anxiety and depression scales of HAD (HAD-a, HAD-d) in the treatment group and the HAD-a in the control group obtained significant improvements (all P<0.05);the scores of HAD-a and HAD-d in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture with Du's heat-reinforcing method can effectively ease the symptoms of IBS-D, improve the quality of life and the state of anxiety and depression. It can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of pinaverium bromide tablets.

Efficacy observation of acupuncture for dry eye syndrome of lung-yin deficiency pattern

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of combining two needling manipulations,Er Long Xi Zhu(two dragons playing with a pearl)and Guo Yan Re(heat produced to reach the eyes),in treating dry eye syndrome(DES)of lung-yin deficiency pattern.Methods:Fifty-six eligible DES patients of lung-yin deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 28 cases in each group.Same acupoints were selected in the two groups:Cuanzhu(BL 2),Sizhukong(TE 23),Taiyang(EX-HN 5)and Fengchi(GB 20)were chosen as the major points and Feishu(BL 13)and Chize(LU 5)as the adjuvant.Er Long Xi Zhu and Guo Yan Re needling manipulations were applied in the observation group while twirling reinforcing manipulation was used in the control group.Treatment was conducted once per day in both groups,for two sets of 15 consecutive days at a 2-day interval.Changes in the symptom score,tear break-up time(BUT)and tear production were observed afterwards,and the clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate was 92.8%in the observation group,higher than 71.4%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the symptom score,tear BUT and tear production showed significant improvements in both groups(all P<0.05);the symptom score,BUT and tear production in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Given the same acupoint selection,combining Er Long Xi Zhu and Guo Yan Re needling manipulations can produce more significant clinical efficacy than twirling reinforcing manipulation in treating DES of lung-yin deficiency pattern.

Effect of soothing-liver and nourishing-heart acupuncture on early selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment onset for depressive disorder and related indicators of neuroimmunology:a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of soothing-liver and nourishing-heart acupuncture on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRIs) treatment effect onset in patients with depressive disorder and related indicators of neuroimmunology.METHODS:Overall,126 patients with depressive disorder were randomly divided into a medicine and acupuncture-medicine group using a random number table.Patients were treated for 6 consecutive weeks.The two groups were evaluated by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale(MADRS) and Side Effects Rating Scale(SERS) to assess the effect of the soothing-liver and nourishing-heart acupuncture method on early onset of SSRI treatment effect.Changes in serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and inflammatory cytokines before and after treatment were recorded and compared between the medicine group and the acupuncture-medicine group.RESULTS:The acupuncture-medicine group had significantly lower MADRS scores at weeks 1,2,4,and 6 after treatment compared with the medicine group(P < 0.01).The acupuncture group had significantly lower SERS scores at weeks 1,2,4,and 6 after treatment compared with the medicine group(P < 0.01).At 6 weeks after treatment,serum 5-HT in the acupuncture-medicine group was significantly higher compared with the medicine group(P <0.01).lnterleukin-6(IL-6) in the acupuncture-medicine group was significantly lower than that in the medicine group(P < 0.01),whereas there was no significant difference in IL-1(3 between the groups(P > 0.05).Anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the acupuncture-medicine group compared with the medicine group(P < 0.01,P < 0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION:The soothing-liver and nourishing-heart acupuncture method can effectively accelerate the onset of SSRI effects when treating depressive disorder and can significantly reduce the adverse reactions of SSRIs.Moreover,acupuncture can enhance serum 5-HT and regulate the balance of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Nitric Oxide Signaling Molecules in Acupoints:Toward Mechanisms of Acupuncture

Recent clinical trial studies have demonstrated that the effects of acupuncture on pain improvement are small and no difference between acupoints and non-points. Whether acupuncture needles must be inserted in specific points depends on whether acupoint specificity exists that is still not resolved, and is now urgent. Previous anatomical studies have demonstrated that acupoints exist higher number of nerve fibers/trunks, blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands as well as density of the gap junction. Recent evidence shows that nitric oxide（NO） level is elevated in the acupoints/meridians and is associated with an enhanced expression of NO synthase endowed with transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. There is growing evidence from international groups showing that acupuncture induces NO-mediated vasodilatation, which increases local blood flow and allows for a flush of algesic or sensitizing substances, leading to pain relief. Previous studies, using a novel biocapture system, have demonstrated that NOx–（total nitrite and nitrate） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate（c GMP） concentrations are consistently increased over skin acupoints compared to non-meridian control regions（NMCR） in humans. Dermal microdialysis in humans showed that NO-c GMP releases in the subcutaneous tissue of acupoint are higher than those in NMCR and increased by electroacupuncture（EA）. Recent studies have demonstrated that low-frequency electrical stimulation and manual acupuncture with low stimulating force and rate produce an elevation of NO release predominantly over acupoints. In contrast, NO levels over the areas of the skin regions are moderately reduced by high-frequency EA stimulation. The results from anatomical and biochemical studies consistently show that acupoints exist higher levels of NO signaling molecules, and stimulus-evoked NO release is also with a higher level at acupoints. Results suggest that NO signaling molecules contribute to the specificity of acupoints, and selecting well-trained acupuncturetists for using correct acupoints and appropriate parameters should improve acupuncture clinical trial studies.

Clinical study on acupuncture for stroke in Congo

Objective To investigate clinical effects of acupuncture method for dredging collaterals and resolving phlegm on stroke in Congo. Methods The patients in Congo China-Congo Friendship Hospital were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medicine group, 30 cases in each group. For the acupuncture group, Moiluoning injection was administrated by intravenous drip and acupuncture was given at Sishencong （四神聪 EX-HN 1）, Zhangwan （中脘 CV 12）, Fenglong （丰隆 ST 40） and Neiguan （内关 PC 6）, etc., once daily for 10 consecutive days as a course of treatment. For the medicine group, 20 mL Moiluoning or 500 mL low molecular Dextran injection was administrated by intravenous drip, once each day for 10 consecutive days as a course of treatment. After 3 therapeutic courses, clinical therapeutic effects were assessed. Results After treatment, the scores for nervous function were significantly decreased in the two groups （both P〈0.05）, with a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）, the acupuncture group being superior to the medicine group; the effective rate （93.3%, 28/30） of the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that （80.0%, 24/30） of the medicine group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture with the method for dredging collaterals and resolving phlegm has a significant clinical effect on stroke.

Acupuncture method of“Huoxue Sanfeng,Shugan Jianpi ” for morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infarction combined with essential hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture method of'Huoxue Sanfeng,Shugan Jianpi'(activating blood and eliminating wind,soothing liver and strengthening spleen)on morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infarction combined with essential hypertension.Methods Sixty-eight patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,34 cases in each one.The patients in the