INSOMNIA TREATED WITH AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY IN 218 CASES

218 cases of insomnia were treated by auricular plaster therapy with seeds of Vaccaria segetalis. The auricular points Heart, Shenmen, Occiput and Brain were selected. The resultsshowed that 136 cases were cured, 76 markedly impr0ved and 6 no effect. The effect of this therapywas significantly better than that of medication (P【0. 01) in comparison with the application of western medicine.

THE EFFECT OF AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY ON 1000 CASES OF DYSMENORRHEA

1000 patients suffering from dysmenorrhea have been treated by applying auricular-plaster therapy in our clinic since 1957. They were differentiated into 3 types and then given pressingtherapy on selected auricular points. Among the 1000 cases, 817 cases were cured, marked effective159 cases, with the total effective rate of 99. 6%. This therapy was effective to all 3 types of dysmen-orrhea.

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTROPTOSIS

In the present study, 100 patients suffering from gastroptosis were randomly dividedinto auricular-plaster group and acupuncture group. The effective rates of the two groups were bothabove 90% and no statistically significant difference in the rates was found between these groups (P】0. 05). It indicates that auricular-plaster and acupuncture, though they are different from each otherin methodology, are both effective in the treatment of gastroptosis.

43 CASES OF POSTOPERATIVE GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE PLUS AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY

After general surgical operation, a part of patients occur gastrointestinal dysfunction.The author has treated 43 cases of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction by acupuncture plus auricularplaster therapy. Body points Neiguan((PC 6 ), Hegu(LI 4 ), Zusanli (ST 36 ) and Gongsun(SP4), and auricular points Shenmen(MA-TF 1 ), Wei, Jiaogan(MA-AH 7) and Dachang(MA-SC 4),etc. were selected. Results indicated that 31 cases were cured, 11 cases were effective and one casewas ineffective. The total effective rate was 97. 7%. There was no statistically significant differencebetween the kinds of diseases operated and therapeutic effects. The method is convenient and its actionlasts a long period with more satisfactory effects for treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF COMBINED AURICULAR-PLASTER AND MOXIBUSTION THERAPIES FOR TREATMENT OF 500 CASES OF DYSFUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING

The present study reports results of 500 cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding treatedwith combined auricular-plaster and moxibustion therapies. After treatment, 480 cases were cured,constituting 96. 0 %; 16 cases were improved, constituting 3. 2% and 4 had no any effect, constituting 0. 8 %. The total effective rate was 99. 2 %.

Nursing Based on Syndrome Differentiation Combined with Auricular Plaster Therapy in Alleviating Insomnia

Objective:To observe the effect of auricular point pressing combined with nursing based on syndrome differentiation in the treatment of insomnia patients.Methods:Totally 92 patients with insomnia were randomly divided into the observation groupgiven auricular point pressing combined with nursing care based on syndrome differentiation and the control group treated with auricular point pressing alone.The improvement of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),TCM Syndrome Score and nursing satisfaction were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The time effect of PSQI total score and 6 factors in both groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).The time effect,interaction effect and inter-group effect of subjective sleep quality,PSQI total score were statistically significant(P<0.05);the 4 inter-group factors of sleep quality,sleep latency,sleep duration and daytime function were statistically significant(P<0.05).The total score of TCM syndromes in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the satisfaction rate in the observation group higher than that in the control group(80.43%vs.60.86%,P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point pressing combined withnursing based on syndrome differentiation can effectively improve the sleep quality of insomnia patients,and has significant advantages in improving TCM syndromes,as well as gained higher nursing satisfaction from patients.

OBSERVATION ON 30 CASES WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR ARTICULAR DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME TREATED BY AURICULAR-POINT-PRESSING THERAPY

The writer has treated 30 cases of temporomandibular articular dysfunction syn-drome with only auricular pressing therapy. The method: A seed of vaccaria segetalis is used to tapethe Antitratic Apex point and the Shenmen point of ear, then the practitioner presses the seed withhand to produce sensations, such as distension, numbness, heat, and a little sweating etc.. Exchangtwo sides of the ears alternatively. The treatment is performed once every two or three days and threetimes are constituted one course. In one or three courses we can obtain the therapeutic effectiveness as50% cured, 43% improved and 6.7% failed.

Beneficial effects of auricular acupressure on preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy:evidence from systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective： To evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials （RCTs） of auricular acupressure （AA） therapy for preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods： The following databases were searched from their inception until August 2017： Ovid Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials （CENTRAL）, and Allied and Alternative Medieine （AMED）. We also searched four Chinese databases： Chinese BioMedical Database （CBM）, China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, WANFANG Data, and Chinese VIP Database. Only the RCTs related to the effects of AA therapy on preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included in this study. Quantitative syntheses of data from RCTs were conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Study selection, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by two authors. Cochrane criteria for risk of bias were used to assess the methodological quality of the trials. Results： Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and most were of low methodological quality. Study participants in the AA plus routine care group showed significantly greater improvements in the response rate （risk ratio [RR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.14, 1.42], P 〈 0.01） with low heterogeneity （x2=2.31, P =0.31, F = 14%）. In addition, when compared with routine care alone, one RCT suggested favorable statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on Constipation Assessment Scale （CAS; mean difference [MD] =-5.07, 95% CI [-6.86, -3.28], P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, when compared with routine care alone, one RCT suggested positive statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life （PAC-QOL; MD = -1.26, 95% CI [-1.59, -0.93], P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions： Overall, as a potential safety therapy, only weak evidence can support the hypothesis that AA can effectively prevent constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Auricular therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients:Perspectives from the traditional zang-fu organs and meridians theory

This paper presents the theoretical background of using auricular therapy(AT)for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting(CINV)from the perspectives of traditional zang-fu organs and meridian theory.The zang-fu organs of stomach,spleen and liver play a crucial role in regulating the gastrointestinal functions.The chemotherapeutic agents can significantly impede the gastrointestinal functions and subsequently contribute to various gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and vomiting.Dysfunctions of the stomach,spleen and liver can correspond to specific auricular acupoints,while by stimulating those acupoints,the chaotic Qi movement can be reversed to its normal status,and the hyperactivities of the gastrointestinal system can also be alleviated to reduce the CINV symptoms.Clinical studies based on such theory have well supported the effects of AT on CINV.However,relationships between the traditional theory and the modern medicine understanding of the CINV mechanisms remain unknown and should be further explored in future research.

A study of acupoint selection rules of moxibustion and auricular point therapy in the treatment of urinary retention after anorectal surgery based on data mining

Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System(V2.5),we explored the compatibility rules of moxibustion and auricular point prescriptions in the treatment of urinary retention after anorectal surgery,and further to obtain new prescriptions.Methods:We searched CNKI,Wanfang,VIP and CBM databases for the literature of moxibustion and auricular point therapy for urinary retention after anorectal surgery,collecting complete prescriptions and entering them into the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System(V2.5).The acupoint frequency,association rules,and combination rules were analyzed by data mining method of software integration.Results:126 moxibustion prescriptions were selected,and the acupoints for urinary retention after anorectal surgery in the literature were analyzed,including 10 acupoints with frequency≥6,9 acupoint combinations with frequency≥26,5 acupoints with association rules,6 core acupoint combinations and 3 new prescription.124 auricular point prescriptions were selected,and the relevant acupoints in the literature were analyzed,including 10 acupoints with frequency of use≥18,15 acupoint combinations with frequency≥40,12 acupoint combinations with association rules,6 core acupoint combinations,and 3 new prescriptions.The core points include Qihai(RN6),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Zhongji(RN3),Guanyuan(RN4).The auricular point therapy is more to select the tenderness points and acupoints that have an impact on the urinary system,mainly including“Pangguang”(CO9),“Shenmen”(TF4),“Shen”(CO10),“Sanjiao”(CO17),“Pizhixia”(AT4),“Niaodao”(HX3),“Fei”(CO14),“Jiaogan”(AH6a).Conclusion:Moxibustion for the treatment of urinary retention is mainly based on invigorating“Primordial Qi”and regulating the functions of“Middle Jiao”(refers to the area of the body just below the diaphragm and above the navel that helps produce delicate nutrients).The entropic clustering of complex systems excavated new prescriptions for the treatment of urinary retention after anorectal surgery,providing new ideas for future research and treatment.

The Application Progress of Auricular Therapy in Diabetes

Diabetes,as a chronic incurable disease,not only causes acute complications such as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar status,ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia,but also affects arteries and nervous system,causing the eyes,kidneys,feet,blood vessels,nerves and other organs or tissues damage,and leading to the occurrence and development of chronic diseases.The World Health Organization believes that diabetes may be the most important non-communicable global disease caused by unhealthy modern lifestyles and regards it as a major global health problem.At present,there is still a lack of specific drugs for the treatment of diabetes,and related treatment drugs are often accompanied by adverse reactions.Auricular therapy as a non-drug,non-invasive treatment method show unique advantages in the treatment of diabetes.This article reviews the mechanism of auricular therapy and its application status in diabetes,in order to broaden the mind for the auricular therapy to treat diabetes.

Meta analysis on the effectiveness of auricular therapy combined with modern medicine in the treatment of depression/anxiety disorders in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective:We used meta-analysis to explore the clinical efficacy of auricular point therapy combined with modern medicine in improving depression/anxiety in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:We searched CNKI,Wanfang,Weipu,CBM,The Cochrane Library,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase through computer to build a randomized controlled trials of auricular therapy combined with modern medicine in the treatment of depression/anxiety disorders in China and abroad since 2022.Two evaluators independently screened the studies,extracted and cross-checked the key data in the studies independently after determining the included studies,and then evaluated the quality of the studies respectively.Finally,we used RevMan 5.3 platform for statistical processing of data.Results:This meta-analysis included a total of 12 clinical randomized controlled trials,including a total of 899 patients.The results showed that the observation group was more effective in reducing the scores of Hamilton Anxiety Scale,self rating Anxiety Scale,self rating Depression Scale,Pittsburgh sleep quality index score of maintenance hemodialysis patients.In addition,there was no statistical difference between the observation group and the control group in improving the total clinical effective rate.Conclusion:The observation group has a more obvious effect on the improvement of anxiety or depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients.However,due to the limitation of the quantity and quality of the included studies,the real efficacy of auricular therapy combined with modern medicine in improving anxiety or depression disorder after maintenance hemodialysis still needs to be supported by more carefully designed and standardized multi-center,large-sample clinical studies.

Balloon dilation of Eustachian tube combined with tympanostomy tube insertion and middle ear pressure equalization therapy for recurrent secretory otitis media

Objective: To report outcomes of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty combined with tympanostomy tube insertion and middle ear pressure equalization therapy in treatment of recurrent secretory otitis media. Methods: Fifty one patients with recurrent secretory otitis media (62 ears) underwent balloon dilation of Eustachian tube and tympanic tube insertion under general anesthesia, followed by long term middle ear pressure equalization therapies. The Eustachian tube score (ETS) and Eustachian tube function questionnaire (ETDQ-7) were used for pre- and postoperative (up to 12 months) evaluation of Eustachian tube functions. Results: The mean ETS score was 2.34 ± 0.97 preoperatively, and 6.17 ± 1.54, 7.23 ± 1.62, 8.24 ± 1.97, and 7.63 ± 1.86 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.05). The ETDQ-7 score was 4.82 ± 1.07 preoperatively, and 2.20 ± 0.54, 2.32 ± 0.68, 2.53 ± 0.79, and 2.67 ± 0.76 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Balloon dilation of Eustachian tube combined with tympanostomy and catheterization resulted in significant improvement of subjective symptoms and objective evaluation of Eustachian tube functions in most patients with recurrent secretory otitis media, as indicated by the ETS and ETDQ-7 scores, demonstrating high levels of efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Association of auricular pressing and heart rate variability in pre-exam anxiety students

A total of 30 students scoring between 12 and 20 on the Test Anxiety Scale who had been exhibiting an anxious state 〉 24 hours, and 30 normal control students were recruited. Indices of heart rate variability were recorded using an Actiheart electrocardiogram recorder at 10 minutes before auricular pressing, in the first half of stimulation and in the second half of stimulation. The results revealed that the standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals and the root mean square of standard deviation of normal to normal intervals were significantly increased after stimulation. The heart rate variability triangular index, very-low-frequency power, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power were increased to different degrees after stimulation. Compared with normal controls, the root mean square of standard deviation of normal to normal intervals was significantly increased in anxious students following auricular pressing. These results indicated that auricular pressing can elevate heart rate variability, especially the root mean square of standard deviation of normal to normal intervals in students with pre-exam anxiety.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia

Vulvar leukoplakia refers to the chronic disease of degeneration and hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva with unbearable itching in women, seriously affecting the quality of life. The main treatment of western medicine for vulvar leukoplakia is the external use of glucocorticoids or estrogen, resulting to the high recurrence rate and side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of the overall concept and dialectical treatment with a variety of ways. Literature review in recent years found that the treatment of TCM decoction combined with external therapies, such as external fumigation, acupuncture and other treatments, or the combination of TCM decoction and external western medicine hormone ointment, can obtain good effects in vulvar leukoplakia. During the clinical practice, we found that the use of TCM internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting was highly effective with unique advantages in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia, providing the ideas guidance for clinicians.

Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Combination Therapies for Insomnia

Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, affects general well-being, hastens the onset of other diseases, and impairs work performance. Hypnotic medications are efficacious in the short term but have obvious side effects. Acupuncture, often used to treat insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is considered to be beneficial in restoring the normal sleep-wake cycle by regulating and restoring the natural flow of qi (energy power). The three main TCM theories for treating insomnia by acupuncture are the tranquilization disturbance, zangfu disturbance (disequilibrium of internal organs), and imbalance of yin and yang theories. Moxibustion, another treatment for insomnia, is usually combined with acupuncture. Acupuncture and moxibustion with tuina (exercise massage), acupuncture with Chinese herbal injection, electroacupuncture, and acupuncture with medication or psychotherapy are other interventions. Some acupuncture-based methods such as needle-rolling acupuncture, auricular acupoint plaster therapy, phlebotomy, and acupoint catgut-embedding therapy are used as well. Although most clinical trials have shown that acupuncture and its combination therapies are significantly effective in insomnia, the beneficial effects may have been overvalued, because of small sample size, nonstrict inclusion and exclusion criteria, flawed methodology, short follow-up, or nonstandardized evaluation. Therefore, clinical studies of high methodological quality are needed to verify the efficacy of acupuncture, moxibustion, and other combination therapies in insomnia.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON AURICULAR POINT TREATMENT FOR 144 CASES OF BILIARY COLIC

In this study, 144 cases of biliary colic were treated by injecting Atropine in the auricu-lar points (Liver, Gallbladder). Among the 144 cases, 130 cases were markedly effective, 11 cases ef-fective and 3 cases ineffective, with the effective rate being 97. 90%. The results showed that therewas no difference between colic degrees, ages and analgesic effects. But analgesic effects for biliary as-cariosis and cholecystitis, cholelithiasis are much better than choledochal calculus (P【0.01).

CONSTIPATION TREATED BY AURICULAR ACUPOINT PRESSING COMBINED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AT ZUSANLI POINT

This paper reports that 65 cases with functional constipation were treated by putting one Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) seed on each acupoint, Intestinum crassum, Intestinum tenue,Sympathicum, Lung, Spleen, Subcortex, of auricula and pressing, associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point on both sides. The patients were instructed to press the stuck seed twice a day for 3 to 5 minutes each time. Auricular acupoints of both sides were used alternately every 2 days. The electric acupuncture was applied at Zusanli points about 30 minutes each time every other day. Ten times (i. e. 20 days) make one course of treatment and the routine treatment consists of 1 to 2 courses. The results showed that all the patients were cured, patients with Shi Mi (the constipation of excess type) were cured after one course of treatrnent while Xu Mi (the constipation of deficiency type) were cured after two courses. The study suggests that this kind of treatment is an ideal therapy for functional constipation. The pathogenesis and mechanism of treatment of auricular acupuncture pressing associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point for constipation are discussed.

Meta-analysis of ear acupoint therapy to treat sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients

Background:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of auricular therapy on sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients using meta-analysis methods,and to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice.Methods:PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,China Journal Full-text Database,Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database,and Wanfang Resource Database were searched up to February 2023.Randomized controlled trials of auricular therapy for sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients were collected and included in the study.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:587 patients from 7 randomized controlled trial studies were included.The auricular therapy group had better sleep conditions than the conventional care group,as evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,in terms of total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score(mean difference(MD)=–5.11,95%confidence interval(CI)(–5.25,–4.96),P<0.00001),subjective sleep quality(MD=–0.64,95%CI(–0.72,–0.56),P<0.00001),falling asleep time(MD=–0.37,95%CI(–0.49,–0.26),P<0.00001),sleep time(MD=–0.38,95%CI(0.44,–0.32),P<0.00001),sleep efficiency(MD=–0.15,95%CI(–0.23,–0.07),P<0.0001),sleep disturbances(MD=–0.18,95%CI(–0.28,–0.09),P=0.0002),daytime dysfunction(MD=–0.89,95%CI(–1.18,–0.6),P<0.00001),and hypnotic medication(MD=–0.22,95%CI(–0.4,–0.03),P=0.02).Conclusion:Auricular therapy is an effective method for improving sleep quality in hemodialysis patients,providing evidence-based support for clinical practice.