Traditional Chinese medicine for foot pain in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS)is characterized by pain as well as sensory,motor,and sudomotor disorders.Generally,it is classified into two types CRPS-I and CRPS-II.There is no single diagnostic test or treatment approach for CRPS,and a multidisciplinary approach is gaining attention to improve patients’symptoms and their quality of life.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history sought treatment for CRPS at a hospital of Korean medicine.During her first visit,she was wheelchairbound due to severe pain in her left lower extremity.She had edema and discoloration of the left foot.She was treated with a combination of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)approaches,including acupuncture,moxibustion,pharmacopuncture,and herbal decoction,for approximately 20 sessions.The foot and ankle outcome score(FAOS)and visual analog scale(VAS)score for pain were evaluated,along with general signs and functions.Her symptoms,signs,FAOS,and VAS scores improved after treatment,with a significant 7-degree decrease in the VAS score and a 62-point increase in the FAOS score.Additionally,the foot swelling and discoloration gradually resolved.During the phone follow-up,5 mo after the last visit,additional improvements in outcomes were observed.CONCLUSION Combined TCM treatment may be a reasonable and safe option for alleviating symptoms and improving function in patients with CRPS.

Therapeutic Effects of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Treating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Objective: To improve the effects of treatment of severe acute re spiratory syndrome (SARS) and to explore the clinical significance of integrate d traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine (ICWM) in the treatment of S ARS and its influence on the chief indexes in the process of the disease. Methods: The clinical study involving observation of 135 patients of SARS was conducted in the randomized, synchronously controlled and open way. The patients were divided into two groups, 68 in the ICWM group and 67 in the c ontrol group, all of whom were treated with the same basic treatment of western medicine, but to the ICWM group, Chinese drugs for clearing Heat, detoxifying an d removing Dampness were given additionally. The comprehensive effect on relievi ng fever, cell mediated immunity, pulmonary inflammation and secondary infect ion was compared between the two groups. Results: The therapeutic effect in the ICWM group was better than that in the control group in such aspects as steadily lowering body temperature, alleviating general symptoms, accelerating the absorption of pulmonary infiltra tion and easing cellular immunity suppression. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of ICWM is better in treating SARS than that of western medicine alone.

Common traditional Chinese medicine therapies for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: An overview of systematic reviews

Objective: To critically evaluate and summarize the methodological quality of systematic reviews(SRs)and present objective and important outcomes on the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) therapies, including Chinese herbal medicine(CHM), acupuncture, and moxibustion, for diarrheapredominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search for SRs in 7 databases until April 16, 2022.Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the reviews according to the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2(AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic reviews(ROBIS) tool, and the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis(PRISMA) statement. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation(GRADE) was used to rate the quality of evidence.Results: IBS-D patients included in 12 reviews were diagnosed in accordance with the Rome criteria, 9 reviews focused on CHM, 2 articles observed moxibustion and heat-sensitive moxibustion, 1 article studied acupuncture and CHM. The outcomes of the SRs were the effectiveness rate, the total effectiveness rate,global symptom improvement, and adverse effects. Based on AMSTAR-2, which measures the quality of methodology, all of the included studies were of low or critically low quality. According to the ROBIS tool, 10 SRs(83.33%) had a high risk of bias. With the PRISMA checklist, only 3 SRs reached over 90% compliance.Based on GRADE, most evidence was of low quality, and there was a moderate quality of evidence that the effectiveness rate of modified-Tongxie Yaofang was superior to Western medicine in the treatment of IBS-D.Conclusion: Given the suboptimal reporting and methodological quality of existing SRs, more studies are needed to clarify whether TCM therapies are more effective or safe than pharmacological medicine.Future studies should combine evidence-based medicine with TCM research according to the characteristics of TCM.

Clinical Comparison and Analysis of Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Ear Acupoint Application and Simple Artificial Tears in the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical comparison and analysis of decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) combined with ear acupoint application and simple artificial tears in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. METHODS:A total of 62 patients(124 eyes) with dry eye syndrome treated in the Department of Ophthalmology of The 4th People's Hospital of Shenyang from July 2017 to March 2018 were selected and equally divided into 2 groups according to the admission order. The observation group received the combination therapy of TCM decoction and ear acupoint application, while the control group was given the simple artificial tears. The symptom score after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks as well as the indicators including break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SIT) and fluorescein(FL) were recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: The symptom scores had no difference before treatment(P > 0.05), and were better in the observation group than those in the control group after treatment(P < 0.05). At 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the treatment, the amelioration level of BUT, SIT, and FL indicators in the observation group was better than that of the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the artificial tears treatment method, the TCM decoction combined with ear acupoint application can significantly ameliorate the tear film stability, tear secretion, and reduce ocular surface damage for dry eye patients.

Integrative techniques using acupuncture,Chinese herbal medicine,diet,and supplements for polycystic ovary syndrome:a case report

Patients with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） are on the rise. About 4%-12% of women are currently estimated to have this condition. It is hypothesized that PCOS appears in women who have long-standing insulin resistance （1R）, which leads to high androgen and testosterone levels; this ultimately disrupts their menstrual cycles. Some researchers attribute IR to genetic factors, although there have been only minute changes in the human genome in the past 20 000 years. However, even with a stable gene pool, genes can be turned on and offby the environment, food and air quality and toxin exposure.

Effect of mild moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and NLRP6 inflammasome signaling in rats with post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND About one-third of refractory irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)cases are caused by gastrointestinal(GI)infection/inflammation,known as post-infectious/postinflammatory IBS(PI-IBS).Although it is known that intestinal microbiota and host NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6(NLRP6)inflammsome signaling are closely related to PI-IBS and moxibustion has a therapeutic effect on PI-IBS,whether moxibustion regulates the intestinal flora and host NLRP6 events in PI-IBS remains unclear.AIM To examine the regulatory effect of moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and host NLRP6 inflammatory signaling in PI-IBS.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group,a model control group,a mild moxibustion group,and a sham mild moxibustion group.PI-IBS rats in the mild moxibustion group were treated with moxibusiton at bilateral Tianshu(ST 25)and Zusanli(ST36)for 7 consecutive days for 10 min each time.The sham group rats were given the same treatment as the mild moxibustion group except the moxa stick was not ignited.Abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)score was measured to assess the visceral sensitivity,and colon histopathology and ultrastructure,colonic myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity,and serum C-reactive protein(CRP)level were measured to evaluate low-grade colonic inflammation in rats.The relative abundance of selected intestinal bacteria in rat feces was detected by 16S rDNA PCR and the NLRP6 inflammsome signaling in the colon was detected by immunofluorescence,qRTPCR,and Western blot.RESULTS The AWR score was significantly decreased and the low-grade intestinal inflammation reflected by serum CRP and colonic MPO levels was inhibited in the mild moxibustion group compared with the sham group.Mild moxibustion remarkably increased the relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium,and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii but decreased that of Escherichia coli in the gut of PI-IBS rats.Additionally,mild moxibustion induced mRNA and protein expression of intestine lectin 1 but inhibited the expression of IL-1β,IL-18,and resistance-like moleculeβby promoting the NLRP6 and reducing the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD(ASC)and cysteinyl-aspartate-specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1).The relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus,Bifidobacteria,Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,and Escherichia coli in each group were correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP6,ASC,and Caspase-1 in the colon.CONCLUSION These findings indicated that mild moxibustion can relieve low-grade GI inflammation and alleviate visceral hypersensitivity in PI-IBS by regulating intestinal microbes and controlling NLRP6 inflammasome signaling.

Effect of moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy on postoperative pain relief after mixed hemorrhoid operation

Objective:To investigate the effect of moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy on the postoperative pain relief of patients undergoing surgical operation for mixed hemorrhoid with damp‑heat syndrome.Methods:Totally,159 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to the control group,study group 1,and study group 2,with 53 cases in each group.All patients received routine care after surgical treatment,including acupoint application and Chinese herbal fumigation.In addition,patients in the study group 1 received moxibustion,and those in the study group 2 were given moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy.The degree of postoperative pain was evaluated using visual analog scale(VAS).Results:There was no significant difference in VAS score on pain during dressing changes among three groups(P>0.05).After 3,5,and 7 days of intervention,there was a significant difference in VAS score on pain at rest among three groups(P<0.001),and VAS score in the study group 2 was lower than that in the study group 1 and the control group after 3 and 5 days of intervention,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy is effective to relieve the postoperative pain of patients undergoing a surgical operation for mixed hemorrhoids with damp‑heat syndrome.

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.

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.

论基于“病、证、征结合”方剂的主治表述

目前对方剂主治的规范性研究较少,通过对方剂主治源流的梳理并分析《方剂学》教材中方剂主治描述中存在的问题,提出“病、证、征结合”3个层次的方剂主治描述规范,从而有利于临证依法用方、规范教材和规范方剂的科学研究。

身痛逐瘀汤加味联合盐酸普拉克索片治疗痰瘀痹阻型不宁腿综合征的临床观察

目的观察身痛逐瘀汤加味联合盐酸普拉克索片治疗痰瘀痹阻型不宁腿综合征(RLS)患者的临床疗效。方法将50名痰瘀痹阻型RLS患者按照随机数字表法分为2组,对照组25例予盐酸普拉克索片治疗,治疗组25例在对照组基础上联合身痛逐瘀汤加味治疗。2组均治疗1周为1个疗程,治疗2个疗程后统计疗效,比较2组治疗前后国际RLS严重程度评分量表(IRLS)评分、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)评分及中医症状评分变化情况。结果治疗组总有效率92.00%(23/25),对照组总有效率60.00%(15/25),治疗组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。与本组治疗前比较,2组治疗后IRLS评分、PSQI评分及中医症状评分均降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后IRLS评分、PSQI评分及中医症状评分均低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论身痛逐瘀汤加味联合盐酸普拉克索片治疗痰瘀痹阻型RLS疗效确切,可有效改善患者临床症状及中医症状,改善患者睡眠质量,操作简便,临床疗效显著,安全性良好。

中医适宜技术联合盆底肌肉训练治疗产后压力性尿失禁临床观察

目的 对产后压力性尿失禁患者进行中医适宜技术干预治疗,并观察效果。方法 将60例患者随机分为治疗组和训练组,并对其进行相应治疗,观察2组1 h尿垫试验结果、Sandvik尿失禁指数和国际尿失禁咨询委员会尿失禁问卷简表(ICI-Q-SF)评分改善情况,以及临床疗效。结果 治疗后,治疗组1 h尿垫试验结果、Sandvik尿失禁指数和ICI-Q-SF评分改善均优于训练组。治疗结束时,治疗组总有效率为86.7%(26/30),高于对照组的63.3%(19/30)(P<0.05)。6个月随访时治疗组总有效率86.7%(26/30)亦高于对照组的56.7%(17/30)(P<0.05)。结论 在产后女性中,压力性尿失禁的发生是值得关注的问题。将中医适宜技术与凯格尔训练联用干预产后压力性尿失禁达到巩固、延长疗效的目的。

七味白术理肠方联合脐灸治疗激素依赖溃疡性结肠炎的临床疗效及对激素撤退的影响

目的观察七味白术理肠方联合脐灸治疗激素依赖溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的临床疗效及对激素撤退的影响。方法将90例激素依赖UC患者按照随机数字表法分为2组,对照组45例予口服美沙拉嗪肠溶片治疗,治疗组45例予七味白术理肠方口服联合脐灸治疗。治疗3个月后,比较2组治疗前后中医证候评分、Baron内镜评分、T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD8^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+))水平变化,统计2组疗效及激素撤退率。结果治疗组总有效率88.89%(40/45),对照组总有效率62.22%(28/45),治疗组临床疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后中医证候各项评分均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均低于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后Baron内镜评分均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后低于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)均较本组治疗前升高(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均高于对照组(P<0.05),2组治疗后CD8^(+)均降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗组激素撤退率高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论七味白术理肠方联合脐灸能有效改善激素依赖UC患者的中医证候疗效,促进肠黏膜损伤愈合及激素撤退,提高患者的免疫功能,具有良好的临床疗效。

雷火灸摆阵配合电刺激治疗盆腔肌筋膜痛的临床护理效果

目的观察雷火灸摆阵疗法配合电刺激治疗盆腔肌筋膜疼痛的临床护理措施。方法选取贵港市中西医结合骨科医院于2019年1月—2020年6月收治的盆腔肌筋膜疼痛患者58例,依据随机单盲方法将患者分为2组,各29例。所有患者均应用雷火灸摆阵疗法配合电刺激治疗,在治疗的同时,对照组采取常规护理,观察组实施针对性护理。对2组疼痛评分、满意度等进行综合分析,评估不同方案对患者的影响。结果观察组护理1、2周,疼痛评分分别为(4.2±1.0)分、(3.5±0.9)分,明显低于对照组的(4.8±1.2)分、(4.2±1.1)分(P<0.05)。观察组并发症发生率为3.45%,低于对照组的20.69%(P<0.05)。护理满意度为93.10%,高于对照组的72.41%(P<0.05)。护理3周后盆腔功能障碍评分为(9.2±1.4)分,低于对照组(15.6±1.6)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论雷火灸摆阵联合电刺激是治疗盆腔肌筋膜疼痛的有效方案,在治疗中配合针对性护理方案,能减轻患者的痛苦,提升护理满意度,改善盆腔的功能。

耳穴疗法联合普瑞巴林胶囊治疗气滞血瘀型带状疱疹后遗神经痛临床观察

目的分析耳穴疗法联合普瑞巴林胶囊治疗气滞血瘀型带状疱疹后遗神经痛(PHN)的临床效果。方法经随机方式把80例带状疱疹(HZ)住院患者归入对照组、治疗组,分别实施常规治护+普瑞巴林胶囊口服止痛疗法、常规治护+中医耳穴压豆+普瑞巴林胶囊口服止痛疗法,对比两组神经痛改善状况。结果在疼痛缓解方面,相较对照组,治疗组具有显著优势(P<0.05)。治疗组总有效率为90.00%(36/40),高于对照组的77.50%(31/40);治疗组的复发率为10.00%(4/40),低于对照组的22.50%(9/40)(P<0.05)。结论耳穴压豆+普瑞巴林胶囊疗法对于气滞血瘀型PHN的缓解有着积极作用,同时止痛效果相较单用普瑞巴林胶囊更具优势。

异位妊娠中西医结合保守治疗的现状和展望

异位妊娠作为一种常见的妇科急症,其治疗策略的优化对于提升育龄女性生殖健康具有重要意义。该文综合分析了中西医结合在异位妊娠保守治疗中的应用现状,并探讨了其未来发展趋势。通过对甲氨蝶呤单药治疗和腹腔镜手术等西医传统方法的评估,与中医药治疗如中药、针灸和推拿等方法的综合疗效进行对比,揭示了中西医结合治疗在提高治疗效果和降低副作用方面的潜力。展望未来,个体化治疗方案、微创技术的进步和中药新药的开发,预计将为异位妊娠的保守治疗提供更广阔的视野。本综述强调了中西医结合治疗异位妊娠的优势,并为其在临床实践中的深入应用提供了科学依据。

国医大师夏桂成论中医女性生殖节律理论的“节”和“律”

分述女性生命中五种节律(昼夜节律、周节律、月节律、年节律、生命节律)特征以及夏桂成教授基于生殖节律理论治疗妇科临床疾病的经验。昼夜节律是生命节律的基本单位,白天活动振奋阳气,夜间安睡静养阴血是最基本的养生准则。七为少阳数,女性的经期常持续7天,阴分充足“锦丝带”(像锦缎一样的阴道分泌物)也可达7天,更有助成孕。月经周期节律上应月下应潮,夏教授提出了经典的四期月经周期节律学说,后为了更好地描述阴阳变化,又将经典的四期分为七期,以更好地指导临床。并附验案1则。

健脾温中益气方联合针灸对结直肠癌术后患者胃肠道功能及胃肠道激素水平的影响

目的观察健脾温中益气方联合针灸对结直肠癌术后患者胃肠道功能及胃肠道激素水平的影响。方法将102例结直肠癌术后患者按照随机数字表法分为2组,对照组51例予西医常规治疗,治疗组51例在对照组治疗基础上加用健脾温中益气方联合针灸治疗,2组均治疗30天。比较2组胃肠功能、胃肠道激素水平、免疫功能指标变化;比较2组不良反应。结果治疗组首次排气时间、首次排便时间及肠鸣音恢复时间均较对照组短(P<0.05)。2组治疗后胃动素、胃泌素水平均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),治疗后治疗组胃动素、胃泌素水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后CD8^(+)较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),CD4^(+)、CD3^(+)较本组治疗前升高(P<0.05);治疗后治疗组CD8^(+)低于对照组(P<0.05),CD4^(+)、CD3^(+)高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组不良反应总发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论健脾温中益气方联合针灸治疗可改善结直肠癌术后患者胃肠道功能和胃肠道激素水平,提高机体免疫功能,安全性较高。

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