E®ect of laser acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation on recovery from exercise fatigue in mice

In sports events,the rapid recovery after high-intensity training or sport competition performance is very important for athletes'performance and health.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of laser acupuncture and electrical stimulation on the recovery from exercise fatigue,using mice with swimming fatigue as experimental model and the electromyography(EMG)and the Raman spectroscopy of blood as evaluation indicators.Root mean square(RMS)and mean power frequency(MPF)of EMG were analyzed after laser acupuncture and electrical stimulation.The amplitude frequency combined analysis(JASA)showed that the proportion of muscles in the fatigue recovery area of the control group,the laser acupuncture group,the multi-channel laser acupuncture group and the laser combined with electrical stimulation group were 34.78%,39.13%,39.13%and 43.48%,respectively.Raman spectroscopy of the mice blood during fatigue recovery showed there is a significant difference between the multi-channel laser acupuncture group and the laser combined with electric stimulation group compared with the recovery period and fatigue period(P<0:05)at the peak of 997 cm^(-1) and the laser combined electrical stimulation group had a statistical difference in the recovery period compared with the fatigue period(P<0.05)at the peak of 1561 cm^(-1).The results showed that laser acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation was beneficial to fatigue recovery in mice,and had the potential value in sports fatigue recovery.

IMPACTS OF PENETRATION THERAPY WITH HEAD ELECTRICAL ACUPUNCTURE ON PROLIFERATION OF NEURAL STEM CELLS IN SUBSTANTIA NIGRA OF RAT MODEL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Objective To probe into the function mechanism of penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture on Parkinson＇s disease. Methods Microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamin （6-OHDA） on the left cor- pus striatum was adopted to prepare rotation model of Parkinson^s disease in rat. Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture was administered in treatment. Normal group, sham-operation group, model group and penetration therapy group were set up. （1）lmmunohistochemical （IHC） method was used to test the morphology and count of positive cell of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）. （2）RT-PCR technology was used to detect the expression of nestin mRNA of neural stem cell （NSC）. Results （1）Compared with model group, in pene- tration therapy group, the expressions of TH-positive neurons in immune response were increased in areal density （AD）, numerical density （ND） and integrating optic density （P〈0.05）. （2）Compared with model group, in penetration therapy group, the expression of nestin mRNA was increased （P〈0. 05）. Conclusion Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in substantia nigra of rat model of Parkinson＇s disease.

Effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at"Baihui"and"Shenshu"on improving cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Baihui"(GV20)and"Shenshu"(BL23)on cognitive impairment in AD model mice,and to explore its mechanism.Methods:A total of 24 model mice were randomly divided into EA,medication and model groups,8 mice in each group.Another 8 C57BL/6J mice were used as the normal control.The rats in the EA group were treated with electrical stimulation at Baihui(GV20)and Shenshu(BL23),and those in the medication group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride,once a day for 21 days.Adopting the Maorris water maze method to detect the behavior of mice and using HE staining to observe the morphological structure of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice.Finally the expression of GSK-3βandβ-catenin protein contents in the hippocampus of mice in each group was detected by Western blot.Results:Compared to the model group,the evasion latency of the electroacupuncture group and the western medicine group were significantly shorter,and the dwell time in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the plateau were increased(P<0.05),and the hippocampal neurons in each treatment group were closely arranged and complete,with a clearer hierarchy.Western blot assay results showed that the expression ofβ-catenin protein was significantly increased and GSK-3βprotein expression was decreased in the hippocampal region of mice in the electroacupuncture and western medicine groups compared with the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Ea at"Baihui"(GV20)and"Shenshu"(BL23)can significantly improve the cognitive function of APP/PS1 mice,which may be connected with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Effect of Acupuncture Cooperated with Low-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Chronic Insomnia： A Randomized Clinical Trial

The effect of acupuncture cooperated with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） on chronic insomnia was explored. Seventy-eight patients with chronic insomnia were randomly allocated into two groups： treatment group and control group. In the treatment group, the patients received acupuncture combined with rTMS treatment, and those in the control group were given acupuncture cooperated with sham rTMS treatment, 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the primary outcomes including the scores on Insomnia Severity Index （ISI） and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） and the secondary outcomes including total sleep time （TST）, sleep onset latency （SOL）, wake after sleep onset （WASO）, sleep efficiency （SE%） recorded by sleeping diary and actigraphy were observed in both groups. Seventy-five participants finished the study （38 in treatment group and 37 in control group respectively）. After treatment, the scores in the two groups were improved significantly, more significantly in the treatment group than in the control group. It can be inferred that acupuncture cooperated with rTMS can effectively improve sleep quality, enhance the quality of life of patients and has less side effects.

A CONTROLLED STUDY OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT ON REFRACTORY SCHIZOPHRENIA

Out of 100 cases of intractable schizophrenia,57 cases were in the group ofComputer-Controlled Electric Acupuncture (CCEA) and 43 in the control group.The therapeutic re-sults showed that clinically CCEA had a remarkably effective rate of 40. 35% on refractoryschizophrenia,which had much better curative effects than those in the control group.Through dy-namic evaluation of brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS),negative symptom scale (SANS) and posi-tive symptom scale (SAPS) for both groups before,during and after treatment,the results indicatedthat in CCEA group the scores of BPRS,SANS and SAPS after treatment were much less than thosebefore treatment,which were remarkably different from those in the control group (P【0.01).Lab-oratory examination of thyroxin and androgen of patients in both groups before and after treatmentfound a significant result.

A randomized trial comparing the Tennant Biomodulator to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traditional Chinese acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain in military service members

Background:The present investigation tested the efficacy of the Tennant Biomodulator,a novel pain management intervention that uses biofeedback-modulated electrical stimulation,to reduce chronic pain and its psychosocial sequelae in a sample of current and former military service members.The Tennant Biomodulator used on its most basic setting was compared to two commonly used,non-pharmacological pain treatments—traditional Chinese acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS)—in a comparative efficacy,randomized,open-label trial.Methods:Participants included 100 active duty and retired service men and women with chronic pain undergoing treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas,USA,randomly assigned to receive six,weekly sessions of either Tennant Biomodulator treatment,traditional Chinese acupuncture,or TENS,in addition to usual care.Recruitment was conducted between May 2010 to September 2013.Outcome measures were collected at intake,before and after each treatment session,and at a 1-month follow-up.Intent-to-treat analyses were used throughout,with mixed models used to investigate main effects of group,time,and group×time interactions with consideration given to quadratic effects.Outcomes measured included ratings of chronic pain,pain-related functional disability,and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and depression.Results:On average,regardless of their treatment group,participants exhibited a 16%reduction in pain measured by the Brooke Army Medical Center’s Clinic Pain Log[F(1,335)=55.7,P<0.0001]and an 11%reduction in pain-related disability measured by the Million Visual Analog Scale[MVAS:F(1,84)=28.3,P<0.0001]from baseline to the end of treatment,but no one treatment performed better than the other,and the reductions in pain and pain-related disability were largely lost by 1-month follow-up.Symptoms of PTSD and depression did not change significantly as a function of time or group.Conclusions:Findings build on previous work suggesting that traditional Chinese acupuncture and TENS can reduce pain and its functional sequelae without risks associated with pharmacological pain management.The Tennant Biomodulator used on its most basic setting performs as well as these other interventions.Based on the present findings,large,randomized controlled trials on the Tennant Biomodulator are indicated.Future work should test this device using its full range of settings for pain-related psychological health.Trial registration:Clincialtrials.gov(NCT01752010);registered December 14,2012.

Clinical study on tri-tongue acupuncture combined with lowfrequency electrical stimulation for treating post-stroke dysarthria

BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated low-frequency electrical stimulation combined with tri-tongue acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke dysarthria.This randomized clinical study assessed the correlation between the clinical efficacy of low-frequency electrical stimulation combined with tri-tongue acupuncture in patients with post-stroke dysarthria.AIM To investigate the clinical effects of tri-tongue acupuncture combined with lowfrequency electrical stimulation for treating post-stroke dysarthria.METHODS Ninety patients with post-stroke dysarthria,who were admitted to our hospital from December 2019 to June 2021,were selected and equally divided into two groups(n=45/group)according to the random number table method.Tri-tongue acupuncture was administered in the control group.The treatment group received both tri-tongue acupuncture and low-frequency electrical stimulation.The clinical efficacy,Western Aphasia Battery(WAB)score,general quality of life inventory(GQOLI-74)score,Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment score,and speech function grades were compared and analyzed between both groups.RESULTS The overall efficacy in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before treatment,the WAB,Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment,or GQOLI-74 scores(P>0.05)did not differ between the groups.After therapy,the WAB,Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment,and GQOLI-74 scores in both groups increased significantly(P<0.05),and the treatment group exhibited a significantly greater increase than that of the controls(P<0.05).Moreover,the classification of speech function did not differ between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05),whereas significant improvements were observed in both groups after treatment(P<0.05).The degree of improvement in the treatment group was greater than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Low-frequency electrical stimulation,in conjunction with tri-tongue acupuncture,exhibits a good clinical effect on post-stroke dysarthria.

Changes in plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide and serum neuron specific enolase in rats with acute cerebral ischemia after low-frequency electrical stimulation with different waveforms and intensities

Following acute cerebral ischemia in rats, plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide decreased and the level of serum neuron specific enolase and the volume of the infarction increased. Square-wave and triangular-wave electrical stimulation with low or high intensities could increase the plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide, decrease the serum neuron specific enolase and reduce the infarction volume in the brain in rats with cerebral ischemia. There was no significant difference between different wave forms and intensities. The experimental findings indicate that low-frequency electrical stimulation with varying waveforms and intensities can treat acute cerebral ischemia in rats.

Effect of low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation on peripheral nerve injuries at different sites

BACKGROUND： The postoperative recovery of nerve function in patients with peripheral nerve injury is always an important problem to solve after treatment. The electric stimulation induced electromagnetic field can nourish nerve, postpone muscular atrophy, and help the postoperative neuromuscular function. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation on the functional recovery of postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury, and quantitatively evaluate the results of electromyogram （EMG） examination before and after treatment. DESIGN ： A retrospective case analysis SETTING： The Sixth People＇s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University PARTICIPANTS： Nineteen postoperative inpatients with peripheral nerve injury were selected from the De- partment of Orthopaedics, the Sixth People＇s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University from June 2005 to January 2006, including 13 males and 6 females aged 24-62 years with an average of 36 years old. There were 3 cases of brachial plexus nerve injury, 3 of median nerve injury, 7 of radial nerve injury, 3 of ul- nar nerve injury and 3 of common peroneal nerve injury, and all the patients received probing nerve fiber restoration. Their main preoperative manifestations were dennervation, pain in limbs, motor and sensory disturbances. All the 19 patients were informed with the therapeutic program and items for evaluation. METHODS： ① Low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation apparatus： The patients were given electric stimulation with the TERESA cantata instrument （TERESA-0, Shanghai Teresa Health Technology, Co., Ltd.）. The patients were stimulated with symmetric square waves of 1-111 Hz, and the intensity was 1.2-5.0 mA, and it was gradually adjusted according to the recovered conditions of neural regeneration following the principle that the intensity was strong enough and the patients felt no obvious upset. They were treated for 4- 24 weeks, 10-30 minutes for each time, 1-3 times a day, and 6 weeks as a course. ② EMG examination was applied to evaluate the recoveries of recruitment, motor conduction velocity （MCV） and sensory conduction velocity （SCV） before and after treatment. The patients were examined with the EMG apparatus （DIS- A2000C, Danmark） before and after the treatment of percutaneous electric stimulation. ③Standards for evaluating the effects included cured （complete recovery of motor functions, muscle strength of grade 5, no abnormality in EMG examination）, obviously effective [general recovery of motor function, muscle strength of grade 4, no or a few denervation potentials, motor conduction velocity （MCV） and sensory conduction velocity （SCV）], improved （partial recovery of motor function, muscle strength of grade 3, denervation potentials and reinneration potentials, slowed MCV and SCV, invalid （no obvious changes of motor function）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Ameliorated degree of the nerve function of the postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury treated with percutaneous electric stimulation; ② Changes of EMG examination before and after treatment. RESULTS： All the 19 postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury were involved in the analysis of results. ① Comparison of nerve function before and after treatment in 19 patients with peripheral nerve injury of different sites： For the patients with radial nerve injury （n=7）, the nerve functions all completely recovered after 8-week treatment, and the cured and obvious rate was 100% （7/7）; For the patients with brachial plexus nerve injury （n=3）, 1 case had no obvious improvement, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% （2/3）; For the patients with common peroneal nerve injury （n=3）, the extension of foot dorsum generally recovered in 1 case of nerve contusion after 4-week treatment, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% （2/3）; For the patients with median nerve injury （n=3）, muscle strength was obviously recovered, and the cured and obvious rate was 100% （3/3）; For the patients with ulnar nerve injury （n=3）, 1 case only had recovery of partial senses, and the cured and obvious rate was 67% （2/3）. Totally 9 cases were cured, 7 were obviously effective, 1 was improved, and only 2 were invalid. After 4 courses, the cured rate of damaged nerve function after four courses was 47% （9/19）, and effective rate was 89% （17/19）.② Comparison of EMG examination before and after treatment： Before and after percutaneous electric stimulation, he effective rates of recruitment, MCV and SCV were 89% （17/19）, 58% （11/19）, 47% （9/19） respectively, and there were extremely obvious differences （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： ①Low-frequency pulse percutaneous electric stimulation can improve the nerve function of postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury of different sites, especially that the injuries of radial nerve and median nerve recover more obviously. ②Percutaneous electric stimulation can ameliorate the indexes of EMG examination, especially the recruitment, in postoperative patients with peripheral nerve injury.

Acupuncture transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces discomfort associated with barostat-induced rectal distension:A randomized-controlled study

AIM:To explore the effectiveness of acupuncture transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(Acu-TENS), a non-invasive modality in reduction of rectal discomfort during barostat-induced rectal distension. METHODS:Forty healthy subjects were randomized to receive 45 min of either Acu-TENS or placebo-TENS(no electrical output)over acupuncture points Hegu(largeintestine 4),Neiguan(pericardium 6)and Zusanli(stomach 36).A balloon catheter attached to a dual-drive barostat machine was then inserted into the subjects'rectum.A step-wise(4 mmHg)increase in balloon pressure was induced until maximal tolerable or 48 mmHg.Visual analogue scale and a 5-point subjective discomfort scale(no perception,first per-ception of distension,urge to defecate,discomfort/ pain and extreme pain)were used to assess rectal discomfort at each distension pressure.Blood beta-endorphin levels were measured before,immediately after intervention,at 24 mmHg and at maximal toler- able distension pressure. RESULTS:There was no difference in the demographic data and baseline plasma beta-endorphin levels between the two groups.Perception threshold levels were higher in the Acu-TENS group when compared to the placebo group,but the difference reached statistical significance only at the sensations"urge to defecate"and"pain".The distension pressures recorded at the"urge to defecate"sensation for the Acu-TENS and placebo-TENS groups were 28.0±4.5 mmHg and 24.6±5.7 mmHg,respectively(P=0.043);and the pressures recorded for the"pain"sensation for these two groups were 36.0±4.2 mmHg and 30.5± 4.3 mmHg respectively(P=0.002).Compared to the placebo group,a higher number of participants in the Acu-TENS group tolerated higher distension pressures (>40 mmHg)(65%in Acu-TENS vs 25%in placebo, P=0.02).The plasma beta-endorphin levels of the Acu-TENS group were significantly higher than that of the placebo group at barostat inflation pressure of 24 mmHg(1.31±0.40 ng/mL vs 1.04±0.43 ng/mL,P= 0.044)and at maximal inflation pressure(1.46±0.53 ng/mL vs 0.95±0.38 ng/mL,P=0.003). CONCLUSION:Acu-TENS reduced rectal discomfort during barostat-induced rectal distension and concur-rently associated with a rise in beta-endorphin level.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL HEAT ACUPUNCTURE TREATING 68 CASES OF CHRONIC SUPERFICIAL GASTRITIS WITH INSUFFICIENCY OF SPLEEN YANG

In the present experiments,68 cases of chronic superficial gastritis with insufficieney of Spleen Yang were randomly divided into electrical heat acupuncture group（EHAG,n=32）,filiform needling group（FNG,n=19）and medication group（MG,n=17）.Bilateral Zusanli（ST 36）,Neiguan（PC 6）,Sanyinjiao（SP 6）and Hegu（LI 4）were selected for both EHAG andFNG.The needles applied at Zusanli and Neiguan in EHAG were connected to a DR 2-1 electricalheat acupuncture apparatus.The main drug administered in MG was Weimeisu.Thirty treatmentsmade a course,and the treatment was given once daily.The therapeutic effects were evaluated after 3courses of treatment.The results were as follows:The total effective rate was 90.63％ in EHAG,63.16％ in FNG and 29.41％ in MG.There was a remarkable difference in therapeutic effects amongthe three groups（X^2=19.20,P【0.01）.

Effects of cervical low-frequency electrical stimulation with various waveforms and densities on body mass,liver and kidney function,and death rate in ischemic stroke rats

Low-frequency electrical stimulation has resulted in favorable effects in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia. However, the safety of cervical low-frequency electrical stimulation remains unclear because of numerous nerves and blood vessels in the neck. In the present study, rats with ischemic stroke underwent low-frequency electrical stimulation, and systemic and local effects of electrical stimulation at different densities and waveforms were investigated. Electrical stimulation resulted in no significant effects on body mass, liver or kidney function, or mortality rate. In addition, no significant adverse reaction was observed, despite overly high intensity of low-frequency electrical stimulation, which induced laryngismus, results from the present study suggested that it is safe to stimulate the neck with a low-frequency electricity under certain intensities.

Treatment time influences the effects of a low-frequency pulsed electric field on synthesis of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine in PC12 cells

BACKGROUND： Electromagnetic radiation can influence dopamine （DA） synthesis in brain tissues or ceils, but electromagnetic frequencies, intensities, and radiation time can produce different effects. In addition, the signal pathway by which electromagnetic radiation influences DA synthesis remains controversial. OBJECTIVE： To determine tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） expression in PC12 cells and DA levels in cell culture media after different periods of low-frequency pulsed electric field （LF-PEF） stimulation, and to determine how LF-PEF signaling stimulates TH synthesis using inhibitors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A parallel, controlled, cell experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Cell Biology, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, between January and October 2006. MATERIALS： PC12 cells were purchased from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Nerve growth factor was purchased from PeproTech, USA. The protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, U0126, were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： （1） Following routine culture in Dulbecco＇s modified eagle medium, primary PC12 cells were stimulated under LF-PEF （pulse frequency 50.Hz, pulse width 20 μs, peak field strength 1 V/m） for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. （2） Inhibitors （H-89 or U0126, 1 μmol/L） were added 30 minutes before LF-PEF stimulation for 10 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） TH expression was determined by Western blot in PC12 cells at 0.5, 1,2, 3, and 4 days after LF-PEF stimulation. Similarly, DA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in media at 2, 3, 4, or 5 days after LF-PEE （2） TH expression was detected 1 day after H-89 or U0126 treatment and LF-PEE RESULTS： （1） Short-term LF-PEF stimulation （5 and 10 minutes） increased TH expression and media DA levels after short-term culture （2 days） （P 〈 0.01）, but both parameters decreased with longer culture （3 4 days） （P 〈 0.01）. Long-term LF-PEF stimulation （15, 20, or 30 minutes） decreased TH and DA synthesis, followed by a rapid increase （P 〈 0.01）. （2） H89 could completely inhibit TH expression in PC12 cells stimulated by LF-PEF for 10 minutes, while the inhibition rate of U0126 was 53.2%. CONCLUSION： Short-term LF-PEF first promotes then inhibits, while long-term LF-PEF first inhibits then promotes, TH and DA synthesis. LF-PEF stimulation regulates TH expression primarily by activating protein kinase A to regulate DA synthesis.

CONTROL OBSERVATION OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS ON SYNDROME OF THE 3^(rd) LUMBAR TRANSVERSE PROCESS WITH THICK SILVER WARMING NEEDLING AND ELECTRIC ACUPUNCTURE

Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effects on the syndrome of L3 transverse process between thick silver warming needling and electric acupuncture. Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of the syndrome of L3 transverse process were randomized into observation group and the control, 60 cases for each one. Thick silver warming needling was applied in observation group and electric acupuncture in the control. Results: The curative rate was 81.7% in observation group and 58.3% in the control, indicating significant difference （P<0.01）. The significant difference in the therapeutic effects between two groups had not been discovered yet for the cases within 3 months of sickness （P>0.05）, but, the therapeutic effect in observation group was superior to that in the control for the cases over 3 months of sickness （P<0.01）. Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of thick silver warming needling and electric acupuncture were quite advantageous on the syndrome of L3 transverse process, but that of thick silver warming needling was superior to electric acupuncture.

Facial nucleus up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA following electroacupuncture treatment in a rabbit model of facial nerve injury

BACKGROUND： The effect of acupuncture treatment on peripheral facial nerve injury is generally accepted. However, the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To validate the effect of acupoint electro-stimulation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） mRNA expression in the facial nucleus of rabbits with facial nerve injury, with the hypothesis that acupuncture treatment efficacy is related to BDNE DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Peripheral facial nerve injury, in situ hybridization, and randomized, controlled, animal trial. The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from March to September 2005. MATERIALS： A total of 120 healthy, adult, Japanese rabbits, with an equal number of males and females were selected. Models of peripheral facial nerve injury were established using the facial nerve pressing method. METHODS： The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups （n = 24）： sham operation, an incision to the left facial skin, followed by suture; model, no treatment following facial nerve model establishment; western medicine, 10 mg vitamin B1, 50 ug vitamin B12, and dexamethasone （2 mg/d, reduced to half every 7 days） intramuscular injection starting with the first day following lesion, once per day; traditional acupuncture, acupuncture at Ytfeng, Quanliao, Dicang, Jiache, Sibai, and Yangbai acupoints using a acupuncture needle with needle twirling every 10 minutes, followed by needle retention for 30 minutes, for successive 5 days; electroacupuncture, similar to the traditional acupuncture group, the Yifeng （negative electrode）, Jiache （positive electrode）, Dicang （negative electrode）, and Sibai （positive electrode） points were connected to an universal pulse electro-therapeutic apparatus for 30 minutes per day, with disperse-dense waves for successive 5 days, and resting for 2 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Left hemisphere brain stem tissues were harvested on post-operative days 7, 14, 21, and 28 under a dissecting microscope. Neuronal appearance in the facial nucleus was observed following Nissl staining. BDNF mRNA expression in the facial nucleus was determined using in situ hybridization. RESULTS： A total of 120 rabbits were included in the final analysis. In the model group, the nucleolus was asymmetric with cell body swelling, and the number of Nissl bodies decreased. With increasing time, there were more Nissl bodies in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, in particular the electroacupuncture group. However, the number of Nissl bodies remained less than in the sham operation group. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus was significantly greater in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus of reached a minimum in the electroacupuncture group on post-surgery day 21, and increased by day 28, but remained less than control levels. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture at acupoints increased BDNF expression in the facial nucleus, alleviated neuronal injury in the facial nucleus, and promoted facial nerve regeneration. The effect was superior over traditional acupuncture and western medicine.

ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF ACUTE STAGE PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS

The use of electro-acupuncture in treatingperipheral facial paralysis during the acute stagehas been a controversial issue among acupunc-turists.Since 1970,100 cases of acute stage peri-pheral facial paralysis(1-10 days after onset)have been treated with electro-acupuncture witha curs rate of 84% and an effective rate of 100%,no cases showing aggravation of symptoms aftertreatment.Electro-acupuncture is therefore usefulin the treatment for acute stage peripheral facialparalysis.

Clinical Observation on 129 Cases of Cervical Spondylopathy Treated by Acupuncture Combined with Electral Acupuncture and Mas

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Evaluating Training Programs for Electroacupuncture Techniques with Skin Temperature as a New Index

Training in acupuncture techniques has a long history of thousands of years. It has been individually handed down from person (teacher) to person (student). However, techniques and training have not been scientifically evaluated because individual differences may exist among evaluators. In animal studies, some researchers have reported that acupuncture stimulation dilates blood vessels of the skin and skeletal muscles. These studies also reveal an association between skin temperature (ST) and blood circulation volume on the skin. Our previous studies have reported that acupuncture stimulation, especially that of electroacupuncture (EA), can elevate ST. Therefore, we monitored the instructive effects and level of EA techniques with ST and propose that we can bring monitoring ST into training/education of EA as a new index of technical assessment. Moreover, ratio of changes might be used as new criteria for retraining. Healthy students (n = 14) were given with 10 minutes of EA stimulation on the tibialis anterior: Zusanli (ST36) and Tiaokou (ST38). Their ST was monitored before and during stimulation as well as for 30 minutes after stimulation. All subjects showed a nominal increase in ST. At the time, ratios of changes were also calculated. Two subjects did not reach the average of 1.3%. This suggests that the technical level of the therapist was inadequate. Thus, observation of ST elevation and calculation of the average ratio of ST change (elevation) could be applied to a new scientific index of technical assessment in acupuncture treatment training. However, further research (e.g., larger-scale studies, adjustment for gender differences, or other age subjects) is required to support these findings.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with palonosetron on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a single.blind,randomized, controlled trial

Background: Chemotherapy?induced nausea and vomiting adversely affects the quality of life of patients who receive chemotherapy via intravenous infusion or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on nausea and vomiting after TACE.Methods: A total of 142 patients who received TACE with cisplatin for primary or metastatic liver cancer were assigned to the active?acupuncture(n = 72) or placebo?acupuncture(n Hegu(LI4), Neiguan(P6), an= 70) groups using a covariate?adaptive randomization at a ratio of 1:1. The acupointsd Zusanli(ST36) were stimulated twice daily for 6 days. The effects of TEAS on nausea and vomiting were assessed by using occurrence rate and severity of these symptoms. Anorexia scale and M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory(MDASI) scores were secondary endpoints and were used to assess the effect of TEAS on patient appetite and quality of life. The safety of the treatments was also monitored.Results: Between the two groups, the differences in occurrence rates and severities of nausea and vomiting after TACE were not significant(all P > 0.05). From the second day after TACE, anorexia scores were significantly lower in the active?acupuncture group than in the placebo?acupuncture group and continued to decrease over time with treat?ment(all P values less than 0.01). On days 0, 1, and 2, the mean MDASI scores for the active?acupuncture group were slightly lower than those for the placebo?acupuncture group, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the occurrence rate of any adverse event(P > 0.05).Conclusion: TEAS appears to be a safe and effective therapy to relieve patients' gastrointestinal discomfort after chemotherapy.

Clinical study on acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation for scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Objective：To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation on scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods：A total of 60 spastic cerebral palsy kids were allocated into two groups by random number table, 30 in each group. Cases in the control group were treated with physical exercise therapy, massage and hydrotherapy. Based on the therapies given to the control group, cases in the observation group were supplemented with acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation. Selected points included Zusanli （ST 36）, Sanyinjiao （SP 6）, Yanglingquan （GB 34）, Jiexi （ST 41）, Chengshan （BL 57）, Naoqing [Extra, locates at 2 cun directly above Jiexi （ST 41）] and Genping （Extra, locates at the midpoint of the line connecting medial and lateral malleolus）. The treatment was done once every other day and 10 d made up a treatment course. The low-frequency electric stimulation was applied to anterior tibia, 6 times a week and 20 times made up a treatment course. Cases were treated for a total of 3 courses and there was a 15-20 d interval between two courses. The low limb functions were assessed before and after treatment using the modified Ashworth scale （MAS） and composite spasticity scale （CSS）. In addition, the ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured before and after treatment. Results：After treatment, the ankle dorsiflexion angles and CSS scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group, showing statistical significances （P〈0.05）; the effective rate in the observation group calculated by MAS and ankle dorsiflexion angle were both higher than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：Rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture and low-frequency electric stimulation can achieve better effect than rehabilitation training alone in improving scissor gait in kids with spastic cerebral palsy.