Timeliness of the analgesic effect of superficial needling on shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke

Objective To observe the correlation between analgesic effect and duration of analgesic effect of superficial needling for shoulder pain of shoulderhand syndrome（SHS） after stroke, so as to screen the best time period of analgesia. Methods A total of 120 patients with SHS after stroke（stage I） were recruited and superficial needling therapy was applied. Two obvious tenderness points on the affected shoulder of patients were found out. The site 80–100 mm down each tenderness point was selected for superficial needling. Bimanual needling technique was applied after inserting needles. The surrounding of tenderness points was pinched and grasped by left hand above the needling, and the technique of green dragon swaying tail was applied by right hand. The needles at each acupoint were manipulated for3 min and retained for 30 min. The analgesic effect was evaluated dynamically by visual analogue scale（VAS） in 120 patients before treatment, immediately after treatment, 30 min after treatment, 1 h after treatment and 24 h after treatment. The analgesic effects at different time were statistically analyzed by generalized estimating equation. Results The mean values of VAS were 7.483, 3.950, 4.767, 5.917 and 7.217, respectively, before treatment, immediately after treatment, 30 min after treatment, 1 h after treatment and 24 h after treatment. The difference of analgesic effect at different time was statistically significant（P〈0.01）; the difference of analgesic effect of superficial needling in treatment of SHS after stroke was significant between immediately after treatment and 30 min after treatment（both P〈0.05）, while there was no significant difference between 1 h after treatment and 24 h after treatment（both P〈0.05）. Conclusion Analgesic effect of superficial needling for shoulder pain of SHS after stroke was different at different time points and decreased over time; analgesic effect was the most significant immediately after treatment and the optimal duration of analgesic effect was from immediately to 30 min after superficial needling therapy.

Therapeutic observation of superficial needling for hemifacial spasm

Objective： To observe the therapeutic efficacy of superficial needling in treating hemifacial spasm. Methods： Eighty patients with facial spasm were randomized into two groups by the random number table, 40 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by superficial needling at local Ashi points and wrist-ankle acupuncture at the Upper 1, Upper 2 and Upper 3 points; while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. For both groups, the treatment was given once a day, 7 times as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses. Results： The total effective rate and recovery rate were respectively 97.5% and 57.5% in the observation group versus 85.0% and 37.5% in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Superficial needling can produce a more significant efficacy in treating hemifacial spasm than ordinary acupuncture.

Observation on Clinical Effect of Superficial Needling for Intractable Humeral Epicondylitis

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of superficial needling for ntractable humeral epicondylitis. Methods： Sixty cases in conformity with the inclusion criteria of intractable humeral epicondylitis were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each. The cases in the superficial needling group were treated by superficial needling plus moxibustion, while those in the electro- acupuncture （EA） group were treated by EA plus moxibustion. After treatment, the improvement of the clinical symptoms and signs were compared between the two groups. Results： The curative rate was 80.0% and the total effective rate was 96.7% in the superficial needling group. The curative rate was 60.0% and the total effective rate was 83.3% in the EA group. The differences in the clinical effects between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of superficial needling plus moxibustion for intractable humeral epicondylitis is better than that of EA plus moxibustion.

Assessment of therapeutic effect of superficial needling therapy on scapulohumeral periarthritis

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the efficacies on scapulohumeral periarthritis between superficial needling therapy （SN） and warm needling method. Methods Sixty-six cases were randomized into two groups, 33 cases in each one. In SN group, Superficial needling therapy was adopted. In warm needling group, warm acupuncture was applied to Jianyu （肩髃 LI 15）, Tianzong（天宗 SI 11） , Ashi, etc. Functional exercise was assisted in both groups. After 2 courses of treatment, it was to assess the efficacy, relevant pain scale on movement （VAS）, decrease range of motion of shoulder joint （ROM） and comprehensive score in two groups. Results In SN group, the basic curative rate was 27.3 % and total effective rate was 97.0 %. In warm needling group, the basic curative rate was 6. 1% and total effective rate was 75.8%. The efficacy in SN group was superior to that in warm needling group （P〈0.05）. The improvements of VAS, ROM and comprehensive score in SN group were all superior significantly to those in warm needling group （P〈0. 001）. Conclusion Superficial needling therapy achieves quite significant efficacy on scapulohumeral periarthritis and is convenient in operation and good in adherence.

Therapeutic observation on superficial needling with different frequencies for intractable facial paralysis

Objective:To obverse the therapeutic effect of superficial needling with different frequencies for intractable facial paralysis.Methods:A total of 120 patients with intractable peripheral facial paralysis were allocated into a superficial needling with high frequency group(150 times/min),a moderate frequency group(100 times/min)and a low frequency group(50 times/min)according to the random number table method.The Toronto facial grading system(TFGS)was used to evaluate facial nerve functions before treatment and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment respectively.The electromyography(EMG)test of the mandibular branch of facial nerve was used to compare the motor nerve conduction velocity(MCV),sen sory nerve con ducti on velocity(SCV)and mono phasic acti on pote ntial(MAP)among differe nt groups,and was done before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.The clinical efficacy was also compared.Results:After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment,the changes of TFGS scores in the three groups all showed statistical significanee(all P<0.05)z and the TFGS score in the low frequency group was substantially higher than that in the other two groups.After treatment,the changes of the MCV and SCV in the three groups all showed statistical significanee(all P<0.05),and the results in the low frequency group were higher than those in the other two groups;the change of MAP in the three groups showed no statistical significance(P>0.05).The total effective rate was 65.0%,80.0%and 95.0%in the high frequency group,moderate frequency group and low frequency group respectively,and the betweervgroup differences showed statistical significanee(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with the superficial needling with high and moderate frequencies,superficial needling with low frequency can produce more significant clinical efficacy for intractable facial paralysis.

Community promotion of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint

Objective： To investigate the community promotion feasibility of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. Methods：A total of 180 cases （duration 〈1.5 years） with post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint were recruited from three community health centers in Changning District, 60 from each community. They were randomly allocated into an observation group （n=90） and a control group （n=90）. Patients in both groups received standard internal and rehabilitation care. Patients in the observation group received additional superficial needling plus club swing. The visual analogue scale （VAS） was conducted before and 60 d after the treatment to evaluate the severity of shoulder pain. The active movement of the shoulder joint and activities of daily living （ADL） were also observed. Results：There were no between-group statistical differences before the treatment （allP〉0.05）. After a 60-day treatment, the shoulder pain severity, active range of motion of the shoulder joint and ADL in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group （allP〈0.01）. In addition, no adverse events were reported by participants in the observation group. Conclusion：Superficial needling plus club swing plays a positive role in improving post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. This safe, reliable and economical therapy has good patient compliance and is suitable for community promotion.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture manipulations and “dry needling”

In this paper, the authors studied the manipulation of ＂dry needling＂, reviewed Chinese ancient and modern literature of acupuncture-moxibustion, and found that ＂dry needling＂ is very similar to triple needling, superficial needling, joint valley needling, surround needling, and other traditional Chinese acupuncture- moxibustion manipulations; even if in modern China, before and after the invention of ＂dry needling＂, some unique therapies, such as oblique insertion therapy at Ashi point, sliver needling, Fu＇s subcutaneous needling, and long-round needling, were also invented. It can be seen that ＂dry needling＂ therapy is actually a kind of differentiation of traditional Chinese acupuncture- moxibustion in the international communication. The spread of traditional Chinese acupuncture-moxibustion in the West is the basis for the invention of ＂dry needling＂ therapy, and ＂dry needling＂ therapy develops and enriches traditional Chinese acupuncture-moxibustion.