Clinical efficacy of combined skin acupuncture and external washing therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine in the treatment of chronic eczema

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combined skin acupuncture and external washing therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine in the treatment of chronic eczema.Methods:One hundred and twenty patients with chronic eczema were randomly divided into an experimental group(60 cases)and a control group(60 cases).The experimental group was treated with skin acupuncture combined with external washing therapy,and the control group was treated with externally applied mometasone furoate cream.The patients’symptoms and total severity were scored and analyzed before and after the 4-week treatment.The symptoms scored included:erythema,papule/hard swelling,epidermal exfoliation,mossy lesion,exudation/scab,and pruritus.Clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared before and after the 4-week treatment.Results:Scores for the different kinds of skin derogation,pruritus symptoms,the eczema area,and severity index(EASI)were all reduced after the treatments.Pruritus symptoms and EASI scores in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate in the experimental group was 81.03%,which was much higher than the 61.11%in the control group(Z=-2.391,P=0.017).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of combined skin acupuncture and external washing therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine in the treatment of chronic eczema was better than that of mometasone furoate cream.

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.

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.

COMBINED TREATMENT OF 54 CASES OF APOPLECTIC SEQUELAE WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINAL HERBS

In the present paper, 54 cases of apoplectic sequelae were treated with acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal herbs. Acupoints used were scalp point Motor Area (MS 6), points of body acupuncture: Jianyu(LI 15) and Shousanli(LI 10) for paralysis of the upper limb; Zusanli (ST 36)and Xuanzhong (GB 39) for paralysis of the lower limb, combined with other points based on syndromes. Chinese medicinal herbs for reinforcing qi, promoting blood circulation, relieving muscular spasm and dredging meridians were used. Patients of the control group were treated with Troxerutinum, enteric Aspirin, etc.. Findings showed that out of the 54 cases of the treatment group, 28 were cured basically, 16 had marked improvement, 8 had improvement and 2 were ineffective, with the total effective rate of 96. 3%; of the 28 cases in the control group, 3 were cured basically, 7 had striking improvement, 13 had improvement and 5 were ineffective, with the total effective rate of 82.2%.Both the total effective rate and the basic-cure rate of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0. 01). Results of the present paper display that manipulating the needle to cause "qi reaching the affected area" and applying Chinese medicinal herbs can act on the locus by way of meridians which is the key point for achieving better therapeutic effect.

Study of Mongolian Warming Needle Acupuncture Therapy

The Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy is a Mongolian traditional external treatment method that uses special silver needles to insert specific acupoints on the human body,and then stimulates them with warm acupuncture to achieve the purpose of disease prevention and treatment.This paper reviewed the theoretical basis,acupuncture methods,acupuncture classification,acupuncture tools,acupuncture points,indications,and contraindications of Mongolian acupuncture.Besides,it also summarized the clinical application of the Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy.In addition,it elaborated the its principle of regulating cold and heat in the body,leading the disease out,dialectically coordinating the whole,and changing the local part,highlighting its important position in medicine,so as to better promote clinical practice.

Systematic evaluation and Meta-analysis of acupuncture and collaterals cupping therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:In order to obtain the best treatment program for Knee Osteoarthritis(KOA),to alleviate the pain of patients with KOA,and to systematically evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture cupping therapy for KOA.Methods:we used computer to search the databases of CNKI(1989-2018.10),Wanfang(1989-2018.10),VIP(1989-2018.10),PubMed(1966-2018.10),EMbase(1986-2018.10)and Cochrane Library(the 3rd issue of 2018).And the literature quality was evaluated by Jadad scale.Results:A total of 19 eligible RCT studies were included,and a total of 2,088 patients participated in the eligible clinical study.Meta-analysis results showed that the total effective rate OR combination=2.85[OR=3.98,95%CI(2.98,5.32),P<0.00001].The results showed that the curative effect of acupuncture and collaterals cupping in the treatment of KOA was superior to other therapies.Conclusion:Acupuncture and cupping therapy of traditional Chinese medicine is effective and safe in treating KOA.Due to the impact of the original study on Meta-analysis results,more large samples and high-quality clinical trials are still needed to verify.

COMBINED TREATMENT OF 200 CASES OF PERIPHERY FACIAL PARALYSIS WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE MEDICINAL HERBS

In the present study, 200 cases of periphery facial paralysis were treated with combined therapies of handle needle, electroacupuncture (EA), electronic moxibustion and oral administration of Supplemented Qianzheng San. After treatment, of the 200 cases, 176 were cured, 15 had marked improvement and 9 had improvement. Two groups of acupoints were chosen and used alternately for keeping the excitement of acupoints, preventing acupoint fatigue and raising the therapeutic effect. In the acute stage of periphery facial palsy, acupuncture treatment was performed using shallow needling, mild manipulation and no needling penetration. In the convalescence stage and sequela stage, penetration needling was adopted and stronger stimulation given. During acute period and when facial muscular spasm appeared, EA stimulation was not suitable for facial acupoints. Over use of vision should be avoided.

Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: A blinded placebo-controlled trial

AIM:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder and many patients fail to find adequate relief from conventional therapies for their symptoms. This study tests the claim that acupuncture is effective for a majority of these patients. METHODS: A prospective, blinded, sham acupuncture-controlled trial of traditional Chinese acupuncture was performed at a single postgraduate teaching hospital in Europe. Sixty patients with well-established IBS were recruited. The blinded comparator was sham acupuncture administered by the second of two acupuncturists who alone was aware of the randomization, and who otherwise followed the prescription of the first. The primary end-point was a defined fall in the symptom score at 13 wk (by intention to treat). The prior expectation was a 30% placebo response, and a response rate of 70% from acupuncture, for which the study was adequately powered. RESULTS: Patients in treated and sham groups improved significantly during the study-mean improvement in scores being equal (minus 1.9) and significant for both (P<0.05; one-tailed t test). There was a small numeric but nonsignificant difference between the response rate in patients receiving acupuncture (40.7%) and sham treatment (31.2%). Several secondary end-points marginally favored active treatment, but an improved symptom score of any degree of magnitude occurred more often with sham therapy (65.6% vs 59.2%). For no criterion was statistical significance approached. CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese acupuncture is relatively ineffective in IBS in the European hospital setting, and the magnitude of any effect appears insufficient to warrant investment in acupuncture services.

Acupuncture Ameliorates AIDS Symptoms in 36 Cases

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).At present,there is no specific treatmentavailable.To explore a method of treatment,weapplied acupuncture in 36 HIV infected cases in amilitary hospital in Zambia,from May 1995 to May1996.The results are reported as follows.

Treatment of Phlegm-and Heat-induced Insomnia by Acupuncture in 120 Cases

Clinical DataThe 120 cases in this series were outpatients suffering from insomnia due to interior-stirring by phlegm-heat, ranging in age from 28 to 67 years. They were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF OBESITY

Obesity manifests itself as derangement of qi and blood with disorder of the defensive qi inparticular to be a causative factor of primary importance,meanwhile,deficiency of theprimary qi in Sanjiao may also contribute to it.Fundamentally,its pathological changesare also related to dysfunction of the spleen and stomach.According to syndromedifferentiation,obesity can be classified into three types,namely,heat in the stomach andintestine,spleen and stomach qi deficiency,and deficiency of primary qi.The mainmethods of treatment include clearing and reducing heat in the stomach and intestine;regulating qi in the fu organs and promoting water metabolism;balancing and regulatingqi and blood,yin and yang,and removing stagnation of defensive qi.

Acupuncture Treatment of Melancholia

Case HistoryMs. Liu, a 63-year-old housewife, paid her first visit on Oct.7, 1986 with main complaint of distension and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and insomnia for one month.

Acupuncture Treatment of Common Cold

Case HistoryMs.Li,a 58-year-old retired cadre,paid herfirst visit on Dec.7,1998,with the chief complaintsof headache,fever,nasal obstruction,cough,andgeneral pain with anhidrosis for two days.Whenplaying with her grandson in the yard in the

Effect of acupuncture combined with medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang medicine on insomnia rats injected with orexin in lateral ventricle

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang medicine on insomnia rats. Methods Sixty SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, including a normal control group （control group）, a sham operation group, a model group and a treatment group, with 15 rats in each group. In the model group and treatment group, insomnia model were established by injecting orexin into lateral ventricle of rats. In the sham operation group, artificial cerebrospinal fluid was injected into lateral ventricle of rats, and the rats in control group were not treated. On the basis of modeling, the rats in treatment group were treated by acupuncture combined with medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang medicine which was conducted once a day, and the treatment lasted for 14 days. The expression of orexin mRNA and orexin content were detected, and the changes of associated receptors, including orexin 1 receptor （OX I R） and orexin 2 receptor （OX 2 R） were observed. Results The expression of orexin mRNA in model group （6.54 ± 1.21） significantly increased when compared with control group （0.66±0.12, P〈0.01）, and orexin content in model group [（i 156.35±126.88） pg/mL] significantly increased when compared with control group [（427.12_± 32.54） pg/mL, P〈O.OI]. The expression of orexin mRNA in treatment group （0.87 ± 0.26） significantly reduced when compared with the model group （P〈0.01）, and orexin content in the treatment group [（585.23 ± 89.21） pg/mL] significantly reduced when compared with the model group （P〈O.01）. The percentage of OX I R positive cells in the model group （0.64±0.15） significantly increased when compared with the control group （0.21±0.03, P〈0.01）, and the percentage of OX 2 R positive cells in the model group （0.76±0.18） significantly increased when compared with the control group （0.24±0.01, P〈O.01）. The percentage of OX 1 R positive cells in the treatment group （0.36_±0.08） significantly reduced when compared with the model group （P〈0.01）. The percentage of OX 2 R positive cells in treatment group （0.25_± 0.03） significantly reduced when compared with model group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion It might be an effective link of acupuncture combined with medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang medicine in treatment of insomnia that the treatment could inhibit the awakening promotion effect of orexin by affecting orexin, OX I R and OX 2 R.

Research progress of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a common chronic liver disease characterized by diffuse hepatic steatosis.With the improvement of people's living standard,the incidence rate of NAFLD has been increasing,which has become one of the global health problems in 21st Century.However,there is no specific drug or standard treatment for NAFLD,which brings challenges to treatment.Acupuncture,moxibustion,massage and other external therapies based on the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine have obvious curative effect in the clinical treatment of NAFLD,but the mechanism has not been systematically explained,which makes the clinical promotion evidence insufficient.This paper aims to summarize the researches on the treatment of NAFLD by external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine in recent years,and analyze its possible mechanism,so as to provide a scientific theoretical basis for future basic experiments and clinical research,and form a set of standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment scheme with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine.

Clinical efficacy observation of thalamic pain treated with acupuncture under the guidance of evidence-based medicine

Objective To study the feasibility of the crossover trial design and the minimal imbalance index random distribution method in the clinical small-sample-size randomized controlled trial（RCT） research of thalamic pain treated with acupuncture under the guidance of evidence-based medicine（EBM）.Methods The crossover trial design was adopted.Eleven cases with the definite diagnosis were randomized into a program-I group（6 cases,treated with acupuncture before western medicine） and a program-II group（5 cases,treated with western medicine before acupuncture） according to the minimal imbalance index method.In the statistical analysis,the groups were named as an acupuncture group and a western medicine group separately,11 cases in each one.Acupuncture was applied to Xìmén（郄门 PC 4）,Yīnxì（阴郄 HT 6）,Xuèhǎi（血海 SP 10）,etc.In the control treatment,Carbamazepine was prescribed for oral administration.Either the duration of treatment or the wash-out period was 10 days.The visual analogue scale（VAS） was adopted for the efficacy assessment.Results The total effective was 100.0%（11/11） after treatment in either group.The remarkably effective rates were 63.6%（7/11） and 36.4%（4/11） in the acupuncture group and the western medicine group separately,without statistically significant difference in comparison.Conclusion The crossover trial design and the minimal imbalance index distribution method can accomplish RCT of the clinical acupuncture and moxibustion research with the small sample size involved.They can provide the high-quality evidences for clinical acupuncture research.Acupuncture therapy can achieve the same therapeutic effect as Carbamazepine,the common western medicine,and the efficacy of it is potentially superior to that of western medicine.

Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus heat-sensitive moxibustion for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease

Objective：To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease （CPID）, for selecting an effective acupuncture-moxibustion method in treating chronic pelvic inflammation. Methods：Eighty CPID subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups by randomized single-blind method, 40 in each group. The observation group was intervened by acupuncture plus heat-sensitive moxibustion, while the control group was by acupuncture plus box-moxibustion, once every other day, 10 sessions as a treatment course, but the period time was skipped. The therapeutic efficacy was observed after 3 treatment courses. Results：The recovery rate was 45.0% and the total effective rate was 95.0% in the observation group, versus 20.0% and 80.0% in the control roup. There were significant differences in comparing the recovery rate and the total effective rate between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：Acupuncture plus heat-sensitive moxibustion can produce a higher therapeutic efficacy in treating CPID than acupuncture plus box-moxibustion, and this is an easy-to-operate and safe method without adverse effect.

Observation on clinical effects of acupuncture plus external medicine application for cervical radiculopathy

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus external medicine application for cervical radiculopathy. Methods： A total of 98 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group based on the random digital table. The observation group （50 cases） was treated by acupuncture plus external medicine application and the control group （48 cases） was treated by acupuncture alone. The patients received the treatment every day. Ten sessions made a course. Cervical spondylosis symptom scale was used to assess the cases before and after the treatment. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups after the treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 98.1% in the observation group versus 87.6% in the control group with a statistically significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. The cure rate was 52.0% in the observation group versus 18.8% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. There was no significant difference in the score of cervical spondylosis symptom scale between the two groups before the treatment （P〉0.05）. It increased with a significant difference in both groups after the treatment （both P〈0.05）, while a significant difference was found in the results between the two groups after the treatment （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus external medicine application is more effective than acupuncture alone for treating cervical radiculopathy. The method also effectively improves the clinical symptoms.

Clinical Observation on the Combined Use of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Treatment of Chloasma

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma.Methods:Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases,treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine,and a control group of 30 cases,administered Vitamin C and Vitamin E.The clinical effects were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group is 93.3%better than that of the control group(76.7%) ,the difference was significant(P<0.01) .Conclusion:Combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine may yield definite therapeutic effects in treating chloasma patients.