Operational procedures of auricular point sticking technology

As an external treatment technique of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),auricular point sticking,which is rooted in holographic biology theory and TCM viscera and meridian theory,is a safe and effective treatment method.This article introduces the technology overview and development process.The auricular point sticking technique for constipation is taken as an example to specify the basic requirements,assessment,operational points,acupoint selection and matters needing attention during the implementation of the auricular acupressure technique,providing a reference for the operating procedures of this technique in the clinical treatment of other diseases such as insomnia,diarrhea,colds,hypertension,headache,and dysmenorrhea.

Clinical Effect of Auricular Point Sticking in Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

Objective:To discuss and analyze the clinical effect of auricular point sticking in lung cancer chemotherapy.Methods:Sixty-two patients with lung cancer treated with chemotherapy in Suqian Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Jiangxi Province were selected for case evaluation and analysis.The time span of the research was from June 2020 to June 2021.The patients were divided into two groups:a study group(n=31)and a control group(n=31)based on their medical record numbers.All the patients were treated with conventional western medicine before and after chemotherapy to prevent adverse reactions;however,the patients in the study group were also treated with auricular point sticking in addition to the fonner.The relevant indexes of the two groups were compared.Results:The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group(P<0.05);the rate of symptomatic relief of the patients in the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the stress response indexes toward chemotherapy of the study group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05)・Conclusion:Auricular point sticking for patients with lung cancer who are receiving chemotherapy can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions,alleviate clinical symptoms,such as chest distress,asthma,and poor appetite,significantly alleviate stress response caused by chemotherapy,as well as promote the treatment effect;thus,it is worthy of promotion.

Influence of muscle regions of meridians needling method combined with auricular point sticking on pain and range of motion in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

Objective:To observe the effects of muscle regions of meridians needling method combined with auricular point sticking on pain and lumbar range of motion in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.Methods:A total of 100 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 50 patients in each group.Both groups received auricular point sticking treatment,while the control group received additional conventional acupuncture treatment,and the observation group received additional muscle regions of meridians needling method.The total effective rate of the two groups was compared after 4 weeks of treatment.Before treatment and after 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment,the visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to assess the degree of low back pain,and the modified-modified Schober(MMS)score was used to evaluate the lumbar range of motion.Results:There was statistical significance in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups(P<0.01).During the treatment process,as the number of treatments increased,the VAS score gradually decreased,and the MMS score gradually increased in both groups.After 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment,the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01),and the MMS score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.01).During the treatment period,no serious adverse reactions occurred in either group.Conclusion:Based on auricular point sticking treatment,muscle regions of meridians needling method is more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating chronic nonspecific low back pain since it is able to significantly reduce the pain and improve the lumbar range of motion.

Effect of auricular point sticking therapy on infantile amblyopia

Objective To compare the differences of effect on infantile amblyopia treated with auricular point sticking therapy and regular comprehensive therapy of western medicine.Methods Two hundreds and thirty cases of amblyopia patients were randomly divided into two groups,namely the group of auricular point sticking therapy,which had 120 cases（212 eyes）,and the group of comprehensive therapy,which had 110 cases（194 eyes）.The seed of Semen Vaccariae was applied at the ear point such as the eye,ear Shenmen,the liver,the spleen and the kidney.Regular comprehensive therapy of western medicine included covering method,vision corrected with glasses and fine exercise.Vision improvements of the two groups were observed with a three-year follow up.Results The effective rates of the auricular point sticking therapy group and comprehensive therapy group of ametropic amblyopia were 81.0%（64/79） and 52.2%（36/69）,respectively.The effective rates of anisometropic amblyopia of the two groups were 73.1%（49/67） and 47.7%（31/65）,respectively.And the effective rates of the two groups of strabismic amblyopia were 71.2%（47/66） and 45.0%（27/60）,respectively.The therapeutic effects of auricular point sticking therapy on all kinds of amblyopia were better than those of the comprehensive therapy（all P0.05）.Conclusion The effect of auricular point sticking therapy on infantile amblyopia is better than that of regular comprehensive therapy of western medicine,which can obviously improve the vision of the patients with easy manipulations.

Current situation and analysis of clinical application of auricular acupoint sticking therapy

Objective： By the bibliometrical analysis and evaluation of acupuncture theses on auricular acupoint sticking from 2005 to 2014, the analysis was processed from multiple aspects including the types and numbers of diseases and effective rates of various diseases, in order to objectively reflect the general situation of clinical application of ear point embedding method in the recent years. Methods： By the bibliometrical analysis, the literature on auricular acupoint sticking in the recent ten years was counted up, analyzed and categorized. Results and Conclusion： Auricular acupoint sticking is used clinically for diseases of 26 systems, including 130 diseases. 74 diseases were singularly treated with auricular acupoint sticking, including the advantageous disease category like insomnia, constipation and obesity, and secondary advantageous disease category like dysmenorrhea, myopia, allergic rhinitis, post-operative pain and acne vulgaris.

Clinical Observation on Acupuncture plus Auricular Point Sticking in Treating Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder and usually affects the patients＇ emotions and work. We applied acupuncture plus auricular point sticking to treat insomnia and reported it as follows.

Efficacy observation of auricular point sticking in combination with a healthy diet for simple obesity in children

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of combining auricular point sticking and a healthy diet to treat simple obesity in children aged 6–9 years old.Methods A total of 190 eligible obese kids were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 95 cases in each group.The observation group was intervened by auricular point sticking plus guide on a healthy diet,while the control group was only provided with the guide on a healthy diet.The therapeutic efficacy was observed after intervention for three consecutive months,as well as the changes in body mass(BM),body mass index(BMI),waist circumference(WC),hip circumference(HC),and subcutaneous fat thickness.Results After the 3-month intervention,the total effective rate was 91.6%in the observation group,versus 74.7%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.01);in both groups,the BM,BMI,WC,HC,and subcutaneous fat thickness all decreased significantly(P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group,showing statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Auricular point sticking plus a healthy diet is safe and effective in treating simple obesity in children,producing more significant efficacy than healthy diet intervention alone.

Efficacy Observation on Acupuncture Combined with Auricular Point Sticking Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. Methods： Sixty-eight patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into two groups, and 35 cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking, while 33 cases in the control group were only treated by acupuncture. The treatments for the patients in both groups began from one week before their menstruation and continued tiJl the menstruation came. And the efficacy was observed after treatments of three consecutive menstrual cycles. Results： The total effective rate was 94.2% in the treatment group, versus 84.8% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking treatment for primary dysmenorrhea is more effective than simple acupuncture.

Clinical Study on Functional Dyspepsia by Auricular Point Sticking Therapy

Objective：To observe the therapeutic effects of auricular point sticking in managing functional dyspepsia.Methods：Seventy patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly divided into two groups,with 35 patients in the treatment group receiving auricular point sticking therapy,and the other 35 patients in the control group managed by taking Domperidone orally.The therapeutic effects were evaluated 4 weeks later.Result：The total effective rate was 85.7% in the treatment group and82.9% in the control group.Although the difference of the total effective rate between the two groups was not significant,the treatment group was superior to the control group in the improvement of several symptoms（P〈0.05）.Conclusion：Auricular point sticking therapy is effective in treatment of functional dyspepsia,and compared to Domperidone,it is better in managing gastric pain,abdominal bloating,and belching.

Efficacy Observation on Auricular Point Sticking Combined with Cupping in Treating Insomnia

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking combined with cupping in treating insomnia.Methods:Sixty-four patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into two groups.Thirty-two patients in the treatment group were treated with auricular point sticking combined with cupping therapy;while thirty-two patients in the control group were treated by Diazepam.The Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)were observed before and after treatment,and the data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the clinical effect.Results:After treatment,PSQI scores in both groups after treatment significantly decreased(P<0.05),and there was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).In the improvement of daytime function,the treatment group was more efficient than the control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point sticking combined with cupping therapy for insomnia is more effective than oral Diazepam,and it has a better effect in improving the patient's daytime function.

Treatment of 60 Cases of Intractable Hiccups Following Craniocerebral Surgery by Acupuncture and Auricular Point Sticking

Hiccup is one of the common complications of craniocerebral surgery, and commonly called as ＂Da Ge （打嗝 ）＂. It is usually caused by ascending counterflow of stomach qi. The modem medicine holds that it is caused by hyperkinesia of diaphragm. Most hiccups are temporary; a mild condition can recover without medical treatments, but a severe one can outbreak around the clock or intermittent attack, it can last for several days, and has a strong impact on patients＇ rehabilitation. It was called intractable hiccups lasting over 24 h and didn＇t respond to treatments of tranquilization, spasmolysis and acupoint injection. The authors treated this disease with acupuncture plus auricular point sticking. Now it is summarized as follows.

Observation on the Effect of Auricular Point Sticking for Vomiting Induced by Chemotherapy

Objective： To explore the effect of auricular point sticking in relieving chemotherapy induced vomiting, and to observe its effect on the usage of Ondansetron hydrochlorid injection. Methods： Fifty subjects were randomized into a control group and an observation group. The cases in the control group received Ondansetron hydrochlorid injection （i.v.） prior to chemotherapy; while those in the observation group received additional auricular point sticking a day before chemotherapy till the end of the chemotherapy. Results： The dose of Ondansetron hydrochlorid used in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Auricular point sticking can reduce the dose of Ondansetron hydrochlorid in the patients with chemotherapy induced vomiting, and effectively attenuate vomiting.

Treatment of 56 Cases of Women with Post-adolescent Acne by Auricular Point Sticking Method

Acne is a common disorder in adolescence. However, more and more patients are over 25 years old. This type of acne is recurrent, so it is called post-adolescence acne. The author treated 56 cases of women with post-adolescence ache by auricular point sticking method, and obtained excellent results. It is reported as follows.

Treatment of acne vulgaris with auricular acupoint pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy: a randomized controlled study

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy for acne vulgaris. Methods: A total of 66 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table, with 33 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking therapy, and the control group was treated only with auricular point sticking therapy. The treatments of both groups were performed twice a week, 4 weeks as a course of treatment, for 3 courses in total. The scores of skin lesions and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores were recorded before and after treatment to assess the clinical efficacy. Results: During the trial, there were 3 cases of drop-out both in the observation group and the control group. After 3 courses of treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 96.7%, while that of the control group was 76.7%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The intra-group comparison showed that the scores of skin lesion and DLQI were both decreased with the increase of treatment times, that was, the scores were lower than those at the previous time point (allP<0.05). After 1, 2, and 3 courses of treatment, the scores of skin lesion and DLQI of both groups were statistically different from those of the same group before treatment (allP<0.05). At every time point during the treatment, the scores of skin lesion and DLQI of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point pricking-bloodletting plus auricular point sticking has a better curative effect than auricular point sticking therapy alone in the treatment of acne vulgaris, and has a time-effect correlation.

Clinical study on auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received Western medicine treatment,while patients in the observation group received additional auricular point sticking.Both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Numeric rating scale(NRS)and Karnofsky performance status(KPS)were adopted before and after treatment.The total time and times of flare-up pain in 24 h were recorded.The cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels were detected.The clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated after treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);after treatment,NRS scores of both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);KPS scores of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the total time and flare-up times of pain during 24 h of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and those of the observation group were significantly less than those of the control group(both P<0.05).After treatment,the COX-2 and TNF-αlevels of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain is valid.This combined treatment can alleviate cancer pain and improve patients'quality of life,which may be related to its ability to reduce COX-2 and TNF-αlevels.

Therapeutic efficacy observation on auricular point sticking therapy for cardiac syndrome X in women

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of auricular point sticking therapy for cardiac syndrome X(CSX)in women.Methods:A total of 64 patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table,with 32 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received conventional treatment for angina,while patients in the treatment group received auricular point sticking therapy on the basis of conventional treatment.After 8 weeks of treatment,the levels of serum estradiol(E2),nitric oxide(NO)and endothelium-1(ET-1)were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effect.Results:After 8 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate and markedly effective rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the between-group comparisons showed statistical significance(both P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of chest pain and tightness in the control group dropped significantly,and the intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance(both P<0.05);the scores of chest pain and tightness,palpitations,weakness and shortness of breath in the treatment group dropped significantly,and the intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance(all P<0.05);there were significant inter-group differences in the scores of chest pain and tightness.After treatment,the intra-group comparisons of E2,NO and ET-1 contents in the control group showed no statistical significance(all P>0.05),while the E2,NO and ET-1 contents in the treatment group changed significantly after treatment and were significantly different from those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point sticking on the basis of conventional treatment was effective for CSX in women,and is worth clinical application.

Clinical study on acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for tension-type headache(TTH).Methods:A total of 90 TTH patients were divided into an acupuncture group,an auricular point sticking group and an observation group by random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.Patients in the observation group received acupuncture plus auricular point sticking for treatment,while those in the acupuncture group only received acupuncture and those in the auricular point sticking group only received auricular point sticking for treatment.The headache attack frequency and the scores of visual analog scale(VAS),self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)and self-rating depression scale(SDS)were observed before treatment,after treatment and 3 months after treatment.The clinical efficacy was evaluated at the follow-up of 3 months after treatment.Results:At follow-up,there were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups(P<0.01 or P<0.05),and the clinical efficacy ranking from high to low was the observation group,the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group.After treatment and at follow-up,the VAS score,headache attack frequency,SAS and SDS scores in the three groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P<0.01).The above four results in the observation group were lower than those in the acupuncture group and the auricular point sticking group at the same time point(all P<0.01);VAS score in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group(both P<0.05).At follow-up,the headache frequency in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the auricular point sticking group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Either using acupuncture and auricular point sticking together or separately can reduce the headache degree of TTH patients,reduce the number of headache attacks,and relieve anxiety and depression.The efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking is most significant.

Effects of auricular point sticking on dry eye in myopia patients after SMILE surgery:a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective:To observe the intervention effect of auricular point sticking on dry eye in myopia patients after small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)surgery.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted among the myopia patients who received SMILE surgery at Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University.The post-SMILE operation patients who screened by the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into a control group and a treatment group.Patients in the control group were given 0.1%fluorometholone and 0.5%carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops,while the treatment group was given additional unilateral auricular point sticking for 1 month.The patients were estimated using ocular surface disease index(OSDI),Schirmer tear test-1(STT-1),tear film break-up time(TF-BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)score,corneal sensitivity(CS)and visual quality(VQ)at 1 d,1 week and 1 month after surgery;the changes in anxiety and depression were also observed in the patients.Results:Compared with the first day after operation,CS in the nasal region was improved in the treatment group,and the VQ score increased in the control group patients at 1 week after operation(both P<0.05);at 1 month after operation,the TF-BUT increased,CFS score decreased,CS in the central and nasal regions increased(all P<0.05),and VQ score increased(P<0.01)in the treatment group,and the CS in the central,upper,lower and nasal regions were improved(all P<0.05),and VQ score increased(P<0.01)in the control group.The between-group comparison showed that the differences in the change of TF-BUT were statistically significant at 1 week and 1 month after surgery,respectively(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point sticking therapy can increase the TF-BUT and accelerate the repair of ocular surface function in post-SMILE patients.

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on Combined Aerobic Exercise with Auricular Point Sticking for Insomnia in College Students

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of aerobic exercise combined with auricular point sticking for insomnia in college students. Methods: A total of 128 cases from Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group. The 64 cases in the observation group were treated with auricular point sticking plus aerobic exercise, while the 64 cases in the control group were treated with auricular point sticking alone. The clinical efficacies in the two groups were compared after treatment. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 96.9%, versus 70.3% in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining aerobic exercise and auricular point sticking has accurate effect on insomnia in college students and is better than auricular point sticking alone.

Effect of Auricular Point Sticking on Pain Due to Lumbar Strain

Objective： To observe the effect of auricular point sticking on pain due to lumbar strain. Methods： Sixty patients with lumbar strain were randomized at ratio of 1：1 into two groups. The 30 cases in the observation group were given auricular point sticking plus externally applied medicinal plaster; the other 30 cases in a control group were only treated by the plaster. The Short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire （SFMPQ） was adopted before treatment, after 3-day treatment, and at the end of 2-week treatment, for scoring and evaluation. Results： After 3-day treatment, the observation group gained significant improvement in Pain Rating Index （PRI）, Visual Analogue Scale （VAS）, and Present Pain Intensity （PPI） （P〈0.05）, while the improvements of PRI, VAS, and PPI in the control group were insignificant. After 2-week treatment, both groups gained significant progress in PRI, VAS, AND PPI compared with pre-treatment （P〈0.01）, and the inter-group comparison of PRI showed marked difference （P〈0.05）, but the differences in comparing VAS and PPI between the two groups were insignificant. There were merely any side effects happening in the two groups, except that some patients felt itchy, and the inter-group comparison did not show statistical significance. Conclusion： Auricular point sticking plus externally applied medicinal plaster has better effect than single plaster in treating lumbar strain induced pain, and it＇s safe and credible.