Effects of Acupuncture with Meridian Acupoints and Three Anmian Acupoints on Insomnia and Related Depression and Anxiety State

Objective： To assess the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture with meridian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints. Methods： Sixty subjects were randomly divided into two groups： the acupuncture with meridian acupoints group （Group A）, and the acupuncture with meridian acupoints and three Anmian acupoints group （Group B） with 30 cases in each group. After 4-week treatment, the clinical therapeutic effects and scores for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）, depression index and anxiety index were assessed in the two groups before and after treatment. Results： The total effective rate of therapy was higher in Group B （93.3%） compared with that in the Group A （66.7%, P〈0.05）. When comparing after treatment with before treatment, there were significant differences in the PSQI score of sleep quality, time to sleep, sleep time, sleep disorders in Group A （P〈0.05） and significant differences in the PSQI score of sleep quality, time to sleep, sleep time, sleep disorders and daytime disorders in Group B （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. There were significant differences in total PSQI score between Group A and Group B （P〈0.05）. Both groups improved the depression and anxiety state of the patients, but acupuncture with meddian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints was more effective than meridian acupoints alone （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture with meridian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints can improve the sleeping quality of patients with insomnia.

Functional brain imaging studies on specificity of meridian and acupoints

At present, the specificity of meridians and acupoints has been studied using functional brain imaging techniques from many standpoints, including meridians, acupoints, and sham acupoints, as well as different meridians and acupoints, coordination of acupoints, and factors influencing meridian and acupoint specificity Preliminary experimental data have demonstrated that acupuncture at meridians and acupoints is specific with regard to brain neural information. However, research findings are contradictory, which may be related to brain functional complexity, resolution of functional brain imaging techniques, and experimental design. Future studies should further improve study method, and should strictly control experimental conditions to better analyze experimental data and acquire more beneficial data. Because of its many advantages, the functional brain imaging technique is a promising method for studying meridian and acupoint specificity.

Comparison of clinical efficacy of neddle knife at acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and according to anatomical structures in treating early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To stimulate tenderness points around knee joint in two metholds-corresponding acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and anatomical structures,to compare the clinical efficacy of neddle knife of to cure early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis.Method:70 patients were randomly(Random Number Tables)divided into test group(acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians,n=35)and control group(anatomical structures,n=35),who were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis.Observe the VAS(visual analogue scale),Lysholm,WOMAC(the Western Ontario and McMaster Unive rsities Osteoarthritis Index)and ROM(rang of motion)between two groups in first week,first month,third month after treatment.Recording the degree of improvement of knee joint’s pain,dysfunction and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rang of motion.Results:Within groups,the VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC and ROM were obviously different from pre-therapy scores in the third,sixth and twelfth week post-therapy(P<0.05).Between groups no significant difference were observed in the third week post-therapy about VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC scores(P>0.05).However,there were differences in the sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05);compared with control group,the ROM of test group were difference in the third,sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of stimulating corresponding acupoints tenderness points selected from recent regions along meridians to treat early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis was superior to anatomical structures,which can effectively relieve pain,dysfunction,symptoms of osteoarthritis of knee joint and rang of motion.

Clinical observation on the treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis with meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction on sympathetic cervical spondylosis its influence on heart rate variability and norepinephrine concentration.Methods:80 patients with sympathetic cervical spondylosis were divided into the treatment group and control group randomly,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the two groups were treated with massage on the basis of curvature traction.Among them,the treatment group was treated with meridian acupoint massage,while the control group was treated with routine massage.Each subject was treated once a day for 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,VAS,NRS,"20 score method",NDI,JOA,and Borden's method were used to evaluate the pain,sympathetic symptoms and cervical function of the two groups.At the same time,the changes of RR interval standard deviation and urine noradrenaline concentration were also observed.Finally the clinical efficacy of the two groups were evaluated.Results:The cure rate of the treatment group was 62.50%,while it was 40.00%in the control group,and the effective rate of the treatment group was 95.00%,the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%,the treatment group was superior to the control group in both cure rate and total effective rate(P<0.05).During post-therapy,VAS score,NRS score,sympathetic symptom score,cervical physiological curvature,NDI score,and noradrenaline concentration in urine in both groups were lower than those of pre-treatment(P<0.01),JOA score and heart rate variability SDNN value were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the treatment group was superior to the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction has a significant clinical effect on sympathetic cervical spondylosis,which is worth further promotion and application.

Rules of Meridians and Acupoints Selection in Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Based on Data Mining Techniques

Objective:To help selecting appropriate meridians and acupoints in clinical practice and experimental study for Parkinson’s disease(PD),the rules of meridians and acupoints selection of acupuncture and moxibustion were analyzed in domestic and foreign clinical treatment for PD based on data mining techniques.Methods:Literature about PD treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in China and abroad was searched and selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure and MEDLINE.Then the data from all eligible articles were extracted to establish the database of acupuncture-moxibustion for PD.The association rules of data mining techniques were used to analyze the rules of meridians and acupoints selection.Results:Totally,168 eligible articles were included and 184 acupoints were applied.The total frequency of acupoints application was 1,090 times.Those acupoints were mainly distributed in head and neck and extremities.Among all,Taichong(LR 3),Baihui(DU 20),Fengchi(GB 20),Hegu(LI 4)and Chorea-tremor Controlled Zone were the top five acupoints that had been used.Superior-inferior acupoints matching was utilized the most.As to involved meridians,Du Meridian,Dan(Gallbladder)Meridian,Dachang(Large Intestine)Meridian,and Gan(Liver)Meridian were the most popular meridians.Conclusions:The application of meridians and acupoints for PD treatment lay emphasis on the acupoints on the head,attach importance to extinguishing Gan wind,tonifying qi and blood,and nourishing sinews,and make good use of superior-inferior acupoints matching.

基于复杂网络的《新针灸学》与《经络腧穴学》比较分析研究

The data relevant to acupoint names and indications were extracted from two key textbooks on acupuncture, namely, New Acupuncture and Meridians and Acupoints. Based on the complex network approach, the acupoint-symptom network was established and changes based on the acupoint number were analyzed to highlight the agreement and congruence between these two textbooks, including indication rules. Using topological data, the reasons for the differences were explained to provide specific ideas and methods for the structural development and standardization of the traditional acupuncture knowledge system. In this study, 386 acupoints, 773 symptoms, and 152,163 acupoint-matched pairs from New Acupuncture and 403 acupoints, 253 symptoms, and 28,755 acupoint-matched pairs from Meridians and Acupoints were included. The results highlighted that there are numerous differences in the acupoint-symptom network between these two textbooks. The model of New Acupuncture displays a more typical small-world effect, which may reflect the advantage of classification by symptoms. Furthermore, many of the variations in acupoint locations and indications between these two textbooks reflect the discipline's development over time.