Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional intestinal disease characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits. It has drawn great attention because of its high prevalence, reoccurring sympto...Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional intestinal disease characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits. It has drawn great attention because of its high prevalence, reoccurring symptoms, and severe influence on patients’ lives. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating IBS. Increasing attention has been paid to research regarding the action mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion for IBS, and the adoption of modern techniques has achieved some progress. This article reviews the latest advances among action mechanism studies from the perspectives of gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, the brain-gut axis, the neuroendocrine system, and the immune system. It is shown that acupuncture-moxibustion can effectively regulate the above items, and thus, this treatment should have a high efficacy in the treatment of IBS. This article also identifies existing problems in current mechanism research and raises several ideas for future studies. Further revelations regarding these action mechanisms will promote the application of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating IBS.展开更多
Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)ABSTRACT During the past 30 years, acupuncture has developed a lot in the whole world. The internationa...Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)ABSTRACT During the past 30 years, acupuncture has developed a lot in the whole world. The international group of acupuncture has been enlarged and a new page was created in the cause of human health and medicine. At the eve of "The 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of WFAS—International Acupuncture Congress", in order to show the achievements in the circle of acupuncture and set up a new image of global acupuncture circle, expand the influence of acupuncture, promote international cooperation, World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion will print a Special Issue in large scale, Acupuncture in the Whole World—Global Events Record of Acu-Moxi and calling for articles starts from now on.展开更多
On November 15th,2018,"Special Events of World Acupuncture-Moxibustion Day into UNESCO"were held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris,France,to celebrate the 8th anniversary of traditional Chinese medicine (T...On November 15th,2018,"Special Events of World Acupuncture-Moxibustion Day into UNESCO"were held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris,France,to celebrate the 8th anniversary of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturemoxibustion being inscribed on the"Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".展开更多
World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Scalp Acupuncture,was approved by WFAS,issued on October 9,2023,and officially implemented on December 31,2...World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Scalp Acupuncture,was approved by WFAS,issued on October 9,2023,and officially implemented on December 31,2023.This technical benchmark specifies terms and definitions,scope of application,operation steps and requirements,security requirements,etc.In the development process,the actual clinical conditions of acupuncture and moxibustion in various countries have been fully considered.This technical benchmark is applicable to global acupuncture medical institutions,conducive to the standardized use of scalp acupuncture in clinical practice,and can promote the international dissemination of scalp acupuncture in a certain degree.展开更多
Acupuncture,an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),displays a 5,o00-year history in China.Since the 5th century,acupuncture has spread globally and it is currently practiced in 196 countries.In No...Acupuncture,an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),displays a 5,o00-year history in China.Since the 5th century,acupuncture has spread globally and it is currently practiced in 196 countries.In November 2010,the United Nations Educational,Scientific,and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)included"Acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine"in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,signifying its relevance to the culture of humankind worldwide.TCM,as the culmination of ancient Chinese science,relies on standardized practices for acupuncture to ensure its development,growth,and widespread application.As early as two thousand years ago,the shapes and sizes of nine classical needles and 150 specific acupoints,along with their related treatment targets,have already been documented by the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic.展开更多
The Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)(WFAS 007.9-2023),officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,...The Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)(WFAS 007.9-2023),officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,2023,represents the inaugural acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice guideline dedicated to GERD globally.This guideline outlines its purpose,scope,target audience,and relevant environments,along with detailing the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment methodology for GERD,as well as the guideline development process and recommendations.This article specifically emphasizes the recommendations of the guideline,highlighting the crucial importance of both the dissemination and adherence to this guideline to standardize acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for GERD.Such standardization plays a pivotal role in the advancement and widespread utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the management of GERD.展开更多
World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Electroacupuncture,developed under the leadership of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,wa...World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Electroacupuncture,developed under the leadership of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,was approved by WFAS.This technical benchmark was issued on October 9,2023,and implemented on December 31,2023.The main contents include the scope,normative references,terms and definitions,acupuncture and moxibustion procedures and rules,and safety.This article focuses on the above contents.An outlook on the application,popularization,and update plan of this technical benchmark is proposed.展开更多
Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine(WFAS 007.9-2023)is a clinical practice guideline officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,2...Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine(WFAS 007.9-2023)is a clinical practice guideline officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,2023,and is the first international guideline on the treatment of migraine with acupuncture.This international standard was developed under the guidance of rigorous evidence-based methodology,and it contains guideline purpose,scope,applicable population,applicable settings,overview of acupuncture for migraine,guideline development process and recommendations.For promoting the understanding and application of this guideline,this article summarizes a total of 18 recommendations in order to assist clinical decisions for migraine with acupuncture.展开更多
Objective:To analyze the differences in the needs of users and the value orientation of clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)by comparing the contents and formation methods of clinical questions in Chinese and Korean CPG...Objective:To analyze the differences in the needs of users and the value orientation of clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)by comparing the contents and formation methods of clinical questions in Chinese and Korean CPGs of acupuncture-moxibustion(Acup-Mox).Methods:The full text of CPGs was systematically searched from the official websites of Chinese and Korean traditional medicine societies and Acup-Mox associations,with the topic"Acup-Mox for treating diseases"and the retrieval time up to September 28,2022.Two researchers screened the CPGs independently,and extracted the guidelines'topics,content,quantity and formation methods of clinical questions.The quantitative data were collected by counting the frequency,and the qualitative data were classified and described by thematic analysis.Results:A total of 29 guidelines were included in this study,including 20 Chinese guidelines(305 questions)and 9 Korean guidelines(223 questions).The differences lie in the aspects of content and diversity,and formation method.As for content and diversity,Chinese guidelines focused mainly on the questions related to treatment such as the operation of specific intervention(86,28.2%),efficacy of intervention(78,25.6%),and also involving questions in diagnosis,prevention,and prognosis.While the clinical questions in Korean guidelines were concentrated to efficacy of intervention(218,97.8%).As for formation method,in Chinese guidelines,questions were usually collected directly from clinicians,and then determined and optimized by experts.In Korean guidelines,frequently used clinical Acup-Mox interventions would be screened first.Then the expert group would set up corresponding intervention control measures so as to form clinical questions related to treatment efficacy.Conclusions:The differences reflect the different needs of clinical practitioners,and the different aims or concepts in developing Acup-Mox guidelines between China and South Korea.Chinese guidelines emphasized promoting operation protocols and techniques of Acup-Mox for practical use,while Korean guidelines emphasized promoting the frequently used clinical intervention therapies.It is speculated that the guidelines from these two countries would play different roles in guiding clinical operation and supporting medical decision.In terms of formation methods of clinical questions,it is suggested to attach importance to optimizing process in formatting clinical questions to improve the clinical applicability of CPGs of Acup-Mox.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of compound laser acupuncture-moxibustion on blood glucose,fasting insulin and blood lipids levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats.Methods:Forty male Wistar rats were ran doml...Objective:To investigate the effect of compound laser acupuncture-moxibustion on blood glucose,fasting insulin and blood lipids levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats.Methods:Forty male Wistar rats were ran domly divided into 4 groups,in eluding the no rmal group,model control group,laser group and sham laser group(n=10 per group).The rats in the normal group were fed with a standard diet.Rats in other groups were fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 4 weeks,then intraperitoneally injected with 1%streptozotocin to induce T2DM model.The laser group was irradiated by 10.6 μm and 650 nm compound laser on bilateral Pishu(BL 20),Shenshu(BL 23)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)for 5 min,6 times a week for 5 weeks.The sham laser group received the same treatment as the laser group,but without laser output.The model control group and normal group were not treated.Blood glucose levels were measured before and after 1,2,3,4 and 5 weeks of treatment.The serum levels of fasting insulin,total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL),and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)were analyzed after the last treatment.Results:The blood glucose levels in the model control group in creased duri ng the 5 weeks of treatment compared with the no rmal group(P<0.05),while those in the laser group were significantly lower than the model control group after weekly treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05).After 1,2 and 3 weeks of treatment,the blood glucose levels in the laser group decreased obviously compared with the sham laser group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the levels of fasti ng in suli n,TC and LDL in the model control group notably in creased(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while their levels in the laser group were significantly lower than the model control group after 5 weeks of treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,no statistically significant differences were observed in TG or HDL levels among the 4 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The compound laser acupuncture-moxibustion of 10.6μm and 650 nm had positive effects on the regulati on of hyperglycemia and insulin resista nee in T2DM rats,which may be a potential treatment for T2DM,and also provide an alternative to the traditional acupuncture and moxibustion therapy.展开更多
Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of "banking up original qi and consolidating the foundation" for prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Methods: Sixty...Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of "banking up original qi and consolidating the foundation" for prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Methods: Sixty included patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method with 30 patients in each group. In acupuncture group, warming-needle moxibustion was carried out at Zúsānlǐ(足三里ST 36), and cone moxibustion on Fùzǐ(附子Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) cake was conducted at Guānyuán(关元CV 4), Qìhǎi(气海CV 6) and Dàzhuī(大椎GV 14). The treatment was conducted in May or June(2 months before the onset of rhinitis in this area). The treatment was carried out for once every other day and three times per week. Treatment for 24 times was considered as 1 course of treatment. No intervention treatment was conducted in control group. The score of rhinitis symptom, the visual analogue scale(VAS) score changes of total nasal symptom score(TNSS) and total non-nasal symptom score(TNNSS) of patients in 2015 and in 2016 were observed, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.Results:(1) The score of rhinitis symptom, the VAS score changes of TNSS and TNNSS in acupuncture group in 2016 declined when compared with the results in 2015, which were 4.57 ±0.82 vs 9.40 ± 1.89,13.37 ± 4.01 vs 30.80 ±4.77 and 15.93 ±6.30 vs 46.13 ± 9.79(P〈 0.001), the results in acupuncture group after treatment were lower than that in control group at same time, which were 4.57 ±0.82 vs 7.53 ±2.06,13.37±4.01 vs 27.17±6.84,15.93±6.30 vs 35.53±11.69(all P〈0.001). According to comparison, there was no obvious difference in the results in control group at the two time points, which were 8.60 ±2.39 vs7.53 ± 2.06, 29.63 ± 6.30 vs 27.17 ± 6.84 and 40.90 ±12.31 vs 35.53± 11.69(all P〉 0.05).(2) The total effective rate was 96.7%(29/30) in acupuncture group and 10%(3/30) in control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P〈 0.001).Conclusion: Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of "banking up original qi and consolidating the foundation" was effective on prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.展开更多
The aim of this study was to establish clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion by retrieving relevant literature and adopting the best current national and international evidence, according to experts...The aim of this study was to establish clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion by retrieving relevant literature and adopting the best current national and international evidence, according to experts' experience and patients' values. This was achieved using the Grade of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation(GRADE) system combined with a wide range of national experts' consensus, in order to provide reliable evidence for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis, and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the prevention and treatment effects of acupuncture-moxibustion for Alzheimer disease(AD)based on various AD mouse models.Methods:Several representative types of mouse models were selected accord...Objective:To evaluate the prevention and treatment effects of acupuncture-moxibustion for Alzheimer disease(AD)based on various AD mouse models.Methods:Several representative types of mouse models were selected according to the pathophysiological causes of AD,including senescence accelerated mouse/prone(SAMP)mice,soluble amyloid-βprotein(Aβ)injection mice/rats,amyloid precursor protein(APP)transgenic mice,and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.Through the observation of behavioral changes and analysis of core items,the possible mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion in preventing and treating AD were explored.Results:Acupuncture-moxibusiton therapy can improve AD mice's cognitive dysfunction;the major action mechanisms including increasing cerebral blood flow,improving the expressions of vital proteins in the hippocampus,preventing neuron cell apoptosis,promoting the clearance of Aβdeposition,activating autophagy pathway to reduce memory deficits and regulating the metabolisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,tyrosine kinase receptor B,N-acetylaspartate and glutamic acid.Conclusion:Although the optimal mouse model is not determined,it is sure that acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can improve cognitive function.A more suitable AD animal model should be duplicated in order to better explore the inherent action mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion in preventing and treating AD.展开更多
To summarize and analyze the acupoint selection rules in acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris. Clinical studies and literature on acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris with definite acupoint...To summarize and analyze the acupoint selection rules in acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris. Clinical studies and literature on acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris with definite acupoint selection were included through retrieving China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database and VIP in order to analyze the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for stable angina pectoris. It has been found that the acupoint selection of acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions for stable angina pectoris focused on specific acupoints.The top 5 acupoints with the highest using frequency included Neiguan(内关PC 6),Danzhdng(膻中CV17),Xinshu(心俞BL 15),Ziusanli(足三里ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(三阴交SP 6). Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of stable angina pectoris involved 12 meridians, mainly including the hand-jueyin pericardium meridian, the foot-taiyang bladder meridian, conception vessel, the foot-yangming stomach meridian, the foot-taiyin spleen meridian, and the hand-shaoyin heart meridian, etc., embodying the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection such as "highlighting the special treatment effect of acupoints" "selecting acupoints along the pericardium meridian, bladder meridian and conception vessel, combining the anterior and the posterior acupoints", "selecting the distal acupoints of spleen and stomach meridians, and focusing on specific acupoints", etc.展开更多
Refractory infertility is a relatively intractable issue regarding its treatment at present.In recent years,acupuncture-moxibustion therapy participate increasingly in treatment of refractory infertility and has achie...Refractory infertility is a relatively intractable issue regarding its treatment at present.In recent years,acupuncture-moxibustion therapy participate increasingly in treatment of refractory infertility and has achieved a certain therapeutic effect.It is discovered that acupuncture-moxibustion effectively improves ovarian function,promotes ovulation and improves ovum quality and endomentrial receptivity.Hence,this therapy has been widely applied to the treatment of infertility induced by primary ovarian insufficiency(POI),polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS),endometriosis(EM),intrauterine adhesion(IUA),etc..In the paper,the research status of this disease treated with acupuncture-moxibustion is reviewed.It is anticipated to determine the direction and lay the foundation for further research.展开更多
The questionnaire aims to collect clinical questions for the Clinical Practice Guideline of AcupunctureMoxibustion:Non-Specific Low Back Pain.This questionnaire is consisted of single-choice questions,multiple-choice ...The questionnaire aims to collect clinical questions for the Clinical Practice Guideline of AcupunctureMoxibustion:Non-Specific Low Back Pain.This questionnaire is consisted of single-choice questions,multiple-choice questions,ranking questions,and open questions.Readers are recommended to complete the open questions by using patients,intervention,comparator and outcome(PICO)framework,referring to the examples.The survey would take about 30 min to finish,and the answers from participants would greatly contribute to the formation of Clinical Practice Guideline of Acupuncture-Moxibustion:Non-Specific Low Back Pain.展开更多
BACKGROUND Currently,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formulas are commonly being used as adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis in China.Network meta-analysis,a quantitative and comprehensive analytical method,can...BACKGROUND Currently,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formulas are commonly being used as adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis in China.Network meta-analysis,a quantitative and comprehensive analytical method,can systematically compare the effects of different adjunctive treatment options for ulcerative colitis,providing scientific evidence for clinical decision-making.AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of commonly used TCM for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)in clinical practice through a network metaanalysis.METHODS Clinical randomized controlled trials of these TCM formulas used for the adjuvant treatment of UC were searched from the establishment of the databases to July 1,2022.Studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened and evaluated for literature quality and risk of bias according to the Cochrane 5.1 standard.The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using ReviewManager(RevMan)5.4,and a funnel plot was constructed to test for publication bias.ADDIS 1.16 statistical software was used to perform statistical analysis of the treatment measures and derive the network relationship and ranking diagrams of the various intervention measures.RESULTS A total of 64 randomized controlled trials involving 5456 patients with UC were included in this study.The adjuvant treatment of UC using five TCM formulations was able to improve the clinical outcome of the patients.Adjuvant treatment with Baitouweng decoction(BTWT)showed a significant effect[mean difference=36.22,95%confidence interval(CI):7.63 to 65.76].For the reduction of tumor necrosis factor in patients with UC,adjunctive therapy with BTWT(mean difference=−9.55,95%CI:−17.89 to−1.41),Shenlingbaizhu powder[SLBZS;odds ratio(OR)=0.19,95%CI:0.08 to 0.39],and Shaoyao decoction(OR=−23.02,95%CI:−33.64 to−13.14)was effective.Shaoyao decoction was more effective than BTWT(OR=0.12,95%CI:0.03 to 0.39),SLBZS(OR=0.19,95%CI:0.08 to 0.39),and Xi Lei powder(OR=0.34,95%CI:0.13 to 0.81)in reducing tumor necrosis factor and the recurrence rate of UC.CONCLUSION TCM combined with mesalazine is more effective than mesalazine alone in the treatment of UC.展开更多
AIM:To explore the brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia using the voxelmirror homotopic connectivity(VMHC)analysis method of resting functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)te...AIM:To explore the brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia using the voxelmirror homotopic connectivity(VMHC)analysis method of resting functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)technology based on clinical effectiveness.METHODS:Eighty children with anisometropic monocular amblyopia were randomly divided into two groups:control(40 cases,1 case of shedding)and acupuncture(40 cases,1 case of shedding)groups.The control group was treated with glasses,red flash,grating,and visual stimulations,with each procedure conducted for 5min per time.Based on routine treatment,the acupuncture group underwent acupuncture of“regulating qi and unblocking meridians to bright eyes”,Jingming(BL1),Cuanzhu(BL2),Guangming(GB37),Fengchi(GB20)acupoints were taken on both sides,with the needle kept for 30min each time.Both groups were treated once every other day,three times per week,for a total of 4wk.After the treatment,the overall curative effect of the two groups and the latency and amplitude changes of P100 wave of pattern visual-evoked potential were counted.At the same time,nine children with left eye amblyopia were randomly selected from the two groups and were scanned with rsfMRI before and after treatment.The differences in the brain regions between the two groups were compared and analyzed with VMHC.RESULTS:Chi-square test showed a notable difference in the total efficiency rate between the acupuncture(94.87%)and control groups(79.49%).Regarding the P100 wave latency and amplitude,the acupuncture group had significantly shorter latency and higher amplitude of P100 wave than the control group.Moreover,the VMHC values of the bilateral temporal lobe,superior temporal gyrus,and middle temporal gyrus were notably increased in the acupuncture group after treatment.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture combined with conventional treatment can significantly improve the corrected visual acuity and optic nerve conduction in children with anisometropic amblyopia.Compared with the conventional treatment,the regulation of acupuncture on the functional activities of the relevant brain areas in the anterior cerebellum may be an effective acupuncture mechanism for anisometropic amblyopia.展开更多
The meridian theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine,playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis,treatment,and health preservation.Serving as the media for the effects of acupuncture,moxibusti...The meridian theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine,playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis,treatment,and health preservation.Serving as the media for the effects of acupuncture,moxibustion,herbal medicine,and acupressure massage,meridians exert undeniable impact on the human body.However,the essence of meridians remains a topic of debate.Recent research has primarily focused on their anatomical structures,leading to numerous hypotheses.Simultaneously,other researchers have approached this subject from an energetic perspective,discovering information interactions within the meridian system.These findings suggest that meridians possess both physical and information dimensions,indicating that a singular approach to their study is insufficient.To bridge this gap,a shift from purely structural research toward an exploration of the information aspects of meridians is necessary.By integrating this information approach with traditional meridian theory,it may be possible to develop a new,modernized meridian theory that is aligned with contemporary concepts,making it more accessible and applicable in clinical settings.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acupuncture(AT)is widely used in treatment of ovulatory disorder infertility(ODI),but the safety and efficacy of AT for ODI still lack an evidence-based basis.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and effectivene...BACKGROUND Acupuncture(AT)is widely used in treatment of ovulatory disorder infertility(ODI),but the safety and efficacy of AT for ODI still lack an evidence-based basis.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of AT as an adjunct intervention for ODI.METHODS The Cochrane Library,Embase,PubMed,VIP,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang Data,and Chinese biomedical literature databases were searched from inception to January 20,2024.Two reviewers independently selected studies,collected data,and evaluated methodological quality through the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.Revman 5.4 was used for meta-analysis,and the Grade system was performed to evaluate the level of evidence for the outcomes of the meta-analysis.RESULTS A total of 20 randomized controlled trials with 1677 ODI patients were included.Compared with the clomiphene citrate(CC)group,the AT plus CC group exhibited significant improvement of the pregnancy rate[relative risk(RR)=1.68,95%confidence interval(CI):1.45-1.95,P<0.00001,I^(2)=23%],ovulation rate(RR=1.34,95%CI:1.22-1.47,P<0.00001,I^(2)=32%),serum E2 level[mean difference(MD)=31.36,95%CI:21.83-40.88,P<0.00001,I^(2)=97%],thickness of endometrium(MD=1.76,95%CI:0.71-2.81,P=0.001,I^(2)=98%)and decreasing miscarriage rate(RR=0.25,95%CI:0.09-0.65,P=0.005,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-2.10,95%CI:-3.27 to-0.94,P=0.0004,I^(2)=99%),serum luteinizing hormone level(MD=-6.94,95%CI:-9.89 to-4.00,P<0.00001,I^(2)=100%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-1.66,95%CI:-2.98 to-0.34,P=0.01,I^(2)=96%).The AT group had a more favorable effect than CC group for improving pregnancy rate(RR=1.52,95%CI:1.33-1.73,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),thickness of endometrium(MD=2.48,95%CI:2.15-2.81,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%)and reducing miscarriage rate(RR=0.23,95%CI:0.13-0.44,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-0.55,95%CI:-0.86 to-0.24,P=0.0005,I^(2)=0%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-0.24,95%CI:-0.28 to-0.20,P<0.00001).However,the level of evidence was predominantly assessed as very low to moderate.CONCLUSION AT can improve the pregnancy outcomes and sex hormone levels for patients with ODI.However,further studies are needed to confirm these findings.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81273843,No.81072879National Key Basic Research Program of China,No.2009CB522900
文摘Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional intestinal disease characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits. It has drawn great attention because of its high prevalence, reoccurring symptoms, and severe influence on patients’ lives. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating IBS. Increasing attention has been paid to research regarding the action mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion for IBS, and the adoption of modern techniques has achieved some progress. This article reviews the latest advances among action mechanism studies from the perspectives of gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, the brain-gut axis, the neuroendocrine system, and the immune system. It is shown that acupuncture-moxibustion can effectively regulate the above items, and thus, this treatment should have a high efficacy in the treatment of IBS. This article also identifies existing problems in current mechanism research and raises several ideas for future studies. Further revelations regarding these action mechanisms will promote the application of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating IBS.
文摘Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)ABSTRACT During the past 30 years, acupuncture has developed a lot in the whole world. The international group of acupuncture has been enlarged and a new page was created in the cause of human health and medicine. At the eve of "The 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of WFAS—International Acupuncture Congress", in order to show the achievements in the circle of acupuncture and set up a new image of global acupuncture circle, expand the influence of acupuncture, promote international cooperation, World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion will print a Special Issue in large scale, Acupuncture in the Whole World—Global Events Record of Acu-Moxi and calling for articles starts from now on.
文摘On November 15th,2018,"Special Events of World Acupuncture-Moxibustion Day into UNESCO"were held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris,France,to celebrate the 8th anniversary of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturemoxibustion being inscribed on the"Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
基金Supported by National Key R&D Program Project:2022YFC3500402.
文摘World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Scalp Acupuncture,was approved by WFAS,issued on October 9,2023,and officially implemented on December 31,2023.This technical benchmark specifies terms and definitions,scope of application,operation steps and requirements,security requirements,etc.In the development process,the actual clinical conditions of acupuncture and moxibustion in various countries have been fully considered.This technical benchmark is applicable to global acupuncture medical institutions,conducive to the standardized use of scalp acupuncture in clinical practice,and can promote the international dissemination of scalp acupuncture in a certain degree.
文摘Acupuncture,an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),displays a 5,o00-year history in China.Since the 5th century,acupuncture has spread globally and it is currently practiced in 196 countries.In November 2010,the United Nations Educational,Scientific,and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)included"Acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine"in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,signifying its relevance to the culture of humankind worldwide.TCM,as the culmination of ancient Chinese science,relies on standardized practices for acupuncture to ensure its development,growth,and widespread application.As early as two thousand years ago,the shapes and sizes of nine classical needles and 150 specific acupoints,along with their related treatment targets,have already been documented by the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic.
文摘The Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)(WFAS 007.9-2023),officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,2023,represents the inaugural acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice guideline dedicated to GERD globally.This guideline outlines its purpose,scope,target audience,and relevant environments,along with detailing the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment methodology for GERD,as well as the guideline development process and recommendations.This article specifically emphasizes the recommendations of the guideline,highlighting the crucial importance of both the dissemination and adherence to this guideline to standardize acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for GERD.Such standardization plays a pivotal role in the advancement and widespread utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the management of GERD.
基金Supported by National Key R&D Program of China:2019YFC1712200。
文摘World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)Technical Benchmark of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Electroacupuncture,developed under the leadership of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,was approved by WFAS.This technical benchmark was issued on October 9,2023,and implemented on December 31,2023.The main contents include the scope,normative references,terms and definitions,acupuncture and moxibustion procedures and rules,and safety.This article focuses on the above contents.An outlook on the application,popularization,and update plan of this technical benchmark is proposed.
基金Supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China:2019YFC1712200,2019YFC1712203Independent Project of the Institute of Acupuncture and moxibustion,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences:ZZ202219004Science and technology innovation project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences:CI2020A03510。
文摘Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine(WFAS 007.9-2023)is a clinical practice guideline officially released by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies(WFAS)on October 9,2023,and is the first international guideline on the treatment of migraine with acupuncture.This international standard was developed under the guidance of rigorous evidence-based methodology,and it contains guideline purpose,scope,applicable population,applicable settings,overview of acupuncture for migraine,guideline development process and recommendations.For promoting the understanding and application of this guideline,this article summarizes a total of 18 recommendations in order to assist clinical decisions for migraine with acupuncture.
基金Supported by National Key R&D Program of China (No.2019YFC1712200,No.2019YFC1712201)。
文摘Objective:To analyze the differences in the needs of users and the value orientation of clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)by comparing the contents and formation methods of clinical questions in Chinese and Korean CPGs of acupuncture-moxibustion(Acup-Mox).Methods:The full text of CPGs was systematically searched from the official websites of Chinese and Korean traditional medicine societies and Acup-Mox associations,with the topic"Acup-Mox for treating diseases"and the retrieval time up to September 28,2022.Two researchers screened the CPGs independently,and extracted the guidelines'topics,content,quantity and formation methods of clinical questions.The quantitative data were collected by counting the frequency,and the qualitative data were classified and described by thematic analysis.Results:A total of 29 guidelines were included in this study,including 20 Chinese guidelines(305 questions)and 9 Korean guidelines(223 questions).The differences lie in the aspects of content and diversity,and formation method.As for content and diversity,Chinese guidelines focused mainly on the questions related to treatment such as the operation of specific intervention(86,28.2%),efficacy of intervention(78,25.6%),and also involving questions in diagnosis,prevention,and prognosis.While the clinical questions in Korean guidelines were concentrated to efficacy of intervention(218,97.8%).As for formation method,in Chinese guidelines,questions were usually collected directly from clinicians,and then determined and optimized by experts.In Korean guidelines,frequently used clinical Acup-Mox interventions would be screened first.Then the expert group would set up corresponding intervention control measures so as to form clinical questions related to treatment efficacy.Conclusions:The differences reflect the different needs of clinical practitioners,and the different aims or concepts in developing Acup-Mox guidelines between China and South Korea.Chinese guidelines emphasized promoting operation protocols and techniques of Acup-Mox for practical use,while Korean guidelines emphasized promoting the frequently used clinical intervention therapies.It is speculated that the guidelines from these two countries would play different roles in guiding clinical operation and supporting medical decision.In terms of formation methods of clinical questions,it is suggested to attach importance to optimizing process in formatting clinical questions to improve the clinical applicability of CPGs of Acup-Mox.
基金Supported by the Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology(No.19441901200)the Three-Year Development Plan Project for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission[No.ZY(2018-2020)-CCCX-2001-05]
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of compound laser acupuncture-moxibustion on blood glucose,fasting insulin and blood lipids levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats.Methods:Forty male Wistar rats were ran domly divided into 4 groups,in eluding the no rmal group,model control group,laser group and sham laser group(n=10 per group).The rats in the normal group were fed with a standard diet.Rats in other groups were fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 4 weeks,then intraperitoneally injected with 1%streptozotocin to induce T2DM model.The laser group was irradiated by 10.6 μm and 650 nm compound laser on bilateral Pishu(BL 20),Shenshu(BL 23)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)for 5 min,6 times a week for 5 weeks.The sham laser group received the same treatment as the laser group,but without laser output.The model control group and normal group were not treated.Blood glucose levels were measured before and after 1,2,3,4 and 5 weeks of treatment.The serum levels of fasting insulin,total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL),and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)were analyzed after the last treatment.Results:The blood glucose levels in the model control group in creased duri ng the 5 weeks of treatment compared with the no rmal group(P<0.05),while those in the laser group were significantly lower than the model control group after weekly treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05).After 1,2 and 3 weeks of treatment,the blood glucose levels in the laser group decreased obviously compared with the sham laser group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared with the normal group,the levels of fasti ng in suli n,TC and LDL in the model control group notably in creased(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while their levels in the laser group were significantly lower than the model control group after 5 weeks of treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,no statistically significant differences were observed in TG or HDL levels among the 4 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The compound laser acupuncture-moxibustion of 10.6μm and 650 nm had positive effects on the regulati on of hyperglycemia and insulin resista nee in T2DM rats,which may be a potential treatment for T2DM,and also provide an alternative to the traditional acupuncture and moxibustion therapy.
基金Supported by Baotou Medical Science and Technology Project:Wsjj2015060~~
文摘Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of "banking up original qi and consolidating the foundation" for prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Methods: Sixty included patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method with 30 patients in each group. In acupuncture group, warming-needle moxibustion was carried out at Zúsānlǐ(足三里ST 36), and cone moxibustion on Fùzǐ(附子Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) cake was conducted at Guānyuán(关元CV 4), Qìhǎi(气海CV 6) and Dàzhuī(大椎GV 14). The treatment was conducted in May or June(2 months before the onset of rhinitis in this area). The treatment was carried out for once every other day and three times per week. Treatment for 24 times was considered as 1 course of treatment. No intervention treatment was conducted in control group. The score of rhinitis symptom, the visual analogue scale(VAS) score changes of total nasal symptom score(TNSS) and total non-nasal symptom score(TNNSS) of patients in 2015 and in 2016 were observed, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.Results:(1) The score of rhinitis symptom, the VAS score changes of TNSS and TNNSS in acupuncture group in 2016 declined when compared with the results in 2015, which were 4.57 ±0.82 vs 9.40 ± 1.89,13.37 ± 4.01 vs 30.80 ±4.77 and 15.93 ±6.30 vs 46.13 ± 9.79(P〈 0.001), the results in acupuncture group after treatment were lower than that in control group at same time, which were 4.57 ±0.82 vs 7.53 ±2.06,13.37±4.01 vs 27.17±6.84,15.93±6.30 vs 35.53±11.69(all P〈0.001). According to comparison, there was no obvious difference in the results in control group at the two time points, which were 8.60 ±2.39 vs7.53 ± 2.06, 29.63 ± 6.30 vs 27.17 ± 6.84 and 40.90 ±12.31 vs 35.53± 11.69(all P〉 0.05).(2) The total effective rate was 96.7%(29/30) in acupuncture group and 10%(3/30) in control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P〈 0.001).Conclusion: Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of "banking up original qi and consolidating the foundation" was effective on prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
基金Supported by standardization of traditional Chinese medicine,State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China:ZYYS-2009-0009-8special project of construction of TCM Master CHENG Xin-nong’s Inheritance Studio,State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China
文摘The aim of this study was to establish clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion by retrieving relevant literature and adopting the best current national and international evidence, according to experts' experience and patients' values. This was achieved using the Grade of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation(GRADE) system combined with a wide range of national experts' consensus, in order to provide reliable evidence for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis, and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the prevention and treatment effects of acupuncture-moxibustion for Alzheimer disease(AD)based on various AD mouse models.Methods:Several representative types of mouse models were selected according to the pathophysiological causes of AD,including senescence accelerated mouse/prone(SAMP)mice,soluble amyloid-βprotein(Aβ)injection mice/rats,amyloid precursor protein(APP)transgenic mice,and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.Through the observation of behavioral changes and analysis of core items,the possible mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion in preventing and treating AD were explored.Results:Acupuncture-moxibusiton therapy can improve AD mice's cognitive dysfunction;the major action mechanisms including increasing cerebral blood flow,improving the expressions of vital proteins in the hippocampus,preventing neuron cell apoptosis,promoting the clearance of Aβdeposition,activating autophagy pathway to reduce memory deficits and regulating the metabolisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,tyrosine kinase receptor B,N-acetylaspartate and glutamic acid.Conclusion:Although the optimal mouse model is not determined,it is sure that acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can improve cognitive function.A more suitable AD animal model should be duplicated in order to better explore the inherent action mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion in preventing and treating AD.
基金Supported by the special fund of basic scientific research operating expenses of central public welfare scientific research institutions:YZ-1612Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province:2016CFB215Youth Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China:81704142~~
文摘To summarize and analyze the acupoint selection rules in acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris. Clinical studies and literature on acupuncture-moxibustion for stable angina pectoris with definite acupoint selection were included through retrieving China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database and VIP in order to analyze the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for stable angina pectoris. It has been found that the acupoint selection of acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions for stable angina pectoris focused on specific acupoints.The top 5 acupoints with the highest using frequency included Neiguan(内关PC 6),Danzhdng(膻中CV17),Xinshu(心俞BL 15),Ziusanli(足三里ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(三阴交SP 6). Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of stable angina pectoris involved 12 meridians, mainly including the hand-jueyin pericardium meridian, the foot-taiyang bladder meridian, conception vessel, the foot-yangming stomach meridian, the foot-taiyin spleen meridian, and the hand-shaoyin heart meridian, etc., embodying the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection such as "highlighting the special treatment effect of acupoints" "selecting acupoints along the pericardium meridian, bladder meridian and conception vessel, combining the anterior and the posterior acupoints", "selecting the distal acupoints of spleen and stomach meridians, and focusing on specific acupoints", etc.
基金Supported by Shanghai Xinlin New Star Cultivation Program:ZY(2018-2020)-RCPY-3012In-Budget Project of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine:18LK045Project of Qi Cong Studio for Academic Experience Research of Eminent and Veteran Experts of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine:SZYMZYGZS4014。
文摘Refractory infertility is a relatively intractable issue regarding its treatment at present.In recent years,acupuncture-moxibustion therapy participate increasingly in treatment of refractory infertility and has achieved a certain therapeutic effect.It is discovered that acupuncture-moxibustion effectively improves ovarian function,promotes ovulation and improves ovum quality and endomentrial receptivity.Hence,this therapy has been widely applied to the treatment of infertility induced by primary ovarian insufficiency(POI),polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS),endometriosis(EM),intrauterine adhesion(IUA),etc..In the paper,the research status of this disease treated with acupuncture-moxibustion is reviewed.It is anticipated to determine the direction and lay the foundation for further research.
基金Supported by the National Key R&D Program of China:2019YFC1712200。
文摘The questionnaire aims to collect clinical questions for the Clinical Practice Guideline of AcupunctureMoxibustion:Non-Specific Low Back Pain.This questionnaire is consisted of single-choice questions,multiple-choice questions,ranking questions,and open questions.Readers are recommended to complete the open questions by using patients,intervention,comparator and outcome(PICO)framework,referring to the examples.The survey would take about 30 min to finish,and the answers from participants would greatly contribute to the formation of Clinical Practice Guideline of Acupuncture-Moxibustion:Non-Specific Low Back Pain.
文摘BACKGROUND Currently,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formulas are commonly being used as adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis in China.Network meta-analysis,a quantitative and comprehensive analytical method,can systematically compare the effects of different adjunctive treatment options for ulcerative colitis,providing scientific evidence for clinical decision-making.AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of commonly used TCM for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC)in clinical practice through a network metaanalysis.METHODS Clinical randomized controlled trials of these TCM formulas used for the adjuvant treatment of UC were searched from the establishment of the databases to July 1,2022.Studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened and evaluated for literature quality and risk of bias according to the Cochrane 5.1 standard.The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using ReviewManager(RevMan)5.4,and a funnel plot was constructed to test for publication bias.ADDIS 1.16 statistical software was used to perform statistical analysis of the treatment measures and derive the network relationship and ranking diagrams of the various intervention measures.RESULTS A total of 64 randomized controlled trials involving 5456 patients with UC were included in this study.The adjuvant treatment of UC using five TCM formulations was able to improve the clinical outcome of the patients.Adjuvant treatment with Baitouweng decoction(BTWT)showed a significant effect[mean difference=36.22,95%confidence interval(CI):7.63 to 65.76].For the reduction of tumor necrosis factor in patients with UC,adjunctive therapy with BTWT(mean difference=−9.55,95%CI:−17.89 to−1.41),Shenlingbaizhu powder[SLBZS;odds ratio(OR)=0.19,95%CI:0.08 to 0.39],and Shaoyao decoction(OR=−23.02,95%CI:−33.64 to−13.14)was effective.Shaoyao decoction was more effective than BTWT(OR=0.12,95%CI:0.03 to 0.39),SLBZS(OR=0.19,95%CI:0.08 to 0.39),and Xi Lei powder(OR=0.34,95%CI:0.13 to 0.81)in reducing tumor necrosis factor and the recurrence rate of UC.CONCLUSION TCM combined with mesalazine is more effective than mesalazine alone in the treatment of UC.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82160935,No.82260965)Traditional Chinese Medicine Discipline“Qi Huang Ying Cai”Tutor Special Fund Doctoral Program(No.ZYXKBD-202208)+4 种基金Higher Education Innovation Fund Project of Gansu Province(No.2021A-087)Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(No.22JR5RA583)Traditional Chinese Medicine Discipline“Qi Huang Ying Cai”Tutor Special Fund Master’s Supervisor Program(No.ZYXKSD-202220)Youth Research Fund Project of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine(No.ZQ2017-9)Gansu Province 2023 Provincial Key Talent Project(No.2).
文摘AIM:To explore the brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia using the voxelmirror homotopic connectivity(VMHC)analysis method of resting functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)technology based on clinical effectiveness.METHODS:Eighty children with anisometropic monocular amblyopia were randomly divided into two groups:control(40 cases,1 case of shedding)and acupuncture(40 cases,1 case of shedding)groups.The control group was treated with glasses,red flash,grating,and visual stimulations,with each procedure conducted for 5min per time.Based on routine treatment,the acupuncture group underwent acupuncture of“regulating qi and unblocking meridians to bright eyes”,Jingming(BL1),Cuanzhu(BL2),Guangming(GB37),Fengchi(GB20)acupoints were taken on both sides,with the needle kept for 30min each time.Both groups were treated once every other day,three times per week,for a total of 4wk.After the treatment,the overall curative effect of the two groups and the latency and amplitude changes of P100 wave of pattern visual-evoked potential were counted.At the same time,nine children with left eye amblyopia were randomly selected from the two groups and were scanned with rsfMRI before and after treatment.The differences in the brain regions between the two groups were compared and analyzed with VMHC.RESULTS:Chi-square test showed a notable difference in the total efficiency rate between the acupuncture(94.87%)and control groups(79.49%).Regarding the P100 wave latency and amplitude,the acupuncture group had significantly shorter latency and higher amplitude of P100 wave than the control group.Moreover,the VMHC values of the bilateral temporal lobe,superior temporal gyrus,and middle temporal gyrus were notably increased in the acupuncture group after treatment.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture combined with conventional treatment can significantly improve the corrected visual acuity and optic nerve conduction in children with anisometropic amblyopia.Compared with the conventional treatment,the regulation of acupuncture on the functional activities of the relevant brain areas in the anterior cerebellum may be an effective acupuncture mechanism for anisometropic amblyopia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82205286)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82074556)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20404)the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(2023NSFSC1819).
文摘The meridian theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine,playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis,treatment,and health preservation.Serving as the media for the effects of acupuncture,moxibustion,herbal medicine,and acupressure massage,meridians exert undeniable impact on the human body.However,the essence of meridians remains a topic of debate.Recent research has primarily focused on their anatomical structures,leading to numerous hypotheses.Simultaneously,other researchers have approached this subject from an energetic perspective,discovering information interactions within the meridian system.These findings suggest that meridians possess both physical and information dimensions,indicating that a singular approach to their study is insufficient.To bridge this gap,a shift from purely structural research toward an exploration of the information aspects of meridians is necessary.By integrating this information approach with traditional meridian theory,it may be possible to develop a new,modernized meridian theory that is aligned with contemporary concepts,making it more accessible and applicable in clinical settings.
基金Supported by Kunshan Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Development Fund,No.KZYY2212.
文摘BACKGROUND Acupuncture(AT)is widely used in treatment of ovulatory disorder infertility(ODI),but the safety and efficacy of AT for ODI still lack an evidence-based basis.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of AT as an adjunct intervention for ODI.METHODS The Cochrane Library,Embase,PubMed,VIP,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang Data,and Chinese biomedical literature databases were searched from inception to January 20,2024.Two reviewers independently selected studies,collected data,and evaluated methodological quality through the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.Revman 5.4 was used for meta-analysis,and the Grade system was performed to evaluate the level of evidence for the outcomes of the meta-analysis.RESULTS A total of 20 randomized controlled trials with 1677 ODI patients were included.Compared with the clomiphene citrate(CC)group,the AT plus CC group exhibited significant improvement of the pregnancy rate[relative risk(RR)=1.68,95%confidence interval(CI):1.45-1.95,P<0.00001,I^(2)=23%],ovulation rate(RR=1.34,95%CI:1.22-1.47,P<0.00001,I^(2)=32%),serum E2 level[mean difference(MD)=31.36,95%CI:21.83-40.88,P<0.00001,I^(2)=97%],thickness of endometrium(MD=1.76,95%CI:0.71-2.81,P=0.001,I^(2)=98%)and decreasing miscarriage rate(RR=0.25,95%CI:0.09-0.65,P=0.005,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-2.10,95%CI:-3.27 to-0.94,P=0.0004,I^(2)=99%),serum luteinizing hormone level(MD=-6.94,95%CI:-9.89 to-4.00,P<0.00001,I^(2)=100%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-1.66,95%CI:-2.98 to-0.34,P=0.01,I^(2)=96%).The AT group had a more favorable effect than CC group for improving pregnancy rate(RR=1.52,95%CI:1.33-1.73,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),thickness of endometrium(MD=2.48,95%CI:2.15-2.81,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%)and reducing miscarriage rate(RR=0.23,95%CI:0.13-0.44,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-0.55,95%CI:-0.86 to-0.24,P=0.0005,I^(2)=0%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-0.24,95%CI:-0.28 to-0.20,P<0.00001).However,the level of evidence was predominantly assessed as very low to moderate.CONCLUSION AT can improve the pregnancy outcomes and sex hormone levels for patients with ODI.However,further studies are needed to confirm these findings.