Clinical research progress on acupuncture for the treatment of otogenic vertigo

Otogenic vertigo is a common disorder that affects the vestibular system,which often results in considerable discomfort and impaired daily functioning.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including acupuncture and moxibustion,has been historically utilized to manage the symptoms of vertigo.However,the effectiveness and methodology of these treatments have rarely been investigated in the medical literature.This study reviews the existing literature on the point selection,method,and therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to provide a reference for the TCM treatment of otogenic vertigo.A literature search was performed using the PubMed search engine.The terms used included otogenic vertigo,acupuncture treatment,and acupuncture point selection.A total of 34 relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed.These suggest that the clinical treatment of otogenic vertigo should consider the functions of zang-fu organs and meridians and select different acupuncture treatment methods according to syndrome differentiation based on the difference between deficiency and excess.Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy should be based on acupoint selection,considering the syndrome differentiation,supplemented with experience.The treatment of otogenic vertigo with acupuncture and moxibustion refers to the selection of appropriate acupuncture methods under the guidance of TCM theory and following the principles of syndrome,disease,and meridian differentiation.Common acupuncture methods include body acupuncture,auricular acupuncture,scalp acupuncture,acupoint injection,electroacupuncture,and moxibustion.There are many acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selected for the treatment of otogenic vertigo.Individualized treatment according to the patient’s specific condition is effective and safe,which can help to improve the patient’s vertigo symptoms and cerebral blood perfusion.

Effects of the Lifting Manipulation of Scalp Acupuncture for Raising Myodynamia of the Affected Limbs in Hemiplegic Patients Due to Cerebral Thrombosis

Objective: To provide a new therapy with definite quality controllable therapeutic effects for functional restoration of the affected limbs in hemiplegic patients due to cerebral thrombosis. Method: 180 patients with hemiplegia due to cerebral thrombosis were randomly divided into 2 groups: the treatment group (treated with scalp acupuncture by using the lifting manipulation) and the control group (treated with scalp acupuncture by using the twirling manipulation). Evaluations were given for the two groups based on the improvement of myodynamia and comprehensive functions after the treatment. Results: Both groups showed increased myodynamia, but with different cured and much relieved rates (86.67% in the treatment group and 5% in the control group, P＜0.01). Conclusion: Scalp acupuncture with the lifting manipulation can dramatically increase myodynamia of the affected limbs in hemiplegic patients due to cerebral thrombosis.

Therapeutic observation of needle embedding for constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of point needle embedding in treating constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. Methods： By random number table based on the admission sequence, 85 patients with constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture were randomized into an observation group of 43 cases and a control group of 42 cases. The observation group was intervened by point needle embedding with intradermal needles, while the control group was by point application with Chinese medication. The clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups after intervention. Results： After treatment, the initial defecation time and bowel movement condition were compared. Despite the residual feeling in the initial defecation, the initial defecation time and bowel movements of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）; the total effective rate was 90.7% in the observation group versus 73.8% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Point needle embedding can produce a better therapeutic efficacy than Chinese medicinal application in treating constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture; besides, it＇s easy-to-operate.

Clinical efficacy of sticking-needle acupuncture plus tendon-regulating manipulation in the treatment of acute ankle sprain

Objective To explore the treatment effect of sticking-needle acupuncture plus tendon-regulating manipulation on pain,swelling and joint dysfunction due to acute ankle sprain.Methods A total of 80 patients with acute ankle sprain were recruited and divided into a control group and a treatment group according to the random number table method,with 40 patients in each group.Both groups received the same conventional interventions.The control group was treated with additional tendon-regulating manipulation,and the treatment group was treated with tendon-regulating manipulation plus sticking-needle acupuncture.The pain,swelling and joint dysfunction of the ankle were observed in both groups before and after 3 d,7 d and 14 d of treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale(VAS)score of pain between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the VAS scores of both groups showed a decreasing trend over time,and the differences within the groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 3 d,7 d and 14 d of treatment,the VAS scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of swelling between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the degrees of swelling in both groups showed a decreasing trend over time,and the differences within the groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 3 d and 7 d of treatment,the degrees of swelling in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the degree of swelling between the two groups after 14 d of treatment(P>0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle-hindfoot scale score between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale scores of both groups showed an increasing trend over time,and all the differences within the groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 3 d,7 d and 14 d of treatment,the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale scores in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Based on the routine intervention,the addition of sticking-needle acupuncture and tendon-regulating manipulation was better in alleviating pain and swelling and improving joint function in patients with acute ankle sprain than the addition of tendon-regulating manipulation alone.

Clinical observation on warm needling therapy for scapulohumeral periarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Objective： To evaluate the clinical effects of warm needling for scapulohumeral periarthritis （SP）. Methods： Eighty-six patients with SP due to wind, cold and dampness in conformity with the research criteria were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. The control group was given the routine acupuncture treatment and the observation group was treated by warm needling. The treatment was given once every day and ten sessions made one course. After two courses, the therapeutic effects and the changes in the scores of visual analogue scale （VAS） were observed. Results： After treatment, VAS scores were statistically different from those before treatment in the two groups （P〈0.05）, and VAS score was lower in the observation group than that in the control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. The curative and remarkable effective rate was 74.4% in the observation group and 44.2% in the control group. The difference in the curative and remarkable effective rate was statistically significant between the two groups （P〈0.01）. But, the difference in the total effective rate was not statistically significant between the two groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The warm needling has the dual effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of SP due to wind, cold and damoness, and its clinical effect is better than routine acupuncture treatment.

1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 inhibits transforming growth factorβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition viaβ-catenin pathway

Background::The transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)has been proven associated with the pathogenesis of asthmatic airway remodeling,in which the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role,notably with regard to TGF-β1.Recent studies have shown that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3(1α,25(OH)2D 3)inhibits TGF-β1-induced EMT,although the underlying mechanism have not yet been fully elucidated.Methods::Alveolar epithelial cells were exposed to 1α,25(OH)2D 3,ICG-001,or a combination of both,followed by stimulation with TGF-β1.The protein expression of E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin,fibronectin,andβ-catenin was analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.The mRNA transcript of Snail was analyzed using RT-qPCR,and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9)activity was analyzed by gelatin zymogram.The activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was analyzed using the Top/Fop flash reporters.Results::Both 1α,25(OH)2D 3 and ICG-001 blocked TGF-β1-induced EMT in alveolar epithelial cells.In addition,the Top/Fop Flash reporters showed that 1α,25(OH)2D 3 suppressed the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and reduced the expression of target genes,including MMP-9 and Snail,in synergy with ICG-001.Conclusion::1α,25(OH)2D 3 synergizes with ICG-001 and inhibits TGF-β1-induced EMT in alveolar epithelial cells by negatively regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.