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BACKGROUND: Assessing the use and effectiveness of complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies via survey can be complicated given CIH therapies are used in various locations and formats, the dosing required to have an effect is unclear, the potential health and well-being outcomes are many, and describing CIH therapies can be challenging. Few surveys assessing CIH therapy use and effectiveness exist, and none sufficiently reflect these complexities. OBJECTIVE: In a large-scale Veterans Health Administration (VA) quality improvement effort, we developed the Complementary and Integrative Health Therapy Patient Experience Survey, a longitudinal, electronic patient self-administered survey to comprehensively assess CIH therapy use and outcomes. METHODS: We obtained guidance from the literature, subject matter experts, and Veteran patients who used CIH therapies in designing the survey. As a validity check, we completed cognitive testing and interviews with those patients. We conducted the survey (March 2021-April 2023), inviting 15,608 Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain with a recent CIH appointment or referral identified in VA electronic medical records (EMR) to participate. As a second validity check, we compared VA EMR data and patient self-reports of CIH therapy utilization a month after survey initiation and again at survey conclusion. RESULTS: The 64-item, electronic survey assesses CIH dosing (amount and timing), delivery format and location, provider location, and payor. It also assesses 7 patient-reported outcomes (pain, global mental health, global physical health, depression, quality of life, stress, and meaning/purpose in life), and 3 potential mediators (perceived health competency, healthcare engagement, and self-efficacy for managing diseases). The survey took 17 minutes on average to complete and had a baseline response rate of 45.3%. We found high degrees of concordance between self-reported and EMR data for all therapies except meditation. CONCLUSIONS: Validly assessing patient-reported CIH therapy use and outcomes is complex, but possible.

The relationship between heart failure and diabetes is intricate and bidirectional. Individuals with diabetes face an elevated risk of developing heart failure due to factors like insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and metabolic irregularities. Elevated blood sugar levels can harm blood vessels and nerves, culminating in the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, atherosclerosis, and hypertension, which significantly contribute to heart failure. Furthermore, diabetes can adversely impact the structure and function of the heart muscle, impairing its pumping capacity. Conversely, heart failure can also contribute to the onset of diabetes by disrupting the bodys metabolic processes and amplifying insulin resistance. The complex interaction between these conditions mandates a comprehensive approach to managing individuals with both diabetes and heart failure, underscoring the importance of addressing both aspects for enhanced patient outcomes. Although existing pharmacological treatments are limited and frequently associated with undesirable side effects, acupuncture has established itself as a traditional practice with a legacy. It remains a supplementary option for treating cardiovascular diseases. Heart failure and diabetes are both heavily associated with chronic upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which has been identified as a pivotal factor in the progression of disease. Mechanistic interplays such as the attenuation of central nitric oxide signaling may interfere with the production or availability of nitric oxide in key areas of the central nervous system, including the brainstem and hypothalamus. This review will delve into the current understanding of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system and offer insights into its potential role in the future treatment landscape for diabetes and heart failure.

Acupuncture is widely accepted as a therapeutic treatment by patients and healthcare providers globally. The safety record has been well established in acupuncture practice although some rare adverse events (AEs) were reported in the literature. While acupuncture-related AEs are generally defined as any undesirable event that occurs in patients during acupuncture treatment that may or may not be associated with the treatment, acupuncture-related adverse reactions (ARs) are defined as any undesirable or harmful reaction induced by trained practitioners practicing acupuncture treatment with standard doses. In this review, we clarify the relationship between AEs and ARs. Furthermore, we compile a list of acupuncture-related AEs reported in systematic reviews and meta-analysis articles. We find that serious acupuncture-related AEs are rare, with serious AEs occurring at a rate of approximately 0.04–0.08 per 10,000 treatments. The most likely serious AEs are pneumothorax, central and peripheral nerve injuries, heart injuries, abdominal organ injuries, infections, and needle breakage. Commonly reported minor AEs include bruising, hematoma, or bleeding at the needling site, as well as vasovagal reactions such as tiredness, dizziness, fainting, or residual pain at insertion points. The analysis identifies contributing factors for serious AEs being deep needle penetration, incorrect acupoint selection, and improper needle manipulation. It also addresses infections caused by contaminated needles, environmental factors, and inadequate skin disinfection. Moreover, other serious AEs, like needle breakage, are mostly due to aggressive manipulation and repeated reheating. Importantly, most acupuncture-related AEs are preventable. To avoid such AEs, acupuncturists in clinical practice should carefully select needling areas, be aware of cautions and contraindications of acupuncture, maintain safe acupuncture depth and hygiene, and strictly adhere to standard operating procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), which seriously affects the quality of life of patients with PD. The main clinical treatment method for depression in Parkinson's disease is medication treatment. However, the medication treatment has a long cycle and many adverse reactions. Acupuncture as a non-pharmacological intervention method, has been widely used in the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease and depressive disorders in China. Therefore, the study of acupuncture in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease with mild to moderate depression has important practical significance. Methods and analysis: In this randomized, single-blinded, and placebocontrolled study, a total of 88 patients with depression in Parkinson's disease (DPD) will be randomly allocated to either an acupuncture group or a control group in parallel in a 1:1 allocation ratio. Each group will receive 30 min acupuncture treatments or sham acupuncture treatments, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks, followed by a 36-week follow-up period. The primary outcome is the response rate of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 at 12 weeks. Data will be collected at baseline, at the end of the 12-week treatment period, and during the 12-week and 36-week follow-up. Discussion: This study hypothesized that acupuncture may treat DPD by restoring pathological alterations in brain neural activity. The findings will provide scientific evidence for acupuncture in the treatment of early PD with mild to moderate depression. Ethics and dissemination: This clinical trial has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Approval No. 2023BL02-013-01). This trial has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No. ChiCTR2300069310). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study attempted to evaluate the meta-analyses (MAs) of the acupuncture treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) to provide a basis for clinical decision-making. Methods: Eight databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, CQVIP, and CBM, were searched from database creation to December 22, 2023. The MAs of DPN treatment using acupuncture or acupuncture combined with conventional Western medicine were included. AMSTAR-2 and PRISMA 2020 helped evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of the included studies. The GRADE methodology helped assess the evidence quality of outcome indicators. Evidence mapping was performed to display evaluation results. Results: A total of 18 MAs involving 23,240 DPN patients were included. Based on the methodological quality evaluation, four MAs were of "moderate" quality, seven had a quality grade of "low," and another seven were of "critically low" quality. The evidence quality evaluation showed that among studies of acupuncture vs. conventional Western medicine, four had an evidence quality of "moderate," 18 had an evidence quality of "low," and 17 had an evidence quality of "critically low" and that among studies of acupuncture + conventional Western medicine vs. conventional Western medicine, 12 had an evidence quality of "moderate," 29 had an evidence quality of "low," and 33 had an evidence quality of "critically low." Compared with conventional Western medicine, simple acupuncture and acupuncture + conventional Western medicine significantly improved total effective rate (TER) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment of DPN significantly improves TER and NCV with proven safety. However, the MAs of the acupuncture treatment of DPN must strictly refer to relevant standards and specifications regarding methodological and reporting quality, along with the design, execution, and reporting of primary randomized controlled trials (RCTs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been used in many studies to explore the neural mechanism of acupuncture in patients with poststroke motor dysfunction. Inconsistent results have been found in these studies, however. This activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis was designed to quantitatively integrate changes in brain activity and the neurological effects of acupuncture on patients with motor dysfunction after stroke. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database, the China Biology Medicine, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform for literature from the establishment of the database until March 21, 2024. Research papers were selected, data extracted, and quality assessment was done independently by two researchers. The GingerALE software was used for meta-analysis, and Jackknife sensitivity analysis was employed to assess result robustness. Results: We ended up analyzing 14 studies that included 235 patients and 100 healthy people. ALE meta-analysis showed that Compared with healthy people, the enhanced brain region in poststroke patients with motor dysfunction was located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the left inferior frontal gyrus, and the left precuneus (p < 0.001). After acupuncture, the activated regions were mainly located in the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum, the right lentiform nucleus putamen, the right medial frontal gyrus, the right inferior frontal gyrus, the left precuneus, the right middle temporal gyrus, the left claustrum, the left cerebellar tonsil, the right superior marginal gyrus, the inactivated area is located in the right medial frontal gyrus the left precentral gyrus and the right precuneus (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Acupuncture can reestablish motor function by causing extensive changes in the brain function of patients with stroke, which may be the neurological effect of acupuncture therapy on stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug-dependent insomnia refers to insomnia patients taking sedatives and sleeping pills regularly for a long period. Auricular acupressure (AA) has attracted growing attention as a complementary treatment for insomnia. Nevertheless, there is a lack of rigorous studies evaluating AA specifically for estazolam-dependent insomnia. Our proposed trial aims to assess the therapeutic effect of AA on estazolam-dependent insomnia. Methods: This study is a randomized, single-blinded, three-arm controlled trial. No less than 108 participants will be randomized into one of three groups: AA group, sham auricular acupressure (SAA) group, and conventional dosage reduction group. All treatments will be administered for 4 weeks, with a follow-up period of 1 month. The primary clinical outcomes will be estazolam dosing and reduction rates, serum gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cortisol (CORT) levels. Secondary outcomes will concern the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire (BWSQ). Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be performed, with the significance level determined as 5%. Discussion: The study results will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of AA in managing estazolam-dependent insomnia by analyzing its immediate effect, time-effect relationship, and reduction of estazolam use. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov (identification number: NCT06258226; Registered 5 February 2024, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06258226). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environmental acupuncture (UEA) is a novel approach designed to engage with a variety of stakeholders to successfully implement nature-based solutions in dense urban areas. The Interreg Central Europe project SALUTE4CE piloted this concept through small-scale, low-budget interventions in four cities: Chorzow (Poland), Erfurt (Germany), Alessandria (Italy), and Liptovski Mikulas (Slovakia). The pilot projects were designed to be quickly implementable, utilizing abandoned or undesirable sites, with the potential to catalyze both physical and social transformation. Interviews with local actors in these cities after project implementation provided valuable feedback, which was used to develop principles of urban environmental acupuncture. While the limited number of interviews means these findings offer only initial insights, they are largely supported by existing research. Nevertheless, this perspective provides important lessons that can inform future transformation projects and help evaluate the success of the UEA approach. The key contributions of this work are the introduction of urban environmental acupuncture concept, deriving principles of UEA based on feedback from local stakeholders and offering insights in future design and evaluation of similar nature-based solution initiatives in dense urban environments. This perspective helps to establish the potential of UEA as a tool for engaging diverse stakeholders and catalyzing sustainable urban transformation (specifically expansion of nature-based solutions) through low-cost interventions. Policy and practice recommendations: •To maintain low project costs, strategic decision-making is needed regarding the types of nature-based, the condition of the sites before construction, the infrastructure to be placed on the site as well as activation of volunteers in project activities. •Within the Central European cities examined, small, underutilized, and abandoned spaces are abundant and offer a way forward in implementing nature-based solutions. •To improve rapid implementation of nature-based solution implementation, processes within cities should be streamlined (e.g. bundling projects, easing planning requirements for micro projects). •To further promote implementation beyond initial nature-based solution projects, catalyze broader transformations (e.g. include the public in planning and implementation processes, identify sites for future UEA implementation, integrate UEA in planning documents, obtain letters of commitment from politicians). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the development of disease-modifying intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) drugs, the rat model of IDD is frequently used for disease progression assessment. The aim of this study was to describe a magnetic resonance (MRI) scoring system for the assessment of different disc conditions in puncture-induced IDD, allowing standardization and comparison of results obtained by different investigators. Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized in the present study. The animals were divided into two groups: a sham group and an IDD group caused by puncture. The rats in the IDD group were subsequently divided into six categories based on time frames, with five rats in each category. The sham group was divided into two sub-groups (n = 3) for 28 and 56 days, respectively. T2-weighted images of rats consecutively studied with MRI of the coccygeal discs were classified according to the time course using the corresponding histological data. Additional scoring of the micro-CT was employed to identify the progression of bone destruction of the rat model of IDD. Results: A comparison of the MRI results between the sham group and the IDD group revealed a significant reduction in NP height, area, T2WI value, and DHI in the latter group (P < 0.05). The micro-CT results demonstrated that following acupuncture, there was a notable decline in the BV, Tb.N, and height of the coccygeal vertebra, while the BS/BV and Tb.Sp exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05). The histological results were analogous to the MRI results, indicating a progressive exacerbation of IDD and a corresponding increase in NP score (P < 0.05). The results of the MRI were found to be consistent with those of the micro-CT and histological analyses (P < 0.05). The results of the study demonstrate a robust correlation between MRI analysis and histological findings. Live animals are employed for MRI analysis to improve experiment comparability. The reliability of the MRI scoring system ensures assessment of disease progression in live animals, while promoting cost savings and animal welfare by avoiding the sacrifice of animals at different times. Conclusions: The described scoring paradigm has quantitatively been found to differentiate IDD disease progression in an in vivo rat model. Hence, we suggest employing it to evaluate the rat IDD model and assess the effects of treatments in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression has emerged as a significant global health concern, exerting a profound impact on individuals, as evidenced by its high prevalence and associated suicide rates. Considering its pervasive nature, the absence of optimal treatment modalities remains a challenge. Acupuncture has garnered substantial clinical and experimental validation for its efficacy in addressing diverse forms of depression, including postpartum, post-stroke, and adolescent depression. This article endeavors to elucidate the distinctive attributes and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in the contemporary treatment of depression. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture exerts diverse physiological effects in animal models of depression, encompassing modulation of the brain, serum, and brain-gut axis. These effects are attributed to various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions, promotion of neuronal plasticity, neuroprotection, neurotrophic effects, modulation of neurotransmitters, regulation of endocrine and immune functions, and modulation of cell signal pathways. Currently, the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture involves the engagement of multiple targets, pathways, and bidirectional regulation. Hence, acupuncture emerges as a promising alternative medical modality, exhibiting substantial research prospects and meriting comprehensive worth further study and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysphagia, a common complication of acute stroke, is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Acupuncture, a widely used swallowing therapy in China, has been suggested as an effective therapy for treating Post-Stroke Dysphagia (PSD) by recent meta-analyses and guidelines. The use of resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) could explore the change of regional spontaneous neural activity, functional relationships between brain regions, and white matter connectivity patterns after acupuncture intervention for PSD. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for PSD and explore its central mechanism by neuroimaging. Methods/design: This randomized controlled trial will recruit 40 PSD patients. All patients will be randomized to either the Real Acupuncture (RA) or Sham Acupuncture (SA) group by a ratio of 1:1. All patients will receive immediate acupuncture treatment in the MRI scanning room, followed by four weeks of long-term acupuncture treatment. The primary outcomes are the rs-fMRI and DTI indicators, which will be evaluated after the immediate and long-term acupuncture treatment. The secondary outcomes are the scales that assess the efficacy, including the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Water Swallowing Test (WST), Swallowing Quality Of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL), and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The modified version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (M-MASS) and fMRI sensation record table will also be evaluated. Discussion: This protocol presents the design of a randomized, single-blind trial that will evaluate the efficacy and explore the neural plasticity of acupuncture treatment for PSD. This trial will deepen our insight into the clinical value of acupuncture for PSD and initially probe into the time-dosage-effect mechanism of acupuncture. Trial registration numbers: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn) ChiCTR2300067480. This study was registered on 9th January 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder frequently associated with other pain syndromes and psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety. These abnormalities coincide with alterations in the brain's structure, particularly in the thalamus and cingulate system. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to be highly effective in treating IBS. However, it remains unclear how white matter (WM) tracts change after acupuncture treatment, and whether the neuroplasticity of these tracts can serve as a neural marker to assist in the development of novel treatments. In this study, we aim to answer these questions by investigating longitudinal changes in the WM of the thalamus and cingulate system in a group of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) patients before and after acupuncture treatment. We found that after acupuncture treatment, as IBS symptoms improved, there were significant changes in the microstructure of the right thalamus radiation (TR) (p<0.05) and the right cingulum hippocampus (CH) (p<0.05). At the same time, patients with reduced IBS symptom severity scores (SSSs) were associated with the change of the right CH (p=0.015, r=-0.491), while reduced depressive conditions correlated with the change of the left TR (p=0.019, r=0.418). In addition, the consequences for the quality of life (QOL) showed a correlation with the right cingulum [cingulate cortex (CC)] (p=0.012, r=0.504) and left TR (p=0.027, r=-0.397). Our study highlighted the potential implications of neuroplasticity in WM tracts for IBS. Furthermore, these findings suggested that the right CH, TR, and right CC can serve as potential "biomarkers" of IBS-D recovery under acupuncture treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • To investigate the clinical impact of ultrasound- guided acupuncture on persistent subjective vertigo as well as how it affects people’s moods and life quality. Methods • The subjects of this study were 100 patients who were being treated at Li Huili Hospital from December, 2022 to December, 2023 for persistent subjective vertigo. With 50 instances in each category, individuals with chronic subjective dizziness were randomly assigned to the shallow acupuncture control category & the regular acupuncture category. Clinical effectiveness, Pittsburgh Sleep volume (PSQI), vestibular Disability Scale (DHI) score, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score & Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), changes were evaluated among the two categories before and following therapy. The frequency of negative side effects following acupuncture therapy was contrasted among the two categories. Results • Following treatment, the conventional acupuncture category’s overall effectiveness rate was 94%, which was higher than that of the shallow acupuncture category (80%) and was highly significant (χ²=4.332, P < .05). Post-treatment DHI, HAMA, HAMD, FSS, and PSQI scale scores in both categories were lower than those before therapy. Individuals receiving regular acupuncture showed significantly lower scores on the DHI, HAMA, HAMD, FSS, and PSQI scales when compared to those receiving shallow acupuncture control. Following therapy, the prevalence of adverse reactions in the conventional acupuncture category was 24 (48.00%) as well as 34 (68.00%) in the shallow acupuncture control category. respectively. This difference in incidence was statistically significant (P < .05), with the conventional acupuncture category experiencing fewer adverse reactions than the shallow acupuncture control category. Conclusion • Ultrasound-guided acupuncture is effective in the treatment of chronic subjective dizziness, helping to relieve dizziness symptoms, and actively improving patients’ mood, sleep, and quality of life, it merits clinical advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • The effectiveness of manual acupuncture for treating bronchial asthma is still debatable and broad, and the effects of different acupuncture points, treatment durations, or illness trajectories have never been rigorously assessed. The objective of this revised systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to ascertain the clinical efficacy of manual acupuncture on bronchial asthma and whether these effects varied depending on the acupuncture points, length of treatment, or course of the disease. Materials and methods • PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria were followed for creating a systematic review and meta- analysis. From the beginning through March 25, 2022, six electronic databases were checked. For the treatment of asthma, all RCTs contrasting acupuncture therapy along with conventional treatment against conventional treatment alone were chosen. The information was examined using Review Manager version 5.3 and Comprehensive Meta- Analysis version 3. Clinical efficacy (including the effective rate and the recurrence rate) was the primary outcome, and pulmonary function (including FEV1%, PEF) and The secondary results were T-lymphocyte immunity (containing CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+). Based on the acupuncture points, length of therapy, and nature of the condition, subgroup analyses were carried out. Results • There were a total of 21 RCTs that enrolled 2510 individuals. According to the meta-findings, analysis’s manual acupuncture in addition to conventional treatment significantly increased the effective rate when compared to conventional treatment alone [OR = 5.14 95% CI 3.58-7.38, P < .00001], lung functions [FEV1% (MD = 6.18, 95% CI 2.40-9.96, P = .001) and PEF (MD = 0.45 95% CI 0.18-0.73, P = .001)], immune functions [CD3+ T lymphocytes (MD = 7.55 95% CI 6.55-8.56, P < .00001), CD4+ T-lymphocytes (MD = 5.11 95% CI 4.09-6.13, P < .00001), T-lymphocyte CD8+ (MD = -0.37.11 95% CI -3.62--2.51, P < .00001)] and noteworthy reduction in the recurrence rate (OR = 0.19 95% CI 0.10-0.38, P < .00001). Results from the subgroup analysis were consistent. Conclusion • Manual acupuncture combined with Western Medicine is more effective than conventional treatment alone for bronchial asthma. Combination therapy can significantly improve clinical efficacy, lung function, and immune function while reducing the relapse rate. But to further support the results of this investigation, high-quality RCTs with long-term outcomes are still required, taking into account the inherent limitations of the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent condition in spinal surgery, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture has gained clinical attention as a potential treatment for LDH in recent years. Objective • This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture combined with acupoint massage in LDH patients. Methods • We enrolled a total of 135 LDH patients treated at our hospital from May 2021 to February 2023. Among them, 63 patients received acupuncture treatment (control group), while the remaining 72 received acupuncture combined with acupoint massage (observation group). We compared treatment efficacy and the time it took for lumbar stiffness, lower back and leg pain, bending and flexing difficulties, and other symptoms to disappear between the two groups. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedic Association Scoring System (JOA) were used to evaluate patients’ pain levels and lumbar vertebral function before and after treatment. Additionally, we assessed patients using the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOL-74) and recorded their treatment satisfaction. Results • The observation group exhibited a slightly higher total effective rate compared to the control group, with a shorter time for the resolution of lumbar stiffness, lower back pain, leg pain, and other symptoms (P < .05). Furthermore, the observation group had lower VAS scores and higher JOA scores (P < .05). They also achieved higher GQOL-74 scores and reported greater treatment satisfaction (P < .05). Conclusions • Acupuncture combined with acupoint massage effectively alleviated clinical symptoms and pain in LDH patients, demonstrating significant clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meta-analyses are a central part of systematic reviews. The term meta-analysis describes the statistical methods to summarize the results of the available scientific studies providing the highest possible evidence. In medicine, meta-analyses aim to guide clinical decisions. This article provides an overview of the necessary work steps. The classical meta-analysis summarizes the results of randomized controlled trials that compare an intervention against a control intervention. This is illustrated by means of an example from a Cochrane Review on videolaryngoscopy in comparison to direct laryngoscopy. Crucial methodological aspects such as the weighting of individual studies when pooling their results as well as the evaluation of study heterogeneity and potential publication bias are explained. The second part of the article focusses on two extensions of meta-analyses: the individual patient data meta-analysis and the network meta-analysis. The individual patient data meta-analysis makes use of the information that is available from the patient-level data of the included studies. As an example, the work accomplished by an international collaboration on the efficacy of acupuncture in chronic pain is presented. A network meta-analysis enables the comparison of more than two interventions by making use not only of the available direct but also of the respective indirect evidence. This is illustrated by means of a Cochrane Review on drugs for the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals living with cancer and survivors of cancer who self-identify as Hispanic experience higher pain burden and greater barriers to pain management compared with their non-Hispanic counterparts. The Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO guideline recommends acupuncture and massage for cancer pain management. However, Hispanic individuals' expectations about these modalities remain under-studied and highlight a potential barrier to treatment utilization in this population. We conducted a subgroup analysis of baseline data from two randomized clinical trials to evaluate ethnic differences in treatment expectations about integrative pain treatment modalities among Hispanic and non-Hispanic cancer patients and survivors of cancer. The Mao Expectancy of Treatment Effects (METE) instrument was used to measure treatment expectancy for electro-acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and massage therapy. Results of this study demonstrated that Hispanic participants reported greater expectation of benefit from electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and massage (all P < 0.01). After controlling for age, gender, race, and education, Hispanic ethnicity remained significantly associated with greater expectation of benefit from integrative therapies for pain (coef.=1.47, 95% CI, 0.67–2.27). Non-white race (coef.=1.04, 95% CI, 0.42–1.65), no college education (coef.=1.16, 95% CI, 0.59–1.74), and female gender (coef.=0.94, 95% CI, 0.38–1.50) were also associated with a greater expectation of benefit from integrative therapies. Pain management should be informed by a shared decision-making approach that aligns treatment expectancy with treatment selections to optimize outcomes. Compared with non-Hispanic participants, Hispanic individuals reported higher expectation of benefit from acupuncture and massage, highlighting the potential role for integrative therapies in addressing ethnic pain disparities. Trial Registration NCT02979574 NCT04095234. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, leading to chronic inflammation, pelvic nodules and masses, pelvic pain, and infertility. Acupuncture has been shown to improve pain associated with endometriosis by modulating abnormal levels of prostaglandins, β-endorphins, dynorphins, electrolytes, and substance P. This review aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating endometriosis, specifically focusing on its efficacy in relieving pain associated with endometriosis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wanfang, and Weipu database) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception to December 16, 2022, which investigated the use of acupuncture for endometriosis-related pain. Two researchers independently screened articles, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata statistical software. Results: A total of 1991 articles were identified, and ultimately, 14 studies involving 793 patients (387 in the acupuncture group and 359 in the control group) were included. The control interventions in the included studies included placebo, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Western medicine treatments. Meta-analysis results showed that compared to the control group, acupuncture treatment for pain associated with endometriosis demonstrated significant reductions in pain severity [SMD = − 1.10, 95% CI (− 1.45, − 0.75), P < 0.001], improved response rate [RR = 1.25, 95% CI (1.09, 1.44), P = 0.02], and decreased serum CA-125 levels [SMD = − 0.62, 95% CI (− 1.15, − 0.08), P = 0.024]. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed that electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture were superior to the control group in reducing pain severity, while auricular acupuncture and warm needling showed greater clinical efficacy compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences between electroacupuncture or fire needling and the control group in terms of pain relief. The findings suggest that acupuncture is effective in improving pain associated with endometriosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, acupuncture is effective in alleviating dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, reducing serum CA-125 levels, decreasing the size of nodules, improving patients' quality of life, and lowering the recurrence rate. However, it should be noted that the current evidence is limited by the design and quality flaws of the original studies, as well as a lack of research specifically focusing on subtypes of acupuncture. Therefore, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent advancements in psoriasis treatment, challenges in management persist. Recently, there has been a rising interest amongst patients in complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), driven by the desire for more natural, holistic approaches and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Up to 41% of patients with psoriasis reported using alternative therapies and 39.5% use complementary therapies (Murphy EC, Nussbaum D, Prussick R, Friedman AJ (2019) Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 81:280–283). Despite their rapidly growing prevalence, literature on CAM therapies for psoriasis is lacking, making their recommendation difficult. Since the last systematic review on this topic published in 2018, evidence for new alternative therapies has emerged, promoting a further investigation of their efficacy (Gamret AC, Price A, Fertig RM, Lev-Tov H, Nichols AJ (2018) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. JAMA Dermatol 154:1330–1337). This systematic review aims to compile recent literature on the most studied alternative therapies for psoriasis and further discuss their effectiveness in order to counsel clinicians in guiding patients on the use of these non-standard approaches. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on complementary and alternative therapies in psoriasis from March 2018 through April 2024, resulting in 12 studies being included in this review. The preliminary results for many treatments such as curcumin, dietary modification and additions, indigo naturalis, meditation, acupuncture, and balneotherapy showed positive clinical effects. However, additional well-designed randomized trials are needed to confirm the potential beneficial effects and to establish safety of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in drinkers with chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial across multiple centers, involving 224 drinkers. Patients received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders, defined as participants who had a reduction of 6 points or more from baseline in the National Institute of Health—Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) total score at weeks 8 and 32. Secondary outcomes measures included the Global Response Assessment (GRA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5). Results: One hundred and twelve drinkers were included in each group (n = 224 in total). The proportion of responders in terms of NIH-CPSI was 58.9% versus 40.3% in the acupuncture group (AG) and sham acupuncture group (SAG), respectively, with a statistically significant difference of 18.6% (p = 0.002) at week 8. Higher proportions of responders with respect to NIH-CPSI (p < 0.001 at week 32) and GRA (p < 0.001 at week 8 and p = 0.01 at week 32) were observed in the AG compared with the SAG. No between-group differences were found in the changes in IPSS at any assessment time point. Changes in IIEF-5 score were significantly higher in the AG than in the SAG at weeks 20 and 32, while the difference was not statistically significant at week 8. Conclusion: Acupuncture appeared to alleviate the symptoms of pain among drinkers with CP/CPPS and improve their quality of life, but had no demonstrable effect on urinary tract symptoms or erectile function among these patients. Trial registration number: NCT03213938 (ClinicalTrials.gov) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine is a frequently abused and highly addictive drug that damages brain health and imposes substantial social and economic costs. Acupuncture has been used in the treatment of cocaine addiction and has been shown to improve abnormal mental and motor states. This article mainly focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms involving the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) that underlie the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of cocaine addiction. The central dopamine system is a key player in acupuncture treatment of cocaine addiction; the ventral tegmental area (VTA)—nucleus accumbens (NAc) signaling pathway, which has a modulatory influence on behavior and psychology after chronic use of cocaine, is a significant target of acupuncture action. Moreover, acupuncture alleviates cocaine-induced seizures or acute psychomotor responses through the paraventricular thalamus and the lateral habenula (LHb)—rostromedial tegmental (RMTg) nucleus circuits. The data suggest that acupuncture can impact various cocaine-induced issues via stimulation of diverse brain areas; nevertheless, the interconnection of these brain regions and the PNS mechanisms involved remain unknown. In this review, we also discuss the effects of specific acupuncture protocols on cocaine addiction and note that variations in needling modalities, current intensities and traditional acupuncture point locations have led to different experimental results. Therefore, standardized acupuncture protocols (with respect to stimulation methods, point locations and number of sessions) may become particularly important in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture is an effective complementary therapy for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP). Nevertheless, the utilization of acupuncture for NVP has been minimally explored in current scholarly research, with a paucity of systematic randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in it. We aim to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on NVP after assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and explore the metabolism-related mechanism of the efficacy. Methods: This single-blind, randomized, controlled trial will randomize 68 patients with NVP after ART to a traditional acupuncture (tACP) or a sham acupuncture (sACP) group. The tACP group will receive tACP thrice a week for 2 weeks with a day interval between sessions, while the sACP group will undergo the same number of nonpenetrative acupuncture at non-acupoints for the same period. Pregnancy-specific quantification of emesis will be used to evaluate symptom severity. Routine blood and urine tests, liver and kidney function tests, human chorionic gonadotropin, nuchal translucency thickness, and embryonic development measured using ultrasound will be used to evaluate safety during pregnancy. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis will be performed to explore the association between metabolic changes and clinical symptoms. Discussion: This study will elucidate the effects and safety of acupuncture in treating NVP in women undergoing ART. The results of this study will contribute to optimizing acupuncture therapies by combining the body and auricular points and exploring the underlying therapeutic mechanism using a metabolomics approach. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300075259. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is considered the most common altitude sickness. It can be detrimental to the health of tourists who rapidly ascend high mountains, and can also impair the performance of individuals who move to the plateau for work or education. Acupuncture has been shown to improve AMS as a simple, safe, and effective nonpharmacological method, in case electro-thumbtack needle (ETN) is a more convenient form of acupuncture for both doctor and patient. There are no studies validating the effectiveness of electro-thumbtack needle in improving symptoms in participants with AMS. In this study, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of electro-thumbtack needle in participants with AMS. Our hypothesis is that electro-thumbtack needle is safe and effective in treating participants with AMS. Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled study involving at least 114 participants who were diagnosed with AMS. The participants randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the electro-thumbtack needle group and the sham acupuncture group. The treatment protocol involved stimulation of seven predefined acupuncture points, including Zhong Wan (RN12), bilateral Nei Guan (PC6), bilateral He Gu (LI4), and bilateral Tai Yang (EX-HN5), for approximately one minute each, with continuous application over 48 h. The primary outcome was improvement in 2018 Lake Louise score (LLS) after 48 h of treatment. Secondary outcome indicators included the incidence of participants with moderate-to-severe AMS (AMS > 5)and AMS, the LLS, visual analogue scale of headache, clinical functioning scores, the Groningen Sleep Quality Survey, the Stanford Somnolence Scale, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, in addition to treatment-related adverse events were also captured. Discussion: This trial aims to ascertain the therapeutic benefits of ETN in mitigating AMS symptoms, thereby contributing to the evidence base for traditional medical practices, particularly acupuncture, in high-altitude medicine. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR2300073882. Registered on 24 July 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common clinical disorders characterized by recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain. Although their pathogenesis has not been fully clarified, disruptions in intestinal motility and immune function are widely accepted as contributing factors to both conditions, and the brain-gut axis plays a key role in these processes. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs a holistic approach to treatment, considers spleen and stomach impairments and liver abnormality the main pathogenesis of these two diseases, and offers a unique therapeutic strategy that targets these interconnected pathways. Clinical evidence shows the great potential of TCM in treating FGIDs and IBD. This study presents a systematic description of the pathological mechanisms of FGIDs and IBD in the context of the brain-gut axis, discusses clinical and preclinical studies on TCM and acupuncture for the treatment of these diseases, and summarizes TCM targets and pathways for the treatment of FGIDs and IBD, integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary biomedical insights. The alleviating effects of TCM on FGID and IBD symptoms are mainly mediated through the modulation of intestinal immunity and inflammation, sensory transmission, neuroendocrine-immune network, and microbiota and their metabolism through brain-gut axis mechanisms. TCM may be a promising treatment option in controlling FGIDs and IBD; however, further high-quality research is required. This review provides a reference for an in-depth exploration of the interventional effects and mechanisms of TCM in FGIDs and IBD, underscoring TCM's potential to recalibrate the dysregulated brain-gut axis in FGIDs and IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part 2 of this article series continues with an investigation of point prescriptions from the history of Chinese medicine in which Chǐzé 尺澤 LU-5 was combined with other points to treat a variety of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UK), patients with xerostomia after head and neck radiotherapy for whom local measures have not been successful are referred to the acupuncture clinic. This has been offered for the last ten years and preliminary data has shown that it can provide symptomatic relief to patients. This article documents a service evaluation of 45 patients who attended the acupuncture clinic from August 2020 to August 2021. Treatment was carried out at three points in each ear as well as a point on the distal radial aspect of each index finger. Each session lasted for 30 minutes and sessions were carried out weekly for four weeks. Patients filled out a modified 10-item Likert scale to measure their response at the initial and fourth visit. Median improvement in dryness ratings was two points (of a range of zero to five). A response occurred in 37 patients (82 per cent) and 28 patients (62 per cent) received an improvement of two points or greater on the Likert Scale. No adverse reactions to treatment were documented. The authors therefore conclude that acupuncture shows promise in the management of xerostomia in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Henoch-Schönlein purpura, also known as IgA vasculitis, is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels. It normally occurs in younger children but in adults it can present with complications such as kidney damage or bowel obstruction. This is a single-case report of a 56-year-old female diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, presenting with purpura, polyarthralgia, digestive tract symptoms and nephritis. The patient was treated with 12 acupuncture sessions according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles and Chinese herbal medicine employing the Hu Xi-Shu (HXS) jingfang lineage, over a 10-week period. Rapid relief occurred early in the treatment process, with steady and complete recovery from all symptoms within 10 weeks. Some scarring remained in patches where the skin infection had become necrotic. This case demonstrates successful treatment of a complex and critical health condition using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The jingfang approach offers valuable interpretations of traditional formulas and useful insight into addressing the complexities of modern disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture can improve herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), but the underlying mechanism is not clear. Therefore, we evaluated the cognitive function and apoptosis in hippocampus caused by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) in rats after acupuncture and described the molecular mechanism. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were induced into HSE models by HSV-1 infection. After 3 days, they received acupuncture at the acupoints of Xuanzhong (GB39), Baihui (GV20), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), and/or intraperitoneal injection of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Morris water maze test was performed on rats. The hippocampus of rats was obtained, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes in the tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. In addition, apoptosis-related proteins and proteins related to the p38 MAPK/CREB pathway in the tissues was detected by western blot. Results: After HSV-1 induction, the rat's escape latency was increased, the time spent on the platform in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings significantly decreased. In addition, there was an increase in apoptosis in the hippocampus, accompanied by elevated levels of p–p38 and decreased levels of p-CREB. However, these effects could be improved by acupuncture treatment. Interestingly, SB203580 plays a similar role to acupuncture, and acupuncture could further enhance the impacts of SB203580 on cognitive function and apoptosis in hippocampus in HSE rats. Conclusion: Acupuncture improves spatial learning and memory impairment caused by HSV-1 in rats. The functional mechanism of acupuncture may be through the p38 MAPK/CREB pathway. Highlights: Acupuncture improves spatial learning and memory impairment caused by HSV-1 in rats. Acupuncture regulates the activation of p38 MAPK/CREB signaling pathway in hippocampus of HSE rats. Acupuncture improves HSE rats through the p38 MAPK/CREB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder predominantly affecting the radial aspect of the wrist. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the efficacy of acupuncture in treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt). Although there is evidence suggesting that acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of DQt–characterized by pain, swelling, and functional impairment–higher-level evidence is still required to further substantiate its efficacy and safety. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the efficacy of acupuncture in treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt). Methods By systematically searching databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMbase, PEDro, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Chongqing VIP China Science, Technology Journal Database (VIP), we retrieved randomized controlled trial (RCT) literature on acupuncture for DQt, with the search period extending to November 1, 2023. After extracting and assessing data from the included literature, we performed Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results The results encompassed 14 RCT papers, involving 851 patients. The Meta-analysis findings indicated that, when compared to topical analgesics, acupuncture demonstrated a significant increase in treatment effectiveness (RR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.39, P  = 0.0002) and a notable reduction in VAS pain scores (MD = −1.06; 95% CI = −1.51, −0.61, P  < 0.00001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in conney wrist joint scores. Furthermore, acupuncture was found to reduce VAS pain scores compared to the waiting list group. In comparison to corticosteroid injections (CSI), acupuncture did not show statistical significance in VAS, effectiveness rate, and conney wrist scores. Conclusion Acupuncture exhibited a promising trend in alleviating pain associated with DQt and enhancing treatment effectiveness. Nonetheless, due to limitations in the quantity and quality of the included studies, these findings warrant further validation through additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupuncture and moxibustion are effective in alleviating symptoms, but the large number of acupoints can make accurate needle placement and training difficult.To address these challenges, this study aims to develop an augmented reality (AR) acupuncture navigation system designed to improve the accuracy and intuitiveness of acupoint localization.The proposed system employs a six-point registration and positioning technique, enabling the AR navigation model to adapt to the specific characteristics of each patient.In testing, discrepancies between virtual and actual acupuncture points ranged from 0.6 mm to 3.9 mm, which is within the acceptable tolerance range for acupuncture.This AR-based system shows promise in enhancing the precision of acupuncture point localization, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Pediatric surgery is associated with high levels of anxiety for both children and parents/caregivers. To mitigate anxiety, auricular acupuncture has shown its potential in the perioperative setting. Accordingly, our team developed a wearable prototype auricular laser acupuncture system, AcuHealth V1.0, as a portable acupuncture device and conducted a proof‐of‐concept evaluation with parents of children undergoing surgery.The primary aim of this study was to conduct feasibility testing of the AcuHealth V1.0 system in delivering auricular laser acupuncture.Parents of children who were scheduled to undergo outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups: authentic acupuncture (laser beams at known anxiolytic acupoints, n = 13), sham acupuncture (non‐anxiolytic acupoints, n = 14), or a placebo control group (inactive laser, n = 14). Parent self‐reported anxiety (0–10 numerical rating scale) was assessed at baseline, pre‐intervention (once child was taken to the OR), post‐intervention, and at 30 min after the intervention. Usability and acceptability data regarding the device were assessed after the intervention.Baseline data revealed no significant difference in anxiety between the three groups. Parent‐reported anxiety level at 30‐min post‐intervention as compared to baseline in the authentic group was significantly decreased (delta mean ± std = −3.58 ± 2.07) compared to both the sham acupuncture (−1.35 ± 2.65) and placebo control group (0.54 ± 1.13). Evaluation of changes in parent‐reported anxiety between groups over time using two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference between the three groups (p = 0.001). Post hoc analysis with Scheffe test pairwise comparisons showed that at 30‐min post‐intervention compared to baseline, the authentic intervention group was significantly less anxious compared with both the sham group (p = 0.033) and the placebo control group (p = 0.001). Additionally, feedback regarding the usage of the device supported the acceptability and usability of the device with no adverse events.This pilot study administering laser auricular acupuncture via the AcuHealth V1.0 system decreased parental anxiety after 30 min in parents who received treatment immediately after their children were taken to the operating room with no adverse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As a common clinical digestive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome becomes an advantageous disease of acupuncture treatment. However, the therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. The methodological characteristics of omics coincide with the multi-target and multi-level characteristics of acupuncture, providing the possibility of revealing the principle of acupuncture in the treatment of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and the effect of acupuncture at the combined points (selected based on etiologies and symptoms) on IBS-D based on proteomics. METHODS: Twelve 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, an IBS-D model group and an acupuncture group. The IBS-D rat models were prepared using the CAS method. After successful modeling, bilateral Zusanli points, bilateral Neiguan points and Guanyuan points were selected for acupuncture treatment in the acupuncture group, with a frequency of 120 times/minute, 1 minute of acupuncture every 4 minutes, and 15 minutes of needle retention, at an interval of 1 day every 6 days, for 28 days in total. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were not given any intervention. The pressure threshold of rat abdominal retraction reflex was measured to evaluate the visceral hypersensitivity of rats. Proteomics analysis was performed using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry -based platform. MaxQuant software, Perseus software and DAVID, KOBAS, VENNY, STRING online tools were used for the bioinformatics analysis of proteomic data. Visualization analysis was done using Cytoscape 3.7.1 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were 47 differentially expressed proteins between the IBS-D model and control groups. Function analysis of differentially expressed proteins revealed that the pathogenic mechanism of IBS-D was associated with abnormal energy metabolism, the imbalance of colon motor function and increased visceral sensitivity. Important proteins related to IBS-D pathogenesis included Atp5a1, Atp5c1, Idh3b, Atp2a3, Pdhb, Ppp1ca and Mapk3. Sixtyone differentially expressed proteins were identified between the acupuncture group and IBS-D model group. Acupuncture at the combined points reversed the up-regulation of nine differentially expressed proteins and the down-regulation of nine differentially expressed proteins. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that acupuncture at the combined points for IBS-D could function via multi-targets and multi-pathways, reverse the damage of energy metabolism caused by IBS-D, and play a role against oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby relieving pain and regulating the imbalance of intestinal function. Important proteins related to acupuncture effects included Atp5a1, Atp5c1, Pdhb, Sars, Uqcrc2, Prdx2, Prdx4, Ppp1ca, Manf and Tmsb4x3. All these findings preliminarily illustrate the potential molecular mechanisms of IBS-D and the effect of acupuncture at the combined points in the treatment of IBS-D at the protein level, which provide a basis for the clinical application of acupuncture at the combined points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study points to probing the inclination and mapping knowledge domain of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease through bibliometrics. Methods: A search was conducted on 1 February 2024 using the Web of Science to identify papers published on acupuncture for Parkinson's disease. The analysis included scientific research, countries, organizations, authors/cited authors, keywords, journals, and cited references. Bibliometric data were analyzed using VOSviewer software, CiteSpace, GraphPad Prism, and Scimago Graphica. The studies on acupuncture for Parkinson's disease were visualized as a network map according to the publication year. Results: The cumulative publication trend on acupuncture for Parkinson's disease is increasing year by year. China is the leading contributor in this field. International collaboration is predominantly concentrated in Europe, while institutional collaboration is chiefly limited to Chinese universities specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. Park HJ is the most prolific author, with "Movement Disorders" being the journal with the most publications. "Brain Research" is identified as a key journal, reflecting a focus on neuroscience. Kim SN is the most cited author, while Eisenberg DM is a prominent author in this field. Research topics such as mouse models, systematic reviews, and non-motor symptoms are frequently explored, with messenger RNA of substantia nigra emerging as a notable keyword in this field. Choi YG's 2009 paper, published in the Neuroscience Letters journal, is a critical reference in this field. Key papers include Eisenberg DM's 1998 study on randomized trials of acupuncture for non-motor symptoms of PD, as well as research focusing on the neuroinflammatory regulatory mechanisms of acupuncture for PD. Conclusion: The bibliometric analysis offers an exhaustive generality of the advancement and worldwide trends in acupuncture treatments for Parkinson's disease, shedding light on potential avenues for prospective research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and is the main cause of persistent and acquired disability in adults worldwide. Acupuncture is recommended by the World Health Organization as an alternative and complementary strategy for stroke treatment. However, the mechanism of the neural effects of acupuncture on stroke is still lacking a uniform conclusion. The purpose of this study is to clarify the neural effects of acupuncture for stroke from the perspective of neuroimaging. Methods: Seven databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Wan-Fang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Database, will be searched comprehensively according to the search strategy. All of them will be retrieved from the date of database establishment to December 31, 2023. All randomized controlled trials and observational studies will be considered for inclusion. The risk of bias will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Functional imaging of the whole brain in the resting functional state will be the primary outcome. A meta-analysis of primary outcome will be performed using Seed-based D Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images software. The data will be synthesized using a random effects model. Meta-analysis of other clinical data will be performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Publication bias will be assessed through funnel plots. Reports will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Conclusion: This study will aggregate the results of independent studies to provide overall evidence for the neural effects of acupuncture for stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of short-term acupuncture on dysphagia in patients with cerebral- type Wilson's disease（WD). Methods Ninety patients with cerebral WD and swallowing dysfunction were randomly as⁃ signed to acupuncture（n=30), sham acupuncture（n=30), and control（n=30） groups. Patients in all groups received conventional drug treatment, while patients in the acupuncture group received additional acupuncture at Jingjin （EX- HN12), Yuye（EX-HN13), Renying（ST9), Lianquan（RN23), Lianquan lateral point, and Tiantu（RN22). Patients in the sham acupuncture group received shallow puncture beside the acupoints without needle manipulation. Treatment fre⁃ quency was once a day for 5 days a week over 2 weeks. Surface electromyography（sEMG）was collected using a Noraxon surface EMG tester, and data were processed with MR3. 14 software to record the median frequency（MF）of relevant mus⁃ cle groups. Swallowing function was evaluated using the Watian Water Drinking Test（WST）and the Standardized Swal⁃ lowing Assessment（SSA). Quality of life was assessed using the Swallowing Quality of Life（SWAL-QOL). Nutritional sta⁃ tus was evaluated by measuring serum albumin （Alb） using an immunoturbidimetric assay. Results After treatment, the MF of the submental and infrahyoid muscle groups in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than in the sham acupuncture and control groups（P<0. 05 or P<0. 01); the sham acupuncture group had higher MF than the control group （P<0. 05 or P<0. 01); there were no significant differences in the masseter or orbicularis oris muscle MF among the three groups（all P>0. 05). WST and SSA scores after treatment in all groups were lower than those before treatment, and those were lower in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups than in the control group（P<0. 05 or P<0. 01); there was no significant difference between the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups（P>0. 05). The SWAL-QOL score and serum Alb levels after treatment in the acupuncture group were higher than those before treatment, which were higher than those in the sham acupuncture and control groups（all P<0. 01). There were no significant changes in the SWAL-QOL score or serum Alb levels in the sham acupuncture and control groups（all P>0. 05). Conclusion Short-term acupuncture signifi⁃ cantly improves the functions of submental and infrahyoid muscle groups in cerebral WD patients with dysphagia, and en⁃ hances quality of life and nutritional status by improving swallowing function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the central analgesic mechanism of acupuncture at Guanyuan acupoint and Sanyinjiao acupoint in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea（PDM). Methods Twenty patients in the PDM group and 27 healthy control group were included. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging（rs-fMRI） scans were performed on the 1st to 3st days of menstruation respectively. In the PDM group, acupuncture at Guanyuan acupoint and Sanyinjiao acupoint was performed continuously one week before the next menstrual period until menstruation began. Visual analogue scale（VAS） for pain, Cox menstrual symptom scale（CMSS), self-rating Anxiety Scale（SAS), and self-rating Depression Scale（SDS） were used to evaluate clinical symptoms. SPM and DPARSFA software based on Matlab platform were used for data preprocessing, regional homogeneity（ReHo） statistical parameters and brain function images, and the difference in ReHo values before and after acupuncture treatment was compared. Results The VAS, CMSS, SAS, and SDS scores decreased after acupuncture in comparison with those before treatment in patients of the PDM group（all P＜0. 01). After acupuncture, the ReHo values of left temporal pole and superior temporal gyrus, left precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus increased significantly in PDM patients, while ReHo values decreased significantly in left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral precuneate lobe and left peri-talar fissure cortex. Compared with the healthy control group, ReHo increased in right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus and right insular lobe after, left superior temporal gyrus and left precentral gyrus, while ReHo decreased in right thalamus, left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral anterior cingulate and lateral cingulate gyrus and medial superior frontal gyrus in PDM group. Conclusion Acupuncture at Guanyuan acupoint and Sanyinjiao acupoint in the treatment of PDM mainly locates in the pain and emotion conduction pathway and limbic system, and alleviates PDM pain by regulating the brain function of pain-related brain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with deficit in reaction time which can lead to falls, resulting in limited independence, diminished quality of life, heightened rates of institutionalization and increased healthcare costs. We aimed to examine the effects of an acupuncture protocol in motor time response after an auditory stimulus. Methods: This study employed a case series design. Reaction time to exposed rhythmic and random auditory stimuli outcomes were evaluated at six different moments over a month-long acupuncture treatment protocol using the MP 36 system from Biopac Systems. Results: We observed a tendency to have more pronounced improvements in the time response in the more affected side of the body compared with the contralateral one. Patients tended to show better values of response to random auditory stimuli compared to rhythmic auditory ones. We also observed a tendency to obtain better results when considering the accumulative effects of the acupuncture protocol. Conclusions: Our findings indicated a possible role of reaction time as a sensitive and useful tool for motor function assessment in PD patients. Also, from our results, we concluded that the acupuncture protocol used may lead to an improvement in efficacy of motor response after aleatory and rhythmic stimulus; we also found a tendency for a higher efficacy of acupuncture in random stimuli responses in the first stages of the disease. However, further in-depth research, including a statistical evaluation with a larger participant pool, is necessary to validate and confirm these promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Acupuncture is becoming a popular complementary treatment in pediatric cancer care for managing symptoms like nausea and vomiting that result from cancer treatments. This review aims to evaluate how effective and safe acupuncture and similar techniques are for children with cancer. By analyzing data from multiple studies, the authors found that acupuncture may help reduce nausea and vomiting in young cancer patients. However, there is not enough evidence to make conclusions about its effects on number of vomiting episodes, need for anti-nausea medication, or fatigue. More high-quality research is needed to confirm these benefits and ensure the safety of acupuncture for children undergoing cancer treatment. Background/Objectives: Oncology acupuncture is emerging as a complementary treatment in pediatric cancer care centers. It is valued for its potential to manage symptoms associated with cancer and treatment toxicities without increasing polypharmacy. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and related techniques in alleviating symptoms of cancer treatment in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across nine databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CNKI, up to June 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials involving pediatric oncology patients undergoing needle acupuncture or related techniques. Study selection and data extraction were independently performed by pairs of authors. Results were analyzed narratively, and meta-analysis was performed when possible. Results: Results suggest that acupuncture may help manage symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology patients. However, the quality of evidence was generally low, and further research is required to substantiate these findings. Conclusions: Acupuncture shows promising results as a complementary treatment for reducing nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology. However, current evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions for other outcomes, such as the number of vomiting episodes, reduction in antiemetic medication use, or fatigue. High-quality, rigorously designed studies are necessary to better understand the clinical relevance and safety of acupuncture in this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluated the real-world impact of acupuncture on analgesics and healthcare resource utilization among breast cancer survivors. Methods: From a United States (US) commercial claims database (25% random sample of IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus for Academics), we selected 18–63 years old malignant breast cancer survivors experiencing pain and ≥ 1 year removed from cancer diagnosis. Using the difference-in-difference technique, annualized changes in analgesics [prevalence, rates of short-term (< 30-day supply) and long-term (≥ 30-day supply) prescription fills] and healthcare resource utilization (healthcare costs, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits) were compared between acupuncture-treated and non-treated patients. Results: Among 495 (3%) acupuncture-treated patients (median age: 55 years, stage 4: 12%, average 2.5 years post cancer diagnosis), most had commercial health insurance (92%) and experiencing musculoskeletal pain (98%). Twenty-seven percent were receiving antidepressants and 3% completed ≥ 2 long-term prescription fills of opioids. Prevalence of opioid usage reduced from 29 to 19% (P < 0.001) and NSAID usage reduced from 21 to 14% (P = 0.001) post-acupuncture. The relative prevalence of opioid and NSAID use decreased by 20% (P < 0.05) and 19% (P = 0.07), respectively, in the acupuncture-treated group compared to non-treated patients (n = 16,129). However, the reductions were not statistically significant after adjustment for confounding. Patients receiving acupuncture for pain (n = 264, 53%) were found with a relative decrease by 47% and 49% (both P < 0.05) in short-term opioid and NSAID fills compared to those treated for other conditions. High-utilization patients (≥ 10 acupuncture sessions, n = 178, 36%) were observed with a significant reduction in total healthcare costs (P < 0.001) unlike low-utilization patients. Conclusions: Although adjusted results did not show that patients receiving acupuncture had better outcomes than non-treated patients, exploratory analyses revealed that patients treated specifically for pain used fewer analgesics and those with high acupuncture utilization incurred lower healthcare costs. Further studies are required to examine acupuncture effectiveness in real-world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions A network meta‐analysis (NMA) was applied to compare the therapeutic effect of different acupuncture methods on temporomandibular disorder (TMD).A computer retrieval was carried out in the English databases of Cochrane, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, as well as the Chinese databases of CNKI, Wanfang and VIP for randomized controlled trials on the effect of acupuncture on TMD, with a retrieval deadline of January 21, 2024. Data analysis was conducted using R software and Bayesian method. The pain score served as the primary outcome measure, with the mouth opening as the secondary outcome measure.Thirty‐five articles were included in the analysis, involving 1937 TMD patients. The NMA results suggested that DN‐PT had the best effect on relieving pain and improving mouth opening. (Description of all abbreviations in Supplementary Material S3).Based on the available evidence, the results of the NMA suggest that DN‐PT is most effective in relieving TMD pain and increasing mouth opening. However, due to the fact that some acupuncture therapies are only reported in a small number of research reports, this may lead to an increase in the randomness of the results and a decrease in the reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) refers to a decrease in the number or quality of oocytes in the ovarian cortex, which is a degenerative disease of the reproductive system, and can further develop into premature ovarian failure. There are few studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for DOR, which are still in the exploratory stage. Methods/design: This study was a real-world case registry study. According to whether the subjects received conception vessel acupuncture or not, they were divided into the basic treatment combined with conception vessel acupuncture group and the basic treatment group. A total of 1221 patients with DOR were enrolled and treated for 12 weeks. The percentage of patients with ≥30% improvement in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was evaluated at the end of week 12. Secondary outcomes included Antral follicle count (AFC), modified Kupperman scale, basal FSH level, LH level, FSH/LH ratio, positive pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, early spontaneous abortion, ongoing pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy. Discussion: This study provides clinical evidence and theoretical support for the treatment of DOR with conception vessel acupuncture and moxibustion, so as to guide and improve the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture is a promising non-pharmaceutical complementary therapy in treating prolonged Disorders of consciousness (pDOC), but solid evidence to support its effectiveness and safety is still lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-assisted therapy for pDOC patients. Methods: A single-center, prospective, randomized, conventional-controlled, assessor-and-statistician-blinded trial has been designed and is being conducted at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. A total of 110 participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group in a 1:1 allocation ratio and evaluated using Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m. on 2 consecutive days before enrollment to determine the consciousness level. The experimental group will receive acupuncture combined with conventional treatment, while the control group will receive only conventional treatment during the trial observation period. The treatment duration of both groups will be 20 days. Among them, the frequency of acupuncture-assisted therapy is once a day, with 10 consecutive sessions followed by a day's rest for a total of 24 days. Data will be collected separately during baseline and after the final treatment. For data analysis, both Full Analysis Set (FAS) and Per Protocol Set (PPS) principles will be performed together by applying SPSS 27.0 software. The primary outcome measures are the changes of CRS-R before and after treatment, while the secondary outcome measures are the changes of Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Scale (FOUR), the changes of Nociception Coma Scale-Revised (NCS-R), the changes of Disability Rating Scale (DRS), the changes of Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and P300 before and after treatment, respectively. Discussion: This trial aims to rationally assess the consciousness level from multiple 2 perspectives through subjective evaluation and objective detection by selecting several standardized clinical scales combined with Event-Related Potential (ERP) detection technology. In this way, we will be able to reduce the subjectivity of consciousness assessment and objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-assisted therapy for pDOC. The study, if proven to be effective and safe enough, will provide a favorable evidence to guide medical decision-making choices and future researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many systematic reviews (SRs) have reported the efficacy of acupuncture in improving Parkinson's disease (PD), but the quality of evidence is unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively summarize and objectively evaluate the evidence of acupuncture for PD. Methods: Seven databases were searched to retrieve SRs on the acupuncture for PD. Two reviewers independently completed literature retrieval, screening, and data extraction. The methodological quality, risk of bias (RoB), evidence quality of the included SRs were assessed by the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Results: A total of 24 SRs were included. According to AMSTAR 2, 6 (25%) were rated as high quality, 6 (25%) were rated as moderate quality, and 12 (50%) were rated as very low quality. The application of the ROBIS tool showed that 12 (25%) SRs were at low risk of bias. The results of GRADE showed that 8 (7.62%) outcomes provided high quality evidence, 23 (21.9%) outcomes provided moderate quality evidence, 42 (40%) outcomes provided low quality evidence, and 32 (30.48%) outcomes provided very low quality evidence. Conclusion: The overview indicates that acupuncture shows promise as a treatment for PD, although the evidence is limited and inconclusive due to methodological flaws and the heterogeneity of existing studies. Future research should focus on fully reporting methodological details and following review guidelines to produce more reliable and consistent evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical epidural hematoma (CEH) is a rare but potentially devastating condition, characterized by the accumulation of blood within the epidural space of the cervical spine, leading to spinal cord compression (Perron AD, Huff JS. Spinal cord disorders. In: Marx JA, et al. editors. Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2013. pp. 1419–27.); (Raasck K, Habis AA, Aoude A, Simoes L, Barros F, Reindl R. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma management: a case series and literature review. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2017;3:16043. https://doi.org/10.1038/scsandc.2016.43.); (Ryo Yamamoto M, Ito H, Shimuzu K, Wakabayashi H, Oyama. Two cases of cervical epidural hematoma presenting with left-sided hemiplegia and requiring surgical drainage. Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23915. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23915.). While trauma and iatrogenic causes are well-documented, cases attributed to neck strain and acupuncture are uncommon. (Raasck K, Habis AA, Aoude A, Simoes L, Barros F, Reindl R. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma management: a case series and literature review. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2017;3:16043. https://doi.org/10.1038/scsandc.2016.43.); (Shiraishi S, Goto I, Kuroiwa Y, Nishio S, Kinoshita K. Spinal cord injury as a complication of an acupuncture. Neurology. 1979;29(8):1188–90. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.29.8.1188.) Here, we present two cases of CEH secondary to these unusual aetiologies. Both cases highlight the importance of considering uncommon causes of CEH to ensure early recognition and prompt treatment. Case presentations: Case 1 is an 81-year-old lady who presented with left hemiparesis and paraesthesia following a fall with neck strain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine revealed left C3-C7 epidural haematoma with severe cord compression. In Case 2, a 35-year-old gentleman experienced sudden onset numbness and weakness in all limbs just 10 minutes after receiving acupuncture. MRI showed an epidural hematoma at the C2-C4 levels. Both patients underwent immediate surgical decompression and had significant recovery. Conclusion: Although CEH is a rare occurrence, it can potentially be a neurosurgical emergency. Physicians must remain cognizant of the diverse aetiologies associated with CEH and the necessity for early recognition and immediate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previously, we had observed that immediate pain reduction after one acupuncture treatment was associated with high temporal summation of pain (TS) at a pain free control site and younger age in a mixed population of chronic pain patients. The aim of the present study was to verify these results in chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) and to collect pilot data on the association between TS and the response to an acupuncture series. Methods: TS at a pain free control site (back of dominant hand) and at the pain site was quantified by the pin-prick induced wind-up ratio (WUR) in 60 LBP patients aged 50 years or younger. Response to one acupuncture treatment was assessed by change in pain intensity and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the pain site. The primary hypothesis was that a high TS (WUR > 2.5) would be associated with a clinically relevant reduction in pain intensity of at least 30%. In study part two, 26 patients received nine additional treatments. Response to the acupuncture series was assessed by the pain intensity during the last week, the PPT and the Hannover functional ability questionnaire (FFbH-R). Results: An immediate reduction in pain intensity of at least 30% was frequent irrespective of TS at the control site (low vs. high TS 58% vs. 72%, p = 0.266). High TS at the pain site was also not significantly associated with a clinically relevant immediate reduction in pain intensity (low vs. high TS 46% vs. 73%, p = 0.064). The PPT was not changed after one acupuncture treatment. Study part two did not reveal a consistent association between TS at the control site and any of the outcome measures but also a trend toward a higher chance for a clinically relevant response along with low TS at the pain site. Conclusion: Our results do not suggest an important role of TS for predicting a clinically important acupuncture effect or the response to a series of 10 acupuncture treatments in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. Overall high response rates imply that acupuncture is a suitable treatment option for LBP patients irrespective of their TS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy to delay lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether acupuncture, as an adjunctive therapy to COPD-guided medication, could prevent lung function decline. Methods: This randomised, two-centre study was conducted between February 2022 and July 2023. Men and women aged 40–80 years with COPD were recruited. Participants received active or sham acupuncture three times a week (36 sessions total). The primary outcome was the change in the percentage of forced expiratory volume for 1 s to the predicted value (FEV1%) between the baseline and after the intervention. Results: Overall, 238 participants were screened, and 74 (58 men [78.4%]; mean [standard deviation] age, 69.6 [7.2] years) were randomised into the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (37 per group). After the intervention, the change in FEV1% was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.47 to 3.17) and -2.44 (95% CI: -4.56 to -0.33) in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, respectively. The difference was -3.97 (95% CI: -6.2 to -1.74), and the adjusted difference was -3.46 (95% CI: -5.69 to -1.24, P = 0.003) between the groups. A significantly less decline was found in forced expiratory volume for 1 s in the acupuncture group. All treatment-related adverse events (acupuncture = 11, sham = 2) were mild. Conclusions: Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture plus medication may delay lung function decline. However, further studies with a larger sample size and longer-term follow-up are needed to clarify the effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture is popular in the treatment of mental illness. This study determined its feasibility and role in managing postpartum depression (PPD) using a network meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched seven databases up to May 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) appraising acupuncture's efficacy and safety against waitlist-control, placebo, standard control, or as an add-on treatment. Cochrane criteria were followed. Results: Thirteen studies encompassing 872 participants underwent analysis. Both pairwise and network meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture, psychotherapy, and antidepressants were comparable in clinical efficacy rate and in reducing Hamilton Depression Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores. Acupuncture and psychotherapy also effectively mitigated concurrent anxiety symptoms. Combining acupuncture with antidepressants augmented therapeutic efficacy and reduced reported gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with antidepressant use. Acupuncture combined with psychotherapy offered similar benefits with superior safety profile. However, the quality of evidence ranged from very low to low due to significant risks of bias and limited sample sizes. The efficacy of psychotherapy and the combination of acupuncture and psychotherapy might be underestimated, as most RCTs used supportive therapy or individual counseling as positive controls instead of recommended approaches like interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) per PPD guidelines. Conclusion: Current evidence precludes strong recommendations of administering acupuncture in PPD. Rigorous RCTs are essential to validate promising outcomes observed in comparisons between acupuncture, antidepressants, and their combined application. It remains inconclusive whether acupuncture's antidepressive effect is specific or non-specific. Given that psychotherapy is a recommended first-line treatment, investigating the potential efficacy enhancement of combining acupuncture with IPT/CBT is paramount to ascertain the preferred therapeutic approach for PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupuncture has shown promise as a therapeutic option in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Its benefits include pain relief, reduction of muscle tension and improvement of jaw function. Several alternative approaches, including dry needling and laser acupuncture, were also reported to improve TMD symptoms. This review aims to summarise the most recent studies available on these alternative therapies for TMD. An electronic literature search was conducted in 3 databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, in order to identify articles on acupuncture, dry needling, or laser acupuncture. Search development, process, and two-step article selection were conducted by independent researchers. Data was extracted regarding study characteristics, population characteristics, acupuncture points or techniques used, and assessment methods for diagnosis and effects. Out of 431 identified results, 20 were selected for inclusion. We identified 11 studies on acupuncture, 3 studies on laser acupuncture and 6 studies on dry needling. Most studies showed improvement of TMD symptoms post-intervention, assessed by pain scales and maximum mouth opening. Overall, most studies showed promising results for acupuncture as an alternative, minimally invasive treatment method for TMD. When compared to controls or placebo, acupuncture, and related techniques result in significant relief of TMD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of skeletal muscle atrophy, caused by disease and aging, is rising as life expectancy increases. Exercise is the most effective treatment option; however, it is often impractical for individuals suffering from disease or bedridden. The formulation of non-exercise-based interventions is necessary. This study assessed the impact of acupuncture (AC), electro-acupuncture (EA), and electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle mass and contractile properties in a model of casting-induced muscle atrophy. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were assigned to five groups: control (CON), cast (CT), cast receiving AC (CT-AC), cast receiving EA (CT-EA), and cast receiving ES (CT-ES) (n = 8 each). Treatments were 15 min and three times/week for 14 days. Contractile properties and protein markers of atrophy and inflammation were measured. Casting decreased muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area, but AC, EA, and ES attenuated cast-induced muscle atrophy. All treatments increased peak twitch tension compared to CT. CT increased the protein levels of MAFbx and MuRF1, while AC, EA, and ES mitigated the elevation of these proteins. Our results indicate that acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and electrical stimulation show promise as therapeutic strategies to counteract skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction resulting from disuse atrophy caused by injury, disease, and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]