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This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) compared to sham TEA in treating drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Fifty-four DRE outpatients were randomly divided into two groups: TEA (27 patients) and sham TEA (27 patients). Both groups received four sessions of TEA or sham TEA, spaced four weeks apart, targeting GV20, GV14, BL15, BL18, ST40, and GB34 acupoints. Antiseizure medications were maintained at consistent doses throughout the study. Outcome measures included satisfactory seizure control, seizure freedom, and heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. TEA demonstrated a significantly higher rate of satisfactory seizure control at follow-up compared to the sham TEA group (37% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.003). While no significant intergroup differences were observed in HR, HRV, and HRV components at each stage, the TEA group experienced a significant decrease in HR and a significant increase in HRV posttreatment. This study demonstrates TEA's effectiveness in managing DRE and suggests its impact may relate to heightened parasympathetic nerve activity. Further research with extended follow-up periods is necessary to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (acuTENS) on the reduction of dyspnoea during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods: A multicentric randomized control trial with masked patients and evaluators was carried out. During hospitalization, AECOPD patients received 45 min of acuTENS (experimental group) or sham acuTENS (controls) daily on 5 consecutive days. The trial was conducted at the Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Manresa (both in Spain). Dyspnoea and peak expiratory flow were measured daily from the first to fifth days. Length of stay, readmissions at 3 months and adverse events were also analysed. Results: Finally, 19 patients with moderately to severely exacerbated COPD were included. Although some tendencies in dyspnoea during day 1 and length of hospital stay were found favouring acupuncture, no significant differences were shown between groups. Conclusions: The acuTENS intervention was feasible#well tolerated in AECOPD patients and no important side effects were reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perimenopausal psycho-cardiological disease is a cardiovascular and psychological disease in women seen before or after menopause. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the perimenopausal period is closely related to the rise and fall of Tiangui, while psycho-cardiological disease is related to the brain, heart, and kidney. In terms of material homology, structural relationships, and physiological functioning, Tiangui is closely related to the “kidney-heart-brain” axis, which together ensure the normal life activities of the human body, forming the theory of “ Tiangui and the ‘ kidney-heart-brain’ axis”. According to the theory of Tiangui and the “kidney-heart-brain” axis, the pathogenesis of perimenopausal psycho-cardiological disease is explained, and it is believed that the root cause of the disease is the deficiency of Tiangui due to the declining function of the kidney, heart, and brain. Under the guidance of the theory of Tiangui and the “ kidney-heart-brain” axis, aiming at the characteristics of the disease with deficiency in nature and excess in superficiality, the main acupoints are selected to treat the kidney, heart, and brain at the same time. Shenshu(BL23) was selected to tonify the kidney, Neiguan(PC6) was selected to boost the heart, and Baihui(DL20) was selected to strengthen the brain. The symptoms of patients were considered to select the appropriate acupoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of “stomach-kidney correlation” begins with the Acupoints for Water-Disease and Heat-Disease in Plain Questions. The current research is mostly based on the kidney and stomach, one of which is the gate. In fact, the dispute on it shows the different thoughts of the relationship between the stomach and the kidney from doctors, which has its own angle and complements each other. The conclusion is drawn by tracing the theory of “stomach-kidney correlation”, combined with the inheritance and development of the theory by doctors, in order to provide ideas for clinical treatment of various diseases based on the theory of treating stomach from kidney and treating kidney from stomach. “Kidney is the gate of stomach” emphasizes the role of kidney in the distribution and metabolism of body fluids, water and food. The kidney is the gate of the water injection of stomach and the descending of stomach qi. “Stomach is the gate of kidney” highlights the helps of stomach to kidney in terms of qi and body fluid. The stomach is the gate of the generation and transformation of kidney qi and the help to kidney water. Whether the kidney water is sufficient, first reflected in the stomach. When the kidney water dries up, it needs helps from the stomach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of research is the electrical conductivity of biologically active points. Biologically active points as a method of non-traditional medical procedures and diagnostics, as well as being used for therapeutic purposes. Although this method has become the subject of mass research, a complete theory of the method has not yet been formed. Based on research, it is possible to say that there are different approaches to explaining the mechanism of action. These independent studies suggest the existence of unique electrical properties in the areas of the skin where biologically active points are located. However, due to technical and methodological problems, it was not in the interest of the scientific community, and as a result of solving the problem mentioned in recent history, interest in research in this field has increased. Nerve endings, called biologically active points or acupuncture points, are widely used in alternative medicine. The first step in electrostimulation of acupuncture points is the localization of the point. Localization is based on measuring the electrical conductivity of acupuncture points. The article discusses the virtual design of the measuring device, which is expected to be integrated with electrostimulators. As a result of the simulation, measurements were made and the accuracy class of the device was determined. Thus, it is possible to accurately measure electrical conductivity in biological objects through this device. The proposed device is designed on the basis of a modern element base. The basic element of the device is Arduino. A voltage divider scheme was used to determine the electrical conductivity of Arduino-based biologically active points. The purpose of using a voltage divider circuit is to protect the Arduino’s analog input from overvoltage. Based on the measurements, the accuracy class of the proposed device was determined. As a result of the simulations, it was determined that the absolute error of the device is 0.463056, the relative error is 0.005742, and the accuracy class is 0.0463056. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acupuncture has become a popular complementary treatment in oncology. This study is based on RNA-Seq transcriptome sequencing technology to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of acupuncture-mediated regulation of the Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway on mitochondrial dysfunction-induced fatigue in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy. Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 10 patients with post-operative chemotherapy for breast cancer were selected for transcriptome sequencing to screen the key molecular pathways involved in fatigue after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Besides, peripheral blood samples were collected from 138 post-operative chemotherapy patients with breast cancer to study the composite fatigue and quality of life scores. Flow cytometry was used to detect T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood-specific immune cells. In addition, a blood cell analyzer was used to measure peripheral blood leukocyte counts, and MSP-PCR was used to detect mitochondrial DNA mutations in peripheral blood leukocytes. Results: Transcriptome bioinformatics analysis screened 147 up-regulated mRNAs and 160 down-regulated mRNAs. Leptin protein was confirmed as the key factor. Leptin was significantly higher in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients who developed fatigue after chemotherapy. Acupuncture treatment effectively improved post-chemotherapy fatigue and immune status in breast cancer patients, suppressed the expression of Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway-related factor and leukocyte counts, and significantly reduced the rate of mitochondrial DNA mutations in peripheral blood leukocytes. Conclusion: The Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway may be the key molecular pathway affecting the occurrence of fatigue after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Leptin may improve post-chemotherapy fatigue in breast cancer patients by activating AMPK phosphorylation and alleviating mitochondrial functional impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observation, speculation and experimentation are the means for the generation of knowledge about acupuncture, and they also provide basic ways to understand the body from the perspective of acupuncture. Observation involves external touching and internal anatomy. Through observation, the basic patterns of meridians and acupoints can be understood. The theory of meridians and acupoints was formed based on the two speculation methods of analogy and reasoning, but speculation does not necessarily lead to truth. Another approach—holographic thinking—provides a new method of knowing the body. The greatest contribution of acupuncture experimentation lies in discovering the correlation between the body's surface and its viscera, and this is of far-reaching significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety is a common psychological symptom in expectant mothers, particularly among primigravidae during labor. There is a link between excessive anxiety and prolonged labor. One of the options to manage anxiety is the use of nonpharmacological methods. Numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of auricular acupressure in treating anxiety, but few have examined its effect on anxiety biomarkers. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the effect of auricular acupressure targeting the Shenmen point on the levels of ß-endorphins and anxiety among primigravidae during the first stage of labor. This experimental study used a pretest-posttest control group design. The research subjects were primigravidae in the first stage of labor at the independent midwife practice of Yefi Marliandiani in Surabaya, Indonesia. Among 40 primigravidae, 34 individuals met the inclusion criteria and were then equally divided into treatment and control groups using a simple randomization. The treatment group received auricular acupressure at the Shenmen point every 30 minutes for a duration of 5 minutes each time, while the control group practiced deep breathing relaxation. The anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The β-endorphin levels were measured by drawing 3 cc of venous blood before (4 cm cervix dilation) and after (9-10 cm cervix dilation) treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using paired- and independent-samples t-tests. A decrease in the mean anxiety level was observed in the treatment group (18.59±7.52) relative to the control group (19.76±7.11), albeit not significant (p=0.64). Simultaneously, the average β-endorphin levels of the treatment group (355.4±224.7) increased compared to the control group (225.1±127.5), with a significant difference observed between the two groups (p=0.04). In conclusion, while both auricular acupressure at the Shenmen point and deep breathing relaxation are effective in reducing anxiety, the former is more prominent in its ability to increase β-endorphin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nausea, vomiting, and anxiety are common complications during and after spinal anesthesia. Auriculotherapy as a complementary medicine can be useful for reducing nausea, vomiting, or anxiety. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of auriculotherapy on nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in patients undergoing elective Cesarean Section (CS) with spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: The present study was a clinical trial study that was performed on 56 pregnant women selected as CS candidates in Ommolbanin Hospital in Mashhad during the years 2016-2017. In the intervention group, 1 h before spinal anesthesia, auricular acupoint stimulation was performed at four points bilaterally, for 20-30 seconds at each point. Evaluations were done by the following questionnaires: State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Vomiting Assessment Form. Results: The mean anxiety (SD) before the intervention in the intervention group and the control group was 47.88 (8.67) and 47.84 (10.49), respectively, and 4 h after the intervention, it was 40.23 (10.19) and 42.88 (12.18) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. These results were significant in the intervention group (p = 0.008). 30-40 min before and 4 h after the surgery, the severity of nausea and vomiting was low in both groups and no significant difference was observed between the two groups during the surgery and in the recovery room (p > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, auriculotherapy could reduce anxiety in CS patients with spinal analgesia. The results also showed that auriculotherapy reduced the severity of nausea and vomiting, but these changes were not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with acupuncture point stimulation. Due to its noninvasive nature, it possesses relative advantages over traditional acupuncture and needle-based electrostimulation. Despite the large number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) describing the effectiveness of TEAS in different applications, its role and mechanism are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to systematically compare and summarize the latest studies examining a variety of TEAS applications in clinical practice. Databases, including Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched without any time restrictions (as of March 2021). The analysis was performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration criteria. Out of 637 studies, only 22 RCTs were selected. Nine studies evaluated the impact of TEAS on nausea and vomiting (NV), showing beneficial effects compared to standard therapy. Eight RCTs examined the effectiveness of TEAS in pain management, reporting pain alleviation described using the visual analog scale (VAS) and lowering of total opioid doses. Improvement of postoperative recovery, in vitro fertilization and pregnancy outcomes, as well as display of cardioprotective properties were found to positively correlate with TEAS. As a noninvasive modality with advantages over classical acupuncture and needle-based electrostimulation, TEAS may be a valuable tool in clinical practice, particularly for pain and NV management. However, considering the methodological quality of the RCTs, rigorous large-scale clinical trials are required to evaluate the clinical utility of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myofacial trigger point: is an area in tissue of hyper irritability that is very tender when palpated, refers pain and creates a twitch response when it is palpated. Trigger points must have palpable taut band exquisite tender spot in that taut band. Patient recognition of the pain as "familiar", Purpose of study: This study aimed to investigate the effect of phonophoresis and low-level laser therapy on both myofacial trigger points and on classical acupoints in neck pain patients. Methods: 60 participants from both genders who had neck pain. They varied in age from 20 to 40 years old. They were divided into four equal groups at random: (A, B, C, D). The four groups will receive therapy on myofacial trigger points of the neck. The first group, Experimental (A), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders who had neck pain and will receive LLLT myofacial trigger points of the neck for one month, they attended three sessions every week. The second group, Experimental (B), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders who had neck pain were treated with phonophoresis of hydrocortisone 1% in conjunction with diclofenac 1%. They were engaged in three sessions per week for one month. The third group, Experimental (C), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders, men and women, who had neck pain were treated with Phonophoresis of hydrocortisone 1% in addition to diclofenac 5%. For one month, they attended three sessions every week. The fourth group, Experimental (D), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders, men and women, who had neck pain were treated with both LLLT and phonophoresis They attended three sessions every week, for one month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The development of anti-pain technologies in the complex treatment of pain syndromes is one of the most urgent tasks of modern medicine. We undertook a placebo-controlled experimental study of the therapeutic potential of low-intensity laser radiation when applied to acupuncture points that are directly related to the autonomic nervous system. The adaptation effect of puncture photobiomodulation on the induction of stress-mediated autonomic reactions, oxidative metabolism and microcirculation in animals during the acute phase of pain stress was revealed. The data obtained are of interest for use in the complex rehabilitation of patients with pain syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents letter to the editor focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture for alleviating dry mouth in older adults. Topics include concerns about the acupuncture points and blinding methods used in the study, the need for further research on optimal point combinations and long-term effects, and the potential of auricular acupuncture as a low-risk alternative treatment for xerostomia across various populations.

A recent publication in BJU International discusses the use of acupuncture for perioperative pain management following open radical prostatectomy. The study found that acupuncture can significantly reduce postoperative pain, but there are some considerations that need further research. The study's design may not fully capture the complexity of pain experiences, and the inclusion of qualitative research methods could provide a more comprehensive understanding. Additionally, the study's generalizability could be enhanced by including a more diverse patient population, and the scientific rationale and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture need further exploration. The study also suggests that while acupuncture may reduce pain perception, its impact on other recovery parameters might be less pronounced. The integration of acupuncture into clinical practice should also consider safety, patient preference, and cost-effectiveness. Further research is needed to refine acupuncture protocols, understand its mechanisms of action, and evaluate its role within a comprehensive pain management strategy. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a response to a comment on a study about acupuncture for perioperative pain after open radical prostatectomy. The authors address the comment by discussing the complexity of pain experiences, the generalizability of their results, the choice of acupuncture points, and the impact of acupuncture on recovery parameters. They agree that their study opens up possibilities for non-pharmacological pain management in urology and encourage future research to explore patient diversity, qualitative results, the neurophysiological basis of acupuncture, and the implementation of acupuncture in routine care. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare and the study has not been presented elsewhere. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a response to a critical review of a study on the integration of acupuncture into postoperative pain management for patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy. The authors address concerns raised about the selection of acupuncture points, the uniformity of the analgesic protocol, blinding and patient detection of treatment type, the immediate vs delayed effects of acupuncture, and the use of electrical stimulation. They provide explanations and evidence to support their choices and conclusions. The authors emphasize the value and implications of their study in reducing reliance on opioid analgesics and hope that their response clarifies any concerns. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the potential benefits of acupuncture as an adjuvant strategy for pain management in patients with prostate cancer. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, is recommended by the World Health Organization as a complementary approach to treating various diseases and symptoms. The study mentioned in the article explores the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving pain after prostate cancer surgery. The authors suggest that choosing appropriate acupoints is crucial for the success of acupuncture treatment and that further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms behind its effectiveness. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that can severely affect women’s life quality. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proved to be an optional treatment for SUI, but the tolerance of EA becomes a factor affecting efficiency, which should not be ignored and needs to be solved urgently. The purpose of this study is to find out whether the use of alternating acupoints combination can solve this problem or not and provide an optimization of EA treatment for female SUI. Methods: This multi-center randomized controlled trial will enroll 360 patients with SUI. They will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups—sacral acupoints group (sacral group), abdominal acupoints group (abdominal group), or alternating acupoints group (alternating group)—at a 1:1:1 ratio. The patients will receive 18 sessions of EA treatment and will be followed up for 48  weeks after the treatment. The primary outcome measure of the study is the change of urine leakage at week 6. The secondary outcomes include the incontinence episode frequency (IEF), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), severity of SUI, patient self-evaluation of therapeutic effects, weekly usage of urine pads, ultrasonography of pelvic floor, specialty therapies for SUI, evaluation of discomfort during EA treatment, patient acceptability evaluation and adverse events related to intervention. Discussion: This trial is specifically designed to offer an optimized EA treatment for female SUI, aiming to enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong perioperative stress response caused by surgical anesthesia can significantly suppress immune function, and the body is in a state of immunosuppression for 3 to 4 days after surgery, which leads to an increase in the probability of postoperative infection. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that acupuncture points can "reconcile yin and yang", promote the recovery of immune function, and help reduce the incidence of postoperative infection. Macrophages are an important type of immune cells that participate in the body's innate immunity. They have powerful phagocytosis and clearance functions. They can be polarized into M1 and M2 types under the regulation of the body, and play different roles in fighting microbial infections. Among them, the M1 type can participate in the elimination of pathogens. In this study, we will investigate the perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation to alleviate the immunosuppressive state of surgical stress mice, clarify the regulation of perioperative acupoint electrical stimulation on glucocorticoids and the relationship between NF-κB molecules and macrophage polarization.The key molecules of related pathways were verified by glucocorticoid receptor inhibitors, and it was found that electrical stimulation of acupoints during the perioperative period can affect the polarization of macrophages in surgically stressed mice to the M1 type by reducing the level of glucocorticoids and promoting the expression of NF κB molecules. Further reveal the partial mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory processes of macrophages in the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture therapy has been widely used to treat post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, acupuncture therapy includes multiple forms. Which acupuncture therapy provides the best treatment outcome for patients with PSCI remains controversial. Objective: We aimed to compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of different acupuncture-related therapies for PSCI in an attempt to identify the best acupuncture therapies that can improve cognitive function and self-care in daily life for patients with PSCI, and bring new insights to clinical practice. Method: We searched eight databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal (VIP) database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, and Wan fang database to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture-related therapies for PSCI from the inception of the database to January 2023. Two researchers independently assessed the risk of bias in the included studies and extracted the study data. Pairwise meta-analyzes for direct comparisons were performed using Rev. Man 5.4 software. Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using STATA 17.0 and R4.2.4 software. The quality of evidence from the included studies was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Adverse effects (AEs) associated with acupuncture therapy were collected by reading the full text of the included studies to assess the safety of acupuncture therapy. Results: A total of 62 RCTs (3 three-arm trials and 59 two-arm trials) involving 5,073 participants were included in this study. In the paired meta-analysis, most acupuncture-related therapies had a positive effect on cognitive function and self-care of daily living in patients with PSCI compared with cognitive training. Bayesian NMA results suggested that ophthalmic acupuncture plus cognitive training (79.7%) was the best acupuncture therapy for improving MMSE scores, with scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training ranking as the second (73.7%). The MoCA results suggested that warm acupuncture plus cognitive training (86.5%) was the best acupuncture therapy. In terms of improvement in daily living selfcare, scalp acupuncture plus body acupuncture (87.5%) was the best acupuncture therapy for improving MBI scores. The most common minor AEs included subcutaneous hematoma, dizziness, sleepiness, and pallor. Conclusion: According to our Bayesian NMA results, ophthalmic acupuncture plus cognitive training and warm acupuncture plus cognitive training were the most effective acupuncture treatments for improving cognitive function, while scalp acupuncture plus body acupuncture was the best acupuncture treatment for improving the performance of self-care in daily life in patients with PSCI. No serious adverse effects were found in the included studies, and acupuncture treatment appears to be safe and reliable. However, due to the low methodological quality of the included studies, our findings need to be treated with caution. Highquality studies are urgently needed to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication following abdominal surgery, which can lead to significant negative impacts on patients' well-being and healthcare costs. However, the efficacy of current treatments is not satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture intervention and explore the regulation of acupoint selection for treating POI in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods: We searched eight electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for POI in CRC and conducted a meta-analysis. Subsequently, we utilized the Apriori algorithm and the Frequent pattern growth algorithm, in conjunction with complex network and cluster analysis, to identify association rules of acupoints. Results: The meta-analysis showed that acupuncture led to significant reductions in time to first defecation (MD=-20.93, 95%CI: -25.35, -16.51; I2 = 93.0%; p < 0.01; n=2805), first flatus (MD=-15.08, 95%CI: -18.39, -11.76; I2 = 96%; p < 0.01; n=3284), and bowel sounds recovery (MD=-10.96, 95%CI: -14.20, -7.72; I2 = 94%; p < 0.01; n=2043). A subgroup analysis revealed that acupuncture not only reduced the duration of POI when administered alongside conventional care but also further expedited the recovery of gut function after colorectal surgery when integrated into the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway. The studies included in the analysis reported no instances of serious adverse events associated with acupuncture. We identified Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xiajuxu (ST39), Hegu (LI4), Tianshu (ST25), and Zhongwan (RN12) as primary acupoints for treating POI. Association rule mining suggested potential acupoint combinations including {ST37, ST39}={ST36}, {PC6, ST37}={ST36}, {SP6, ST37}={ST36}, and {ST25, ST37}={ST36}. Conclusion: Meta-analysis indicates acupuncture's safety and superior effectiveness over postoperative care alone in facilitating gastrointestinal recovery. Machine-learning approaches highlight the importance of the lower He-sea points, including Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37), in treating POI in CRC patients. Incorporating additional acupoints such as Neiguan (PC6) (for pain and vomiting) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) (for abdominal distension and poor appetite) can optimize treatment outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for refining treatment protocols in both clinical and experimental settings, ultimately enhancing patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Backbend-induced pediatric thoracic spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality (BBPT-SCIWORA) in children is rare in clinical practice and leads to lower limb motor dysfunction. There are few clinical studies on BBPT-SCIWORA and even fewer on treatments for BBPT-SCIWORA-induced lower limb motor dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at bilateral spine acupoints combined with lower limb acupoints in BBPT-SCIWORA. CASE PRESENTATION: This study reported four cases of BBPT-SCIWORA after dancing, two of which received a unique medium-frequency electroacupuncture treatment. They were all females aged between 5 and 12 years old. They were diagnosed with BBPT-SCIWORA by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transferred to the rehabilitation department for lower limb dysfunction, and received rehabilitation treatments and acupuncture. Cases 1 and 2 received acupuncture treatment for lower limb acupoints, while Cases 3 and 4 received acupuncture treatment at the bilateral spine acupoints beside the lesion and lower limb acupoints. Cases 3 and 4 achieved better American spinal injury association (AIS) grades and lower extremity motor scores (LEMS) than Cases 1 and 2 after treatment. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture treatment of beside bilateral spine acupoints plus lower limb acupoints therapy might facilitate early lower limb motor function recovery in children with BBPT-SCIWORA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Reduction of blood pressure and improvement of stress and sleep disorders in patients with essential hypertension were important factors. This study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on blood pressure, stress, and sleep quality among elderly with essential hypertension in Korea. Methods and results This study was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The experimental group (n = 23) received 8 weeks of auricular acupressure intervention on specific acupoints (superior triangular fossa, Shenmen, kidney, heart, and occiput) related to blood pressure, pulse rate, stress, and sleep, whereas the control group (n = 23) received auricular acupressure on non-specific acupoints. The primary outcomes were the systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured weekly. The secondary outcomes were the pulse rate, heart rate variability, actigraphy measured through Fitbit, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were measured before and after the experiment. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in systolic blood pressure (F = 5.67, P = 0.022), diastolic blood pressure (17.53, P < 0.001), and pulse rate (F = 6.78, P = 0.013) over time. Stress index (χ2 = 2.12, P = 0.040) and sleep efficiency (χ2 = 3.57, P = 0.001) were also significantly different before and after the experiment. However, there was no significant difference in the PSQI. Conclusion The findings showed that auricular acupressure leads to improvements in blood pressure, stress, and sleep in elderly people with essential hypertension. Therefore, auricular acupressure can be used as an alternative nursing intervention for hypertension prevention, stress, and sleep management. Registration WHO ICTRP KCT0007364 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the application effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with lower limb rehabilitation robot in the rehabilitation of knee joint anterior cruciate ligament injury after reconstruction. Methods: 120 patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 for anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction of the knee joint were selected as the research objects. All patients were divided into observation group and matched group, with 60 cases in each group. The patients in the matched group were treated with conventional postoperative rehabilitation, while the patients in the observation group were treated with transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints combined with lower limb rehabilitation robot rehabilitation. The rehabilitation effects, position sense and motion sense, pain and swelling, knee joint function and quality of life of the two groups were compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the matched group (P<0.05); Before treatment, there was no difference between the two groups in the swelling value of affected limbs and VAS score (P>0.05). After treatment, the swelling value the two groups were reduced, and the observation group was lower than the matched group (P<0.05); Before treatment, there was no difference between the two groups in the knee joint 75 degree, 45 degree and 15 degree position perception, knee extension and knee flexion motion perception (P>0.05). After treatment, the knee joint 75 degree, 45 degree and 15 degree position perception, knee extension and knee flexion motion perception of the patients in the two groups decreased, and the patients in the observation group were lower than those in the matched group (P<0.05); Before treatment, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of knee subjective (IKDC) score and knee function (Lysholm) score (P>0.05). After treatment, the score of the two groups were reduced, and the observation group was lower than the matched group (P<0.05); There was no difference in the scores of quality of life between the two groups before treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: The application oftranscutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with lower limb rehabilitation robot in the rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction of the knee joint has a significant effect, which can improve the position sense and motion sense of the knee joint, reduce long-term pain and swelling, improve the function of the knee joint, and improve the quality of life of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acupressure is a noninvasive method in traditional Chinese medicine to increase blood circulation, relieve discomfort, promote health, and prevent disease. This paper presents a multifunctional acupoint application system that not only provides real-time visualization of acupoints on mobile devices for users' self-acupressure but also provides health care, education, and entertainment through acupressure. The system allows users to obtain acupoint information to relieve specific discomfort or symptoms. It automatically marks the requested acupoints on a real-time camera stream to guide users to locate acupoints so that even users unfamiliar with acupoints can easily find acupoints for self-acupressure. Three core technologies are used: acupoint localization and knowledge, real-time image recognition, and augmented reality. This paper details the system design and implementation. This system uses Google's machine learning kit for facial detection to extract the user's facial features and contours in real time on a mobile device. These contour points are used as landmarks with specific displacements to locate acupoints. As there are many acupoints and various positioning methods, the acupoint location is traditionally described in words through specific feature points and corresponding displacements related to each person's physiological characteristics. This work proposes a novel acupoint positioning and marking mechanism based on the standard acupoint localization, which formalizes various acupoint positioning methods so that positions can be processed and stored in an acupoint database established in this system. This positioning information allows the proposed mechanism to fulfill real-time visualization of acupoints in augmented reality on the camera stream. Experimental results show that the proposed system locates and marks acupoints with low latency and high accuracy. Moreover, the system also provides recommendations for further medical treatment and a mini-game that tests knowledge of acupoints, which enhances users' experience of acupoint massage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) accounts for more than half of all adult cardiac surgeries worldwide. Post-operative chest pain is a common CABG complication and can cause significant discomfort. Objectives: Because taking large amounts of analgesics can have many side effects, we evaluated whether acupuncture effectively reduces pain and the use of analgesics by CABG patients. Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 patients who had recently undergone CABG were randomly allocated to two groups. For both groups, exercise therapy and routine analgesics were recommended. The intervention group underwent bilateral acupuncture in distinct acupoints, including the HT3, HT4, HT5, HT6, HT7, PC3, PC5, PC6, and PC7 for 10 daily sessions constantly. Visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic use were evaluated in both groups at baseline and after completing the 10-day treatment. Results: Our analysis revealed significant decreases in the mean VAS scores in both the intervention and the control group, and that the reduction was more significant in the acupuncture group (p < 0.001). Moreover, analgesic use was significantly lower in the acupuncture group when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight acupuncture as an alternative method of controlling CABG-associated post-operative chest pain and reducing the use of analgesics, which might have many side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysphagia is a common complication in patients with stroke. Although the research on acupuncture treatment of dysphagia has stepped up, the results are still inconsistent. In this review, we intend to answer the potential of acupuncture in treating dysphagia in stroke patients and which acupuncture points are the most promising for treating dysphagia. Methods: We used PRISMA (the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) 2020 guidelines in conducting this review. A literature search was performed in four databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Willey online library) to find eligible randomized controlled studies that assessed the effect of acupuncture in post-stroke dysphagia. The search time is from 2010 to 2022. Study quality was assessed using the critical appraisal skills program (CASP), and the risk of bias was evaluated by the RoB software, version 2 (risk-of-bias tool). The data were analyzed thematically. Results: A systematic electronic search identified 1409 publications through forward and backward searching of relevant papers. The full-text screening was conducted on 777 articles. A total of 681 articles failed to meet eligibility criteria at this stage, and only 6 articles were finally eligible for further analysis. The results showed that compared with rehabilitation, acupuncture significantly improved dysphagia in post-stroke patients. Gallbladder (GB) 20 is often used as an acupoint. In addition, the frequency and duration of treatment also contributed to a more significant increase in dysphagia improvement. Conclusion: Acupuncture could effectively improve dysphagia in post-stroke patients, and acupuncture combined with rehabilitation has a better effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) on current perception thresholds (CPTs) using quantitative methods. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy volunteers participated in this prospective crossover trial, in which three acupuncture methods were compared: control, MA, and EA. Acupuncture needles were inserted to a depth of 15 mm at LI4 and LI11 on the left side and retained for 30 min with or without electrical stimulation at a frequency of 2 Hz (EA and MA, respectively). The needles were removed and participants rested for 30 min. CPT in the left mental region was measured at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz, corresponding to the activation of Aβ, Aδ, and C-fibers, respectively, at four time points: baseline, T0; 15 min after needle application, T1; immediately after needle removal, T2; and 30 min after needle removal, T3. In the control session, only a sensory test was performed (without acupuncture). Results: Significant effects of time course on CPT were observed (p < 0.001). CPT values increased significantly at T1, T2, and T3, compared with those at T0, at all stimulation frequencies during MA and EA. Changes in CPT values with EA were not significantly greater than those with MA. Conclusions: Both MA and EA increased the sensory thresholds of Aβ, Aδ, and C-fibers in the mental region for ⩾30 min after needle removal. Additional of electrical stimulation may not confer additional benefits over needling alone. Trial registration number: UMIN000017983 (University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of studies have demonstrated acupoint sensitization, in which acupoints can be activated in combination with sensory hypersensitivity and functional plasticity during visceral disorders. However, the mechanisms of acupoint sensitization remain unclear. Neuroanatomy evidence showed nociceptors innervated in acupoints contribute to the mechanism of acupoint sensitization. Increasing studies suggested sympathetic nerve plays a key role in modulating sensory transmission by sprouting or coupling with sensory neuron/nociceptor in the peripheral, forming the functional structure of the sympathetic-sensory coupling. Notably, the sensory inputs of the disease-induced sensitized acupoint contribute to the homeostatic regulation and also involve in delivering therapeutic information under acupuncture, hence, the role of sprouted sympathetic in acupoint function should be given attention. We herein reviewed the current knowledge of sympathetic and its sprouting in pain modulation, then discussed and highlighted the potential value of sympathetic-sensory coupling in acupoint functional plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice is the property of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice (Editorial Board, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice is the property of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice (Editorial Board, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Acupuncture points are known for their unique bioelectric properties. Medication testing at acupuncture points has not previously been used to determine the daily doses of sofosbuvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Results: This pilot study included 61 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Medicament testing of acupuncture points of the liver meridian ("Xing-jian") and Voll's circulation meridian ("Cells and lobules of the liver") was performed to determine the daily doses of sofosbuvir. A correlation analysis was carried out between the tested doses of the drug and the viral load in the blood of patients to confirm the results of testing the daily doses of sofosbuvir. Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection showed a significant positive correlation between tested daily doses of sofosbuvir and viral load in their blood. The mean values of the tested doses of sofosbuvir did not vary at different acupuncture points and significantly differed depending on viral load. Conclusions: This study showed that acupuncture points can serve as a diagnostic tool in the process of medicament testing and allow the determination of daily doses of sofosbuvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. To further assess the clinical applications and physiological basis of medicament testing methods, additional clinical and instrumental studies are needed with a large sample of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-operative pain of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is always be overlooked and undertreated by endoscopists. However, the incidence of moderate to severe pain after ESD is as high as 44.9% to 62.8%, which can greatly affect the patient's recovery, reduce their satisfaction, and extend their hospital stay. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) have been shown to reduce postoperative pain and enhance gastrointestinal (GI) function recovery in patients undergoing abdomen surgery. However, there is no evidence regarding on the effect of TEAS on post-operative pain and complications in patients undergoing ESD. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether perioperative TEAS treatment is superior to the sham acupuncture in terms of post-ESD pain and GI function recovery. Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trail, which is single-blinded and in single center. A total of 120 patients undergoing elective gastric and esophageal ESD surgery in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, will be involved in this study. These individuals will be stratified according to the type of ESD surgery (i.e. gastric or esophageal procedure) and be randomly divided into two groups. L14, PC6, ST36 and ST37 will be stimulated at the TEAS treatment group, and the control group will receive simulation at four sham acupoints. The primary outcome is post-EDS VAS score at the time of entering PACU, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 18 h, 24 h, 48 h after the surgery. The secondary outcomes include the anesthesia-associated parameters, sedation score, nausea and vomiting score, shivering score, recovery of gastrointestinal function, satisfaction of patients to anesthesia, incidence of postoperative complications, QLQ-C30 life quality scale, and the economic indicators. Discussion: The results of this study will confirm that continuous preventive application of TEAS can alleviate the postoperative pain among patients with gastric and esophageal ESD surgery and accelerate the recovery of post-ESD gastrointestinal function. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR2100052837, registered on November 6, 2021. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=135892. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gout results from disturbed uric acid metabolism, which causes urate crystal deposition in joints and surrounding tissues. Gout pain management is largely limited to colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Constant usage of these medications leads to severe side effects. We previously showed electroacupuncture (EA) is effective for relieving pain in animal model of gout arthritis. Here we continued to study the mechanisms underlying how EA alleviates gout pain. Methods: Monosodium urate was injected into ankle joint to establish gout arthritis model in mice. EA or sham EA was applied at ST36 and BL60 acupoints of model animals. Biochemical assays, immunostaining, live cell Ca2+ imaging and behavioral assays were applied. Results: Model mice displayed obvious mechanical allodynia, accompanied with gait impairments. EA attenuated mechanical hypersensitivities and improved gait impairments. EA reduced the overexpression of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling molecules in ankle joints of model animals. EA-induced anti-allodynia, as well as inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome, were mimicked by antagonizing but abolished by activating NLRP3 inflammasome via pharmacological methods. EA attenuated oxidative stress, an upstream signaling of NLRP3 inflammasome in ankle joints of model mice. Exogenously increasing oxidative stress abolished EA's inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome and further reversed EA's anti-allodynic effect. EA reduced neutrophil infiltrations in ankle joint synovium, a major mechanism contributing to oxidative stress in gout. Pharmacological blocking NLRP3 inflammasome or EA reduced TRPV1 channel overexpression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Ca2+ imaging confirmed that EA could reduce functional enhancement in TRPV1 channel in DRG neurons during gout. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that EA reduces gout pain possibly through suppressing ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in inflamed ankle joints and TRPV1 upregulation in sensory neurons, supporting EA as a treatment option for gout pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with local gastric cancer experience a decline of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during adjuvant chemotherapy following gastrectomy. Our previous pilot study has indicated the potential of acupuncture to improve HRQOL and control cancer-related symptoms burden. This full-scale trial will focus on confirming the effect of acupuncture for patients with gastric cancer. Methods: A multicenter, open-label, three-arm randomized controlled trial with 249 patients will be conducted in China. Patients will be randomly assigned, in a ratio of 1:1:1, to receive high-dose acupuncture (HA, 7 times each chemo-cycle for 3 cycles), low-dose acupuncture (LA, 3 times each chemo-cycle for 3 cycles), or no acupuncture. The acupoints prescription consisted of bilateral ST36, PC6, SP4, DU20, EX-HN3, and selected Back-shu points. Patients-reported Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga) and modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (mESAS) during the therapy will be recorded. Area under curve (AUC, 21 days/cycle × 3 cycles) and average trajectory of FACT-Ga and mESAS will be calculated. The primary outcome will be the differences in AUC of the FACT-Ga Trial Outcome Index (TOI) between HA and LA versus control groups. Secondary outcomes include AUCs and average trajectory of other FACT-Ga subscales and mESAS scores. Discussion: This study aims to assess the effect of acupuncture and to compare the difference between LA and HA groups on HRQOL and symptom burden controlling in gastric cancer patients by an adequately powered trial. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: BF2018-118) with registration at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04360577). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antidepressants still have some side effects in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), and acupuncture therapy is a complementary therapy of research interest for MDD. Acupoints are sensitive sites for disease response and stimulation points for acupuncture treatment. Prior studies suggest that the biological specificity of acupoints is altered in physiological and pathological situations. Therefore, we hypothesize that the biological specificity of acupoints is associated with the diagnosis of MDD and that stimulating acupoints with significant biological specificity can achieve a better therapeutic effect than clinical common acupoints. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of intradermal acupuncture (IA) treatment for MDD based on changes in the biological specificity of acupoints. Methods: The first part of the study will enroll 30 MDD patients and 30 healthy control (HC) participants to assess pain sensitivity and thermal specificity of MDD-related acupoints using a pressure pain threshold gauge (PTG) and infrared thermography (IRT). The potentially superior acupoints for treating MDD will be selected based on the results of PTG and IRT tests and referred to as pressure pain threshold strong response acupoints (PSA) and temperature strong response acupoints (TSA). The second part of the study will enroll 120 eligible MDD patients randomly assigned to waiting list (WL) group, clinical common acupoint (CCA) group, TSA group, and PSA group in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. The change in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Items (PHQ-9), the MOS item short-form health survey (SF- 36), pressure pain threshold, temperature of acupoints, and adverse effects will be observed. The outcomes of PHQ-9 and SF-36 measures will be assessed before intervention, at 3 and 6 weeks after intervention, and at a 4-week follow-up. The biological specificity of acupoint measures will be assessed before intervention and at 6 weeks after intervention. All adverse effects will be assessed. Discussion: This study will evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of IA for MDD based on changes in the biological specificity of acupoints. It will investigate whether there is a correlation between the biological specificity of MDD-related acupoints and the diagnosis of MDD and whether stimulating strong response acupoints is superior to clinical common acupoints in the treatment of MDD. The study's results may provide insights into the biological mechanisms of acupuncture and its potential as a complementary therapy for MDD.Discussion: This study will evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of IA for MDD based on changes in the biological specificity of acupoints. It will investigate whether there is a correlation between the biological specificity of MDD-related acupoints and the diagnosis of MDD and whether stimulating strong response acupoints is superior to clinical common acupoints in the treatment of MDD. The study's results may provide insights into the biological mechanisms of acupuncture and its potential as a complementary therapy for MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle aged women in majority undergoing menopausal symptoms are unaware of the physiological changes happening in their body, necessary lifestyle changes and alternate therapies to overcome the symptoms. All major electronic sources of relevant information were systematically searched and collected data were pooled under specific subheadings. From the reviewed papers, the awareness on symptoms and related complications of menopause in the middle aged women were consolidated. Studies helped to identify alternative therapies replacing or in parallel with the Hormone Replacement Therapy to overcome the menopausal symptoms. Reduced oestrogen and progesterone level causes physiological, psychological, and genitourinary symptoms. Prolonged consequences cause libido, osteoporosis, and cardio vascular diseases. Hypo-estrogenic status is well managed with alternative therapies including dietary intervention, acupuncture, aromatherapy, exercise, and yoga. Dietary interventions involving foods like Fennel, Soy, Black Cohash, St. John Wort, Red Clover and Date Pollen were found to be managing vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Non-Hormonal and Non-Pharmacological impact behind acupuncture treatment was well accepted. Various studies proved inhaling and massaging with Lavender, Neroli oil, Fennel, Rose, and Geranium essential oils balance cortisol hormone and reduce stress and anxiety. Impact of yoga therapy on neurohormonal pathways reduce both psychological and physiological symptoms. Reviews summarizes various symptoms and complications during menopausal transition and alternate ways of better management with dietary intervention, yoga, exercise, aromatherapy, and acupuncture to improve the quality of menopausal women's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the effects of body (abdominal) and auricular acupuncture combination therapy on anthropometric measurements and blood parameters in obesity control. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study. This study was carried out by retrospectively scanning the patient files of the patients who applied to the obesity center between 01.05.2019 and 15.02.2020 and wanted to have acupuncture. Results: There are 10 points selected: Shenmen (HT7, spirit gate), point zero, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, esophagus, mouth, appetite control (hunger), antidepressant and spleen point. The abdominal acupuncture points applied to the patients for the treatment of obesity are shown in this study. There are 6 points selected: ST 25, ST 26, REN 12 (CV12), REN 10 (CV10), REN 6 (CV6), REN 4 (CV4). The results show that combined ear and abdominal acupuncture resulted in significant weight loss in all participants in the acupuncture group. The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) mean scores of the patients who underwent acupuncture were significantly higher whereas the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) scores was significantly lower than the patients who did not receive acupuncture. Conclusion: Ear and abdominal acupuncture applications applied for three months for weight loss in obese individuals provided significant weight loss, along with a significant decrease in waist/hip ratio and improvement in all other blood parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is lacking. This randomized controlled trial, which was conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals in China during 2020 to 2022, sought to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, doxylamine–pyridoxine, and their combination in women with moderate to severe NVP. Visual Abstract. Acupuncture and Doxylamine–Pyridoxine for Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: An effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is lacking. This randomized controlled trial, which was conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals in China during 2020 to 2022, sought to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, doxylamine–pyridoxine, and their combination in women with moderate to severe NVP. Background: An effective and safe treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is lacking. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, doxylamine–pyridoxine, and a combination of both in women with moderate to severe NVP. Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04401384) Setting: 13 tertiary hospitals in mainland China from 21 June 2020 to 2 February 2022. Participants: 352 women in early pregnancy with moderate to severe NVP. Intervention: Participants received daily active or sham acupuncture for 30 minutes and doxylamine–pyridoxine or placebo for 14 days. Measurements: The primary outcome was the reduction in Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score at the end of the intervention at day 15 relative to baseline. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, adverse events, and maternal and perinatal complications. Results: No significant interaction was detected between the interventions (P = 0.69). Participants receiving acupuncture (mean difference [MD], −0.7 [95% CI, −1.3 to −0.1]), doxylamine–pyridoxine (MD, −1.0 [CI, −1.6 to −0.4]), and the combination of both (MD, −1.6 [CI, −2.2 to −0.9]) had a larger reduction in PUQE score over the treatment course than their respective control groups (sham acupuncture, placebo, and sham acupuncture plus placebo). Compared with placebo, a higher risk for births with children who were small for gestational age was observed with doxylamine–pyridoxine (odds ratio, 3.8 [CI, 1.0 to 14.1]). Limitation: The placebo effects of the interventions and natural regression of the disease were not evaluated. Conclusion: Both acupuncture and doxylamine–pyridoxine alone are efficacious for moderate and severe NVP. However, the clinical importance of this effect is uncertain because of its modest magnitude. The combination of acupuncture and doxylamine–pyridoxine may yield a potentially larger benefit than each treatment alone. Primary Funding Source: The National Key R&D Program of China and the Project of Heilongjiang Province "TouYan" Innovation Team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce tension-type headache (TTH) frequency in previous studies. Nevertheless, repeated significance testing might inflate type I error. We aimed to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in reducing TTH frequency by meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). Methods: Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched until September 29, 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture, no acupuncture, or other active therapies in adults with TTH were included. The primary outcome was TTH frequency. The secondary outcomes were responder rate and adverse event. Results: Fourteen studies involving 2795 participants were included. Acupuncture had more reduction than sham acupuncture in TTH frequency, both after treatment (standardized mean difference [SMD] − 0.80, 95% CI − 1.36 to − 0.24, P = 0.005) and at the follow-up period (SMD − 1.33, 95% CI − 2.18 to − 0.49, P = 0.002), while TSA showed the included sample size did not exceed required information size (RIS). Acupuncture was superior over no acupuncture after treatment (SMD − 0.52, 95% CI − 0.63 to − 0.41, P < 0.001), and cumulative sample size reached RIS. In terms of responder rate, acupuncture had a higher responder rate compared with sham acupuncture both after treatment (relative ratio [RR] 1.28, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.46, P = 0.0003) and the follow-up period (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.58, P < 0.0001), but the sample size is inadequate. Conclusion: Acupuncture is an efficacious and safe treatment for TTH prevention, but this conclusion might be limited by the generally very low to low quality evidence. TSA suggested that high-quality trials are needed to verify the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moxibustion therapy is a treatment and health-care method that originated from China. It is a kind of therapy for preventing and treating diseases by stimulating meridians and acupoints using heat to regulate the viscera and enhance immunity. This article introduces the definition and mechanism of moxibustion technology, clinical operation technics, and precautions of moxibustion in practice, and demonstrates plenty of iconic cases of application of moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia, dysmenorrhea, urinary retention, knee arthritis, chronic eczema, etc., so as to provide a reference for the wide application of moxibustion technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pricking-cupping therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nursing technology that can adjust the viscera of the human body, make the meridians smooth, and Yin and Yang balanced mainly by means of relieving heat and detoxification, harmonizing Qi and blood, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, dredging meridians and activating collaterals, reducing swelling and pain, purging heat and calming shock, clearing heat, and opening orifices. Pricking-cupping therapy has a long history and wide application. After thousands of years of development, it has made great progress. They are widely used to treat lumbar disc herniation, herpes zoster, acute arthritis, migraine, and other diseases in China. Through the clinical practice and theoretical exploration of physicians of past dynasties, the therapeutic mechanism and application scope of pricking-cupping therapy have been greatly enriched. Modern TCM practitioners have conducted in-depth researches on the operation norms of the therapy on the basis of the ancients, hoping to grasp the essence of the disease more accurately and make the rational use of the operation technology of the therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy is an important therapeutic option for patients with cancers, but it is also associated with a number of adverse effects that can affect practically every body system. The most frequent side effects of chemotherapy are gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea and vomiting. The pericardium 6 (P6) is one of the most important points used in acupressure techniques for treating nausea and vomiting. Objectives: This study aims to examine the effects of wrist band acupressure technique on the severity of nausea among patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was conducted at the Imam Al-Hussein Center for Oncology and Hematology and the oncology wards of the Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba teaching hospital, which is located in Kerbala Holy City. Forty-seven patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy were divided into two groups: 22 patients were assigned in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. Patients in the intervention group were followed to perform acupressure techniques, while in the control group only received routine conventional care. Results: Before applying the interventional approach, the intervention group's overall mean score for nausea was 52.3±10.9; it was 39.8 ±14.5 after implementing the intervention. There is a statistically significant difference in the severity of nausea between the two groups after implementing the interventional protocol at a p-value of 0.000. Moreover, there are no significant differences between the severity of nausea after using wrist band acupressure and the type of chemotherapy (p-value 0.6). Conclusion: Using wrist band acupressure as a noninvasive technique can be effective in reducing the severity of nausea among patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Human skin temperature data can provide reference advice for diagnosing many diseases, but current wearable skin temperature monitoring systems have few points and may miss temperature information in critical areas. This paper aims to develop a wearable system that can be used for local temperature monitoring and restore better the actual state of local human temperature by exploring ways to extend more temperature measurement points. This will provide better assistance in developing medical targeting and intelligent clothing. Design/methodology/approach: The temperature measurement system contains modules for temperature monitoring, digital-to-analog conversion and regulated power supply, enabling fast reading of 12 channels of monitoring data. The microprocessor unit is the STM32F407. The instructions and control modes are written in C. The waist area was chosen as the monitoring area because it is susceptible to temperature, and many diseases are associated with skin temperature. Twelve points, including temperature-related acupuncture points and heat-sensitive points, were selected for testing and the data results agreed well with the infrared imaging results. Findings: The waist is selected as the monitoring object, and an easy-to-wear waist temperature monitoring belt is designed to verify the application value of the system. The development of the system provides reference suggestions for the exploration of multi-point temperature monitoring systems and the integration capabilities of temperature measurement modules in wearable multifunctional systems. Practical implications: In addition to waist temperature monitoring, the wearable temperature measurement system developed in this study can also be applied to other body parts. In addition, the system can be efficiently and effectively combined with various garments, making it a useful tool for researching human skin temperature. Originality/value: The wearable temperature monitoring system designed in this paper extends the number of temperature test points to 12. The number of test points covers as many localized body areas as possible to indeed reproduce the temperature distribution of the human body. In addition, the selection of test points combines medically relevant body points with physiologically relevant heat-sensitive areas, which makes the temperature measurement data more valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : It remains challenging in clinical practice to perform optimal pain management following bariatric surgeries. Acupuncture (AC) is an effective method of postoperative pain management, but its clinical efficacy depends on the rationale used to select AC points. Methods: We developed a method to identify individual patterns of pain and a corresponding set of acupoints (corrAC) based on the relative pressure sensitivity of six abdominal visceral pressure points, i.e., the gastrointestinal (GI) checkpoints (G1–G6). Patients with moderate to severe pain were included and received a single AC treatment following surgery. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, pain threshold, and skin temperature were assessed before AC and at 5 min, 1 h, and 24 h following AC. AC was performed with 1-mm-deep permanent needles. Results: From April 2021 to March 2022, 72 patients were included in the analysis. Fifty-nine patients received corrAC, whereas 13 received a noncorresponding AC (nonAC) as an internal control. Patients receiving corrAC showed a significant reduction (74%) in pain at 5 min after treatment (p < 0.0001) and a significant increase (37%) in the pain threshold (p < 0.0001). In this group, a significant increase in skin temperature above G1, G3, G4, and G5 was observed. Patients receiving nonAC showed neither significant pain reduction nor significant changes in pain threshold. The skin above G3 and G4 did not reveal temperature changes. Conclusion: Checkpoint AC may be an effective tool in postoperative pain therapy after bariatric surgery. Vegetative functional involvement might be associated with pain relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD) in cancer is the commonest and most severe postoperative complication in patients with cancer. Acupuncture has been widely used for PGD in cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for PGD in cancer. Methods: We comprehensively searched eight randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for PGD in cancer published until November 2022. Time to first flatus (TFF) and time to first defecation (TFD) were the primary outcomes, and time to bowel sound recovery (TBSR) and the length of hospital stay (LOS) were the secondary outcomes. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of the RCTs, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4, and a publication bias test was performed using Stata 15.1. Results: Sixteen RCTs involving 877 participants were included in this study. The meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture could effectively reduce the TFF, TFD, and TBSR compared with routine treatment (RT), sham acupuncture, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). However, acupuncture did not shorten the LOS compared with RT and ERAS. The subgroup analysis revealed that acupuncture could significantly reduce the TFF and TFD. Acupuncture effectively reduced the TFF and TFD in all cancer types included in this review. Besides, local acupoints in combination with distal acupoints could reduce the TFF and TFD, and distal-proximal acupoints could significantly reduce the TFD. No trial reported adverse events of acupuncture. Conclusions: Acupuncture is an effective and relatively safe modality for treating PGD in cancer. We anticipate that there will be more high-quality RCTs involving more acupuncture techniques and cancer types, focusing on combining acupoints for PGD in cancer, further determining the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for PGD in patients with cancer outside China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]