Unilateral and Immediate Stimulation of Acupuncture Points Xiaohai (SI8) and Jianwaishu (SI14) of the Small Intestine Meridian Increases Electromyographic Activity and Strength in the Ipsilateral and Contralateral Upper Trapezius Muscle

Effects of auriculotherapy on muscle fatigue: A randomized crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity (EMG).

METHODS

Design: Randomized Crossover Trial. The sample consisted of 18 males' volunteers who exercised at least twice a week.

THE SAMPLE WAS RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO TWO GROUPS

Placebo Group (n = 9) and Treated Group (n = 9), and after seven days, the groups were crossed. The data analysis included 18 participants in each group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The muscle fatigue index, force production rate, and EMG of the quadriceps were used for evaluation. The evaluation moments included baseline pre-fatigue, baseline post-fatigue, 48 h post-intervention pre-fatigue, and 48 h post-intervention post-fatigue. Mixed two-way test ANOVA was used to compare times and groups.

RESULTS

The fatigue index for peak torque and work showed no significant effect on time, groups, or interaction (p > 0.05). However, for isometric torque, force production rate, and EMG median frequency and average, the results indicate a positive change in values over time (p < 0.05) (with little practical relevance), with no differences observed between the groups or interaction (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, auriculotherapy had no effect on exercise-induced muscle fatigue, isometric torque production, and surface electromyographic activity.

A scoping review of the contralateral effects of unilateral peripheral stimulation on neuromuscular function

It is known that resistance exercise using one limb can affect motor function of both the exercised limb and the unexercised contralateral limb, a phenomenon termed cross-education. It has been suggested that cross-education has clinical implications, e.g. in rehabilitation for orthopaedic conditions or post-stroke paresis. Much of the research on the contralateral effect of unilateral intervention on motor output is based on voluntary exercise. This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics of current literature on the cross-education caused by three most frequently utilised peripheral neuromuscular stimulation modalities in this context: electrical stimulation, mechanical vibration and percutaneous needling, that may direct future research and translate to clinical practice. A systematic search of relevant databases (Ebsco, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) through to the end of 2020 was conducted following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review. Empirical studies on human participants that applied a unilateral peripheral neuromuscular stimulation and assessed neuromuscular function of the stimulated and/or the unstimulated side were selected. By reading the full text, the demographic characteristics, context, design, methods and major findings of the studies were synthesised. The results found that 83 studies were eligible for the review, with the majority (53) utilised electrical stimulation whilst those applied vibration (18) or needling (12) were emerging. Although the contralateral effects appeared to be robust, only 31 studies claimed to be in the context of cross-education, and 25 investigated on clinical patients. The underlying mechanism for the contralateral effects induced by unilateral peripheral stimulation remains unclear. The findings suggest a need to enhance the awareness of cross-education caused by peripheral stimulation, to help improve the translation of theoretical concepts to clinical practice, and aid in developing well-designed clinical trials to determine the efficacy of cross-education therapies.

Effect of Acupuncture on Time-Dependent of Muscle Endurance in Female Elbow Joint: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Immediate characteristics of acupuncture have been confirmed by relevant studies; however, the current study on the time effect of acupuncture in improving upper limb forearm muscle endurance is still limited. The aims of this study are to explore: (1) whether real acupuncture (RA) can improve female forearm muscle endurance compared to sham acupuncture (SA) and (2) whether the changes in forearm muscle endurance after RA are time-dependent. Thirty-six healthy female students were recruited to participate in isokinetic tests of elbow flexion/extension (Flex/Ext) from maximum flexion to maximum extension as much as possible using an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed rate of 60°/sec. Participants in the RA group were stimulated at Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (SJ10), and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints for 20 min, while the SA group needling was near at these acupoints. The values of the isokinetic parameters and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were recorded before and after acupuncture. After RA, the isokinetic parameters values (average torque, work, power, and speed), the sEMG values at four major muscles, and the joint stiffness of elbow Flex/Ext were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The enhancement of forearm muscle endurance lasted approximately 7–21 min (from post1 to post3/post4), indicating that the effect of RA to improve elbow Flex/Ext muscle endurance is time-dependent. Therefore, this study found that RA can immediately improve the forearm muscle endurance of healthy women compared with SA, and this effect can last approximately 7–21 min until the acupuncture efficacy decreased or disappeared.

Effect of Acupuncture on Timeliness of Male Shoulder Joint Endurance

Acupuncture as a traditional and commonly used treatment has been used to improve the performance of athletes. In the improvement of female shoulder joint explosive force and muscle endurance also has an immediate effect. However, whether the effect of acupuncture therapy can be maintained after improving athletic performance still worth further discussion. The purpose of this study was to explore the timeless of the physical neurophysiological response induced by acupuncture at specific acupoints in improving endurance performance. Seventeen healthy male participants completed six groups of shoulder joint isokinetic exercises. The isokinetic exercise completed in the first group was taken as the baseline. After acupuncture for 15 min, the following 5 isokinetic experiments were completed. Acupuncture acupoints included Binao (LI14), Jianliao (SJ14), Naohui (SJ13), Zhongfu (LU1), Xiabai (LU4), Tianfu (LU3) and Xiaoluo (SJ12). The results show that acupuncture can improve physical performance for 10–20 min. After acupuncture, the maximum torque, average power, average work and total work values significantly increased (p < 0.05). Stimulation of acupoints can effectively improve the performance of periarticular muscle endurance around the shoulder, but this improvement is limited by time.

Effects of Acupuncture on Explosive Force Production by the Healthy Female Shoulder Joint

Background

Acupuncture is often used to treat chronic conditions, such as pain. In recent years, given the importance of the explosive forces generated by shoulder muscles for the completion of motor tasks, studies in which nerves were stimulated through acupuncture to increase the explosive forces were conducted. This study explored the effect of acupuncture on explosive force production by the muscles of the female shoulder joint.

Methods

Eighteen healthy women underwent shoulder adduction (Add), abduction (Abd), flexion (Flex), and extension (Ext) tests with an isokinetic measurement system. Acupuncture was used to stimulate the Zhongfu (LU1), Tianfu (LI3), Xiabai (LU4), Binao (LI14), Naohui (SJ13), Jianliao (SJ14), and Xiaoluo (SJ12) points, and electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded before and after acupuncture.

Results

After acupuncture, there was a significant difference in the average maximum work, the average maximum power, the average maximum speed, the total work in Add/Abd and Flex/Ext, the EMG signals, and the stiffness of the muscles in Abd and Ext (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the average maximum torque in Abd or Flex.

Conclusion

Based on the results, there may be a significant correlation between the manipulation of different acupoints by acupuncture and the average maximum torque and stiffness. Acupuncture may stimulate nerves to activate muscles and induce a postactivation potentiation effect that improves explosive force production. Therefore, acupuncture as an auxiliary tool may increase the explosive forces generated by acupoint-related muscles by stimulating nerves.

Effect of Acupuncture on Muscle Endurance in the Female Shoulder Joint: A Pilot Study

Shoulder joint dysfunction is the leading cause of decreased athletic ability in athletes. Shoulder joint sports injuries affect the athletic performance of athletes. Improvements in the muscle endurance of the shoulder joint can reduce the incidence of shoulder joint dysfunction. Acupuncture has been an important part of Asian culture for a long time. In acupuncture, nerves are stimulated, inducing postactivation potentiation (PAP) in the body's motor units and enhancing muscle strength. In this research, 20 female participants with full flexion/extension and adduction/abduction ranges of motion in the shoulder joint during isokinetic exercises underwent stimulation of the following acupuncture points in the shoulder joint: Binao (LI14), Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (SJ14), Naohui (SJ13), Yuzhong (KI26), Zhongfu (LU1), Yunmen (LU2), Xiabai (LU4), Chize (LU5), Tianfu (LU3), and Xiaoluo (SJ12). In the study, there were significant increases after acupuncture in the average maximum torque in flexion, extension, and adduction; the average work in flexion/extension and adduction/abduction; the average power in flexion/extension and adduction/abduction; the total work in flexion/extension and adduction/abduction; the total net sagittal-plane work (flexion + extension); and the total net frontal-plane work (adduction + abduction) (P < 0.05). The average maximum abduction torque did not increase significantly, potentially due to antagonistic forces of muscles. Therefore, acupuncture at acupoints around the shoulder joint can increase muscle excitability, thereby delaying muscle fatigue and increasing muscle endurance.

Effect of electroacupuncture on sedation requirements during colonoscopy: a prospective placebo-controlled randomised trial

INTRODUCTION

Propofol provides excellent sedation during colonoscopy. However, its application, namely when used together with an opioid, is associated with cardiopulmonary depression. Acupuncture is used nowadays for the treatment of pain and anxiety, and also to induce sedation. We hypothesised that electroacupuncture (EA) during colonoscopy would have sedative effects, thereby reducing propofol requirements to achieve an adequate level of sedation.

METHOD

The study was designed and conducted as a single centre, patient and observer blinded, sham- and placebo-controlled randomised trial. Patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy under deep propofol/alfentanil sedation were randomly assigned to receive unilateral EA, sham-acupuncture (SA) or placebo-acupuncture (PA) at ST36, PC6 and LI4. The primary outcome parameter was the total dosage of propofol. Secondary outcomes included the patients' and endoscopists' satisfaction levels evaluated by questionnaires.

RESULTS

The dosage of propofol required (median [IQR]) was not significantly different between the three groups (EA group 147 μg/kg/min [109-193] vs SA group 141 μg/kg/min [123- 180] vs PA group 141 μg/kg/min [112-182]; P=0.776). There was also no significant difference in alfentanil consumption (P=0.634). Global satisfaction (median [IQR]) among patients (EA group 6.6 [6.0-7.0] vs SA group 6.8 [6.0-7.0] vs PA group 6.5 [6.0-7.0]; P=0.481) and endoscopists (6.0 [5.0-6.0] for all groups; P=0.773) did not significantly differ between the three groups. There was no significant difference in the number of cardiorespiratory events.

CONCLUSION

For colonoscopy, the applied mode of EA did not show any propofol-sparing sedative effect compared with sham or placebo acupuncture.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered in the Netherland's Trial Registry (NTR4325).

Short-term effects of two deep dry needling techniques on pressure pain thresholds and electromyographic amplitude of the lumbosacral multifidus in patients with low back pain - a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of deep dry needling (DN) with and without needle manipulation on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the lumbosacral multifidus (LM) in adults with low back pain (LBP). Methods: Participants were randomized into two treatment groups: with needle manipulation (n = 21) and without needle manipulation (n = 21). All participants received a single session of the assigned DN intervention. PPTs and EMG amplitude of the LM muscle were collected three times: before DN, immediately after DN, and one week after DN. Results: The needle manipulation group had a significantly greater increase in PPT immediately after the intervention and at the one-week follow-up as compared to the no needle manipulation group. The increase of PPT in the needle manipulation group was significant immediately after the intervention, and the increase remained significant at the one-week follow-up. However, there was no significant difference in EMG amplitude of the LM muscle between groups across the three time points. Discussion: Deep DN with needle manipulation appeared to reduce mechanical pressure sensitivity more than DN without manipulation for patients with LBP. Although a single session of DN could reduce pressure pain sensitivity, it may not be sufficient to improve LM muscle function. Level of Evidence: 1b. Trial registration numbers: NCT03970486.

Lower limb auriculotherapy points improves balance in young healthy subjects-assessed by computerized baropodometry

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of Lower Limb (LL) auricular stimulation points on the static equilibrium of healthy subjects, assessed by computerized baropodometry.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Forty volunteers were assigned to one of two groups: Auriculotherapy (AT) who received unilateral needle stimulation of the coxofemoral, knee, and ankle points. Control (C) who did not receive any stimulation. We analyzed the contact area (CA) and the peak pressure (PP) for both feet at baseline, 20 and 25 min after the baseline was recorded. Three-Way ANOVA (P < 0.05) was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

AT showed an increase in CA (F:6.49) and a decrease in PP (F:3.11) at 20 and 25 min, when compared to C. The PP decreased was only for the right LL at 20 and 25 min (F:6.45).

CONCLUSION

The auriculotherapy points were able to modify the ipsilateral weight discharge on the same side of the stimulated auricular pavilion.

Ipsilateral proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns improve overflow and reduce foot drop in patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of the tibialis anterior muscle (TAm) using surface electromyography in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT-IA), after ipsilateral proprioceptive neuromuscular patterns (PNF). Thirteen CMT-IA patients (both sexes) were treated twice a week, for 5 weeks, with bilateral PNF pattern, four times per treatment. During the execution of the patterns, we recorded the bilateral activation of the TAm in root mean square (RMS). We used the Student paired t-test for the first and last treatments, P-value set at <0.05. Clinical significance (CS) was obtained by subtracting the values of the first treatment from the last. Chopping pattern to the right side increased RMS for the right (t=−3.52, CS=52%), but not the left TAm (t= −3.35). Flexion-abduction with external rotation pattern to the right (t= −2.46, CS=55%) and left (t=−2.07, CS=53%) significantly increased RMS for TAm on both sides. Extension-adduction with internal rotation pattern to the right (t=−0.25) and left (t=−1.84) did not produce any changes in TAm. Ipsilateral PNF patterns selectively produce TAm overflow in peripheral polyneuropathy patients and can be successfully used as supportive therapy for foot drop.

The Effects of Electrical Acupuncture and Essential Amino Acid Supplementation on Sarcopenic Obesity in Male Older Adults: A Randomized Control Study

OBJECTIVE

Aging which is accompanied by loss of skeletal muscle and increase of body fat in some adults older than 60 years does not only result in remarkable influences on daily life function but also increases the risk of cardiovascular events. This study used electrical acupuncture together with essential amino acid supplementation to treat sarcopenic obesity (SO) in male older adults.

METHODS

A total of 48 male participants with SO (>60 years old) were randomized to electrical acupuncture with oral essential amino acids (EA + AA) or oral essential amino acids alone (AA). Acupuncture points on the limbs were punctured and stimulated electrically once every 3 days for 12 weeks. All participants received essential amino acids orally, twice per day for 28 weeks. Body fat percentage (BFP) and appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASM/H2) was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

Both groups exhibited significant changes in BFP after 12, 20, and 28 weeks compared with baseline values; for ASM/H2, there were significant differences to baseline values after 12, 20, and 28 weeks in the EA + AA group, but only after 28 weeks in the AA group. Between the two groups, there were significant differences in BFP after 12, 20, and 28 weeks, and in ASM/H2 after 20 and 28 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Both methods decrease BFP and increase ASM/H2. In male older adults, electrical acupuncture with oral essential amino acids is more effective and can increase muscle mass in a shorter time than oral essential amino acids alone.