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Stadler J, Raith W, Mileder LP, Schmölzer GM, Urlesberger B. Invasive and non-invasive acupuncture techniques for pain management in neonates: a systematic review. Acupunct Med 2019; 37:201-210. [PMID: 31271304 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal pain is an extensive research field and there are many possibilities to treat pain in neonates. Acupuncture is one new and non-pharmacological option and a promising tool to reduce pain in neonates undergoing minor painful interventions during routine medical care. OBJECTIVES This review summarises trials of acupuncture for pain reduction in neonates undergoing painful interventions during routine medical care. DATA SOURCE MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, electronic clinical trials registry platforms and reference lists were systematically screened for trials from their dates of inception to February 2017 (English language database search). STUDY SELECTION Inclusion criteria were (1) preterm or term neonates, (2) acupuncture for painful medical interventions and (3) formal pain assessment as a primary or secondary study outcome. We included only randomised controlled trials. DATA EXTRACTION Data were extracted using a standardised protocol and individual risk of bias was assessed. RESULTS The literature search revealed a total of 12 196 records. After application of inclusion criteria, five studies were included in this review. Two studies demonstrated significant pain reduction, one found equal outcomes in comparison to standard care, and two showed significantly higher pain scores with acupuncture alone. LIMITATIONS The main limitation of the results is the heterogeneity across trials in acupuncture modality, acupuncture point selection, control groups and pain assessment (heterogeneity: I2=87%). CONCLUSION The results of this review suggest that acupuncture may have a positive pain-relieving effect in neonates. However, due to the low number of available high-quality trials and heterogeneity across the studies it is not possible to state clear recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Stadler
- 1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,2 Research Group for Paediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM Research Center Graz (Acupuncture Research), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Raith
- 1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,2 Research Group for Paediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM Research Center Graz (Acupuncture Research), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lukas P Mileder
- 1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg M Schmölzer
- 3 Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,4 Centre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Berndt Urlesberger
- 1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,2 Research Group for Paediatric Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM Research Center Graz (Acupuncture Research), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Shinbara H, Okubo M, Sumiya E, Fukuda F, Yano T, Kitade T. Effects of Manual Acupuncture with Sparrow Pecking on Muscle Blood Flow of Normal and Denervated Hindlimb in Rats. Acupunct Med 2018; 26:149-59. [DOI: 10.1136/aim.26.3.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In clinical practice, it has been thought that acupuncture might serve to wash out pain-generating metabolic end-products by improving blood circulation in muscles. We investigated the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) on muscle blood flow (MBF) of normal and denervated hindlimbs in rats. Method Sprague-Dawley rats (n=100) anaesthetised with urethane (1.2g/kg ip) were used. Manual acupuncture with sparrow pecking (SP) at different doses (1, 10 or 30 pecks) was given to the right ventral hindlimb muscles (tibial anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles) or the right dorsal hindlimb muscles (gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles). MBF with or without MA was measured using the radiolabelled microsphere technique. The blood pressure was recorded through the right common carotid artery until MBF measurement started. Denervation of hindlimb was conducted by cutting the sciatic and femoral nerves. Results In normal rats, significantly increased MBF after MA were observed only in muscles which were penetrated by an acupuncture needle. The size of the increase depended on the number of times of pecking and seemed to be sustained at least until 60 minutes after MA. However, the increase was observed after both acute and chronic denervation. On the other hand, the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) did not change significantly before, during or after MA. Conclusion These results suggest that MA could increase muscle blood flow locally in a dose-dependent manner and that this increase may be caused by local vasodilators, as well as the axon reflex. A further study is needed to elucidate the mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eiji Sumiya
- Meiji University of Integrative Medicine Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Tadashi Yano
- Meiji University of Integrative Medicine Kyoto, Japan
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Kaneko Y, Kime R, Furuya E, Sakamoto A, Katsumura T. Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation on Muscle Tissue Oxygenation at Different Points. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 923:327-333. [PMID: 27526160 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-38810-6_43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Muscle tissue oxygenation is a critical issue in muscle complications such as pain, exhaustion, stiffness, or fatigue during and after exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the changes of muscle tissue oxygenation could be observed at both erector spinae muscle at S1 level and gastrocnemius during and after acupuncture stimulation to ipsilateral erector spinae at S1 level. The subjects were ten healthy males. Muscle oxygenation was monitored by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and the probes were placed on the right side of the erector spinae muscle at S1 level (Guanyuanshu, BL26) and the belly of the gastrocnemius on the right (Chengjin, BL56). The subjects lay on the bed in prone position for 10 min, followed by acupuncture insertion into the right side of BL26. The needle was left for 10 min and subjects were kept still for 10 min after removal. At BL26, oxygenated-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) was significantly increased compared to the baseline at 10 min after insertion (p < 0.05), then continued increasing. Total hemoglobin (t-Hb) was increased at 2 min after removal (p < 0.05). Tissue-oxygen saturation (StO2) was increased at 7 min after insertion (p < 0.05). At BL56, oxy-Hb and t-Hb were increased at 6 and 2 min after removal, respectively (p < 0.05). StO2 showed no significant change. The acupuncture stimulation affected muscle tissue oxygenation differently at both stimulated and non-stimulated points in the same innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhisa Kaneko
- Department of Sports Medicine for Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Oriental Medicine, Kuretake College of Medical Arts and Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryotaro Kime
- Department of Sports Medicine for Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Furuya
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Kuretake College of Medical Arts and Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sakamoto
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Kuretake College of Medical Arts and Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihito Katsumura
- Department of Sports Medicine for Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Huang CS, Sun YH, Wang YT, Pan YH, Wang SF, Tsai YF. Asymmetrical responses of skin blood flow in ischemic hindlimbs to electrical stimulation of the unilateral forelimb. Microvasc Res 2017; 113:71-77. [PMID: 28549566 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of skin blood flow (SBF) is primarily mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, but the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) of one limb on SBF in the other limbs remain unknown. The present study investigated the effects of unilateral forelimb ES on SBF in the bilateral hindlimbs in anesthetized rats. Bilateral hindlimb ischemia was induced by tourniquet application for 60min. After reperfusion for 24h, ES (3 or 125Hz) was applied to the upper one-fourth of the triceps brachii muscle of the left or right forelimb for 30min. Rats that did not receive ES were used as the controls. Bilateral hindlimb SBF was measured by a laser Doppler line scanner for 20min before ES, 30min during ES, and 9min after ES. The results showed significant differences in SBF in the right but not left hindlimb between the control group and experimental group that received 125-Hz ES of the right forelimb. Right hindlimb SBF significantly increased within 3min following the application of 125-Hz ES to the right forelimb. No significant changes in SBF were observed in the left or right hindlimb when 125-Hz ES was applied to the left forelimb. Moreover, 3-Hz ES of the left or right forelimb did not significantly change SBF in either hindlimb compared with the control group. These results indicate that unilateral forelimb ES causes a differential SBF response in the hindlimb via a specific somatosympathetic reflex, and ES-induced SBF improvements in the ischemic hindlimb are frequency-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Shin Huang
- Department of Research, Raphael Humanistic Clinic, 11 F, No. 49 Guan-Chien Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ya-Hui Sun
- Department of Research, Raphael Humanistic Clinic, 11 F, No. 49 Guan-Chien Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ting Wang
- Department of Research, Raphael Humanistic Clinic, 11 F, No. 49 Guan-Chien Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Hung Pan
- Department of Research, Raphael Humanistic Clinic, 11 F, No. 49 Guan-Chien Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shwu-Fen Wang
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yuan-Feen Tsai
- Department of Research, Raphael Humanistic Clinic, 11 F, No. 49 Guan-Chien Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road, Section 1, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC.
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Craft CS, Scheller EL. Evolution of the Marrow Adipose Tissue Microenvironment. Calcif Tissue Int 2017; 100:461-475. [PMID: 27364342 PMCID: PMC5618436 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-016-0168-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Adipocytes of the marrow adipose tissue (MAT) are distributed throughout the skeleton, are embedded in extracellular matrix, and are surrounded by cells of the hematopoietic and osteogenic lineages. MAT is a persistent component of the skeletal microenvironment and has the potential to impact local processes including bone accrual and hematopoietic function. In this review, we discuss the initial evolution of MAT in vertebrate lineages while emphasizing comparisons to the development of peripheral adipose, hematopoietic, and skeletal tissues. We then apply these evolutionary clues to define putative functions of MAT. Lastly, we explore the regulation of MAT by two major components of its microenvironment, the extracellular matrix and the nerves embedded within. The extracellular matrix and nerves contribute to both rapid and continuous modification of the MAT niche and may help to explain evolutionary conserved mechanisms underlying the coordinated regulation of blood, bone, and MAT within the skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa S Craft
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Erica L Scheller
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Abbasoğlu A, Cabıoğlu MT, Tuğcu AU, İnce DA, Tekindal MA, Ecevit A, Tarcan A. Acupressure at BL60 and K3 Points Before Heel Lancing in Preterm Infants. Explore (NY) 2015; 11:363-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Barry CM, Kestell G, Gillan M, Haberberger RV, Gibbins IL. Sensory nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide in gastrocnemius, latissimus dorsi and erector spinae muscles and thoracolumbar fascia in mice. Neuroscience 2015; 291:106-17. [PMID: 25681518 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a significant burden and much is attributed to back muscles. Back muscles and their associated fasciae make important and distinct contributions to back pain. Peptidergic nociceptors innervating these structures contribute to central transmission and pain modulation by peripheral and central actions. Plastic changes that augment and prolong pain are exhibited by neurons containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) following muscle injury. Subpopulations of neurons containing this peptide have been identified in dorsal root ganglia but the distribution of their fibers in skeletal muscles and associated fasciae has not been fully documented. This study used multiple-labeling immunofluorescence and retrograde axonal tracing to identify dorsal root ganglion cells associated with muscle, and to characterize the distribution and density of their nerve fibers in mouse gastrocnemius and back muscles and in the thoracolumbar fascia. Most nerve fibers in these tissues contained CGRP and two major subpopulations of neurons were found: those containing CGRP and substance P (SP) and those containing CGRP but not SP. Innervation density was three times higher in the thoracolumbar fascia than in muscles of the back. These studies show mouse back and leg muscles are predominantly innervated by neurons containing CGRP, an important modulator of pain signal transmission. There are two distinct populations of neurons containing this peptide and their fibers were three times more densely distributed in the thoracolumbar fascia than back muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Barry
- Anatomy and Histology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Australia.
| | - G Kestell
- Anatomy and Histology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Australia
| | - M Gillan
- Anatomy and Histology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Australia
| | - R V Haberberger
- Anatomy and Histology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Australia
| | - I L Gibbins
- Anatomy and Histology and Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Australia
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Vanheel B. Calcitonin gene-related powerpeptide and its puzzling receptor. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2014; 210:710-3. [PMID: 24495305 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Vanheel
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences; Division of Physiology; Ghent University; Ghent Belgium
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Kim JH, Lee LK, Lee WD, Lee JU, Kim MY, Kim B, Kim J. Temporal Changes in Skin Temperature Caused by Wet and Dry Heat in Healthy Volunteers. J Phys Ther Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1589/jpts.24.1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun Kim
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University
| | - Lim-Kyu Lee
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University
| | - Won-Deok Lee
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University
| | - Jeong-Uk Lee
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University
| | - Mee-Young Kim
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University
| | - Bokyung Kim
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Functional Genomics, School of Medicine, Konkuk University
| | - Junghwan Kim
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Welfare, Yongin University
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Li X, Hirokawa M, Inoue Y, Sugano N, Qian S, Iwai T. Effects of acupressure on lower limb blood flow for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases. Surg Today 2007; 37:103-8. [PMID: 17243026 DOI: 10.1007/s00595-006-3347-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2006] [Accepted: 08/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effects of acupressure on lower limb blood flow for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases (PAOD). METHODS From February 2004 to February 2005, 30 patients with stage II PAOD underwent measurements of the lower limb blood flow. Six patients (group A) were assigned as controls without any acupoint stimulation, while 24 (group B) underwent stimulation at acupoints by acupressure. The acupoints Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) of the symptomatic lower limbs were stimulated for 3 min. Transcutaneous oximetry (tcPO2) was used to determine the blood flow of the chest wall, bilateral distal crura, and bilateral dorsa of the foot before and during the stimulations at the acupoints. RESULTS Group A showed no significant change in the lower limb blood flow. In group B, the tcPO2 values of chest wall, bilateral distal crura, and the dorsum of foot of the stimulated lower limb increased significantly during acupressure (P < 0.01), whereas no significant change was shown in the dorsum of the foot of the non-stimulated lower limb. Moreover, the blood flow of the lower limbs that had undergone an ipsilateral sympathectomy increased significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Acupressure was found to cause significant increases in the lower limb blood flow of stage II PAOD patients. This treatment modality may therefore be effective for improving the symptoms of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Li
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
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Takagi K, Yamaguchi S, Ito M, Ohshima N. Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation Applied to Limb and Back on Mesenteric Microvascular Hemodynamics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 55:191-203. [PMID: 16143049 DOI: 10.2170/jjphysiol.r2115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 09/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The effects of electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) of the hind paw and the back on the mesenteric microhemodynamics in anesthetized rats were investigated using an intravital microscope system. Red blood cell (RBC) velocity in the mesenteric arterioles was measured by the dual-sensor method developed by the authors. Electrical stimulation was applied using two acupuncture needles inserted into the skin and the underlying muscles of the hind paw and the dorsal Th13-L1 level area. The hind-paw EAS evoked intensity-dependent pressor responses and increase responses in RBC velocity in mesenteric precapillary arterioles, while the back EAS evoked depressor responses and decrease responses in RBC velocity. Heart rate showed increase responses accompanying EAS either on the hind paw or the back. The pressor responses and increase responses in RBC velocity in mesenteric precapillary arterioles accompanying the hind paw EAS were abolished by an intravenous administration of alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist (phenoxybenzamine; POB), and the tachycardiac responses were abolished by administration of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (propranolol). Occasional but notable reflex vasoconstrictions in the mesenteric terminal arteriole were induced by EAS either on the hind paw or the back. These vasoconstrictive responses were not affected by the administration of POB. The present study directly demonstrated that hemodynamic changes at the level of precapillary arterioles accompanying EAS either on the hind paw or the back mainly depend on the changes of systemic arterial pressure regardless of stimulus current intensities. Moreover, the results in the present study suggest some receptors other than alpha-adrenergic receptor might be involved in the mechanism of EAS-induced vasoconstriction in the mesenteric arteriole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Takagi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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Karasuno H, Morozumi K, Fujiwara T, Goh AC, Yamamoto I, Senga F. Changes in Intramuscular Blood Volume Induced by Continuous Shortwave Diathermy. J Phys Ther Sci 2005. [DOI: 10.1589/jpts.17.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Karasuno
- Research Institution of Health Science and Education
- Ito Co., Ltd
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Sandberg M, Larsson B, Lindberg LG, Gerdle B. Different patterns of blood flow response in the trapezius muscle following needle stimulation (acupuncture) between healthy subjects and patients with fibromyalgia and work-related trapezius myalgia. Eur J Pain 2004; 9:497-510. [PMID: 16139178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2004.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2004] [Accepted: 11/02/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Needle stimulation (acupuncture) has recently been shown to increase blood flow in the tibialis anterior muscle and overlying skin in healthy subjects (HS) and patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of needle stimulation on local blood flow in the trapezius muscle and overlying skin in HS and two groups of patients suffering from chronic pain in the trapezius muscle, i.e., FM and work-related trapezius myalgia (TM) patients. Two modes of needling, deep muscle stimulation (Deep) and subcutaneous needle insertion (SC), were performed at the upper part of the shoulder and blood flow was monitored for 60 min post-stimulation. Blood flow changes were measured non-invasively by using a new application of photoplethysmography. Increased blood flow in the trapezius muscle and overlying skin was found in all three groups following both Deep and SC. In HS, Deep was superior to SC in increasing skin and muscle blood flow, whereas in FM, SC was as effective as, or even more effective, than Deep. In the severely affected TM patients, no differences were found between the stimuli, and generally, a lesser blood flow response to the stimuli was found. At Deep, the muscle blood flow increase was significantly larger in HS, compared to the two patient groups. Positive correlations were found between muscle blood flow at Deep and pressure pain threshold in the trapezius muscle, neck movement and pain experienced at the stimulation, and negative correlations were found with spontaneous pain-related variables, symptom duration and age, pointing to less favorable results with worsening of symptoms, and to the importance of nociceptor activation in blood flow increase. It was hypothesized that the different patterns of muscle blood flow response to the needling may mirror a state of increased sympathetic activity and a generalized hypersensitivity in the patients. The intensity of stimulation should be taken into consideration when applying local needle stimulation (acupuncture) in order to increase the trapezius muscle blood flow in chronic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareta Sandberg
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, INR, Faculty of Health Sciences, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
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