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Chien TJ, Huang YS, Liao LL, Chu CC, Pai JH. Head-to-Head Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Laser Acupuncture Effects on Autonomic Regulation and Clinical Effects in Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2024; 30:560-575. [PMID: 38364185 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been applied in dysmenorrhea and has shown good efficacy. The mechanisms of EA are associated with autonomic nervous system adjustments and neuroendocrine regulation. Laser acupuncture (LA), however, has been widely investigated for its noninvasiveness. However, it remains uncertain whether LA is as effective as EA. This study aimed to compare EA and LA head to head in dysmenorrhea. Methods: A crossover, randomized clinical trial was conducted. EA or LA was applied to selected acupuncture points. Participants were randomized into two sequence treatment groups who received either EA or LA twice per week in luteal phase for 3 months followed by 2-month washout, then shifted to other groups (sequence 1: EA > LA; sequence 2: LA > EA). Outcome measures were heart rate variability (HRV), prostaglandins (PGs), pain, and quality-of-life (QoL) assessment (QoL-SF12). We also compared the effect of EA and LA in low and high LF/HF (low frequency/high frequency) status. Results: Totally, 43 participants completed all treatments. Both EA and LA significantly improved HRV activity and were effective in reducing pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]; EA: p < 0.001 and LA: p = 0.010) and improving QoL (SF12: EA: p < 0.001, LA, p = 0.017); although without intergroup difference. EA reduced PGs significantly (p < 0.001; δ p = 0.068). In low LF/HF, EA had stronger effects than LA in increasing parasympathetic tone in respect of percentage of successive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50; p = 0.053) and very low-frequency band (VLF; p = 0.035). Conclusion: There is no significant difference between EA and LA in improving autonomic nervous system dysfunction, pain, and QoL in dysmenorrhea. EA is prominent in PGs changing and preserving vagus tone in low LF/HF; yet LA is noninvasive for those who have needle phobia. Whether LA is equivalent with EA and the mechanism warrants further study. Clinical trial identification number: NCT04178226.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Ju Chien
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Branch of Zhong-Zhou, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shuo Huang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Traditional Medicine, Branch of Yang-Ming, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Lan Liao
- Department of Traditional Medicine, Branch of Kunming, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Chu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Branch of Yang-Ming, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Juo-Hsiang Pai
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Branch of Zhong-Zhou, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Dong J, Ni J, Zhang Z, Yan H, Xu J, Zhao J. The impact of "long COVID" on menstruation in Chinese female college students and the intervention of acupuncture. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e36818. [PMID: 38335408 PMCID: PMC10860984 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the potential application value of acupuncture in alleviating the impact of long COVID on women's menstrual cycles, by investigating the occurrence of long COVID among female college students, its effects on menstruation, and the intervention of acupuncture. This cross-sectional study surveyed female college students with a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before April 10, 2023. A questionnaire was used to analyze demographic characteristics, post-COVID sequelaes, duration of symptoms, and treatments received during that period. Among the 731 participants enrolled in the survey, 468 were female undergraduate students who met the analysis criteria. Among them, 85 individuals fit the definition of "Long COVID" (18.16%). Within the group of patients with long COVID, 69 individuals experienced changes in their overall menstrual patterns compared to the 6 months prior to contracting the novel coronavirus (81.18%). Additionally, 17 individuals opted for acupuncture treatment following the onset of COVID-19 (20.00%), which resulted in less impact on their menstrual cycle (41.18% vs 64.71% without receiving acupuncture, OR = 2.62), menstrual period duration (41.18% vs 64.71%, OR = 2.62), menstrual flow (47.06% vs 69.18%, OR = 2.52), and the color of menstrual blood (41.18% vs 63.24%, OR = 2.46) among these patients. Long COVID had a certain impact on menstruation. Acupuncture potentially alleviates the clinical symptoms of long COVID and reduces its impact on women's menstrual cycle, thus having potential therapeutic value in the treatment of long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juwei Dong
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Ni
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ziniu Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyue Yan
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingni Xu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
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Liao CC, Lin CL, Tsai FJ, Chien CH, Li JM. Acupuncture's long-term impact on depression prevention in primary dysmenorrhea: A 19-year follow-up of a Taiwan cohort with neuroimmune insights. J Affect Disord 2024; 344:48-60. [PMID: 37816484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological condition causing depression. Acupuncture is an effective option for PD management but its effects on PD-associated depression remain unclear. METHODS A retrospective cohort study involving 35,099 propensity score-matched pairs of acupuncture users and non-users with PD was conducted using data from Taiwan's Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database 2000. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate depression risk, and bioinformatics analyses were performed to uncover underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS The risk of developing depression was reduced by 64 % in acupuncture users compared with non-acupuncture users during the 19-year follow-up period. The decrease was dose-dependent. Bioinformatics analyses identified 34 co-expressed targets for acupuncture, PD, and depression; and eight hub genes (coding for interleukin 6 and 1B, tumor necrosis factor, albumin, vascular endothelial growth factor A, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) potentially involved in the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Several molecular pathways were found to be involved, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, and estrogen signaling pathway. LIMITATIONS Bias in the selection of participants could have been introduced as a consequence of the retrospective nature of the study. Data were derived from a single national database, and acupuncture treatment details were unavailable. CONCLUSION Acupuncture may protect against the development of depression in patients with PD. This study provides insight into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in PD management and depression prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Chih Liao
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan; Chuyuan Chinese Medicine Clinic, Taichung 40455, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Li Lin
- Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40459, Taiwan
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Division of Medical Genetics, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsien Chien
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Miao Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447 , Taiwan.
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Giese N, Kwon KK, Armour M. Acupuncture for endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Med Res 2023; 12:101003. [PMID: 38033648 PMCID: PMC10682677 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Current endometriosis treatments do not always provide symptom relief, with many using complementary approaches. This study examined the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in people with endometriosis. Methods Searches were conducted on Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and Embase (Ovid), Epistemonikos, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; EBSCOhost) on 20 March 2023. Trials were included if they used penetrating acupuncture. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane RoB2 and GRADE for overall evidence certainty. Random-effects meta-analyses were undertaken, using Hedges' g or mean difference (MD) both with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results Six studies involving a total of 331 participants were included. Evidence for benefit was found for acupuncture compared to non-specific acupuncture on overall pelvic pain (g = 1.54, 95 % CI 0.92 to 2.16, 3 RCTs, n = 231, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), menstrual pain (g = 1.67, 95 % CI 1.23 to 2.12, 1 RCT, n = 106, moderate certainty evidence, p<0.001), and non-specified pelvic pain (MD -2.77, 95 % CI 2.15 to 3.38, 2 RCTs, n = 125, low certainty evidence, p<0.001), and compared to usual care on menstrual pain (g = 0.9, 95 % CI 0.15 to 1.64, 1 RCT, n = 19, very low certainty evidence, p = 0.02). Most studies reported low rates of adverse events. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment for endometriosis demonstrated clinically relevant improvements in pelvic pain and should be considered as a potential treatment intervention. Study registration PROSPERO ID: CRD42023408700.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Giese
- Praxis für Chinesische Medizin, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ki Kyung Kwon
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), Wellington, New Zealand
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Hu J, Xiao Y, Jiang G, Hu X. Research Trends of Acupuncture Therapy on Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome from 2000 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis. J Pain Res 2023; 16:4049-4069. [PMID: 38054110 PMCID: PMC10695139 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s434333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acupuncture is considered an important means of analgesic, which has been widely used in chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) management and treatment in recent years, published a large number of related documents. However, the relevant literature in this field has not been summarized and quantitatively analyzed. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the hotspots and predicting future research trends of acupuncture on pelvic pain syndrome. Methods Search for the relevant publications of the web of science database from 2000 to 2022 about the treatment of acupuncture on chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The Citespace software and VosViewer software are used to analyze the visualization of the countries, institutions, authors, keywords and references and references in the literature. Results A total of 173 publications were included. The annual number of essays gradually showed an overall growth trend over time. Medicine magazine is the most published journal in this field. J UROLOGY and Acupunct Med are the most cited journals and the most influential magazines; The most active and influential country is China, and the most produced institutions are Beijing University of Chinese Medicine; The most produced authors are Liu Zhishun. The most cited and most influential authors are Nickel JC and Armour M; keywords and cited reference analysis show that the quality of life, mechanism research, alternative medicine and electro-acupuncture will be the scientific hotspot of acupuncture treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Conclusion This study shows that acupuncture on CPPS is increasingly valued and recognized. The future research hotspots will focus on the effects and mechanisms. In the future, more high-quality animal basic research will be required to explore the exact mechanism of acupuncture on CPPS. In addition, different parameters of acupuncture such as electric-acupuncture, stimulating frequency, duration and strength are also the focus of future research. More clinical trials are required to verify its safety and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Hu
- School of Graduate and Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyi Xiao
- School of Graduate and Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guilin Jiang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Hu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China
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Yoon DE, Lee S, Kim J, Kim K, Park HJ, Napadow V, Lee IS, Chae Y. Graded brain fMRI response to somatic and visual acupuncture stimulation. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:11269-11278. [PMID: 37804240 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased stimulation can enhance acupuncture clinical response; however, the impact of acupuncture stimulation as "dosage" has rarely been studied. Furthermore, acupuncture can include both somatic and visual components. We assessed both somatic and visual acupuncture dosage effects on sensory ratings and brain response. Twenty-four healthy participants received somatic (needle inserted, manually stimulated) and visual (needle video, no manual stimulation) acupuncture over the leg at three different dosage levels (control, low-dose, and high-dose) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants reported the perceived deqi sensation for each acupuncture dose level. Blood-oxygen-level dependent imaging data were analyzed by general linear model and multivariate pattern analysis. For both somatic and visual acupuncture, reported deqi sensation increased with increased dosage of acupuncture stimulation. Brain fMRI analysis demonstrated that higher dosage of somatic acupuncture produced greater brain responses in sensorimotor processing areas, including anterior and posterior insula and secondary somatosensory cortex. For visual acupuncture, higher dosage of stimulation produced greater brain responses in visual-processing areas, including the middle temporal visual areas (V5/MT+) and occipital cortex. Psychophysical and psychophysiological responses to both somatic and visual acupuncture were graded in response to higher doses. Our findings suggest that acupuncture response may be enhanced by the dosage of needling-specific and nonspecific components, represented by different neural mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Eun Yoon
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seoyoung Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jundong Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02247, Korea
| | - Kyuseok Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02247, Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02247, Korea
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02247, Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02247, Korea
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
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Yan S, Xu M, Zou X, Xiong Z, Li H, Yang J, Cao W, Zhu Z, Liu C. Acupuncture combined with ondansetron for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk patients undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgery: A randomised controlled trial. United European Gastroenterol J 2023. [PMID: 37318120 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consensus guidelines recommend the use of multiple antiemetics as prophylaxis in patients at high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but the evidence regarding combining acupuncture and antiemetics as a multimodal approach was of very low quality. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effect of combinations of acupuncture with ondansetron versus ondansetron alone for PONV prophylaxis in women at a high risk. METHODS This parallel, randomised controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China. Patients who had three or four PONV risk factors on the Apfel simplified risk score, undergoing elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery for benign pathology, were recruited. Patients in the combination group received two sessions of acupuncture treatment and 8 mg intravenous ondansetron, whereas those in the ondansetron group received ondansetron alone. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV within 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of postoperative nausea, postoperative vomiting, adverse events etc. RESULTS: Between January and July 2021, a total of 212 women were recruited, 91 patients in the combination group and 93 patients in the ondansetron group were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. In the first 24 h postoperatively, 44.0% of the patients in the combination group and 60.2% of the patients in the ondansetron group experienced nausea, vomiting, or both (difference, -16.3% [95% CI, -30.5 to -2.0]; risk ratio, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.55-0.97]; p = 0.03). However, the results of the secondary outcomes showed that compared to ondansetron alone, acupuncture together with ondansetron was only effective in reducing nausea but did not have a significant impact on vomiting. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with ondansetron as a multimodal prophylaxis approach is more effective than ondansetron alone in preventing postoperative nausea in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Yan
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mingjun Xu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyi Xiong
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hewen Li
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwen Yang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenchao Cao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqiong Zhu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cunzhi Liu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Wang M, Xu X, Zhao B, Liu L, Zhao L, Zhang F, Ji X, Yuan F, Xia Q, Wang S, Tian W, Wang L, Li B. Fire Needling Therapy of Different Frequencies versus External Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel for Knee Osteoarthritis: Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Res 2023; 16:1381-1390. [PMID: 37128272 PMCID: PMC10147561 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s408084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is regarded as one of the leading musculoskeletal diseases. Although the efficacy is under exploration, fire needling therapy is considered an effective alternative for KOA. This trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of different frequencies of fire needling therapy in attenuating pain and promoting function in KOA patients. Methods This is a study protocol for a pilot, three-arm, single-center, randomized controlled trial. A total of 90 participants with KOA will be recruited and randomly assigned to the high-frequency fire needling group (3 sessions per week, for 6 weeks), the low-frequency fire needling group (1 session per week, for 6 weeks) or the positive control group (Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel, 3 times per day, for 6 weeks) in a 1:1:1 ratio. Participants will accomplish the trial at Week 14 after a follow-up evaluation. The response rate will be set as the primary outcome that the proportion of participants obtaining a minimal clinically important difference, which is identified as ≥2 units on the numerical rating scale (NRS) and ≥6 units on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score at Week 6 compared with Week 0. Secondary outcomes are NRS, WOMAC, Brief Pain Inventory, Short-Form Health Survey-12, Timed Up and Go Test, and pain threshold. Discussion This is the first standardized protocol comparing fire needling therapy and positive control drugs. This trial may provide reliable evidence for the effectiveness of fire needling therapy and dose-effect property of it in KOA. Trial registration: The trial has been registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registered number: ChiCTR2100043041), registered on 4 February 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaobai Xu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingcong Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Luopeng Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xu Ji
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiuyu Xia
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaosong Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Tian
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linpeng Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Bin Li; Xiaobai Xu, Email ;
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Zhang D, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Liu X, Zhao Y, Shi Z, Hong J, Liu J, Ma X. Efficacy of electroacupuncture for patients with dry eye syndromes: a randomized controlled trial. JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE AND TUINA SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11726-022-1350-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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10
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Zhao YN, Zhang S, Chen Y, Wang Y, Chen H, Duan YT, Li SY, Zhang ZX, Wang YF, Xin C, Li L, Rong PJ. Does acupuncture therapy affect peripheral inflammatory cytokines of major depressive disorder? A protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:967965. [PMID: 36438965 PMCID: PMC9685430 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.967965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acupuncture is widely used as adjuvant therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). There is robust evidence that inflammation is closely associated with MDD. To date, only a few numbers of studies have investigated the potential relationship between acupuncture and the change of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with MDD. Additionally, the results are inconsistent among studies. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive, systematic review of the association between acupuncture and changes in peripheral inflammation of patients with MDD, and clarify the alterations of inflammatory cytokines before and after acupuncture treatment by meta-analysis. Methods and analysis This study will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting acupuncture, with inflammatory cytokines as the outcome measured before and after intervention in patients with MDD, were searched in electronic databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, SINOMED, Wanfang, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Chongqing VIP (CQVIP). Primary outcomes of interest will be validated to measure the levels of inflammatory cytokines before and after acupuncture treatment in patients with MDD. Discussion Acupuncture can drive anti-inflammatory effects, as well as symptom changes in MDD, which may represent a viable, multi-faceted treatment approach in MDD. Systematic review registration [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42021289207 on 04 December 2021].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Chinese Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Ting Duan
- Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinical Study Center, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Chinese EQUATOR Center, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shao-Yuan Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Fei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Xin
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pei-Jing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Combined-Acupoint Electroacupuncture Induces Better Analgesia via Activating the Endocannabinoid System in the Spinal Cord. Neural Plast 2022; 2022:7670629. [PMID: 36160326 PMCID: PMC9499800 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7670629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) therapy has been widely reported to alleviate neuropathic pain with few side effects in both clinical practice and animal studies worldwide. However, little is known about the comparison of the therapeutic efficacy among the diverse EA schemes used for neuropathic pain. The present study is aimed at investigating the therapeutic efficacy discrepancy between the single and combined-acupoint EA and to reveal the difference of mechanisms behind them. Electroacupuncture was given at both Zusanli (ST36) and Huantiao (GB30) in the combined group or ST36 alone in the single group. Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) was measured to determine the pain level. Electrophysiology was performed to detect the effects of EA on synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn of the vGlut2-tdTomato mice. Spinal contents of endogenous opioids, endocannabinoids, and their receptors were examined. Inhibitors of CBR (cannabinoid receptor) and opioid receptors were used to study the roles of opioid and endocannabinoid system (ECS) in EA analgesia. We found that combined-acupoint acupuncture provide stronger analgesia than the single group did, and the former inhibited the synaptic transmission at the spinal level to a greater extent than later. Besides, the high-intensity stimulation at ST36 or normal stimulation at two sham acupoints did not mimic the similar efficacy of analgesia in the combined group. Acupuncture stimulation in single and combined groups both activated the endogenous opioid system. The ECS was only activated in the combined group. Naloxone totally blocked the analgesic effect of single-acupoint EA; however, it did not attenuate that of combined-acupoint EA unless coadministered with CBR antagonists. Hence, in the CCI-induced neuropathic pain model, combined-acupoint EA at ST36 and GB30 is more effective in analgesia than the single-acupoint EA at ST36. EA stimulation at GB30 alone neither provided a superior analgesic effect to EA treatment at ST36 nor altered the content of AEA, 2-AG, CB1 receptor, or CB2 receptor compared with the CCI group. Activation of the ECS is the main contributor of the better analgesia by the combined acupoint stimulation than that induced by single acupoint stimulation.
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12
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Effective Oriental Magic for Analgesia: Acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1451342. [PMID: 35313481 PMCID: PMC8934214 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1451342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a kind of complex physiological and psychological symptom, which makes the person debilitated and uncomfortable. Some persistent pain is unbearable for the patients, reducing the quality of life and bringing considerable pressure to the individuals and society. Pain killers seem to be effective in analgesia for patients, but their safety and addiction are crucial issues. From the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the blocked meridian is the main cause of pain, and effective acupuncture can play a positive analgesic effect. Acupuncture that can date back thousands of years is one of the ancient medical practices in China. Its safety and effectiveness are respected. Based on its superior safety and inferior side effects, it has been gradually recognized as a therapeutic intervention method for complementary medicine, which is also generally used to treat multiple pain diseases. It is shown by modern medical studies that neurotransmitters are the material basis for the acupuncture effect, and the effect of acupuncture analgesia is related to changes in neurotransmitters. However, the specific mechanism has not been elucidated. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the historical evolution of acupuncture analgesia, clinical research of acupuncture analgesia, comparison of acupuncture and drug therapy, the neurotransmitter mechanism of acupuncture analgesia, the effect of acupuncture manipulation on analgesia, and bibliometric analysis of acupuncture treatment for pain, to explore the superiority and related mechanism of acupuncture analgesia from different aspects, and to provide a more effective treatment for alleviating patients' pain.
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13
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Yoon DE, Lee IS, Chae Y. Identifying Dose Components of Manual Acupuncture to Determine the Dose-Response Relationship of Acupuncture Treatment: A Systematic Review. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2022; 50:653-671. [PMID: 35300569 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x22500264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The dose-response relationship is a hallmark of pharmacological studies. However, this relationship has not been fully established in acupuncture research. This systematic review aims to provide the characteristics of the dose-response relationship in acupuncture research. We further summarized the differences in acupuncture effects according to dose components. Dose components of acupuncture were categorized into three groups: number of needles, stimulation intensity, and total number/frequency of treatments. The PubMed database was used to identify studies examining the effects of different doses of acupuncture from the establishment of the database to August 13, 2020. Dose components and responses were extracted from each study, and the results of low- and high-dose conditions were compared. Fourteen studies were included in this study. Of the included studies, 37.5% showed statistically significant enhanced responses to acupuncture treatment under high-dose conditions compared to low-dose conditions. Significant differences between high- and low-dose conditions were observed most frequently in studies that used various stimulation intensities (four out of six studies), followed in order by studies that used various numbers of needles (two out of seven studies), and those that used various numbers or frequencies of treatment (none of the three studies). Responses were categorized into symptom changes, physiological changes, experimentally induced pain/stimuli perception, and needling sensation. Stimulation intensity, which is considered one of the most important needling components, might indeed have a great impact on clinical responses to acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Eun Yoon
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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14
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Supasiri T, Jariengprasert C, Phithaksilp M, Sangtongpanichakul P, Anotayanonth S, Buranatawonsom T, Pongpirul K. A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing different numbers of acupuncture sessions for migraine. Acupunct Med 2021; 40:215-223. [PMID: 34886700 DOI: 10.1177/09645284211056017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has shown benefit in preventing migraine attacks, but there has been no clear recommendation about the number of treatment sessions that should be provided. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine whether 5 sessions of acupuncture treatment is non-inferior to 10 sessions for migraine. METHODS We performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial across five hospitals in Thailand. Migraine patients were randomly assigned into two groups: treatment with 5 sessions of acupuncture (group A) or 10 sessions of acupuncture (group B). Acupuncture was performed twice a week. We measured the number of migraine days, average pain severity according to a 0-10 numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, comparing 4 weeks after treatment versus baseline. RESULTS Of 156 patients, 83 and 73 patients were assigned to groups A and B, respectively. Comparing 4 weeks after treatment with baseline, the mean reduction in the number of headache days in groups A and B was 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8 to 7.9) days and 6.4 (95% CI 4.5 to 8.4) days, respectively (p = 0.97). The mean difference between the reduction in headache days of the two groups was -0.1 (95% CI -2.5 to 2.4) days, which included the pre-specified non-inferiority limit of -1. The mean reduction of NPRS scores in groups A and B was 4.5 (95% CI 3.8 to 5.1) and 3.8 (95% CI 3.1 to 4.5), respectively (p = 0.17). Both groups showed an improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSION Both 5 and 10 sessions of acupuncture were associated with apparent benefits in terms of preventing migraine attacks, reducing the severity of the headache and improving quality of life, based on comparisons between baseline and follow-up in both study groups. Although we were unable to demonstrate non-inferiority of 5 sessions versus 10 sessions of acupuncture, the effects in the two groups were not significantly different and the temporal effects appeared to last for at least 1 month. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER TCTR20170612002 (Thai Clinical Trials Registry).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanan Supasiri
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | - Tawat Buranatawonsom
- College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Krit Pongpirul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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15
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Zhang J, Li Z, Li Z, Li J, Hu Q, Xu J, Yu H. Progress of Acupuncture Therapy in Diseases Based on Magnetic Resonance Image Studies: A Literature Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:694919. [PMID: 34489662 PMCID: PMC8417610 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.694919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural mechanisms of acupuncture are not well-understood. Over the past decades, an increasing number of studies have used MRI to investigate the response of the brain to acupuncture. The current review aims to provide an update on acupuncture therapy in disease. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2021. Article selection and data extraction were conducted by two review authors. A total of 107 publications about MRI in acupuncture were included, the collective findings of which were as follows: (1) stroke and GB34 (Yanglingquan) are the most studied disease and acupoint. Related studies suggested that the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for stroke may associate with structural and functional plasticity, left and right hemispheres balance, and activation of brain areas related to movement and cognition. GB34 is mainly used in stroke and Parkinson's disease, which mainly activates brain response in the premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the supramarginal gyrus; (2) resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and functional connectivity (FC) analysis are the most frequently used approaches; (3) estimates of efficacy and brain response to acupuncture depend on the type of sham acupuncture (SA) used for comparison. Brain processing after acupuncture differs between patients and health controls (HC) and occurs mainly in disorder-related areas. Factors that influence the effect of acupuncture include depth of needling, number and locations of acupoints, and deqi and expectation effect, each contributing to the brain response. While studies using MRI have increased understanding of the mechanism underlying the effects of acupuncture, there is scope for development in this field. Due to the small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and analytical methods, the results were inconsistent. Further studies with larger sample sizes, careful experimental design, multimodal neuroimaging techniques, and standardized methods should be conducted to better explain the efficacy and specificity of acupuncture, and to prepare for accurate efficacy prediction in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhuan Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zihan Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhixian Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaying Li
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingmao Hu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinping Xu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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16
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Zheng XZ, Xiong QJ, Liu D, Wei K, Lai Y. Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapy on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Gynecologic Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. J Perianesth Nurs 2021; 36:564-572. [PMID: 34404603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy (AT) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after gynecologic surgery (GS). DESIGN A meta-analysis using a systematic search strategy was performed. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of all published randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies assessing the effectiveness of AT on PONV in patients undergoing GS was conducted in three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. The incidence of PONV, the use of rescue antiemetics, and side effects of AT were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 software. FINDINGS Nine randomized controlled trials and one prospective cohort study identified in the literature search from database inception (1966) to December 31, 2019, including 1,075 participants were included in the present study. AT significantly reduced the risk of developing postoperative nausea and postoperative vomiting by 48% (relative risk = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.61; P < .00001) and 42% (relative risk = 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.49 to 0.68; P < .00001), respectively. No significant differences in the incidence of side effects such as bleeding and needle pain were observed between groups (P = .54). AT was also associated with a lower rate of rescue antiemetic usage (P < .00001) and a higher degree of satisfaction with postoperative recovery (P < .0001). Moreover, the optimal therapeutic effect of AT on preventing PONV was achieved when the treatment time was controlled within 30 minutes and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation was applied. CONCLUSION AT is an effective and safe physical therapy for the prophylaxis of PONV in patients undergoing GS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Zhuo Zheng
- Anesthesiology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu-Ju Xiong
- Anesthesiology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Anesthesiology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Wei
- Anesthesiology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yuan Lai
- Anesthesiology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing, China
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Arentz S, Smith C, Redmond R, Abbott J, Armour M. A cross-sectional study of traditional Chinese medicine practitioner's knowledge, treatment strategies and integration of practice of chronic pelvic pain in women. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:174. [PMID: 34167548 PMCID: PMC8229696 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is persistent, intermittent cyclical and non-cyclical lower abdominal pain, lasting for more than 6 months. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a popular treatment option for women's health conditions, but little is known about how treatment for CPP is delivered by TCM practitioners. The aim of this survey was to explore practitioners understanding and treatment of women with CPP, and how they integrate their management and care into the health care system. METHOD An online cross-sectional survey of registered TCM practitioners in Australia and New Zealand between May and October 2018. Survey domains included treatment characteristics (e.g. frequency), evaluation of treatment efficacy, referral networks, and sources of information that informed clinical decision making. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-two registered TCM practitioners responded to this survey, 91.7% reported regular treatment of women with CPP. Treatment decisions were most-often guided by a combination of biomedical and TCM diagnosis (77.6%), and once per week was the most common treatment frequency (66.7%) for acupuncture. Meditation (63.7%) and dietary changes (57.8%) were other commonly used approaches to management. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed using multiple approaches, most commonly pain scales, (such as the numeric rating scale) and any change in use of analgesic medications. Limitations to TCM treatment were reported by over three quarters (83.7%) of practitioners, most commonly due to cost (56.5%) and inconvenience (40.2%) rather than safety or lack of efficacy. Sources informing practice were most often Integration within the wider healthcare system was common with over two thirds (67.9%) receiving referrals from health care providers. CONCLUSION TCM practitioners seeing women with various CPP symptoms, commonly incorporate both traditional and modern diagnostic methods to inform their treatment plan, monitor treatment progress using commonly accepted approaches and measures and often as a part of multidisciplinary healthcare for women with CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Arentz
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Caroline Smith
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Rebecca Redmond
- Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Office of Research, Endeavour College of Natural Health, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason Abbott
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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18
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Kim JH, Cho MR, Shin JC, Park GC, Lee JS. Factors contributing to cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Trials 2021; 22:341. [PMID: 33980288 PMCID: PMC8117619 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05296-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is generally regarded as the borderline between cognitive changes of aging and very early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is important to develop easily available interventions to delay the progression of MCI to AD. We investigated factors contributing to the cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture to obtain data for developing optimized acupuncture treatments for MCI. Methods This outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included a full analysis for comparing the efficacy of different acupuncture methods. Thirty-two participants with MCI (i.e., fulfilling the Peterson diagnostic criteria for MCI, K-MMSE scores of 20–23, and MoCA-K scale scores of 0–22) were randomly assigned to basic acupuncture (BA; GV20, EX-HN1, GB20, and GV24 for 30 min), acupoint specificity (AS; adding KI3 to BA), needle duration (ND; BA for 20 min), or electroacupuncture (EA; electrical stimulation to BA) groups (n=8/group) via 1:1:1:1 allocation and administered acupuncture once daily, three times a week for 8 weeks. The measured outcomes included scores on the Korean version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-K-cog), Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA-K), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Korean Activities of Daily Living scale, Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale. Outcome measurements were recorded at baseline (week 0), intervention endpoint (week 8), and 12 weeks after intervention completion (week 20). Results Twenty-five patients with MCI completed the trial (BA group, 8; AS group, 6; ND group, 5; EA group, 6). MoCA-K scores were significantly increased in the BA group compared with the ND (p=0.008, week 8–week 0) and EA groups (p=0.003, week 8–week 0; p=0.043, week 20–week 0). ADAS-K-cog scores were significantly decreased in the BA group compared with the ND group (p=0.019, week 20–week 0). Conclusions The BA group showed significant improvement in cognitive function compared to the ND and EA groups. Electrical stimulation and needle duration may contribute to the cognitive improvement effects of acupuncture in patients with MCI. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service; URL:cris.nih.go.kr.; unique identifier: KCT0003430 (registration date: January 16, 2019). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05296-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, DongShin University, Naju City, 58245, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, Gwangju City, 61662, Republic of Korea.
| | - Myoung-Rae Cho
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, DongShin University, Naju City, 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Cheol Shin
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, DongShin University, Naju City, 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Cheon Park
- Clinical Research Center, DongShin University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, 141, Wolsan-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju City, 61619, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Soon Lee
- Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, Gwangju City, 61662, Republic of Korea
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19
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Tsonis O, Gkrozou F, Barmpalia Z, Makopoulou A, Siafaka V. Integrating Lifestyle Focused Approaches into the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: Impact on Quality of Life. Int J Womens Health 2021; 13:327-336. [PMID: 33762855 PMCID: PMC7982556 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s264023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This narrative review aims to identify alternative ways to improve the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea (PD). BACKGROUND PD refers to endometrial painful cramps during the premenstrual period. This condition affects a lot of women worldwide and is accompanied with absenteeism and high economic costs, thus, risk-free, and effective therapeutic approaches are needed. Pharmacological agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), which are widely prescribed for these women, demonstrate adequate efficacy in alleviating pain and discomfort. The long natural course of the disease dictates remedies that focus on lifestyle changes and on improvement of Quality-of-Life (QoL) for women suffering with PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five major search engines, namely MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published prior to October 2020 focused in PD. A total of 74 paper were included. DISCUSSION Physical activity, for instance yoga, aromatherapy massage, and other forms of relaxation, vitamins and dietary changes, acupressure and acupuncture,a and some psychological interventions are just few of the proposed health behavior targeted approaches in cases of PD. This review focuses on lifestyle changes and alternative methods that could potentially result in minimizing symptoms of PD and in improving overall QoL for these patients, by providing current scientific evidence on their efficacy. CONCLUSION Complementary and alternative medicine practices (CAM) are widely accepted by women. International literature provides controversial scientific evidence, thus further studies need to be conducted in order to prove or disregard their efficacy in cases of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestis Tsonis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Fani Gkrozou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zoi Barmpalia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Annamaria Makopoulou
- School of Psychology, College of Human Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, UK
| | - Vassiliki Siafaka
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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20
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Yoon DE, Lee IS, Chae Y. Determining the adequate dose of acupuncture for personalised medicine. Acupunct Med 2021; 39:565-566. [PMID: 33546560 DOI: 10.1177/0964528420988292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Da-Eun Yoon
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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21
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The Role of Research in Guiding Treatment for Women's Health: A Qualitative Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18020834. [PMID: 33478105 PMCID: PMC7835913 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: Surveys of acupuncture practitioners worldwide have shown an increase in the use of acupuncture to treat women’s health conditions over the last ten years. Published studies have explored the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions such as period pain, fertility, and labor induction. However, it is unclear what role, if any, peer-reviewed research plays in guiding practice. Methods: Acupuncturists with a significant women’s health caseload were interviewed online in three small groups to explore factors that contribute to acupuncturists’ clinical decision made around treatment approaches and research. Results: Eleven practitioners participated in the focus groups. The overarching theme that emerged was one of ‘Not mainstream but a stream.’ This captured two themes relating to acupuncture as a distinct practice: ‘working with what you’ve got’ as well as ‘finding the right lens’, illustrating practitioners’ perception of research needing to be more relevant to clinical practice. Conclusions: Acupuncture practitioners treating women’s health conditions reported a disconnect between their clinical practice and the design of clinical trials, predominantly due to what they perceived as a lack of individualization of treatment. Case histories were popular as a learning tool and could be used to support increasing research literacy.
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22
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Tu JF, Yang JW, Shi GX, Yu ZS, Li JL, Lin LL, Du YZ, Yu XG, Hu H, Liu ZS, Jia CS, Wang LQ, Zhao JJ, Wang J, Wang T, Wang Y, Wang TQ, Zhang N, Zou X, Wang Y, Shao JK, Liu CZ. Efficacy of Intensive Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:448-458. [PMID: 33174383 DOI: 10.1002/art.41584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of intensive acupuncture (3 times weekly for 8 weeks) versus sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS In this multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial, patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), or sham acupuncture (SA) 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Participants, outcome assessors, and statisticians were blinded with regard to treatment group assignment. The primary outcome measure was response rate, which is the proportion of participants who simultaneously achieved minimal clinically important improvement in pain and function by week 8. The primary analysis was conducted using a Z test for proportions in the modified intent-to-treat population, which included all randomized participants who had ≥1 post-baseline measurement. RESULTS Of the 480 participants recruited in the trial, 442 were evaluated for efficacy. The response rates at week 8 were 60.3% (91 of 151), 58.6% (85 of 145), and 47.3% (69 of 146) in the EA, MA, and SA groups, respectively. The between-group differences were 13.0% (97.5% confidence interval [97.5% CI] 0.2%, 25.9%; P = 0.0234) for EA versus SA and 11.3% (97.5% CI -1.6%, 24.4%; P = 0.0507) for MA versus SA. The response rates in the EA and MA groups were both significantly higher than those in the SA group at weeks 16 and 26. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, intensive EA resulted in less pain and better function at week 8, compared with SA, and these effects persisted though week 26. Intensive MA had no benefit for knee OA at week 8, although it showed benefits during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Feng Tu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jin-Ling Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lu-Lu Lin
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Zheng Du
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao-Gang Yu
- Beijing No. 1 Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Dongfang Hospital and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Shun Liu
- Guang An Men Hospital and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Li-Qiong Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Jie Zhao
- Beijing Friendship Hospital and Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wang
- China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Qi Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Kai Shao
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Zhang N, Wang LQ, Li JL, Su XT, Yu FT, Shi GX, Yang JW, Liu CZ. The Management of Sciatica by Acupuncture: An Expert Consensus Using the Improved Delphi Survey. J Pain Res 2021; 14:13-22. [PMID: 33447076 PMCID: PMC7802920 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s280404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Acupuncture therapy is an effective non-drug therapy for sciatica, but it has not yet formed an effective treatment strategy and recommendations. Our objective was to establish an expert consensus on acupuncture treatment of sciatica for clinical guidance based on the improved Delphi survey. Methods A group of 80 clinical specialists was invited to participate in two rounds of semi-open clinical issue investigation. At the same time, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for systematic reviews on acupuncture treatment of sciatica, and the quality of evidence was evaluated. Then the three-round Delphi survey was undertaken with 30 experts based on the clinical issue investigation and systematic reviews. Results In round 1 of the Delphi survey, the experts evaluated 17 items identified from the results of the clinical investigation and literature review. The criterion for achieving consensus was a threshold of 80% agreement. After the three-round Delphi survey, 16 items (94.12%) achieved consensus, including 5 domains: the principle of acupuncture treatment for sciatica; the “dose” of acupuncture; the clinical effects of acupuncture; the adverse effects, and others. Conclusion This Delphi survey achieved an expert consensus on key items in the management of sciatica for acupuncture, which provides the current opinions in China. We trust that these treatment recommendations may facilitate their implementation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Ling Li
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Tong Su
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang-Ting Yu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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24
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Rao C, Liu W, Li Z, Nan X, Yin C, Yang J, Du Y. The comparison of different acupuncture therapies for post stroke depression: A protocol for a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23456. [PMID: 33350728 PMCID: PMC7769370 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a common disease which occurs after stroke, affecting approximately one third of stroke survivors at any 1 time after stroke (compared with 5%-13% of adults without stroke), with a cumulative incidence of 55%. Acupuncture, which has a long history in China, is the generic name of different kinds of acupuncture therapies, including manual acupuncture (MA), electroacupuncture (EA), fire needle (FN), dry needling (DN), and so on. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture has a good therapeutic effect on post stroke depression (PSD), but the evidence-based medicine of it is insufficient. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of different kinds of acupuncture therapies in the treatment of PSD, and to provide evidence-based basis for the clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of PSD. METHODS A systematic search will be performed on English databases (PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase) and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, VIP and Chinese biomedical databases). The retrieval time limit will be from the establishment of the database to August 2020. Two researchers will independently screen the literatures, extract data, and evaluate the quality of the included studies. Bayesian network analysis will be conducted by using STATA V.14.0 and ADDIS V.1.16.7. RESULTS In this study, the efficacy of different kinds of acupuncture therapies in the treatment of PSD will be evaluated by the degree of reduction in depression, total numbers of adverse events, quality of life indices, improvement of social and life functions and the expression of nerve cell factors. CONCLUSIONS This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence for the clinical application of acupuncture in PSD.
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26
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Wang Y, Hou YQ, Yang JW, Wang LQ, Shao JK, Zou X, Yang NN, Huang J, Liu CZ. Acupuncture of different treatment frequency in postprandial distress syndrome: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020; 32:e13812. [PMID: 32048788 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence for different frequencies of acupuncture treatment in postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is insufficient. This study determined whether 3 sessions per week of acupuncture treatment are superior to 1 session per week for symptomatic outcomes in PDS. METHODS This 16-week randomized clinical pilot trial was conducted in an outpatient setting in China. Patients with PDS were randomly assigned to receive 3 sessions per week of acupuncture (group H) or 1 session per week of acupuncture (group L) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the complete elimination of core symptoms at week 4. Secondary outcomes included overall treatment efficacy, dyspepsia symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depression. KEY RESULTS Sixty patients were randomized of whom 53 (88.3%) completed this trial. The complete elimination rate of core symptoms was 26.7% (95% CI 12.3%-45.9%) in group H and 10.0% (95% CI 2.1%-26.5%) in group L at week 4 (P = .095). There was a significant difference between H and group L at weeks 8, 12, and 16 (P = .038, .02, and .02). All secondary outcomes were better in group H at all time points. No serious adverse events occurred in either groups. CONCLUSIONS This trial showed that acupuncture, at 3 sessions per week, tended to improve symptoms and the quality of life among patients with PDS as compared to once a week. Acupuncture treatment for 4 weeks was feasible and safe. A larger sample, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for PDS appears to be justified in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Quan Hou
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Kai Shao
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Na-Na Yang
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- Acupuncture Research Center, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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27
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Hunter J, Armour M. Stop, Listen, and Learn: Using Mixed Methods to Add Value to Clinical Trials. J Evid Based Integr Med 2020; 24:2515690X19857073. [PMID: 31232083 PMCID: PMC6591665 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x19857073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary discusses the concept of value-based or value-focused health care as a
rationale for researchers to incorporate mixed methods study designs a priori into
clinical trials evaluating traditional, complementary, alternative, and integrative
medicine (TCAIM). Along with assessing patient outcomes, information about patients’
experiences and preferences are needed to determine the value of an intervention.
Incorporating a mixed-methods approach can improve the quality of clinical trials and
provide important information about the potential value of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Hunter
- 1 Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,2 The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- 1 Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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28
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Guo L, Huang X, Ha LJ, Zhang JZ, Mi J, Sun PH, Han XY, Wang Y, Hu JL, Wang FC, Li T. Efficacy of compatible acupoints and single acupoint versus sham acupuncture for functional dyspepsia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:77. [PMID: 31937335 PMCID: PMC6961399 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acupoint selection is a key factor in the treatment of diseases and has not been well studied. The aim of this trial is to explore the differences in efficacy between compatible acupoints and a single acupoint for patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine in China. Two hundred and sixteen FD patients will be randomly assigned to the compatible acupoints group, single acupoint group, or sham acupuncture group. This trial will include a 1-week baseline period, a 4-week treatment period, and a 4-week follow-up period. During the 4-week treatment period, patients will receive 20 sessions of acupuncture (weekly cycles of one session per day for 5 consecutive days followed by a 2-day break). The primary outcome will be a change in the Nepean Dyspepsia Life Quality Index from baseline to after the 4-week treatment period. Secondary outcome measures will include the dyspeptic symptom sum score, Overall Treatment Effect questionnaire, and 36-item Short Form survey. Adverse events also will be recorded. Ultraweak photon emission and metabolomics tests will be performed at baseline and at the end of treatment to explore the mechanisms of the differences between compatible acupoints and a single acupoint. Discussion The results of this trial will allow us to compare the difference in efficacy between compatible acupoints and a single acupoint. The findings from this trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Trial Registry, AMCTR-IPC-18000176, registered on 4 March 2019; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900023983, registered on 23 June 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Guo
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117 China. Department of rehabilitation, Changchun hospital of traditional Chinese medicine, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Li-Juan Ha
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Jing-Zhou Zhang
- Department of Disease Prevention, First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jia Mi
- Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Ping-Hui Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Jinlin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xi-Ying Han
- DDepartment of pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Jing-Lin Hu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Fu-Chun Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Tie Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China.
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29
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Liu CH, Kung YY, Lin CL, Yang JL, Wu TP, Lin HC, Chang YK, Chang CM, Chen FP. Therapeutic Efficacy and the Impact of the "Dose" Effect of Acupuncture to Treat Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. J Pain Res 2019; 12:3511-3520. [PMID: 32021387 PMCID: PMC6942513 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s210672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the required sample size for and feasibility of a full-scale randomized controlled trial examining the impact of the “dose” effect of acupuncture in treating sciatica. Patients and methods Fifty-seven patients with sciatica, aged 35–70 years, were recruited and screened. Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to receive “low-dose” manual acupuncture (MAL) (n= 15) or “high-dose” manual acupuncture (MAH) (n=16). The acupuncture treatment was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) score at baseline and after 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment. Secondary outcomes included the Roland Disability Questionnaire for Sciatica (RDQS), the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life in the Brief Edition (WHOQOL-BREF) scores at baseline and after 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment. Results Thirty patients completed the study. For all patients, acupuncture achieved significant improvement in the VAS (5.48±2.0, p<0.001), RDQS (3.18±2.83, p=0.004), and SBI (2.85±3.23, p=0.008) scores, but not in the WHOQOL-BREF scores. In the between-group analysis, the assessed scales showed no significant differences between the MAL and MAH groups. However, based on the level of chronicity, the MAH group demonstrated greater improvement in the outcomes and a significant benefit in the physical subscale of the WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.05). Conclusion Results of this pilot study indicate that acupuncture is safe and may effectively relieve symptoms and disability in patients with non-acute sciatica. MAL was as effective as MAH in treating sciatica. A subsequent trial with a larger sample size (estimated at n=96) is required to confirm whether patients with a high level of chronicity would benefit from MAH treatment. Trial registration NCT03489681.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsiung Liu
- Department of Neurology, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Ilan, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yen-Ying Kung
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chun-Liang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Ilan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jen-Lin Yang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ta-Peng Wu
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hong-Chun Lin
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yang-Kai Chang
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ching-Mao Chang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Fang-Pey Chen
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Mohammadi A, Ma LX, Yang Y, Song Y, Wang JX. Immediate Analgesic Effect of Perpendicular Needling or Transverse Needling at SP 6 in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study. Med Acupunct 2019; 31:207-217. [PMID: 31456866 DOI: 10.1089/acu.2019.1362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Needling technique is an important factor contributing to the efficacy of an acupuncture point. In previous studies, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) had an immediate analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrhea (PD) with strengthened acupuncture stimulation. Transverse needling without De Qi is accepted more easily by patients who dislike De Qi. This kind of needling also has certain effects on some conditions. This study compared the immediate analgesic effect of perpendicular De Qi needling with transverse non-De Qi needling at SP 6 in patients with PD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six participants with PD were randomly allocated to a perpendicular needling group (Group A; n = 13) or a transverse needling group (Group B; n = 13). Visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-100 mm) pain levels and skin-temperature measurements were determined at 4 acupuncture points before and after the interventions. Results: Severity of dysmenorrhea was significantly decreased at 30 minutes after the interventions and at 10 minutes after needle removal in both groups (Group A: 35.77 mm and 39.62 mm less pain, respectively, on VAS; P < 0.001; Group B: 22.69 mm and 30.38 mm less pain, respectively, on VAS; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in VAS-P [VAS for pain] scores after the interventions between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Skin temperature at CV 4 was significantly increased after the intervention in group A only (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Both perpendicular and transverse needling at SP 6 had an immediate analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrhea. Proper needling techniques may be applied according to the tolerance of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohammadi
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Liang-Xiao Ma
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.,Beijing Yan Shan Hospital, Fang Shan District, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Song
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Wang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
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31
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Armour M, Smith CA, Wang LQ, Naidoo D, Yang GY, MacPherson H, Lee MS, Hay P. Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8081140. [PMID: 31370200 PMCID: PMC6722678 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8081140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Depression is commonly treated with anti-depressant medication and/or psychological interventions. Patients with depression are common users of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, either as a replacement for, or adjunct to, their conventional treatments. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of acupuncture in major depressive disorder. Methods: A search of English (Medline, PsychINFO, Google Scholar, and CINAL), Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI) and Wanfang Database), and Korean databases was undertaken from 1980 to November 2018 for clinical trials using manual, electro, or laser acupuncture. Results: Twenty-nine studies including 2268 participants were eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two trials were undertaken in China and seven outside of China. Acupuncture showed clinically significant reductions in the severity of depression compared to usual care (Hedges (g) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 0.63), sham acupuncture (g = 0.55, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.79), and as an adjunct to anti-depressant medication (g = 0.84, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.07). A significant correlation between an increase in the number of acupuncture treatments delivered and reduction in the severity of depression (p = 0.015) was found. Limitations: The majority of the included trials were at a high risk of bias for performance blinding. The applicability of findings in Chinese populations to other populations is unclear, due to the use of a higher treatment frequency and number of treatments in China. The majority of trials did not report any post-trial follow-up and safety reporting was poor. Conclusions: Acupuncture may be a suitable adjunct to usual care and standard anti-depressant medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
| | - Caroline A Smith
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dhevaksha Naidoo
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Guo-Yan Yang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Hugh MacPherson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Myeong Soo Lee
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- Campbelltown Hospital, South West Sydney Local Health District, Campbelltown, NSW 5074, Australia
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32
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Tu JF, Yang JW, Wang LQ, Wang Y, Li JL, Zhang N, Lin LL, Yu ZS, Liu CZ. Efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: statistical analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2019; 20:394. [PMID: 31272488 PMCID: PMC6610899 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acupuncture is widely used for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), despite contradictory evidence. This study is designed to determine the efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for KOA. Methods/design This is a multi-center three-arm randomized controlled trial. It will enroll 480 participants with KOA in China. Participants will be randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive 24 sessions of electro-acupuncture, manual acupuncture, or sham acupuncture over 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the response rate, which is the proportion of patients who achieve the minimal clinically important improvement in pain and function at 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be analyzed using the Z-test with the intention-to-treat set. Secondary outcomes include pain, function, global patient assessment, and quality of life. Full details of the statistical analysis plan for the primary and secondary outcomes will be described in this article. The statistical analysis plan was written and submitted without knowledge of the study data. Discussion The data will be analyzed according to this pre-specified statistical analysis plan to avoid data-driven analysis and to enhance the transparency of the trial. The aim of the trial is to provide high-quality evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for KOA. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03366363. Registered on 20 November 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Feng Tu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Statistics, School of Mathematical Sciences and SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Ling Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Lu-Lu Lin
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhang-Sheng Yu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang District, Shanghai, China.,Department of Statistics, School of Mathematical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Kim M, Moss D, Crawford P. Battlefield acupuncture for post-partum pain: A randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY) 2019; 15:409-414. [PMID: 31186202 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Postpartum pain affects quality of life. Clinicians are increasingly using acupuncture for management of pain. Evidence based strategies that incorporate acupuncture for postpartum pain are lacking. METHODS We performed an exploratory, randomized clinical trial of Battlefield Auricular Acupuncture (BFA) plus standard analgesia versus standard analgesia alone for reduction of pain in the immediate postpartum period. RESULTS The mean time to 50% sustained reduction of initial pain in the standard analgesia group (n = 33) was 6 days compared to 5 days in the standard analgesia plus BFA (n = 37) group (p = 0.35). The mean total morphine equivalent units (MEUs) in the standard group compared to standard plus BFA group were 88 mg and 82 mg respectively (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS This exploratory comparison suggests that BFA may not provide additional benefit to standard analgesia for immediate postpartum pain; however, the trend toward faster reduction in pain indicates that a larger definitive study may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kim
- 99th MDG, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada 89191, United States; 375th MDG, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225, United States
| | - David Moss
- 99th MDG, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada 89191, United States
| | - Paul Crawford
- 99th MDG, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada 89191, United States.
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Qin Z, Wu J, Xu C, Liu Z. Using meta-regression approach to explore the dose-response association between acupuncture sessions and acupuncture effects on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:116. [PMID: 31032271 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2018.11.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background The benefits of acupuncture on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) have been well established according to previous studies. However, uncertainty exists regarding the dose-response relationship between acupuncture sessions and acupuncture effects for CP/CPPS. The objective of this study is to explore the association between the acupuncture sessions and its effects based on previously published data. Methods A non-linear meta-regression approach with restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to investigate the dose-response relationship between acupuncture sessions and its effects on the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched up to May 20, 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case series studies (CSSs) reported the treatment sessions of acupuncture for CP/CPPS with at least two categories were eligible for inclusion. Results Ten studies involving 329 participants were included, the results showed a J-shaped dose-response association between acupuncture sessions and NIH-CPSI score (range 0 to 43, with higher score indicating greater CP/CPPS symptoms). Overall, more acupuncture sessions received for CP/CPPS patients is associated with increased symptom relieving. After 6 acupuncture sessions, the NIH-CPSI decreased from 26.1 (95% CI: 25.3-27.0) to 18.5 (95% CI: 11.6-25.4), with a between-session difference of -7.6 (95% CI: -14.6 to -0.7). Considering the 95%CI, both robust-error meta-regression modeling [MD: -8.3 (95% CI: -10.4 to -6.3)] and sensitivity analysis without CSSs [MD: -8.1 (95% CI: -9.5 to -6.7)] demonstrated that 18 acupuncture sessions could reach a clinically meaningful improvement regarding NIH-CPSI score. Conclusions There appear to be dose-response relationship between acupuncture sessions and CP/CPPS outcome. Prolonged acupuncture sessions were associated with less NIH-CPSI score. According to current evidence, six acupuncture sessions might be the minimal required 'dose' to reach its clinical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongshi Qin
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiani Wu
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center and Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhishun Liu
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
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Nash J, Armour M, Penkala S. Acupuncture for the treatment of lower limb diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review. Acupunct Med 2019; 37:3-15. [PMID: 30900484 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2018-011666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine evidence for acupuncture interventions in the management of diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy (DPN) symptoms. METHODS Five electronic databases were searched up to June 2017 for studies that included participants with symptoms of DPN, used an acupuncture intervention, and reported before-and-after DPN-related outcome measures. Two reviewers independently performed the data extraction. The level of homogeneity was assessed, and studies were appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, the STRICTA guidelines for acupuncture reporting and the NICMAN scale for acupuncture quality. RESULTS Ten studies with 432 participants were included: three randomised controlled trials (RCTs), two pilot RCTs, three uncontrolled clinical trials, one quasi-RCT and one prospective case series. Improvements in DPN pain symptoms were reported by all studies. Heterogeneity of outcome measures prevented a meta-analysis. Variations were found in needle retention time and point selection, as well as total number and frequency of treatments. Common acupuncture point selections were ST36 and SP6. Half of the studies used local point selection. Studies conducted outside China had better acupuncture reporting and quality according to the STRICTA checklist and NICMAN scales, respectively. Risk of bias was high or unclear in the majority of studies for all domains except attrition bias. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture for DPN appears to improve symptoms. However, the application of acupuncture varies greatly, and the quality of included studies was generally low. Available studies have varying methodologies and different outcome measures. Further, suitably powered studies using appropriate DPN outcome measures are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Nash
- 1 Department of Podiatric Medicine, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- 2 NICM Health Research Institute, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stefania Penkala
- 1 Department of Podiatric Medicine, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
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Tu JF, Yang JW, Lin LL, Wang TQ, Du YZ, Liu ZS, Hu H, Zhao JJ, Yu XG, Jia CS, Wang J, Wang T, Hou YQ, Zou X, Wang Y, Shao JK, Wang LQ, Yu ZS, Liu CZ. Efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2019; 20:79. [PMID: 30683147 PMCID: PMC6347816 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3138-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Although the available evidence for its efficacy is inconclusive, acupuncture is used as an alternative therapy for KOA. The aim of this trial is to determine the efficacy of electro-acupuncture and manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for KOA. Methods/design This is a study protocol for a randomised, three-arm, multicentre, clinical trial. A total of 480 patients with KOA will be randomly assigned to the electro-acupuncture group, the manual acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1:1 ratio. All patients will receive 24 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants will complete the trial by visiting the research centre at week 26 for a follow-up assessment. The primary outcome is the success rate: the proportion of patients achieving a minimal clinically important improvement, which is defined as ≥2 points on the numerical rating scale and ≥6 points on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score at week 8 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes include the numerical rating scale, WOMAC score, global patient assessment and quality of life at weeks 4, 8, 16 and 26 after randomisation. Discussion This trial may provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of KOA. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03274713. Registered on 20 November 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3138-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Feng Tu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Lu-Lu Lin
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Qi Wang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Zheng Du
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiqing District, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhi-Shun Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guang'an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Jie Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Gang Yu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Sheng Jia
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Heibei, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of orthopedics, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy Of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Quan Hou
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Kai Shao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang-Sheng Yu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fengtai District, Beijing, China.
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Armour M, Smith CA, Steel KA, Macmillan F. The effectiveness of self-care and lifestyle interventions in primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:22. [PMID: 30654775 PMCID: PMC6337810 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2433-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Menstrual pain is very common amongst young women. Despite the significant impact that menstrual pain has on academic attendance and performance, social activities and quality of life, most young women do not seek medical treatment but prefer to use self-care; commonly OTC analgesic medications and rest. Many women do not get significant pain relief from these methods, therefore other low cost, easy to learn self-care methods may be a valuable approach to management. This review and meta-analysis examines the evidence for participant lead self-care techniques. Methods A search of Medline, PsychINFO, Google Scholar and CINAHL was carried out in September 2017. Results Twenty-three trials including 2302 women were eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Studies examined self-delivered acupressure, exercise and heat as interventions. Risk of bias was unclear for many domains. All interventions showed a reduction in menstrual pain symptoms; exercise (g = 2.16, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.35) showed the largest effect size, with heat (g = 0.73, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.40) and acupressure (g = 0.56, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.03) showing more moderate effect sizes. Exercise (g = 0.48, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.83) and heat (g = 0.48, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.87), were more effective than analgesics in reducing pain intensity, whereas acupressure was significantly less effective (g = − 0.76, 95% CI -1.37 to − 0.15). Conclusion Exercise showed large effects, while acupressure and heat showed moderate effects in reducing menstrual pain compared to no treatment. Both exercise and heat are potential alternatives to analgesic medication. However, difficulties in controlling for non-specific effects, along with potential for bias, may influence study findings.
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Armour M, Ee CC, Hao J, Wilson TM, Yao SS, Smith CA. Acupuncture and acupressure for premenstrual syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 8:CD005290. [PMID: 30105749 PMCID: PMC6513602 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd005290.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has a history of traditional use in China for women's health conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but its effectiveness for this condition remains unclear. This review examined the available evidence supporting the use of acupuncture or acupressure to treat PMS. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture or acupressure for women with PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Studies Online (CENTRAL CRSO), MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHL (from inception to 21 September 2017), two clinical trial databases (from their inception to 21 September 2017), and four electronic databases in China (from their inception to 15 October 2017): Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information/ Chinese Scientific Journals database and WANFANG. Reference lists from included articles were handsearched. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies if they randomised women with PMS and associated disorders (PMDD and late luteal phase dysphoric disorder/LPDD) to receive acupuncture or acupressure versus sham, usual care/waiting-list control or pharmaceutical interventions mentioned by the International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD). If acupuncture or acupressure were combined with another therapy, these studies were also included where the additional therapy was the same in both groups. Cross-over studies were eligible for inclusion, but only data from the first phase could be used. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently selected the studies, assessed eligible studies for risk of bias, and extracted data from each study. Study authors were contacted for missing information. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. Our primary outcomes were overall premenstrual symptoms and adverse events. Secondary outcomes included specific PMS symptoms, response rate and quality of life. MAIN RESULTS Five trials (277 women) were included in this review. No trials compared acupuncture or acupressure versus other active treatments. The number of treatment sessions ranged from seven to 28. The quality of the evidence ranged from low to very low quality, the main limitations being imprecision due to small sample sizes and risk of bias related to detection bias and selective reporting.Acupuncture versus sham acupunctureAcupuncture may provide a greater reduction in mood-related PMS symptoms (mean difference (MD) -9.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -10.71 to -7.35, one randomised controlled trial (RCT), n = 67, low-quality evidence) and in physical PMS symptoms (MD -9.11, 95% CI -10.82 to -7.40, one RCT, n = 67, low-quality evidence) than sham acupuncture, as measured by the Daily Record of Severity of Problems scale (DRSP). The evidence suggests that if women have a mood score of 51.91 points with sham acupuncture, their score with acupuncture would be between 10.71 and 7.35 points lower and if women have a physical score of 46.11 points, their score with acupuncture would be between 10.82 and 7.4 points lower.There was insufficient evidence to determine whether there was any difference between the groups in the rate of adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 1.74, 95% CI 0.39 to 7.76, three RCTs, n = 167, I2 = 0%, very low-quality evidence).Specific PMS symptoms were not reportedThere may be little or no difference between the groups in response rates. Use of a fixed-effect model suggested a higher response rate in the acupuncture group than in the sham group (RR 2.59, 95% CI 1.71 to 3.92; participants = 100; studies = 2; I2 = 82%), but owing to the high heterogeneity we tested the effect of using a random-effects model, which provided no clear evidence of benefit for acupuncture (RR 4.22, 95% CI 0.45 to 39.88, two RCTs, n = 100, I2 = 82%, very low-quality evidence).Acupuncture may improve quality of life (measured by the WHOQOL-BREF) compared to sham (MD 2.85, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.23, one RCT, n = 67, low-quality evidence).Acupuncture versus no treatmentDue to the very low quality of the evidence, we are uncertain whether acupuncture reduces PMS symptoms compared to a no treatment control (MD -13.60, 95% CI -15.70 to -11.50, one RCT, n = 14).No adverse events were reported in either group.No data were available on specific PMS symptoms, response rate or quality of life outcomes.Acupressure versus sham acupressureWe found low-quality evidence that acupressure may reduce the number of women with moderate to severe PMS symptoms at the end of the trial compared to sham acupressure (RR 0.64 95% CI 0.52 to 0.79, one RCT, n = 90, low-quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if 97 women out of 100 in the sham acupressure group had moderate to severe PMS symptoms, the number of women in the acupressure group with moderate to severe symptoms would be 50 to 76 women.Acupressure may improve both physical (MD 24.3, 95% CI 17.18 to 31.42, one RCT, n = 90, low-quality evidence) and mental (MD 17.17, 95% CI 13.08 to 21.26, one RCT, n = 90, low-quality evidence) quality of life.No data were available on adverse events, specific symptoms or response rates. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The limited evidence available suggests that acupuncture and acupressure may improve both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS when compared to a sham control. There was insufficient evidence to determine whether there was a difference between the groups in rates of adverse events.There is no evidence comparing acupuncture or acupressure versus current ISPMD recommended treatments for PMS such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Further research is required, using validated outcome measures for PMS, adequate blinding and suitable comparator groups reflecting current best practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Armour
- Western Sydney UniversityNICM Health Research InstituteBuilding 5, Campbelltown CampusPenrithNSWAustralia2751
| | - Carolyn C Ee
- Western Sydney UniversityNational Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM)Building 5 Campbelltown CampusLocked Bag 1797PenrithNSWAustralia2751
| | - Jie Hao
- Western Sydney UniversitySchool of Science and HealthLocked Bag 1797PenrithSydneyNew South WalesAustralia2751
| | - Tanya Marie Wilson
- Atticus Health2104‐2106 Frankston‐Flinders RdHastingsVictoriaAustralia3915
| | - Sofia S Yao
- University of Western SydneySchool of Science and HealthNarellan Rd & Gilchrist DrCampbelltownAustralia2560
| | - Caroline A Smith
- Western Sydney UniversityNICM Health Research InstituteBuilding 5, Campbelltown CampusPenrithNSWAustralia2751
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Acupuncture and Related Therapies for Treatment of Postoperative Ileus in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:3178472. [PMID: 30151019 PMCID: PMC6087601 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3178472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Delays in recovery of intestinal function following abdominal surgery are associated with longer hospital stays, increased postoperative complications, and higher costs to the health care system. Studies of acupuncture for postoperative ileus and other postoperative issues have reported improvements. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess whether acupuncture assisted recovery following surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from major English and Chinese language biomedical databases. Participants (aged 18 years plus) had received surgical resection for CRC. 22 studies (1,628 participants) were included. Five were sham-controlled. Outcomes included gastrointestinal function recovery (21 studies), recovery of urinary function (1 study), postoperative abdominal distension (3 studies), and quality of life (1 study). Meta-analyses found significant reductions in time to first bowel sounds, first flatus, and first defecation in both the sham-controlled and nonblinded studies. These results suggested that the addition of acupuncture following CRC surgery improved recovery of gastrointestinal function based on four blinded good quality RCTs (281 participants) and 17 nonblinded lower quality RCTs (1,265 participants). The best available evidence was for interventions that included electroacupuncture at the point ST36 Zusanli and there is supporting evidence for other types of acupuncture therapies that involve stimulation of this point. This review is registered with the following: systematic review registration in PROSPERO: CRD42017079590.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Acupuncture is now recommended for several chronic pain conditions. Despite supportive evidence of its effectiveness, this ancient approach is often misunderstood, and may still be underused in mainstream practice. A critical review on its effectiveness and practice integration, and mechanisms of action is essential to the medical community that is continuing to seek nonopioid therapies for chronic pain. RECENT FINDINGS Mounting evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat chronic low back, neck, shoulder, and knee pain, as well as headaches. Additional data are emerging that support the use of acupuncture as an adjunct or alternative to opioids, and in perioperative settings. Findings related to its mechanisms of action include transient receptor potential cation channel vanilloid 1 activation in the periphery, microglial suppression in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord, and regulation of cytokines and other key inflammatory factors in the spinal cord. Incremental integration of acupuncture into pain medicine practices and training programmes continues to grow. SUMMARY Acupuncture is effective, safe, and cost-effective for treating several chronic pain conditions when performed by well-trained healthcare professionals. Further studies on its use as an adjunct or alternative to opioids, and in perioperative settings are needed.
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Kim BH, Kim MH, Kang SH, Nam HJ. Optimizing acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome: a systematic review. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 18:145. [PMID: 29724255 PMCID: PMC5934900 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a former meta-analysis review, acupuncture was considered a potentially effective treatment for dry eye syndrome (DES), but there were heterogeneities among the outcomes. We updated the meta-analysis and conducted subgroup analysis to reduce the heterogeneity and suggest the most effective acupuncture method based on clinical trials. METHODS We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in 10 databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTAL, AMED, SCOPUS, CNKI, Wangfang database, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Koreamed, J-stage) and searched by hand to compare the effects of acupuncture and artificial tears (AT). We also conducted subgroup analysis by (1) method of intervention (acupuncture only or acupuncture plus AT), (2) intervention frequency (less than 3 times a week or more than 3 times a week), (3) period of treatment (less than 4 weeks or more than 4 weeks), and (4) acupoints (BL1, BL2, ST1, ST2, TE23, Ex-HN5). The Bucher method was used for subgroup comparisons. RESULTS Nineteen studies with 1126 patients were included. Significant improvements on the Schirmer test (weighted mean difference[WMD], 2.14; 95% confidence interval[CI], 0.93 to 3.34; p = 0.0005) and break up time (BUT) (WMD, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.18; p < 0.00001) were reported. In the subgroup analysis, acupuncture plus AT treatment had a weaker effect in BUT but a stronger effect on the Schirmer test and a better overall effect than acupuncture alone. For treatment duration, treatment longer than 1 month was more effective than shorter treatment. With regard to treatment frequency, treatment less than three times a week was more effective than more frequent treatment. In the acupoint analysis, acupuncture treatment including the BL2 and ST1 acupoints was less effective than treatment that did not include them. None of those factors reduced the heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture was more effective than AT in treating DES but showed high heterogeneity. Intervention differences did not influence the heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Hyun Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02453 Republic of Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447 Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02453 Republic of Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, 892, Dongnam-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hyun Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02453 Republic of Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447 Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jeong Nam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02453 Republic of Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447 Republic of Korea
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is recognised as a major public health problem that has a substantial impact on individuals and on society. People with depression may consider using complementary therapies such as acupuncture, and an increasing body of research has been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of individuals with depression. This is the second update of this review. OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness and adverse effects of acupuncture for treatment of individuals with depression.To determine:• Whether acupuncture is more effective than treatment as usual/no treatment/wait list control for treating and improving quality of life for individuals with depression.• Whether acupuncture is more effective than control acupuncture for treating and improving quality of life for individuals with depression.• Whether acupuncture is more effective than pharmacological therapies for treating and improving quality of life for individuals with depression.• Whether acupuncture plus pharmacological therapy is more effective than pharmacological therapy alone for treating and improving quality of life for individuals with depression.• Whether acupuncture is more effective than psychological therapies for treating and improving quality of life for individuals with depression.• Adverse effects of acupuncture compared with treatment as usual/no treatment/wait list control, control acupuncture, pharmacological therapies, and psychological therapies for treatment of individuals with depression. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases to June 2016: Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group Controlled Trials Register (CCMD-CTR), Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), DBPIA (Korean article database website), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Research Information Service System (RISS), Korea Med, Korean Medical Database (KM base), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), as well as several Korean medical journals. SELECTION CRITERIA Review criteria called for inclusion of all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing acupuncture versus control acupuncture, no treatment, medication, other structured psychotherapies (cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, or counselling), or standard care. Modes of treatment included acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and laser acupuncture. Participants included adult men and women with depression diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), or Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders Third Edition Revised (CCMD-3-R). If necessary, we used trial authors' definitions of depressive disorder. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We performed meta-analyses using risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes and standardised mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Primary outcomes were reduction in the severity of depression, measured by self-rating scales or by clinician-rated scales, and improvement in depression, defined as remission versus no remission. We assessed evidence quality using the GRADE method. MAIN RESULTS This review is an update of previous versions and includes 64 studies (7104 participants). Most studies were at high risk of performance bias, at high or unclear risk of detection bias, and at low or unclear risk of selection bias, attrition bias, reporting bias, and other bias.Acupuncture versus no treatment/wait list/treatment as usualWe found low-quality evidence suggesting that acupuncture (manual and electro-) may moderately reduce the severity of depression by end of treatment (SMD -0.66, 95% CI -1.06 to -0.25, five trials, 488 participants). It is unclear whether data show differences between groups in the risk of adverse events (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.24, one trial, 302 participants; low-quality evidence).Acupuncture versus control acupuncture (invasive, non-invasive sham controls)Acupuncture may be associated with a small reduction in the severity of depression of 1.69 points on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) by end of treatment (95% CI -3.33 to -0.05, 14 trials, 841 participants; low-quality evidence). It is unclear whether data show differences between groups in the risk of adverse events (RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.86, five trials, 300 participants; moderate-quality evidence).Acupuncture versus medicationWe found very low-quality evidence suggesting that acupuncture may confer small benefit in reducing the severity of depression by end of treatment (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.05, 31 trials, 3127 participants). Studies show substantial variation resulting from use of different classes of medications and different modes of acupuncture stimulation. Very low-quality evidence suggests lower ratings of adverse events following acupuncture compared with medication alone, as measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (mean difference (MD) -4.32, 95% CI -7.41 to -1.23, three trials, 481 participants).Acupuncture plus medication versus medication aloneWe found very low-quality evidence suggesting that acupuncture is highly beneficial in reducing the severity of depression by end of treatment (SMD -1.15, 95% CI -1.63 to -0.66, 11 trials, 775 participants). Studies show substantial variation resulting from use of different modes of acupuncture stimulation. It is unclear whether differences in adverse events are associated with different modes of acupuncture (SMD -1.32, 95% CI -2.86 to 0.23, three trials, 200 participants; very low-quality evidence).Acupuncture versus psychological therapyIt is unclear whether data show differences between acupuncture and psychological therapy in the severity of depression by end of treatment (SMD -0.5, 95% CI -1.33 to 0.33, two trials, 497 participants; low-quality evidence). Low-quality evidence suggests no differences between groups in rates of adverse events (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.33, one trial, 452 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The reduction in severity of depression was less when acupuncture was compared with control acupuncture than when acupuncture was compared with no treatment control, although in both cases, results were rated as providing low-quality evidence. The reduction in severity of depression with acupuncture given alone or in conjunction with medication versus medication alone is uncertain owing to the very low quality of evidence. The effect of acupuncture compared with psychological therapy is unclear. The risk of adverse events with acupuncture is also unclear, as most trials did not report adverse events adequately. Few studies included follow-up periods or assessed important outcomes such as quality of life. High-quality randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to examine the clinical efficacy and acceptability of acupuncture, as well as its effectiveness, compared with acupuncture controls, medication, or psychological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Smith
- Western Sydney UniversityNational Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM)Locked Bag 1797PenrithNew South WalesAustralia2751
| | - Mike Armour
- Western Sydney UniversityNational Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM)Locked Bag 1797PenrithNew South WalesAustralia2751
| | - Myeong Soo Lee
- Korea Institute of Oriental MedicineClinical Research Division461‐24 Jeonmin‐dong, Yuseong‐guDaejeonKorea, South34054
| | - Li‐Qiong Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineCentre for Evidence‐Based Chinese MedicineNo.11 East Road of North 3rd Ring, Chaoyang DistrictBeijingChina100029
| | - Phillipa J Hay
- Western Sydney UniversityCentre for Health ResearchPenrithNew South WalesAustralia2751
- James Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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Oh B, Eade T, Kneebone A, Hruby G, Lamoury G, Pavlakis N, Clarke S, Zaslawski C, Marr I, Costa D, Back M. Acupuncture in Oncology: The Effectiveness of Acupuncture May Not Depend on Needle Retention Duration. Integr Cancer Ther 2017; 17:458-466. [PMID: 29094616 PMCID: PMC6041915 DOI: 10.1177/1534735417734912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Guidelines surrounding optimum needle retention duration in acupuncture have not been established, despite a growing evidence base for acupuncture over recent decades. This retrospective study explored the effect of varying acupuncture needle retention durations in cancer patients. Method. Patients received either 2 (n = 35), 10 (n = 53), or 20 minutes (n = 54) of acupuncture once a week for 6 weeks. Outcomes of anxiety and depression, stress, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL), with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life, were measured at baseline and at 6 weeks following the intervention. Results. The mean age of participants was 58 years (n = 152). The majority were female, diagnosed with breast cancer. Depression, stress, fatigue, and QOL were significantly improved in all 3 groups at 6 weeks postintervention. No significant differences in all outcomes were found between the 3 groups (≤2 vs 10 minutes vs 20 minutes). There were no differences with the satisfaction of the acupuncture services and perceived efficacy of acupuncture among the 3 groups. More than 95% of participants indicated that they would recommend acupuncture to other cancer patients, friends, and their family members. Conclusion. The efficacy of acupuncture may not only depend on needle retention duration, but may also be associated with multiple factors. Considering the limitations of this study design, robust randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeongsang Oh
- 1 Sydney Medical School, NSW, Australia.,2 University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Costa
- 3 University of Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
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Carr DJ. In this Issue. Acupunct Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David John Carr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Zhao MY, Zhang P, Li J, Wang LP, Zhou W, Wang YX, She YF, Ma LX, Wang P, Hu NJ, Lin C, Hu SQ, Wu GW, Wang YF, Sun JJ, Jiang SZ, Zhu J. Influence of de qi on the immediate analgesic effect of SP6 acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and cold and dampness stagnation: a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Acupunct Med 2017; 35:332-338. [PMID: 28698243 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this multicentre randomised controlled trial was to investigate the contribution of de qi to the immediate analgesic effect of acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and the specific traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis cold and dampness stagnation. METHOD Eighty-eight patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and cold and dampness stagnation were randomly assigned to de qi (n=43) or no de qi (n=45) groups and underwent 30 min of SP6 acupuncture. The de qi group received deep needling at SP6 with manipulation using thick needles; the no de qi group received shallow needling with no manipulation using thin needles. In both groups the pain scores and actual de qi sensation were evaluated using a visual analogue scale for pain (VAS-P) and the acupuncture de qi clinical assessment scale (ADCAS), respectively. RESULTS Both groups showed reductions in VAS-P, with no signficant differences between groups. ADCAS scores showed 43/43 and 25/45 patients in de qi and no de qi groups, respectively, actually experienced de qi sensation. Independent of original group allocation, VAS-P reductions associated with actual de qi (n=68) were greater than those without (28.4±18.19 mm vs 14.6±12.28 mm, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS This study showed no significant difference in VAS-P scores in patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and cold and dampness stagnation immediately after SP6 acupuncture designed to induce or avoid de qi sensation. Both treatments significantly reduced VAS-P relative to baseline. Irrespective of group allocation, patients experiencing actual de qi sensation demonstrated larger reductions in pain score relative to those without, suggesting greater analgesic effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-13003086); Results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Yi Zhao
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Peng Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Huguosi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Xia Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Fen She
- Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Liang-Xiao Ma
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,The Key Unit of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Evaluation of Characteristic Acupuncture Therapy, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Wang
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ni-Juan Hu
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chi Lin
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,School of Acupuncture, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shang-Qin Hu
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Wen Wu
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Feng Wang
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Jun Sun
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Zhu Jiang
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,The Key Unit of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Evaluation of Characteristic Acupuncture Therapy, Beijing, China
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Manual acupuncture plus usual care versus usual care alone in the treatment of endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2017; 4:10. [PMID: 28694989 PMCID: PMC5500924 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-017-0152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis is the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain worldwide. Non-surgical treatments are effective for only 30–50% of women and have a significant side effect burden that leads to high discontinuation rates. Surgery can be effective but is expensive and invasive, and symptoms tend to recur within 5 years. There is early evidence that acupuncture may be effective in treating endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain, showing clinically significant analgesia. Both levels of inflammation and pain processing have been shown to be altered in women with chronic pelvic pain. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammation and change central pain processing in other conditions, but research on women with endometriosis is currently lacking. The aim of this feasibility study is to provide data on recruitment rates, retention, appropriateness of outcome measures, minimal clinically important difference in numeric rated scales for pain and the potential effect of acupuncture on pain processing and markers of inflammation in endometriosis-related CPP. Methods We will include women aged 18–45 years with a diagnosis of endometriosis via laparoscopy in the past 5 years. A total of 30 participants will be recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive acupuncture or usual care. Women in the acupuncture group will receive two 45-min treatment sessions per week for 8 weeks (total of 16 sessions). Women in the usual care group will continue with their current treatment regimen. The primary feasibility outcomes are recruitment rates, retention rates and the safety and acceptability of the intervention; secondary patient-centred outcomes include a change in 0–10 daily pelvic pain ratings, the Endometriosis Health Profile 30 (EHP-30) and changes in conditioned pain modulation, resting and task-related EEG activity and inflammatory markers. Analyses will be performed blind to group allocation. Discussion This is a two-armed, assessor blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial. Data will be compared at baseline and trial completion 8 weeks later. Outcomes from this feasibility study will inform a larger, fully powered clinical trial should the treatment show trends for potential effectiveness. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12617000053325 (http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12617000053325.aspx). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40814-017-0152-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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