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Luo Q, Sun M, Xu G, Tian H, Yang C, Huang L, Li X, Wang Z, Lu G, Yang Z, Ji L, Liang F. Exploration of quantitative-effectiveness association between acupuncture temporal parameters and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 2024; 82:103048. [PMID: 38734186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a globally common chronic respiratory disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Acupuncture has been proven effective for COPD. A dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the acupuncture temporal parameters(session, frequency, and duration) and its effectiveness in patients with stable COPD. METHODS Acupuncture randomized controlled trials on COPD were searched in eight databases from their inception to June 2023. The "doses" were defined as the acupuncture session, frequency, and duration. The outcomes mainly included Forced Expiratory Volume in one-second rate (FEV1%) and Six-minute Walking Distance (6MWD). The assessment of bias risk and literature quality were conducted independently using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Standards for reporting interventions in clinical trials of acupuncture. The dose-response relationship was modeled using robust error element regression, and meta-analysis was operated by R 4.3.1 and Stata 15.0. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42023401406. RESULT Out of 1669 records, 17 RCTs with 1165 participants were finally included in the meta-analysis. There was notable heterogeneity among the studies, but sensitivity analysis demonstrated good robustness. The findings revealed a significant improvement in the following outcomes for stable COPD patients in the acupuncture group: FEV1% (MD=3.50, 95%CI: 2.05-4.95), 6MWD (MD=47.39, 95%CI: 29.29-65.50), St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ; MD=-8.25, 95%CI: -11.38 to -5.12); COPD assessment test (CAT; MD=-2.91, 95%CI: -3.99 to -1.83). The relationship between the acupuncture session, duration, and FEV1%, 6MWD followed a "Λ" curve pattern, while the relationship between acupuncture frequency and FEV1%, 6MWD exhibited logarithmic growth. Firstly, After 12 acupuncture sessions, FEV1% and 6MWD increased by 7.06% (95%CI: 4.56-9.55) and 36.28 m (95%CI: 20.37-52.20), respectively. The peak improvement in FEV1% and 6MWD was observed after 18 acupuncture sessions (MD=7.89, 95% CI: 5.33-10.45) and 45 sessions (MD=125.43, 95% CI: 72.80-178.07) each. Additionally, weekly acupuncture resulted in a 4.14% improvement in FEV1% (95% CI: 2.55-5.72) and a 42.49 m increase in 6MWD (95%CI: 17.16-67.81). Notably, the maximum effects on FEV1% and 6MWD improvement were achieved with different acupuncture frequencies, specifically three times a week (MD=6.00, 95% CI: 5.34-6.66) and once a day(MD=112.41, 95% CI: 77.27-147.56), respectively. Furthermore, after a 28-day duration of acupuncture treatment, FEV1% increased by 4.74% (95% CI: 3.73-5.75) and 6MWD increased by 47.34 m (95%CI: 22.01-72.67). During 60 days of acupuncture treatment, the FEV1% and 6MWD improvement reached their highest levels at 8.76% (95% CI: 7.05-10.47) and 88.06 m (95% CI: 45.96-130.16), respectively. CONCLUSION Acupuncture was effective in improving FEV1%, 6MWD, SGRQ, and CAT in patients with stable COPD. There was a dose-response relationship between the time parameters of acupuncture (session, frequency, and duration) and the efficacy of COPD treatment (FEV1% and 6MWD). The minimal clinically important difference could be achieved after 12 acupuncture sessions. Acupuncture with a medium-frequency (2-3 times per week) over 60 days may result in the greatest improvement in FEV1%, while higher-frequency acupuncture (5-7 times per week) for 2 months may lead to the maximum improvements in 6MWD. It indicated that the optimal acupuncture duration for different indicators remains consistent, while the optimal frequencies may differ. To confirm these results, it is necessary to conduct multicenter, large-scale randomized controlled trials. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required for literature-based studies. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Luo
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingsheng Sun
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; Sichuan Clinical Research Center of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu, China
| | - Guixing Xu
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Tian
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liuyang Huang
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Li
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangbing Lu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Meishan Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Meishan, China
| | - Zuoqin Yang
- Department of acupuncture and moxibustion, Pidu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Laixi Ji
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China; School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Fanrong Liang
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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Lindén Dahle M, Alræk T, Musial F. An Acupuncture Protocol for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Delphi Process. Complement Med Res 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38631296 DOI: 10.1159/000538750] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a widespread disorder, and the worldwide incidence is rapidly increasing. Acupuncture, an intervention out of the spectrum of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long tradition as treatment for ED. Nonetheless, a best-practice treatment protocol is currently missing. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed a huge diversity of acupuncture treatments for ED and concluded that there is an urgent need to standardise acupuncture treatment for ED. Consequently, the authors conducted a Delphi process with the aim to achieve an expert consensus as a basis for the development of a best-practice protocol. METHODS The Delphi process consisted of four rounds of questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions. Eleven acupuncture experts participated. The therapeutic aim was defined as "to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual satisfaction." RESULTS Consensus was achieved on 24 acupoints corresponding to 12 TCM syndromes. The syndromes were KI Yang xu, KI Yin xu, KI Qi xu, Ki and HT not harmonised, LR Qi Stagnation, LR Qi stagnation and Heat, Liver Blood xu, Liver Blood xu and Liver Qi stagnation, Damp-heat sinking to the lower Jiao5, HT and GB Qi xu, SP xu and HT Blood xu, Yin xu. The suggested optimal dose was between 11 and 15 treatments given once or twice a week. CONCLUSION An expert consensus-based, semi-standardised best-practice treatment protocol for the treatment of ED was developed. Moreover, the Delphi process also revealed inconsistencies as to which signs and symptoms constitute a TCM syndrome. Further Delphi studies including a broader range of experts from various acupuncture traditions are needed to establish further agreement. Nonetheless, the best-practice protocol introduced in this study provides a first point of departure for the implementation of a more standardised treatment approach. Moreover, since a recent meta-analysis concluded that more high-quality clinical studies on the topic are needed, this study provides a first standardised acupuncture treatment protocol for ED.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terje Alræk
- School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway
- National Research Centre in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Frauke Musial
- National Research Centre in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Moro MZ, de Oliveira Vidal EI, Pinheiro Módolo NS, Bono Fukushima F, Moreira de Barros GA. Dry needling, trigger point electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius: a randomised clinical trial. Acupunct Med 2024; 42:3-13. [PMID: 37905789 DOI: 10.1177/09645284231207865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare trigger point (TrP) dry needling, TrP electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture of the trapezius muscle for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). METHODS This randomised clinical trial included 90 patients divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with dry needling of TrPs, group 2 with intramuscular electrical stimulation of TrPs, and group 3 with electroacupuncture of motor points and/or the spinal accessory nerve. Each group received seven treatment sessions. The outcomes were the pain score measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life evaluated by the 12-item short form (SF-12) health questionnaire. We compared the pain outcome over serial time points using growth curve analysis methods. RESULTS Participants in the three groups experienced significant improvements in pain scores over time. The average pain level of participants in group 3 across the repeated assessments was 0.98 units lower than in group 1 (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.74-0.23)), p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in pain scores between participants in groups 1 and 2, and there were no significant differences in quality of life across the three groups at the end of the treatment period. CONCLUSION Our results provide evidence that electrical stimulation of motor points and/or of the spinal accessory nerve may be superior in terms of pain relief (but not quality of life) to dry needling and possibly electrical stimulation of trigger points for the management of MPS involving the trapezius. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER TRIAL-RBR-43R7RF (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Zuccolotto Moro
- Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Edison Iglesias de Oliveira Vidal
- Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Norma Sueli Pinheiro Módolo
- Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Bono Fukushima
- Department of Surgical Specialties and Anesthesiology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
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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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Giovanardi CM, Gonzalez-Lorenzo M, Poini A, Marchi E, Culcasi A, Ursini F, Faldini C, Di Martino A, Mazzanti U, Campesato E, Matrà A, Cevoli S, Benedetti MG. Acupuncture as an alternative or in addition to conventional treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Med Res 2023; 12:100972. [PMID: 37637183 PMCID: PMC10448023 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Conventional therapies (CTs), pharmacological (PH) and non-pharmacological (NPH), do not always achieve benefits in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP). We assessed efficacy and safety of acupuncture for CLBP as alternative or addition to CT. Methods We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture alone or in combination with CT to CT. We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase up to May 2022. We assessed risk of bias with the original Cochrane tool and GRADE certainty of evidence. Results were pooled through meta-analysis. Results Ten RCTs (2122 participants) were included comparing acupuncture versus CT and 4 RCTs (374 participants) were comparing acupuncture plus CT to CT alone. In terms of comparing acupuncture with NPH or PH, no differences were found for pain and disability. Comparing acupuncture with PH and NPH combined, pain and disability were reduced (SMD=-0.50, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.37; SMD=-0.71, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.24). Comparing acupuncture plus NPH with NPH alone, pain and disability were reduced (SMD=-0.70, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.46; SMD=-0.95, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.54). Comparing acupuncture plus PH with PH alone, pain and disability were reduced (MD=-0.21, 95% CI -433.28 to -10.42; MD=-3.1, 95% CI -4.87 to -1.83). Comparing acupuncture plus combined treatment versus combined treatment alone, no differences were found in pain, while disability was reduced (MD=-3.40 95% CI -5.17 to -1.63). No studies assessed adverse event. Certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Conclusions We are uncertain whether acupuncture is more effective and safer than CT. In the comparisons without estimates' imprecision, acupuncture showed promising results. Acupuncture could be an option based on patients' preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marien Gonzalez-Lorenzo
- Laboratorio di Metodologia delle Revisioni Sistematiche e Produzione di Linee Guida, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Poini
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, State Hospital - Republic of San Marino (SMR), Italy
| | - Eleonora Marchi
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Culcasi
- Medicine & Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Ursini
- Medicine & Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cesare Faldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- 1st Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- 1st Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Campesato
- UO Anaestesia and Pain Therapy Unit Melotti, Department of Emergency and Urgency, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annunzio Matrà
- Italian Federation of Acupuncture Societies, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabina Cevoli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Benedetti
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Chang X, Zhu Y, Zhao W, Liu Y, He Y, Chen Y, Xu D, Mao JJ, Zhang HB. Electro-acupuncture for health-related quality of life and symptoms in patients with gastric cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy (EAGER): a protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2023; 21:70. [PMID: 37434165 PMCID: PMC10334569 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-023-02135-9] [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: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with local gastric cancer experience a decline of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during adjuvant chemotherapy following gastrectomy. Our previous pilot study has indicated the potential of acupuncture to improve HRQOL and control cancer-related symptoms burden. This full-scale trial will focus on confirming the effect of acupuncture for patients with gastric cancer. METHODS A multicenter, open-label, three-arm randomized controlled trial with 249 patients will be conducted in China. Patients will be randomly assigned, in a ratio of 1:1:1, to receive high-dose acupuncture (HA, 7 times each chemo-cycle for 3 cycles), low-dose acupuncture (LA, 3 times each chemo-cycle for 3 cycles), or no acupuncture. The acupoints prescription consisted of bilateral ST36, PC6, SP4, DU20, EX-HN3, and selected Back-shu points. Patients-reported Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga) and modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (mESAS) during the therapy will be recorded. Area under curve (AUC, 21 days/cycle × 3 cycles) and average trajectory of FACT-Ga and mESAS will be calculated. The primary outcome will be the differences in AUC of the FACT-Ga Trial Outcome Index (TOI) between HA and LA versus control groups. Secondary outcomes include AUCs and average trajectory of other FACT-Ga subscales and mESAS scores. DISCUSSION This study aims to assess the effect of acupuncture and to compare the difference between LA and HA groups on HRQOL and symptom burden controlling in gastric cancer patients by an adequately powered trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: BF2018-118) with registration at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04360577).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Chang
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjuan Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Zhao
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihan He
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danghan Xu
- Rehabilitation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun J Mao
- Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Hai-Bo Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Lei S, Fan J, Liu X, Xv X, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Zhuang L. Qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis of acupuncture effects on the motor function of Parkinson's disease patients. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1125626. [PMID: 37229426 PMCID: PMC10203172 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1125626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the association between acupuncture sessions and its effects on the motor function of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Methods Eight databases and two clinical trials registries were searched from inception to August 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture, or antiparkinsonian drugs, were included. After qualitative meta-analysis, a non-linear meta regression approach with restricted cubic spline was used to investigate the dose-response relationship between acupuncture sessions and their efficacy on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) score. Subgroup meta-analysis was performed of the included studies according to the weekly acupuncture frequency. And finally, the included studies containing the determination of intermediate efficacy were compared. Results Of the 268 citations screened, 16 studies (462 patients of PD) were included. The qualitative meta-analysis showed that the acupuncture group had better effect on UPDRS-III scores than the control group. And the quantitative meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture dose was correlated with the reduction of UPDRS-III score in PD patients with motor symptoms. In subgroup analysis, on the one hand, when the frequency of acupuncture was no more than 3 times a week, with the increase of acupuncture session, the changes of UPDRS-III score decreased and then increased (P = 0.000). On the other hand, when acupuncture for more than 3 times a week and the dose of acupuncture treatment was <60 times, the changes of UPDRS-III score increased with the increase of acupuncture dose, but the score stopped to decrease if the dose continued to increase (P = 0.020). The comparative analysis of two quantitative RCTs found that the score improvement was more significant at the higher weekly acupuncture frequency. Interpretation This study found that when treating PD patients with motor symptoms, acupuncture treatment may need to reach a certain dose to obtain better therapeutic effect and excessive acupuncture stimulation may cause the body to develop a certain tolerance. However, the above results still need to be verified by more high-quality clinical studies. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022351428).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suying Lei
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingqi Fan
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Liu
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xv
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Zhang
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zipu Zhou
- The First Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lixing Zhuang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Approach to Assess Adequacy of Acupuncture in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review. Chin J Integr Med 2023:10.1007/s11655-023-3691-3. [PMID: 36790553 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-023-3691-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize and identify the available instruments/methods assessing the adequacy of acupuncture in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for proposing a new improved instrument. METHODS A systematic literature search was carried out in 7 electronic databases from inception until 21st November 2022. Any study evaluating the adequacy or quality of acupuncture, specifying specific acupuncture treatment-related factors as criteria of subgroup analysis, or developing an instrument/tool to assess the adequacy or quality of acupuncture in an RCT was included. Basic information, characteristics and contents of acupuncture adequacy assessment were presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS Forty studies were included in this systematic review. Thirty-five studies (87.50%) were systematic reviews, none of which used formal methods to develop the assessment instruments/methods of acupuncture adequacy; of 5 methodological studies, only 1 study used a relatively formal method. Thirty-two studies (82.05%) assessed the components of acupuncture, while 7 (17.95%) assessed the overall quality of acupuncture. An independent assessment instrument/method was used to assess acupuncture adequacy in 29 studies (74.35%), whereas as one part of a methodological quality assessment scale in 10 (25.65%). Only 9 (23.00%) studies used the assessment results for subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis or the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION Assessment contents for adequacy or quality of acupuncture in RCTs hadn't still reached consensus and no widely used assessment tools appeared. The methodology of available assessment instruments/scales is far from formal and rigorous. A new instrument/tool assessing adequacy of acupuncture should be developed using a formal method.
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Chen B, Wang CC, Lee KH, Xia JC, Luo Z. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Nurs Health 2023; 46:48-67. [PMID: 36509453 PMCID: PMC10108109 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22284] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is widely accepted as a therapeutic option for managing depression. However, evidence from clinical trials remains controversial. This review aims to synthesize the best available evidence on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in managing depression. The review was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Five databases and the relevant trial registries were searched from the inception to October 2021. Randomized clinical trials of acupuncture for managing depression, published in English, were selected for inclusion. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Netmeta and dmetar of R packages were used to conduct a network meta-analysis. Twenty-two trials with 2391 participants were eligible and included in the analysis. This review found evidence that electroacupuncture (EA) plus antidepressant achieved superior outcomes compared with the waitlist (standardized mean difference = -8.86, 95% confidence interval: -14.78 to -2.93). The treatment ranking of different interventions in improving depression symptoms indicated that EA plus antidepressant with a probability of 0.8294, followed by manual acupuncture (MA) plus antidepressant (0.6470) and MA (0.5232). Acupuncture, either in isolation or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment, has clinical benefits and can be considered a safe option for managing depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binglei Chen
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Carol Chunfeng Wang
- National School of Nursing, Midwifery, Health Science & PhysiotherapyThe University of Notre Dame AustraliaFremantleWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Khui Hung Lee
- School of ScienceEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jianhong Cecilia Xia
- School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Zongting Luo
- School of NursingFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouChina
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10
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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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11
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Comparison of the acupuncture manipulation properties of traditional East Asian medicine and Western medical acupuncture. Integr Med Res 2022; 11:100893. [PMID: 36353444 PMCID: PMC9637804 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2022.100893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acupuncture treatments frequently use manipulation techniques. The therapeutic advantages of acupuncture differ depending on the acupuncture manipulation. The purpose of this article was to compare manipulation techniques in traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Methods Manipulation techniques in TEAM and WMA were compared according to purpose, modulating parameters, and indications. The practical understanding of manipulation in terms of acupuncture stimulation intensity was also explored. The TEAM manipulation techniques of twirling and lifting and thrusting are discussed in terms of the objectives of tonification and sedation. Results The main therapeutic effect of WMA is mediated through activation of the nervous system, which is achieved with adequate intensity of needling. The TEAM tonification and sedation techniques were designed to produce mild or intense stimulation, respectively, to elicit varying degrees of deqi sensation. Conclusions Further research is needed to clarify the differences between the TEAM and WMA practices, and to determine whether different needling manipulations affect treatment outcomes.
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12
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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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13
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Zheng X, Yu S, Liu L, Yang H, Wang F, Yang H, Lv X, Yang J. The Dose-Related Efficacy of Acupuncture on Endometrial Receptivity in Infertile Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:858587. [PMID: 35570887 PMCID: PMC9095926 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.858587] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progress has been achieved by using acupuncture widely for poor endometrial receptivity (PER). However, different acupuncture dosages may lead to controversy over efficacy. Objective To evaluate the evidence-based conclusions of dose-related acupuncture on infertile women with PER. Method References were retrieved from nine databases from inception to 26 February 2022. This meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the dose-related efficacy of acupuncture for PER with outcomes of endometrium receptivity (ER) parameters by transvaginal sonography (TVS) and the subsequent pregnancy outcomes in three acupuncture-dose groups: the high-dosage group (three menstrual cycles), the moderate-dosage group (one menstrual cycle), and the low-dosage group (two or four days). Since there remained sufficient heterogeneity among the three subsets, we prespecified seven subgroup variables (four clinical and three methodological) to investigate the heterogeneities. Results A total of 14 RCTs (1,564 women) of moderate or low overall quality were included. The results were different when the dosage of acupuncture was restricted. For the moderate or high-dosage group, CPR and part of ER parameters were improved in the acupuncture group (i.e., CPR: OR = 2.00, 95% CI [1.24, 3.22], p = 0.004, I 2 = 0% in one menstrual cycle; OR = 2.49, 95%CI [1.67, 3.72], p < 0.05, I 2 = 0% in three menstrual cycles). However, for the low-dosage group, no statistical difference was observed in CPR (OR = 0.07, 95% CI [-0.10, 0.23], p = 0.44, I 2 = 82%) and a part of the ER parameters. In subgroup analysis, four subgroup variables (the routine treatment, risk of performance bias, duration of acupuncture treatment, and the age of participants) could explain some of the heterogeneities across all trials. Conclusion The finding indicated that the trend of relatively more acupuncture dosage showed better effects for poor endometrial receptivity among PER women. It remains a potential heterogeneity in our studies. Further high-quality trials with a homogeneity trial design need to be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyi Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liying Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangge Wang
- Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xingyu Lv
- Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
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14
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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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15
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Fei YT, Cao HJ, Xia RY, Chai QY, Liang CH, Feng YT, Du YR, Yu MK, Guyatt G, Thabane L, Lao LX, Liu JP, Zhang YQ. Methodological challenges in design and conduct of randomised controlled trials in acupuncture. BMJ 2022; 376:e064345. [PMID: 35217507 PMCID: PMC8868049 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-064345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Yu-Tong Fei and colleagues examine the problems with designing and implementing trials of acupuncture
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tong Fei
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Juan Cao
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Ru-Yu Xia
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Qian-Yun Chai
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Hao Liang
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Ting Feng
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Ran Du
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Kun Yu
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Gordon Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Li-Xing Lao
- Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, Virginia, USA
| | - Jian-Ping Liu
- Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Excellence in Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Beijing GRADE Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Qing Zhang
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
- Ningbo GRADE Centre, University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Fredy DM, Harpin D, Mihardja H. The role of acupuncture for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in interventional pain management. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 19:213-217. [PMID: 35179004 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2021-0525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this literature review is to describe the role of acupuncture for myofascial pain syndrome in interventional pain management. CONTENT Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can be found at all ages. Approximately 30.0-93.0% of patients with musculoskeletal pain have MPS. Unsuccessful treatment can lead to dysfunction, disability, and a cost burden. We conducted a search of studies published in Google Scholar and PubMed databases from 2016 to 2021. SUMMARY Acupuncture, combined with other therapies, is effective in reducing pain and improving physical function. Acupuncture can enhance endogenous opioids such as endorphins to relieve pain and enhance the healing process. OUTLOOK Acupuncture could be considered as one of nonpharmacological options in Interventional Pain Management for MPS. Interventions with acupuncture are safe and have minimal side effects when performed by a trained and competent practitioner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Marsha Fredy
- Department of Medical Acupuncture, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Indonesia.,Medical Acupuncture Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Darwin Harpin
- Medical Acupuncture Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.,Universitas Indonesia Hospital, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Hasan Mihardja
- Department of Medical Acupuncture, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Indonesia.,Center for the Development and Application of Traditional Medicine of DKI Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
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17
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Davy C, Hughes J. Teaching self-acupuncture survey report. Acupunct Med 2021; 40:333-338. [PMID: 34892982 DOI: 10.1177/09645284211056658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People have been teaching self-acupuncture (SA) in the United Kingdom since 1977. More recently, a small body of research has been conducted on SA. However, detailed guidelines on teaching and delivery of SA have so far, to our knowledge, not been developed. METHODS Acupuncturists were invited to participate in an online survey about their experiences of teaching SA. Data from the survey were extracted, analysed using descriptive statistics and translated into SA teaching guidelines. RESULTS One hundred thirty-eight acupuncturists completed the survey. Nineteen percent of participants had taught SA. The most common symptoms for which acupuncturists taught SA were pain, nausea, anxiety, hot flushes, headaches/migraines and breathlessness. The six most commonly taught traditional acupuncture point locations were LI4, ST36, SP6, PC6, LR3 and TE5. No participants had received reports of adverse effects from their patients. CONCLUSION Acupuncturists who teach SA find it to be an acceptable and safe option for patients. The presented data have important implications for guiding the practice of SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrina Davy
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Hughes
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, London, UK
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18
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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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19
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Supasiri T, Salakshna N, Pongpirul K. Short Practical Regimen of Acupuncture for Melasma: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Thailand. Front Public Health 2021; 9:761017. [PMID: 34805076 PMCID: PMC8599154 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.761017] [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: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture shows benefits for patients with melasma, although no optimal number of sessions have been determined. Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted in melasma patients who were treated with acupuncture procedures two times a week and were evaluated after the 5th and the 10th sessions of acupuncture, with a 1-week follow-up after the last session. Participants Groups A and B received five and 10 acupuncture sessions, respectively. Melasma was assessed by using the melanin index (MI), melasma area and severity index (MASI), patient-reported improvement scores, and acupuncture-related adverse events. Results: Out of 113 participants, 67 received five sessions of acupuncture treatment while 39 received 10 sessions. At 1 week after five sessions of acupuncture in Group A, the mean MI decreased by 28.7 (95% CI −38.5 to −18.8, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 3.4 (95% CI −6.9 to −1.2, p < 0.001) points. At 1 week after ten sessions of acupuncture in Group B, the mean MI decreased by 31.3 (95% CI −45 to −17.6, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 5.4 (95%CI −9.9 to −3, p < 0.001) points. The first five sessions of acupuncture had a higher incremental effect than the last five sessions, although there was no statistically significant difference. Twenty-nine participants reported minor side effects. Group B had a risk ratio (RR) of having adverse events 1.8 times (95% CI 1.0–3.4, p = 0.05) compared with Group A. Conclusion: Short acupuncture regimens of 5–10 sessions in melasma seem to be effective and practical with minor side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanan Supasiri
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuntida Salakshna
- Samitivej Esthetics Institute, Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.,Science Division, Mahidol University International College, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Krit Pongpirul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of International Health and Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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20
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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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21
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Liu R, Zhang K, Tong QY, Cui GW, Ma W, Shen WD. Acupuncture for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:109. [PMID: 33794857 PMCID: PMC8017746 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03277-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acupuncture for post-stroke depression (PSD) has been evolving, but uncertainty remains. To assess the existing evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for PSD, we sought to draw conclusions by synthesizing RCTs. Methods An exhaustive literature search was conducted in seven electronic databases from their inception dates to April 19, 2020, to identify systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) on this topic. The primary RCTs included in the SRs/MAs were identified. We also conducted a supplementary search for RCTs published from January 1, 2015, to May 12, 2020. Two reviewers extracted data separately and pooled data using RevMan 5.3 software. The quality of evidence was critically appraised with the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results A total of 17 RCTs involving 1402 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that participants who received a combination of acupuncture and conventional treatments exhibited significantly lower scores on the HAM-D17, HAM-D24 and HAM-D (MD, − 5.08 [95% CI, − 6.48 to − 3.67], I2 = 0%), (MD, − 9.72 [95% CI, − 14.54 to − 4.91], I2 = 65%) and (MD, − 2.72 [95% CI, − 3.61 to − 1.82], respectively) than those who received conventional treatment. However, there was no significant difference in acupuncture versus antidepressants in terms of the 17-item, 24-item and HAM-D scales (MD, − 0.43 [95% CI, − 1.61 to 0.75], I2 = 51%), (MD, − 3.09 [95% CI, − 10.81 to 4.63], I2 = 90%) and (MD, − 1.55 [95% CI, − 4.36 to 1.26], I2 = 95%, respectively). For adverse events, acupuncture was associated with fewer adverse events than antidepressants (RR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.39], I2 = 35%), but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events between the combination of acupuncture and conventional treatments versus conventional treatments (RR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.21 to 1.83], I2 = 38%). The quality of evidence was low to very low due to the substantial heterogeneity among the included studies. Conclusions The current review indicates that acupuncture has greater effect on PSD and better safety profile than antidepressants, but high-quality evidence evaluating acupuncture for PSD is still needed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03277-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Liu
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.,Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.,Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qiu-Yu Tong
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guang-Wei Cui
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.,Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wen Ma
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wei-Dong Shen
- Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,Institute of Acupuncture and Anesthesia, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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22
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Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Wu WZ, Zheng Z. Can acupuncture improve objective sleep indices in patients with primary insomnia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med 2021; 80:244-259. [PMID: 33610071 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of acupuncture for treating primary insomnia (PI) has been explored in several meta-analyses where the outcomes measures were based on subjective self-reported sleep rating scales. Sleep state misperception is common in PI and self-reports underestimate sleep duration and quality. No systematic reviews or meta-analyses have investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in improving objective sleep measures in PI. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic review to determine whether objective sleep parameters are improved by acupuncture in patients with PI. METHODS Randomized controlled trials treating PI via verum-acupuncture versus sham-/placebo-acupuncture or waitlist control were searched for in English [MEDLINE (via PubMed), Sciverse ScienceDirect, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), AMED, Springer, EMBASE (Elsevier), Ebsco Medline, and PsycINFO (ProQuest)] and Chinese (SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang and CQVIP) databases, from the dates of the databases' inception to January 2020. The parameters of polysomnography (PSG), actigraphy, or micromovement sensitive mattress/pillow sleep monitoring systems were considered as the primary outcome measures. Revman 5.3 and Stata 16.0 software were used to conduct the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was examined by using I2 statistics and publication bias was assessed via Egger's test. RESULTS Eleven studies involving 775 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results of meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture can increase total sleep time [MD = 55.29, 95%CI (29.16, 81.42), p < 0.01], increase sleep efficiency [MD = 8.96, 95%CI (3.97, 13.95), p < 0.01], decrease wake after sleep onset [MD = -49.54, 95%CI (-82.98, -16.09), p < 0.01], and reduce number of awakening times [MD = -6.29, 95%CI (-10.75, -1.82), p < 0.01] compared with either sham-/placebo-acupuncture or waitlist control. Subsequent analysis indicated a superior effect for verum-acupuncture in comparison with sham-/placebo-acupuncture or waitlist-control when the recommended lowest threshold dosage (12 sessions) was met. Despite positive outcomes, most studies reviewed were heterogeneous and at risk of bias due to methodological issues. CONCLUSIONS Despite limited evidence, acupuncture was significantly associated with improvements in several objective sleep parameters (increases in total sleep time and sleep efficiency, and reductions in wake after sleep onset and number of awakening times) as well as subjective sleep quantity and quality in patients with PI. A minimum therapeutic threshold dosage (≥12 sessions) is recommended. Well-designed RCTs using PSG are required to clarify the influence of acupuncture on sleep architecture/structure and to promote better application of acupuncture as a treatment for PI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Yi Zhao
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; Department of Nursing, School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang-Qiang Fu
- Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gerard A Kennedy
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Mount Helen, Victoria, 3350, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Russell Conduit
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Wen-Jing Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Zhong Wu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Zhen Zheng
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
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23
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Giovanardi CM, Cinquini M, Aguggia M, Allais G, Campesato M, Cevoli S, Gentili F, Matrà A, Minozzi S. Acupuncture vs. Pharmacological Prophylaxis of Migraine: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Neurol 2021; 11:576272. [PMID: 33391147 PMCID: PMC7773012 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.576272] [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: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Migraine is a chronic paroxymal neurological disorder characterized by attacks of moderate to severe headache and reversible neurological and systemic symptoms. Treatment of migraine includes acute therapies, that aim to reduce the intensity of pain of each attack, and preventive therapies that should decrease the frequency of headache recurrence. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the prophylaxis of episodic or chronic migraine in adult patients compared to pharmacological treatment. Methods: We included randomized-controlled trials published in western languages that compared any treatment involving needle insertion (with or without manual or electrical stimulation) at acupuncture points, pain points or trigger points, with any pharmacological prophylaxis in adult (≥18 years) with chronic or episodic migraine with or without aura according to the criteria of the International Headache Society. Results: Nine randomized trials were included encompassing 1,484 patients. At the end of intervention we found a small reduction in favor of acupuncture for the number of days with migraine per month: (SMD: −0.37; 95% CI −1.64 to −0.11), and for response rate (RR: 1.46; 95% CI 1.16–1.84). We found a moderate effect in the reduction of pain intensity in favor of acupuncture (SMD: −0.36; 95% CI −0.60 to −0.13), and a large reduction in favor of acupuncture in both the dropout rate due to any reason (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.84) and the dropout rate due to adverse event (RR 0.26; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.74). Quality of evidence was moderate for all these primary outcomes. Results at longest follow-up confirmed these effects. Conclusions: Based on moderate certainty of evidence, we conclude that acupuncture is mildly more effective and much safer than medication for the prophylaxis of migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Cinquini
- Laboratory of Clinical Research Methodology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Aguggia
- SOC Neurologia e Centro Cefalee, Ospedale Cardinal Massaia, Asti, Italy
| | - Gianni Allais
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Women's Headache Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Manuela Campesato
- UO Anaestesia and Pain Therapy Unit Melotti, Department of Emergency and Urgency, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabina Cevoli
- IRCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Gentili
- General Practitioner, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Minozzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Research Methodology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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24
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Butts R, Dunning J, Serafino C. Dry needling strategies for musculoskeletal conditions: Do the number of needles and needle retention time matter? A narrative literature review. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2020; 26:353-363. [PMID: 33992269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Acupuncture and dry needling are both minimally invasive procedures that use thin, filiform needles without injectate for the management of a variety of neuromusculoskeletal pain conditions. While the theoretical constructs underlying the use of acupuncture and dry needling are unique, both appear to have the ability to elicit biochemical, biomechanical, endocrinological and neurovascular changes associated with reductions in pain and disability. However, optimal treatment dosage has yet to be determined, and there is a lack of consistency in the literature on the number of needles that should be inserted and the needle retention time. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to further explore the importance of these two variables. While trigger point dry needling advocates single needle insertions via repetitive, quick in-and-out pistoning, most acupuncture and dry needling clinical trials have incorporated multiple needles for five to 40 min. Notably and to date, using a single needle to repeatedly prick trigger points one at a time with fast-in and fast-out pistoning maneuvers has not yet been shown to produce significant and clinically meaningful long term improvements in pain and disability in a wide array of musculoskeletal conditions. Insertion of multiple needles for typically 20-30 min durations has been shown to produce larger treatment effect sizes and longer-lasting outcomes than brief, single-needle strategies. Moreover, the number of needles and needle retention time are two variables associated with treatment dosage and must be carefully matched with specific musculoskeletal conditions and the patient's goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Butts
- Physical Therapist, Research Physical Therapy Specialists, Columbia, SC, USA; Coordinator, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, USA.
| | - James Dunning
- Physical Therapist, Montgomery Osteopractic Physiotherapy & Acupuncture Clinic, Montgomery, AL, USA; Director, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, USA
| | - Clint Serafino
- Physical Therapist, U.S. Armed Forces Europe, Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany; Senior Instructor, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, USA
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25
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Ormsby SM, Smith CA, Dahlen HG, Hay PJ. The feasibility of acupuncture as an adjunct intervention for antenatal depression: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. J Affect Disord 2020; 275:82-93. [PMID: 32658830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal depression is common and associated with adverse consequences for mothers, babies, and future generations. Limitations with conventional approaches has resulted in additional therapies being considered. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of acupuncture for improving mental health. METHODS Fifty-seven pregnant women with depressive symptomologies were randomised to acupuncture (n=19) plus treatment as usual (TAU), progressive muscle relaxation (PMR, n=19) plus TAU or TAU (n=19). Treatments were conducted from 24 to 31 weeks gestation. Clinical assessments were performed throughout the intervention, as well as at a six-week postnatal follow-up. The primary outcome measure was depression. Secondary outcome measurements were stress, anxiety, psychological distress, quality of life and adjustment to mothering. Intention to treat (ITT), Linear Mixed Model (LMM) repeated measures and per protocol (PP) analyses were conducted. RESULTS At end-of-intervention there were significantly lower depression scores in the acupuncture group versus TAU and PMR respectively [ITT p<0.001, mean difference (MD) -5.84 (95% CI -9.10 to -2.58); MD -3.42 (95% CI -6.64 to -0.20)]. LMM repeated measures analysis (including postnatal follow-up) also demonstrated significantly lowered acupuncture group scores for stress (p=0.006) and psychological distress (p<0.001) when compared to PMR and TAU. Between group differences were not significant at six-weeks postnatal. No adverse events were reported. LIMITATIONS Main limitations are small sample size and the use of self-reported outcome measures. CONCLUSION Prenatal acupuncture reduced depression, stress and distress, whilst also being well-tolerated and free from adverse events. Further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Ormsby
- Adjunct Fellow, NICM Health Research Institute, Level 1, Building J, Western Sydney University, Westmead Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
| | - Caroline A Smith
- Professor of Clinical Research, NICM Health Research Institute, Level 1, Building J, Western Sydney University, Westmead Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Hannah G Dahlen
- Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline, Building EB, UWS Parramatta Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
| | - Phillipa J Hay
- Professor of Mental Health, Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine Western Sydney University and Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals SWSLHD, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
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26
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Wang W, Liu Y, Jiao R, Liu S, Zhao J, Liu Z. Comparison of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for patients with plantar heel pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Acupunct Med 2020; 39:272-282. [PMID: 32811186 DOI: 10.1177/0964528420947739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plantar heel pain syndrome (PHPS), also known as plantar fasciitis, affects millions of people worldwide. Electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) are the two acupuncture modalities frequently used for PHPS in the clinical setting. However, which modality is more effective has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE To examine whether EA is more effective than MA with regards to pain relief for patients with PHPS. METHODS Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 12 treatment sessions of EA or MA over 4 weeks with 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the proportion of treatment responders, defined as patients with at least a 50% reduction from baseline in the worst pain intensity experienced during the first steps in the morning after a 4-week treatment, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100; higher scores signify worse pain). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS Ninety-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of PHPS were enrolled from 29 July 2018 through 28 June 2019. Of the patients, 78 (85%) completed the treatment and follow-up. The primary outcome occurred in 54.8% (23/42) of the EA group compared to 50.0% (21/42) of the MA group after the 4-week treatment (difference -4.76, 95% confidence interval, -26.10 to 16.57, P = 0.662). There were no significant between-group differences for any secondary outcomes after 4 weeks of treatment and at 16 weeks and 28 weeks of follow-up. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION Among patients with PHPS, EA did not have a better effect with respect to relieving pain intensity than MA at week 4, although both EA and MA appeared to have positive temporal effects, with decreased heel pain and improved plantar function. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR1800016531 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruimin Jiao
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sixing Liu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhishun Liu
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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27
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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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28
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Qin Z, Ding Y, Xu C, Kwong JSW, Ji Y, Wu A, Wu J, Liu Z. Acupuncture vs Noninsertive Sham Acupuncture in Aging Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Med 2020; 133:500-507.e20. [PMID: 31525334 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture is commonly used to treat degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis in Asian countries. However, rigorous data regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for aging patients are currently lacking. METHODS Eighty patients older than 50 years were assigned randomly to the acupuncture group or the noninsertive sham acupuncture for 24 treatments over an 8-week period. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks of treatment; and 3 and 6 months after completion of treatment. The primary outcome was a change in the 24-point Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire scores at the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes included disability, pain intensity, symptoms, and dysfunction. RESULTS At the end of treatment, mean changes in the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire were -4.1 (95% CI, -4.9 to -3.3) in the acupuncture group and -1.5 (95% CI, -2.3 to -0.7) in the sham group, with a statistically significant between-group difference: -2.6 (95% CI, -3.7 to -1.4). Acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture in reducing pain intensity (between-group difference: -2.9 [95% CI, -3.8 to -2.0] in leg and buttock pain, vs -2.3 [95% CI, -3.0 to -1.5] in back pain), symptoms and dysfunction (between-group difference: -0.9 [95% CI, -1.2 to -0.6] in symptom subscale, and -0.8 [95% CI, -1.1 to -0.5] in dysfunction subscale). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture provides immediate functional recovery and pain relief for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. However, current evidence is insufficient to support the suggestion that acupuncture could offer clinical benefits as compared with noninsertive sham acupuncture for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongshi Qin
- Department of Acupuncture and Neurology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Yulong Ding
- Department of Acupuncture and Neurology, Beijing Fengtai Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Joey S W Kwong
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Acupuncture and Neurology, Beijing Fengtai Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, China
| | - Aimin Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Zhejiang Spine Surgery Centre, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiani Wu
- Department of Acupuncture and Neurology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhishun Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Neurology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Dimitrova A, Colgan DD, Oken B. Local and Systemic Analgesic Effects of Nerve-Specific Acupuncture in Healthy Adults, Measured by Quantitative Sensory Testing. PAIN MEDICINE 2020; 21:e232-e242. [PMID: 31670790 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess whether acupuncture analgesia's effects are local or systemic and whether there is a dose response for these effects. METHODS Twenty-eight healthy volunteers aged 18-45 were randomized to two doses of acupuncture using points closely associated with peripheral nerves in the legs. The lower-dose group involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal nerve (DP), and the higher-dose involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal and posterior tibial nerves (DPTN). Baseline and acupuncture quantitative sensory testing (QST) assessments were obtained locally in the calf and great toe and systemically in the hand. Results were analyzed using factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance for each of the QST variables-cold detection threshold (CDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT), heat pain threshold (HP0.5), and heat pain perception of 5/10 (HP5.0). Location (leg/hand) and time (baseline/acupuncture) were within-subject factors. Intervention (DP/DPTN) was a between-subject factor. RESULTS CDT was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). VDT was increased in the toe (P < 0.001) but not in the hand. HP0.5 was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). HP5.0 was increased in the calf (P = 0.002) and in the hand (P < 0.001), with the local effect being significantly greater than the systemic (P = 0.004). In all of the above QST modalities, there was no difference between the low-dose (DP) and high-dose (DPTN) acupuncture groups. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture caused comparable local and systemic analgesic effects in cold detection and heat pain perception and only local effects in vibration perception. There was no clear acupuncture dose response to these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Dimitrova
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Barry Oken
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Bauer M, McDonald JL, Saunders N. Is acupuncture dose dependent? Ramifications of acupuncture treatment dose within clinical practice and trials. Integr Med Res 2020; 9:21-27. [PMID: 32195114 PMCID: PMC7078379 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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31
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Cardoso R, Lumini-Oliveira JA, Santos MJ, Ramos B, Matos LC, Machado J, Greten HJ, Franconi G. Acupuncture can be beneficial for exercise-induced muscle soreness: A randomised controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2020; 24:8-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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32
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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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Paley CA, Johnson MI. Acupuncture for the Relief of Chronic Pain: A Synthesis of Systematic Reviews. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 56:E6. [PMID: 31878346 PMCID: PMC7023333 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: It is estimated that 28 million people in the UK live with chronic pain. A biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain is recommended which combines pharmacological interventions with behavioural and non-pharmacological treatments. Acupuncture represents one of a number of non-pharmacological interventions for pain. In the current climate of difficult commissioning decisions and constantly changing national guidance, the quest for strong supporting evidence has never been more important. Although hundreds of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses have been conducted, most have been inconclusive, and this has created uncertainty in clinical policy and practice. There is a need to bring all the evidence together for different pain conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesise SRs of RCTs evaluating the clinical efficacy of acupuncture to alleviate chronic pain and to consider the quality and adequacy of the evidence, including RCT design. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases were searched for English language SRs and meta-analyses on acupuncture for chronic pain. The SRs were scrutinised for methodology, risk of bias and judgement of efficacy. Results: A total of 177 reviews of acupuncture from 1989 to 2019 met our eligibility criteria. The majority of SRs found that RCTs of acupuncture had methodological shortcomings, including inadequate statistical power with a high risk of bias. Heterogeneity between RCTs was such that meta-analysis was often inappropriate. Conclusions: The large quantity of RCTs on acupuncture for chronic pain contained within systematic reviews provide evidence that is conflicting and inconclusive, due in part to recurring methodological shortcomings of RCTs. We suggest that an enriched enrolment with randomised withdrawal design may overcome some of these methodological shortcomings. It is essential that the quality of evidence is improved so that healthcare providers and commissioners can make informed choices on the interventions which can legitimately be provided to patients living with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole A. Paley
- Research and Development Dept, Airedale National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Skipton Road, Steeton, Keighley BD20 6TD, UK
- Centre for Pain Research, School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK;
| | - Mark I. Johnson
- Centre for Pain Research, School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK;
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34
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Ko GWY, Clarkson C. The effectiveness of acupuncture for pain reduction in delayed-onset muscle soreness: a systematic review. Acupunct Med 2019; 38:63-74. [DOI: 10.1177/0964528419887978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective:The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on acupuncture for delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and report upon study quality and treatment outcomes.Design:Systematic review.Data sources:Searches were conducted in the following electronic databases from their inception to 31 March 2018: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED) and SPORTDiscus. Reference lists of all included studies and relevant reviews were hand-searched for additional studies.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies:Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in DOMS in adults measuring the pre-specified primary outcome (pain) were included.Data collection and analysis:Data were extracted using pre-defined extraction forms and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) checklist. Quality of studies was evaluated based on the Cochrane risk of bias assessment.Results:Five RCTs investigating laboratory-induced DOMS in the upper limbs with a total sample size of 182 healthy participants were included. Of the included studies, three reported superiority of acupuncture over no treatment in DOMS pain reduction as measured by visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold or electrical pain threshold, while two studies yielded non-significant results. All studies demonstrated risk of bias in one or more areas, commonly lack of blinding of participants and personnel.Summary/conclusion:There is conflicting to limited evidence to support the effects of acupuncture on the relief of pain associated with DOMS. The findings were confounded by methodological limitations and reporting insufficiency. More rigorous, high-quality, and well-reported RCTs are required to further evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for DOMS.
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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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Sun N, Tu JF, Lin LL, Li YT, Yang JW, Shi GX, Lao LX, Liu CZ. Correlation between acupuncture dose and effectiveness in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Acupunct Med 2019; 37:261-267. [PMID: 31271300 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture is a widely used treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but evidence of its effectiveness from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is contradictory. OBJECTIVE To systematically review RCTs to determine whether the effect of acupuncture is dose dependent for symptom management in knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Seven English/Chinese databases were searched through January 2017. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Slavin's qualitative best-evidence synthesis approach was used to provide methodological rigour. Included RCTs were separated into three categories according to the dose of acupuncture treatment: high dosage (HD), medium dosage (MD) and low dosage (LD). Correlation between dose and effect of treatment was analysed. RESULTS Eight RCTs with a total of 2106 subjects met the eligibility criteria. Numbers of studies using the various doses of acupuncture were 1 for LD, 1 for MD and 6 for HD, respectively. Compared with LD and MD acupuncture treatments, strong evidence showed that there was a positive correlation between HD acupuncture treatment and positive outcomes. CONCLUSION The effect of acupuncture may be associated with dose of acupuncture, with a higher dosage related to better treatment outcomes in terms of relief of pain and dysfunction in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Sun
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Feng Tu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Lu Lin
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Ting Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Weng Yang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guang Xia Shi
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Xing Lao
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cun Zhi Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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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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38
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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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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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Mallory M, Bauer B, Chon T. Occipital Neuralgia Treated With Acupuncture: A Case Report. Glob Adv Health Med 2019; 8:2164956119890546. [PMID: 31819833 PMCID: PMC6883661 DOI: 10.1177/2164956119890546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a case report of a patient whose occipital neuralgia symptoms were substantially improved after a single acupuncture treatment with complete resolution after only a short course of care. The patient, a 78-year-old woman, presented to our institution’s neurology department with symptoms of posterior neck pain and electrical sensations in her head which had been present for more than 1 year. With a desire to avoid pharmacologic intervention or invasive procedures, the patient requested acupuncture treatment. The patient received 5 acupuncture treatments over the course of 8 days with substantial resolution of her head pain after a single treatment. This case is suggestive that acupuncture may be a beneficial treatment for patients with occipital neuralgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Mallory
- Integrative Medicine and Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brent Bauer
- Integrative Medicine and Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tony Chon
- Integrative Medicine and Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Paley CA, Johnson MI. Investigation into the Effects of Using Two Or Four Acupuncture Needles with Bidirectional Rotation on Experimentally-Induced Contact Heat Pain in Healthy Subjects. Acupunct Med 2018; 33:23-9. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2014-010617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Objectives There is growing evidence from experimental studies that the acupuncture dose or technique influences the speed of onset of hypoalgesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture using two or four needles on experimental contact thermal pain in healthy volunteers. Methods Forty two participants were randomised into three groups: four-needle group (LI4, LI11, LI10, TE5), two-needle group (verum at LI4, LI11 and mock at LI10, TE5) and mock acupuncture group (LI4, LI11, LI10, TE5). Each participant rated pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS) to a series of noxious stimuli administered to the forearm 2°C above the heat pain threshold during needling and immediately after removal of the needles. Results Experimentally-induced heat pain intensity (VAS) during and after the intervention was lower than pre-intervention but there were no statistically significant differences in this change between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the time taken for pain intensity to decrease by 33% from pre-intervention. However, a 33% decrease in pain intensity within 3 min of needle insertion was observed for 13 participants (92.9%) in the four-needle group compared with 66.7% of participants in the two-needle group and 57.1% in the mock acupuncture group. There was less variance in VAS in the four-needle group, suggesting more consistency in hypoalgesic response when using more needles. Conclusions There is tentative evidence that four needles may be superior to two needles in generating rapid onset hypoalgesia. The findings suggest that further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole A Paley
- Research & Development, Research Office, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Keighley, UK
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Pallium Research Group, Leeds, UK
| | - Mark I Johnson
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Pallium Research Group, Leeds, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark I Johnson
- Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK
| | - Alex E Benham
- Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK
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Borud EK, Alræk T, White A, Grimsgaard S. The Acupuncture Treatment for Postmenopausal Hot Flushes (Acuflash) Study: Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnoses and Acupuncture Points Used, and Their Relation to the Treatment Response. Acupunct Med 2018; 27:101-8. [DOI: 10.1136/aim.2009.000612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The multicentre, pragmatic, randomised controlled Acuflash study evaluated the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture on postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms and health-related quality of life. It concluded that use of acupuncture in addition to self-care can contribute to a clinically relevant reduction of hot flushes and increased health-related quality of life. This article reports on the TCM syndrome diagnoses and acupuncture points used and their relation to the treatment response, and on treatment reactions and adverse events. Methods The acupuncture group (n = 134) received 10 acupuncture treatment sessions and advice on self-care; the control group (n = 133) received advice on self-care only. The study acupuncturists met the current membership criteria of the Norwegian Acupuncture Society, and had at least 3 years’ experience of practising TCM acupuncture. They were free to diagnose and select acupuncture points for each participant, after initial discussion. Results Fifty per cent of the participants in the acupuncture group were diagnosed with Kidney Yin Xu as their primary TCM syndrome diagnosis. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the syndrome groups regarding the distribution of responders and non-responders, nor regarding the change in health-related quality of life scores. A core of common acupuncture points (SP6, HT6, KI7, KI6, CV4, LU7, LI4, and LR3) were used in all the syndromes, and in addition multiple idiosyncratic points. Core point selection and frequency of use did not differ between responders and non-responders. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Factors other than the TCM syndrome diagnoses and the point selection may be of importance regarding the outcome of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einar Kristian Borud
- The National Research Center in Alternative and Complementary Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Terje Alræk
- The National Research Center in Alternative and Complementary Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Adrian White
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK
| | - Sameline Grimsgaard
- The National Research Center in Alternative and Complementary Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Clinical Research Center, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
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Jing N, Bin W, Fuzhuang W, Hongwei Z, Huaxin S, Ninan Z, Hong Z, Qi X. Effectiveness and safety of auricular acupoint bloodletting in treatment of insomnia: an assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s0254-6272(18)30916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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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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Jones DB. A Call for More Comparative and Basic Science Acupuncture Research. Med Acupunct 2018; 30:68-72. [PMID: 29682146 DOI: 10.1089/acu.2018.1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The acupuncture profession is stymied by a dearth of comparative research. A review of the literature for acupuncture research reveals no meta-analyses comparing the effectiveness of different clinically popular methods/systems of acupuncture. Rather than comparing different methods/systems, acupuncture research seems more focused on determining if acupuncture, in general, works. Objectives: The aim of this Perspective is to examine the current state of acupuncture research and determine what, if any, problems or gaps in this research exist. Materials and Methods: A number of studies are discussed and analyzed to determine the current state of acupuncture research. Results: There is a lack of focus on details related to clinical practice in much of acupuncture research, and there is lack of diversity of point selection and a subsequent lack of comparison of different acupuncture methods in most acupuncture studies. There are, however, some good exceptions. Conclusions: There is a need for more comparative and basic science research-not only to demonstrate the efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture to policymakers and insurers, or to help us know the most potent protocols for certain conditions, but also to instill greater confidence in inexperienced practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Blake Jones
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Atlanta Restorative Acupuncture at MindBody Wellness Atlanta, L.L.C., Atlanta, GA
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Schwehr NA, Shippee ND, Johnson PJ. Acupuncture 'dose' (number of treatments) and insurance benefits in the USA. Acupunct Med 2018; 36:88-95. [PMID: 29475853 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An adequate treatment dose, including a sufficient number of acupuncture treatments, is important for the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for common conditions. OBJECTIVE To examine the characteristics of US adults who used a full course of acupuncture (≥6 treatments), a short course (1-5 treatments) or no acupuncture, including use of insurance benefits for acupuncture among users. METHODS We used population-based survey data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the most current nationally representative data including use of acupuncture. We described subgroups of acupuncture users and used logistic regression to estimate the odds of past year acupuncture use versus non-use and completion of a full treatment course versus a short course. Covariates included demographic factors and health status. Analyses used strata, weights and clustering to account for the complex sample design. RESULTS Among acupuncture users, 38% completed a full course. Acupuncture use was low (1.5%), but odds were higher among women and those with greater education and less poverty. Those who used acupuncture insurance benefits and who had greater education were more likely to receive a full treatment course. Insurance benefits attenuated disparities in use by sex and race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION Nationally, most people who use acupuncture do not receive a full treatment course. Considering evidence of effectiveness, low risk and relatively low cost of delivery, acupuncture could play a larger role in non-pharmaceutical treatment of common conditions such as pain. Policymakers should consider that, without insurance benefits for acupuncture, people are less likely to complete a full treatment course, which may contribute to disparities in use and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Schwehr
- Division of Health Policy and Management School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nathan D Shippee
- Division of Health Policy and Management School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Antipruritic Effect of Acupuncture in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Feasibility Study Protocol for a Randomised, Sham-Controlled Trial. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2017:1926806. [PMID: 29358961 PMCID: PMC5735323 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1926806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to test the feasibility of a randomised clinical trial to evaluate how acupuncture affects atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms and quality of life and to explore potential biomarkers that may be associated with AD. It is a sham-controlled trial in which 30 eligible patients will be randomly allocated in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio to one of three groups: verum acupuncture (VA) group 1 (3 times weekly for 4 weeks); VA group 2 (twice weekly for 4 weeks); or sham acupuncture group (SA; twice weekly for 4 weeks). SA will consist of nonpenetrating acupuncture. Outcome measures will include the Visual Analogue Scale for itch, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis, and Eczema Area and Severity Index to evaluate AD symptoms improvement along with the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure and Dermatology Life Quality Index to assess quality of life. Measures will be collected at baseline, once weekly during the treatment period, and after a 4-week follow-up period. Blood collection will be at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment and compared with healthy controls. Illumina sequencing will be used to profile microRNA expression in each group to explore candidate microRNA biomarkers for specific effects of acupuncture in patients with AD. This trial is registered via US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) on 15 July 2016, identifier: NCT02844452.
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Buchberger B, Krabbe L. Evaluation of outpatient acupuncture for relief of pregnancy-related conditions. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2018; 141:151-158. [PMID: 29355951 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture is a non-pharmacological option to relieve pregnancy-related complaints. OBJECTIVES To critically appraise the best available evidence for the use of acupuncture in outpatient care. SEARCH STRATEGY The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination databases were searched for English-language and German-language papers published from January 1980 to March 2017 using search terms related to pregnancy combined with 'acupuncture'. SELECTION CRITERIA Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing non-pharmacological treatments in unselected or low-risk pregnant women. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Quality was assessed using a checklist (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) and the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analyses were also performed. MAIN RESULTS High-quality systematic reviews (n=5) and RCTs with low risk of bias (n=3) were identified. The systematic reviews were based on single studies, with small sample sizes, that showed a benefit of acupuncture for evening pelvic pain; pelvic and low-back pain; nausea; functional disability; and sleep quality. Contradictory results were found in the RCTs regarding cesarean delivery; time to delivery; spontaneous labor; fetal distress; and Apgar score. Data pooling emphasized the heterogeneity of results. CONCLUSIONS Evidence to support the use of acupuncture for relief of pregnancy-related conditions was limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Buchberger
- Research Unit Health Technology Assessment and Systematic Reviews, Institute for Health Care Management and Research, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laura Krabbe
- Research Unit Health Technology Assessment and Systematic Reviews, Institute for Health Care Management and Research, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Cai Y, Zhang CS, Liu S, Wen Z, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CC. Electroacupuncture for Poststroke Spasticity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2017; 98:2578-2589.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2017.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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