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Skordis C, Liaskou C, Papagiakoumou E, Sotiropoulos S, Plavoukou T, Karakasidou P, Georgoudis G. Intra-rater and Inter-rater Reliability of the Commander Pressure Algometer in Greek Patients With Chronic Neck Pain. Cureus 2024; 16:e66350. [PMID: 39247009 PMCID: PMC11379426 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66350] [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] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects 45%-54% of the general population. There is a strong correlation between patient-reported pain and mechanical pain pressure threshold (PPT) measured with an algometer. Purpose This study aims to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Commander algometer in Greek NSCNP patients, in an urban primary care setting. Methods Thirty-three patients (22 women and 11 men) suffering from NSCNP (>3 months), the majority (42.4%) between the ages of 50 years and 59 years and overweight, were measured bilaterally both at the neck (mastoid, trapezius head-insertion and mid-portion, C5-C6 facet, insertion of levator scapula) and at the control areas (mid-deltoid and tibialis anterior) using the Commander algometer. Measurements were taken twice over a span of six days, by two raters, in a primary care setting. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistics were used as measures of reliability (p = 0.05). Results Intra-rater reliability was "moderate to good" for both raters. ICC values for PPT at the seven bilaterally measured sites varied between 0.67 and 0.86 for the first rater (p ≤ 0.001) and 0.64 and 0.82 for the second rater (p ≤ 0.003). The inter-rater reliability was "moderate to excellent" (ICC = 0.68-0.92) in the first measurement (T1) and "moderate to good" (ICC = 0.68 to 0.89) in the second measurement (T2). Conclusion This study supports the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Commander algometer in detecting reliably the mechanical PPT, in Greek NSCNP patients, as measured according to the procedures and methodology followed throughout this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Liaskou
- Physiotherapy Department, University of West Attica (UNIWA), Athens, GRC
| | | | | | - Theodora Plavoukou
- Physiotherapy Department, University of West Attica (UNIWA), Athens, GRC
| | - Palina Karakasidou
- Physiotherapy Department, University of West Attica (UNIWA), Athens, GRC
| | - George Georgoudis
- Physiotherapy Department, University of West Attica (UNIWA), Athens, GRC
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Wang X, Ni X, Ouyang X, Zhang Y, Xu T, Wang L, Qi W, Sun M, Zeng Q, Wang Z, Liao H, Gao X, Li D, Zhao L. Modulatory effects of acupuncture on raphe nucleus-related brain circuits in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized neuroimaging trial. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14335. [PMID: 37408438 PMCID: PMC10945396 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14335] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acupuncture has shown promise in treating neck pain. Clinical trials have shown mixed results, possibly due to heterogeneous methodologies and the lack of knowledge regarding underlying brain circuit mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the specific contribution of the serotonergic system in treating neck pain, and the specific brain circuits involved. METHODS A total of 99 patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) were randomized to receive true acupuncture (TA) or sham acupuncture (SA) 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. Patients with CNP in each group were assessed for primary outcomes by measuring the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the duration of each attack; secondary outcomes were measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the 12-item Short Form Quality Life Scale (SF-12); levels of functional circuits connectivity were assessed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in the dorsal (DR) and median (MR) raphe nucleus, before and after undergoing acupuncture. RESULTS Patients receiving TA showed more extensive symptom improvement compared with SA. Regarding the primary outcomes, changes observed in the TA group were as follows: VAS = 16.9 mm (p < 0.001) and the duration of each attack = 4.30 h (p < 0.001); changes in the SA group: VAS = 5.41 mm (p = 0.138) and the duration of each attack = 2.06 h (p = 0.058). Regarding the secondary outcomes, changes in the TA group: NDI = 7.99 (p < 0.001), NPQ = 10.82 (p < 0.001), MPQ = 4.23 (p < 0.001), SAS = 5.82 (p < 0.001), SDS = 3.67 (p = 0.003), and SF-12 = 3.04 (p < 0.001); changes in the SA group: NDI = 2.97 (p = 0.138), NPQ = 5.24 (p = 0.035) and MPQ = 2.90 (p = 0.039), SAS = 1.48 (p = 0.433), SDS = 2.39 (p = 0.244), and SF-12 = 2.19 (p = 0.038). The modulatory effect of TA exhibited increased functional connectivity (FC) between the DR and thalamus, between the MR and parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and insula, with decreased FC between the DR and lingual gyrus and middle frontal gyrus, between the MR and middle frontal gyrus. Furthermore, changes in the DR-related circuit were specifically associated with the intensity and duration of pain, and the MR-related circuit was correlated with the quality of life with CNP. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated the effectiveness of TA in treating neck pain and suggested that it regulates CNP by reconfiguring the function of the raphe nucleus-related serotonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xixiu Ni
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tao Xu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Linjia Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Wenchuan Qi
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Mingsheng Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan ProvinceChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qian Zeng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan ProvinceChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Huaqiang Liao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiaoyu Gao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Dehua Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ling Zhao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan ProvinceChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduSichuanChina
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Liao C, Tan Y, Wang K, Wen X, Hu X, Huang Y, Li Y. The Impact and Correlation of Anxiety and Depression on Pressure Pain Threshold of Acupoints in Patients with Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Pain Res Manag 2023; 2023:3315090. [PMID: 38033371 PMCID: PMC10684321 DOI: 10.1155/2023/3315090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) is a clinically common gynecological disease. Patients experience chronic pelvic pain and often accompany with emotional dysfunction. However, the impact and correlation of anxiety and depression on pain sensitization is not completely known. Objective To explore the differences and correlations among anxiety, depression, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of acupoints in patients with CPID. Methods One hundred and forty-seven patients with CPID were recruited. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used to assess pain. Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the emotional state of patients. The PPT of acupoints was collected using an electronic Von Frey by two licensed acupuncturists. Results The CPID patients were divided into anxiety-depression group (group A) or nonanxiety-depression group (group B), according to the SAS and SDS scores. Finally, there were 73 patients in group A and 74 patients in group B. Group A had significantly higher SAS, SDS, VAS, and SF-MPQ scores than group B (P < 0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed in the PPTs of ST28 (R), ST29 (R), SP10 (R), SP9 (R), SP9 (L), ST36 (R), and LR3 (L) between the two groups (P < 0.05). No considerable differences in PPTs at the other acupoints were observed between the two groups. SAS scores showed a positive correlation with PPTs of ST29 (R), SP10 (R), SP9 (L), ST36 (R), and LR3 (L). No remarkable correlation was observed between the SDS scores and PPTs. Conclusion Anxiety and depression can affect the PPT of some acupoints in CPID patients, which may provide a reference for acupoint selection for acupuncture treatment of CPID with emotional disorders. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2100052632.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Liao
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Tan
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Sichuan Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yefang Huang
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Li
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Robinson CL, Berger A, Sottosanti E, Li M, Kaneb A, Keefe J, Kim E, Kaye AD, Viswanath O, Urits I. Acupuncture as Part of Multimodal Analgesia for Chronic Pain. Orthop Rev (Pavia) 2022; 14:38321. [PMID: 36168395 PMCID: PMC9502036 DOI: 10.52965/001c.38321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic pain is a multifactorial condition that is afflicting populations worldwide causing an increasing economic, physical, mental, and emotional burden. Treatments range from medications to interventional procedures to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as acupuncture. This review aims to discuss the use of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain, proposed mechanisms, indications, and efficacy for various chronic pain conditions. Results Evidence is varied on the efficacy and quality of data on the use of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain. Recent studies have demonstrated promising results in the support of acupuncture for the use in the treatment of cancer, neck, and back pain, functional dyspepsia, and various chronic abdominal pain syndromes. Conclusion Acupuncture, deemed well-tolerated and safe to use, has been increasingly studied and is regarded as effective in clinical practice, but its efficacy is limited by the lack of well-conducted, high-quality clinical trials, lower quality evidence, and conflicting study results. Additionally, the exact analgesic mechanism of acupuncture remains to be fully elucidated. Increasing evidence supports the role of acupuncture as therapy in the treatment of cancer, neck, and back pain and functional dyspepsia. Further rigorous studies are needed to fully assess the use of acupuncture in various chronic pain conditions, determine its indications, and optimal treatment schedule. Overall, future studies could benefit from better designed experimental studies, larger groups, and more objectives ways to measure pain reduction and symptom improvement.
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Sun N, He DM, Ye X, Bin L, Zhou Y, Deng X, Qu Y, Li Z, Cheng S, Shao S, Zhao FJ, Zhang TH, Cai J, Sun R, Liang FR. Immediate acupuncture with GB34 for biliary colic: protocol for a randomised controlled neuroimaging trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e050413. [PMID: 35027415 PMCID: PMC8762121 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the main manifestation of gallstone disease, biliary colic (BC) is an episodic attack that brings patients severe pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Although acupuncture has been documented with significance to lead to pain relief, the immediate analgesia of acupuncture for BC still needs to be verified, and the underlying mechanism has yet to be covered. Therefore, this trial aims first to verify the immediate pain-alleviation characteristic of acupuncture for BC, then to explore its influence on the peripheral sensitised acupoint and central brain activity. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a randomised controlled, paralleled clinical trial, with patients and outcome assessors blinded. Seventy-two patients with gallbladder stone disease presenting with BC will be randomised into a verum acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group. Both groups will receive one session of immediate acupuncture treatment. Improvements in patients' BC will be evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale, and the pain threshold of acupoints will also be detected before and after treatment. During treatment, brain neural activity will be monitored with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and the needle sensation will be rated. Clinical and fNIRS data will be analysed, respectively, to validate the acupuncture effect, and correlation analysis will be conducted to investigate the relationship between pain relief and peripheral-cerebral functional changes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial has been approved by the institutional review boards and ethics committees of the First Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the ethical approval identifier 2019 KL-029, and the institutional review boards and ethics committees of the First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, with the ethical approval identifier AF-KY-2020071. The results of this trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference abstracts or posters. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CTR2000034432.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dong-Mei He
- Emergency Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangyin Ye
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Bin
- Emergency Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuanfang Zhou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaodong Deng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuzhu Qu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhengjie Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shirui Cheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Emergency Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng-Juan Zhao
- Science and Education Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Tie-Huan Zhang
- Emergency Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Cai
- Oncology-Blood Department, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fan-Rong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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In Vivo Visualization of the Pericardium Meridian with Fluorescent Dyes. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5581227. [PMID: 33854554 PMCID: PMC8021474 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5581227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The anatomical basis of acupuncture meridians continues to be enigmatic. Although much attention has been placed on potential correlations with inter/intramuscular fascia or lower electrical impedance, animal studies performed in the past 40 years have shown that tracer dyes—specifically Tc-99m pertechnetate—injected at strategic skin points generate linear migrations closely aligning with acupuncture meridians. To evaluate whether this phenomenon is also observable in humans, we injected two fluorescent dyes—fluorescein sodium and indocyanine green (ICG)—into the dermal layer both at acupuncture points (PC5, PC6, and PC7) and a nonacupoint control. Fifteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Of the 19 trials of fluorescein injected at PC6, 15 (79%) were associated with slow diffusion of the dye proximally along a path matching closely with the pericardium meridian. Furthermore, the dye emerged and coalesced proximally at exactly acupoint PC3. Injections of ICG at the acupoints PC5, PC6, or PC7 showed a similar trajectory close to the injection site but diverged when migrating proximally, failing converge on acupoint PC3. Injections of either dye at an adjacent PC6-control did not generate any notable linear pathway. Both ultrasound imaging and vein-locating device did not reveal any corresponding vessels (arterial or venous) at the visualized tracer pathway but did demonstrate correlations with intermuscular fascia.
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Berger AA, Liu Y, Mosel L, Champagne KA, Ruoff MT, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Shakeri A, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I. Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Neck Pain. Anesth Pain Med 2021; 11:e113627. [PMID: 34336626 PMCID: PMC8314077 DOI: 10.5812/aapm.113627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Neck pain is a common phenomenon and affects a large segment of the population. Chronic neck pain, lasting more than 3 months, likely occurs in 10% - 30% of patients with acute neck pain and affects up to 288 million cases globally, carrying a significant cost in terms of quality of life, disability, and healthcare dollars. Here we review neck pain background, acupuncture and the evidence that exist to support acupuncture use in chronic neck pain. RESULTS Neck pain not only affects quality of life directly, but also contributes to depression, job dissatisfaction and reduced productivity. Unfortunately, neck pain is strongly linked to office and computer work and is likely to continue increasing in prevalence. Traditional treatments, such as analgesics, physical therapy, exercise, and non-invasive therapy bring some relief, and invasive therapy is indicated if anatomical pathologies exist. Acupuncture is a form of integrative medicine, originally described and practiced in traditional Chinese medicine and now expanded to include methods including acupressure, dry needling, and others. Traditionally, it focused on restoring the patient's flow of Qi by puncturing specific points along the meridians. It has previously been shown to be effective in other forms of chronic pain and disability. Clinical trials studying acupuncture for neck pain have shown significant reduction in both pain and associated symptoms. These therapies are reviewed in this text. CONCLUSIONS Neck pain is a common and significant global problem. Acupuncture, dry needling, and cupping were all shown to be effective in alleviating pain both immediately after treatment, as well as provide long-lasting relief. These treatments are generally safe and inexpensive and should be considered as part of a multimodal approach for the treatment of neck pain. More head-to-head studies will provide better data to support a choice of a specific treatment over another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnon A. Berger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luke Mosel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Kristin A. Champagne
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Miriam T. Ruoff
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Elyse M. Cornett
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Alan David Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Farnad Imani
- Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asadollah Shakeri
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | | | - Omar Viswanath
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
- Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Ivan Urits
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Southcoast Physician Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA, USA
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Clinical Events Associated with Acupuncture Intervention for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammation Associated Disorders. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:2675785. [PMID: 32684832 PMCID: PMC7336212 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2675785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is a key component of Chinese medicine. It describes a series of procedures involving the stimulation of skin through penetration of fine, single-use, sterile needles that result in the release of neurotransmitters. Although its use is on the growing trend, considerable controversy surrounds its value as a therapy. Standard randomized controlled trials that adhere to the accepted criteria should be conducted in the future to ensure the effectiveness of acupuncture. This article summarizes the current evidence regarding the use of acupuncture. It includes a description of the history, mode of operation, treatment of a variety of chronic disorders related to inflammation, and future directions for acupuncture use. Published clinical trials support the view that acupuncture is a possible candidate for the treatment of several chronic inflammation-related disorders.
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