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Lim SM, Go E. A systematic review of sham acupuncture validation studies. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:215. [PMID: 38840076 PMCID: PMC11155071 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04506-1] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture is widely used worldwide; however, studies on its effectiveness have been impeded by limitations regarding the design of appropriate control groups. In clinical research, noninvasive sham acupuncture techniques can only be applied through validation studies. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the scope of existing literature on this topic to identify trends. METHODS We queried Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception to July 2022 for relevant articles. Author names were used to identify additional relevant articles. Two independent reviewers assessed the identified articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following data were extracted: study design, information regarding acupuncturists and participants, general and treatment-related characteristics of the intervention and control groups, participants' experience of acupuncture, and research findings. RESULTS The database query yielded 673 articles, of which 29 articles were included in the final review. Among these, 18 involved the use of one of three devices: Streitberger (n = 5), Park (n = 7), and Takakura (n = 6) devices. The remaining 11 studies used other devices, including self-developed needles. All the included studies were randomized controlled trials. The methodological details of the included studies were heterogeneous with respect to outcomes assessed, blinding, and results. CONCLUSIONS Sham acupuncture validation studies have been conducted using healthy volunteers, with a focus on blind review and technological developments in sham acupuncture devices. However, theren may be language bias in our findings since we could not query Chinese and Japanese databases due to language barriers. There is a need for more efforts toward establishing control groups suitable for various acupuncture therapy interventions. Moreover, there is a need for more rigorous sham acupuncture validation studies, which could lead to higher-quality clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Min Lim
- Department of Clinical Research on Rehabilitation, Korea National Rehabilitation Research Institute, 58 Samgaksan-Ro, Gangbuk-Gu, Seoul, 142-070, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Go
- Department of Clinical Research on Rehabilitation, Korea National Rehabilitation Research Institute, 58 Samgaksan-Ro, Gangbuk-Gu, Seoul, 142-070, Republic of Korea.
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Liao HY, Kumaran Satyanarayanan S, Lin YW, Su KP. Clinical Efficacy and Immune Effects of Acupuncture in Patients with Comorbid Chronic Pain and Major Depression Disorder: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Crossover Study. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:339-347. [PMID: 36948325 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression and pain are highly comorbid and share biological mechanisms. Acupuncture is commonly used to manage both pain and depression, but the choice of acupoints for specific disorders differs. This study aimed to investigate whether specific acupuncture intervention on pain- and depression-acupoints would have specific efficacy and immune effects in patients with comorbid chronic pain and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS We performed a subject- and assessor-blinded, crossover, and randomized controlled clinical trial of depression- and pain-specific acupuncture intervention and measured clinical responses and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with comorbid chronic pain and MDD. Specific acupoints for pain and depression were used in random order with a washout interval. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups: (1) the depression-pain group (23 patients who were treated with depression-specific acupoints and then the pain-specific acupoints after the washout) and (2) pain-depression group (24 patients with the reverse order). RESULTS The pain-specific acupoints for pain did not reduce Brief Pain Inventory scores to a significantly greater degree (-0.97 ± 1.69) than the depression-specific acupoints (-0.28 ± 1.88); likewise, the depression-specific acupoints did not significantly ameliorate Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (-4.59 ± 6.02) than the pain-specific acupoints (-6.69 ± 6.61). The pain-specific acupoints improved Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (-6.74 ± 9.76) even better than the depression-specific acupoints (-1.92 ± 10.74). The depression-specific acupoints did not significantly decrease the depression-related interleukin (IL)-6 level (-1.24 ± 6.67) than the pain-specific acupoints (-0.60 ± 4.36). The changed levels of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α between the depression-specific acupoints (-37.41 ± 194.49; -12.53 ± 54.68) and the pain-specific acupoints (-15.46 ± 87.56; -7.28 ± 27.86) could not reach significantly different, too. CONCLUSION This study rejected our hypothesis that the pain-specific acupoints might produce superior analgesic effects than the depression-specific acupoints and vice versa. The cytokine results might imply that pain and depression share common biological mechanisms. (trial registration: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov: NCT03328819).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yin Liao
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Acupuncture, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | | | - Yi-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- Mind-Body Interface Research Center (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Depression Center, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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3
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Chen HY, Wu JH, Lin HC, Su YT, Yen CM, Chang CM. Commentary: Efficacy and safety of acupuncture on symptomatic improvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1098862. [PMID: 36687408 PMCID: PMC9846212 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1098862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yuan Chen
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,School of Post-baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Huang Wu
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Chun Lin
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Su
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ming Yen
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Mao Chang
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Ching-Mao Chang ✉
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Zhang J, Huang WH, Zheng YD, Li X, Jiang HX, Su MZ, Huang XY, Dou ZL, Tang ZM. Effects of auricular acupuncture stimulation on healthy adults’ upper limb motor-evoked potentials: A randomized, crossover, double-blind study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:895602. [PMID: 36061611 PMCID: PMC9434402 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.895602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether auricular acupuncture has neuromodulatory effects on the motor cortex of healthy adults. Methods Fourteen healthy subjects received a real auricular acupuncture stimulation (SF1) session and a sham acupuncture stimulation session. The interval between the two types of stimulation was more than 24 h. A finger dexterity test (taping score and taping speed by using ipad) was assessed, and motor-evoked potentials (MEP) were assessed before and after each stimulation. Results Before the treatment, there were no significant differences in MEP amplitude, tapping score, or tapping speed (P > 0.05) between the real and sham stimulation conditions. After the treatment, the MEP amplitude, tapping score, and tapping speed in the real stimulation condition increased significantly compared to the pre-stimulation measurements and were significantly higher than those in the sham stimulation condition (P < 0.01). In the sham stimulation condition, the MEP amplitude, tapping score, and tapping speed decreased significantly compared to the pre-stimulation measurements (P < 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture of auricular points can modulate the excitability of the motor cortex area of controlling the upper limbs. Clinical trial registration [http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx], identifier [ChiCTR2100051608].
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Bao C, Wu L, Wang D, Chen L, Jin X, Shi Y, Li G, Zhang J, Zeng X, Chen J, Liu H, Wu H. Acupuncture improves the symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation of patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease: A randomized controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 45:101300. [PMID: 35198926 PMCID: PMC8850329 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture for Crohn's disease (CD) are not well understood. We investigated its effects on symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and circulating inflammatory markers in CD patients. METHODS This 48-week, randomized, sham controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was performed at a tertiary outpatient clinic in China. From April 2015 to November 2019, 66 patients (mean age 40·4, 62·1% were male, all were Han Chinese) with mild to moderate active CD and unresponsive to drug treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned equally to an acupuncture group or a sham group. The treatment group received 3 sessions of acupuncture plus moxibustion per week for 12 weeks and a follow-up of 36 weeks. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02559037. FINDINGS At week 12, the clinical remission rate (the primary outcome) and clinical response rate of acupuncture group were significantly higher than that of sham group, with a difference of 42·4% (95% CI: 20·1%-64·0%) and 45·5% (95% CI: 24·0%-66·9%), respectively, both of which maintained at week 48. The acupuncture group had significantly lower CD activity index and C-reactive protein level at week 12, which maintained at 36-week follow-up. The CD endoscopic index of severity, histopathological score, and recurrence rate at week 48 were significantly lower in acupuncture group. The number of operational taxonomic unit of intestinal microbiota and relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia faecis were increased. Plasma diamine oxidase, lipopolysaccharide, and Th1/Th17 related cytokines were decreased in 12-week after acupuncture. INTERPRETATION Acupuncture was effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with active CD, which was associated with increased abundance of intestinal anti-inflammatory bacteria, enhanced intestinal barrier, and regulation of circulating Th1/Th17-related cytokines. FUNDING National Key Basic Research Program of China (2015CB554500 and 2009CB522900), Shanghai Rising-Star Program (19QA1408100).
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Key Words
- Acupuncture
- Alternative therapy
- CD, Crohn's disease
- CDAI, Crohn's disease activity index
- CDEIS, Crohn's disease endoscopic index of severity
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- DAO, diamine oxidase
- Gut microbes
- HCs, healthy control subjects
- HS, histopathological score
- IBD, inflammatory bowel disease
- ITT, intention to treat
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal barrier
- LEfSe, linear discriminant analysis effect size
- LPS, lipopolysaccharides
- OTU, operational taxonomic unit
- PP, per-protocol
- SCFAs, short chain fatty acids
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Bao
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Luyi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Di Wang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Liming Chen
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Xiaoming Jin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yin Shi
- Outpatient Department, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Guona Li
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Jingzhi Zhang
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianhua Chen
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Mental Health, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Huirong Liu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
- Corresponding authors at: Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China.
| | - Huangan Wu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
- Corresponding authors at: Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China.
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Therapeutic Sensations: A New Unifying Concept. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:7630190. [PMID: 32831879 PMCID: PMC7428881 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7630190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Physical sensations of tingling, warmth, dull pain, and heaviness are a common phenomenon in mind-body interventions, such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, osteopathy, qigong, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. Even though there are striking parallels between sensations produced by many different interventions, no attempt has yet been made to understand them from a unifying perspective that combines information from different therapies and practices. Therefore, this narrative systematic review introduces the concept of therapeutic sensations and summarizes studies of their sensory quality, bodily topography, and the meaning that patients attach to them. Furthermore, it highlights the essential role of therapeutic sensations in the development of vital energy concepts, such as qi, prana, pneuma, and orgone, in various traditional medicine systems, body-oriented psychotherapy, and so-called energy medicine. Finally, the assessment of therapeutic sensations may help to gain a deeper understanding of such concepts, finding a common language between scientists, patients and practitioners, and bridging the wide gap between materialistic and vitalistic views.
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7
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Influence of the Intensity, Components, and Spreading of the Deqi Sensation on the Analgesic Effect of SP6 Needling in Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:6462576. [PMID: 31223331 PMCID: PMC6541943 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6462576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although deqi, the phenomenon whereby excitation of Qi in the meridians occurs with needling, is critical to the practice of acupuncture and its efficacy, it is poorly understood. So we investigate the influence of the deqi sensation on the analgesic effects of acupuncture in patients who were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial for the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea, a painful and common condition, and cold and dampness stagnation. Two groups were assessed: a deqi group (undergoing deep needling with thick needles and manipulation, n=17) and a non-deqi group (undergoing shallow needling with thin needles and no manipulation, n=51). The Sanyinjiao (SP6) was needled for 30 min in both groups. Pain scores at baseline, upon needle removal, and at 10, 20, and 30 min after needle removal were evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale for pain. The deqi sensation was evaluated by the Acupuncture Deqi Clinical Assessment Scale. Patients who experienced a genuine deqi sensation (n=39) were selected for further analysis. Compared with patients in the non-deqi group who experienced deqi (n=25), patients who self-reported deqi in the deqi group (n=14) felt a stronger deqi sensation, experienced soreness and fullness more frequently, felt a greater intensity of soreness, fullness, electric sensation, spreading, and radiating, and experienced larger spreading distances. In those who experienced the deqi sensation in the deqi group, the intensity of the sensation, as well as their degree of soreness and fullness, was negatively correlated with pain reduction. In patients who experienced the deqi sensation in the non-deqi group, deqi intensity was positively correlated with pain reduction, while soreness was negatively correlated with pain reduction. The distance of spreading was not correlated with pain reduction in either group. We found, in SP6 needling of patients with primary dysmenorrhea with cold and dampness stagnation, that a moderate deqi response predicted a prolonged analgesic effect better than a strong deqi response.
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Dimitrova A, Murchison C, Oken B. Local effects of acupuncture on the median and ulnar nerves in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot mechanistic study protocol. Trials 2019; 20:8. [PMID: 30611294 PMCID: PMC6320582 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3094-5] [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: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While acupuncture’s mechanism of action is not fully understood, there is consensus that the nervous system plays a key role in processing its effects. This research is based on the structural theory of acupuncture, which aims to correlate the location of acupuncture points to peripheral nerves, spinal segments, and spinal plexuses. This mechanistic study explores the close anatomical association between the Pericardium meridian/median nerve and the Heart meridian/ulnar nerve in an attempt to produce electrophysiologic data measuring acupuncture’s direct, nerve-specific effect on the underlying nerves. Specifically, the purpose of this research is to use nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and quantitative sensory testing (QST) to assess for any local, nerve-specific effect of three acupuncture modalities on two anatomically distinct nerves in the forearm — the median and ulnar nerves — in subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The choice of CTS as an injured nerve model allows for comparisons between the response in an injured nerve (median) to that of a healthy one (ulnar). Methods Subjects with mild to moderate CTS will be randomized to three intervention groups: manual acupuncture and low- and high-frequency electroacupuncture. Each subject will receive two treatments, 1 week apart, to points in the forearm, which overlay the median nerve (Pericardium meridian) or the ulnar nerve (Heart meridian). Acupuncture will be administered in random order to minimize learning effects in sensory testing. During Week 1, baseline NCS and QST (vibration and cold detection thresholds) will be obtained in both nerve territories, followed by acupuncture and post-acupuncture NCS and QST measurements in both nerve territories. During Week 2, repeat baseline QST and NCS measurements will be obtained, followed by acupuncture to points overlying the nerve not treated in Week 1, followed by post-acupuncture NCS and QST measurements in both nerve distributions. Discussion This works aims to capture and characterize the local effects of acupuncture on an underlying nerve and compare them to those on a neighboring nerve. Quantifying acupuncture’s effects using physiologic parameters and discrete values could standardize treatment regimens and help assess their therapeutic effect. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03036657. Registered on 30 January 2017. Retrospectively registered. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3094-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Dimitrova
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code CR120, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Charles Murchison
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code CR120, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Barry Oken
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health &Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code CR120, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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A Double-Blind Study on Acupuncture Sensations with Japanese Style of Acupuncture: Comparison between Penetrating and Placebo Needles. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:8128147. [PMID: 29849728 PMCID: PMC5941723 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8128147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the acupuncture sensations elicited by the Japanese style of acupuncture, penetrating acupuncture and skin-touch placebo needles were randomly administered at various insertion depths (5 and 10 mm for the penetrating needles and 1 and 2 mm for the placebo needles) at LI4 to 50 healthy subjects. Among the 12 acupuncture sensations in the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS), “heaviness” was the strongest and most frequently reported sensation with the 10 mm needles, but not with the 5 mm needles. There were no significant differences in number of sensations elicited, MASS index, range of spreading, and intensity of needle pain for 5 mm penetration versus 1 mm skin press and 10 mm penetration versus 2 mm skin press. The MASS index with 2 mm skin-touch needles was significantly larger than that with 1 mm skin-touch and 5 mm penetrating needles. The factor structures in the 12 acupuncture sensations between penetrating and skin-touch needles were different. The acupuncture sensations obtained in this study under satisfactorily performed double-blind (practitioner–patient) conditions suggest that a slight difference in insertion depth and skin press causes significant differences in quantity and quality of acupuncture sensations.
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10
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Abstract
Because acupuncture treatment is defined by the process of needles penetrating the body, placebo needles were originally developed with non-penetrating mechanisms. However, whether placebo needles are valid controls in acupuncture research is subject of an ongoing debate. The present review provides an overview of the characteristics of placebo needles and how they differ from placebo pills in two aspects: (1) physiological response and (2) blinding efficacy. We argue that placebo needles elicit physiological responses similar to real acupuncture and therefore provide similar clinical efficacy. We also demonstrate that this efficacy is further supported by ineffective blinding (even in acupuncture-naïve patients) which may lead to opposite guesses that will further enhances efficacy, as compared to no-treatment, e.g., with waiting list controls. Additionally, the manner in which placebo needles can exhibit therapeutic effects relative to placebo pills include enhanced touch sensations, direct stimulation of the somatosensory system and activation of multiple brain systems. We finally discuss alternative control strategies for the placebo effects in acupuncture therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ye-Seul Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy and Meridians, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Paul Enck
- Department of Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Juel J, Brock C, Olesen SS, Madzak A, Farmer AD, Aziz Q, Frøkjær JB, Drewes AM. Acute physiological and electrical accentuation of vagal tone has no effect on pain or gastrointestinal motility in chronic pancreatitis. J Pain Res 2017; 10:1347-1355. [PMID: 28615966 PMCID: PMC5459955 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s133438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The effective management of pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) remains a therapeutic challenge. Analgesic drugs, such as opioids, and the underlying pathology can impair gut function. The autonomic nervous system influences hormone secretion and gut motility. In healthy volunteers, electrical (using noninvasive transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation [t-VNS]) and physiological (using deep slow breathing [DSB]) modulation of parasympathetic tone results in pain attenuation and enhanced gut motility. Thus, the aims were to investigate whether t-VNS and DSB could enhance the parasympathetic tone, decrease pain sensitivity and improve gut motility in CP. Patients and methods A total of 20 patients (12 males, mean age=61 years, range: 50–78 years) with CP were randomized to short-term (60 minutes) t-VNS and DSB, or their placebo equivalent, in a crossover design. Cardiometrically derived parameters of autonomic tone, quantitative sensory testing of bone and muscle pain pressure, conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and assessments of gastroduodenal motility with ultrasound were performed. Results In comparison to sham, t-VNS and DSB increased cardiac vagal tone (CVT) (P<0.001). However, no changes in pain pressure thresholds for bone (P=0.95) or muscle (P=0.45) were seen. There was diminished CPM (P=0.04), and no changes in gastroduodenal motility were observed (P=0.3). Conclusion This explorative study demonstrated that t-VNS and DSB increased CVT in patients with CP. However, this short-lasting increase did not affect pain sensitivity to musculoskeletal pain or gastroduodenal motility. The chronic pain in CP patients is complex, and future trials optimizing neuromodulation for pain relief and improved motility are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Juel
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital
| | - Christina Brock
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg.,Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus.,Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| | - Søren S Olesen
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg
| | - Adnan Madzak
- Mech-Sense, Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Adam D Farmer
- Mech-Sense, Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent.,Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Qasim Aziz
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jens B Frøkjær
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg.,Mech-Sense, Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Asbjørn Mohr Drewes
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many patients with painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) have insufficient effect of treatment, and the prevalence of adverse effects is high. Consequently, alternatives to conventional management are needed. We aimed to study the effect of acupuncture in painful CP. METHODS This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized crossover trial. Fifteen patients with CP were assigned to a session of acupuncture followed by sham stimulation or vice versa. Patients rated clinical pain scores daily on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and completed the Patient Global Impression of Change. For mechanistic linkage, resting state electroencephalograms were recorded and quantified by spectral power analysis to explore effects on central pain processing. RESULTS Acupuncture, compared with sham stimulation, caused more pain relief (2.0 ± 1.5 VAS vs 0.7 ± 0.8 VAS; P = 0.009). The effect, however, was short, and after 1-week follow-up, there was no difference in clinical pain scores between groups (P = 1.0) or the rating of Patient Global Impression of Change (P = 0.8). Electroencephalogram spectral power distributions between sham and acupuncture were comparable between groups (all P > 0.6). CONCLUSIONS The study presents proof-of-concept for the analgesic effect of acupuncture in pancreatic pain. Although the effect was short lasting, the framework may be used to conceptualize future trials of acupuncture in visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Choi
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR
| | - D M H Lam
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, HKSAR
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Juel J, Liguori S, Liguori A, Valeriani M, Graversen C, Olesen SS, Drewes AM. A New Method for Sham-Controlled Acupuncture in Experimental Visceral Pain - a Randomized, Single-Blinded Study. Pain Pract 2015; 16:669-79. [DOI: 10.1111/papr.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Juel
- Mech-Sense; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Aalborg University Hospital; Aalborg Denmark
| | | | - Aldo Liguori
- Istituto Paracelso; Rome Italy
- Department of Anatomic, Histologic; Forensic Medicine and Locomotor System Sciences; Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome Italy
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Department of Neurology; Paediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù; Rome Italy
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction; Department of Health Science and Technology; Faculty of Medicine; Aalborg University; Aalborg Denmark
| | - Carina Graversen
- Mech-Sense; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Aalborg University Hospital; Aalborg Denmark
| | - Søren S. Olesen
- Mech-Sense; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Aalborg University Hospital; Aalborg Denmark
| | - Asbjørn M. Drewes
- Mech-Sense; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Aalborg University Hospital; Aalborg Denmark
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction; Department of Health Science and Technology; Faculty of Medicine; Aalborg University; Aalborg Denmark
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15
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Beissner F, Brünner F, Fink M, Meissner K, Kaptchuk TJ, Napadow V. Placebo-induced somatic sensations: a multi-modal study of three different placebo interventions. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124808. [PMID: 25901350 PMCID: PMC4406515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic sensations induced by placebos are a frequent phenomenon whose etiology and clinical relevance remains unknown. In this study, we have evaluated the quantitative, qualitative, spatial, and temporal characteristics of placebo-induced somatic sensations in response to three different placebo interventions: (1) placebo irritant solution, (2) placebo laser stimulation, and (3) imagined laser stimulation. The quality and intensity of evoked sensations were assessed using the McGill pain questionnaire and visual analogue scales (VAS), while subjects' sensation drawings processed by a geographic information system (GIS) were used to measure their spatial characteristics. We found that all three interventions are capable of producing robust sensations most frequently described as "tingling" and "warm" that can reach consider-able spatial extent (≤ 205 mm²) and intensity (≤ 80/100 VAS). Sensations from placebo stimulation were often referred to areas remote from the stimulation site and exhibit considerable similarity with referred pain. Interestingly, there was considerable similarity of qualitative features as well as spatial patterns across subjects and placebos. However, placebo laser stimulation elicited significantly stronger and more widespread sensations than placebo irritant solution. Finally, novelty seeking, a character trait assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory and associated with basal dopaminergic activity, was less pronounced in subjects susceptible to report placebo-induced sensations. Our study has shown that placebo-induced sensations are frequent and can reach considerable intensity and extent. As multiple somatosensory subsystems are involved despite the lack of peripheral stimulus, we propose a central etiology for this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Beissner
- Somatosensory and Autonomic Therapy Research, Institute of Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Franziska Brünner
- Pain & Autonomics – Integrative Research (PAIR), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Fink
- Pain & Autonomics – Integrative Research (PAIR), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Karin Meissner
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Ted J. Kaptchuk
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, United States of America
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Korea
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