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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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Li HL, Zhang Y, Zhou JW. Acupuncture for radicular pain: a review of analgesic mechanism. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1332876. [PMID: 38596777 PMCID: PMC11002172 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1332876] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Radicular pain, a common and complex form of neuropathic pain, presents significant challenges in treatment. Acupuncture, a therapy originating from ancient traditional Chinese medicine and widely utilized for various pain types, including radicular pain, has shown promising outcomes in the management of lumbar radicular pain, cervical radicular pain, and radicular pain due to spinal stenosis. Despite its efficacy, the exact mechanisms through which acupuncture achieves analgesia are not fully elucidated and are the subject of ongoing research. This review sheds light on the current understanding of the analgesic mechanisms of acupuncture for radicular pain, offering valuable perspectives for both clinical application and basic scientific research. Acupuncture is postulated to relieve radicular pain by several mechanisms: peripherally, it reduces muscle spasms, lessens mechanical pressure on nerve roots, and improves microcirculation; at the molecular level, it inhibits the HMGB1/RAGE and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines; within the spinal cord, it influences synaptic plasticity; and centrally, it modulates brain function, particularly affecting the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus within the default mode network. By acting across these diverse biological domains, acupuncture presents an effective treatment modality for radicular pain, and deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms regarding analgesia for radicular pain is crucial for enhancing its clinical efficacy and advancement in pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lin Li
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian-Wei Zhou
- Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Chae Y, Lee JH, Lee MS. Using the right design controls for acupuncture trials: Methodological rigor and validity in research. Integr Med Res 2024; 13:101026. [PMID: 38434794 PMCID: PMC10904908 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2024.101026] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture treatment can be defined as a medical procedure with an acupuncture needle at acupoints. Establishing suitable control settings is essential, based on the target elements of the acupuncture therapy. In order to properly design a clinical trial or an experiment, a control group must be established. Here, we overview the significance of the control group and its limitations in acupuncture research. Clinical trials have employed a variety of study designs and controls for acupuncture treatment in order to compare the effects of actual treatments with control groups that include no treatment or treatment as usual, sham acupuncture at true acupoints, real acupuncture at non-acupoints, and sham acupuncture at non-acupoints. In order to determine the point-specificity of acupuncture, real acupuncture at non-acupoints should be taken into consideration, whereas sham acupuncture at the same true acupoints should be used to determine the needling-specific effect of acupuncture. It is crucial to choose the optimum control for acupuncture treatments depending on the study's main goal and to interpret the results in accordance with the research design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younbyoung Chae
- Department of Meridian and Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hwan Lee
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Korean Convergence Medical Science, KIOM School, University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusettes General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Myeong Soo Lee
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Korean Convergence Medical Science, KIOM School, University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Yuan Z, Shao P, Li J, Wang Y, Zhu Z, Qiu W, Chen B, Tang Y, Han A. YOLOv8-ACU: improved YOLOv8-pose for facial acupoint detection. Front Neurorobot 2024; 18:1355857. [PMID: 38362125 PMCID: PMC10867148 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2024.1355857] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acupoint localization is integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. Employing intelligent detection models for recognizing facial acupoints can substantially enhance localization accuracy. Methods This study introduces an advancement in the YOLOv8-pose keypoint detection algorithm, tailored for facial acupoints, and named YOLOv8-ACU. This model enhances acupoint feature extraction by integrating ECA attention, replaces the original neck module with a lighter Slim-neck module, and improves the loss function for GIoU. Results The YOLOv8-ACU model achieves impressive accuracy, with an mAP@0.5 of 97.5% and an mAP@0.5-0.95 of 76.9% on our self-constructed datasets. It also marks a reduction in model parameters by 0.44M, model size by 0.82 MB, and GFLOPs by 9.3%. Discussion With its enhanced recognition accuracy and efficiency, along with good generalization ability, YOLOv8-ACU provides significant reference value for facial acupoint localization and detection. This is particularly beneficial for Chinese medicine practitioners engaged in facial acupoint research and intelligent detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Yuan
- College of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Pengwei Shao
- College of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinran Li
- Beijing No.80 High School, International Department, Beijing, China
| | - Yinuo Wang
- College of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zixuan Zhu
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weijie Qiu
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Buqun Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Tang
- College of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Aiqing Han
- College of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Moon H, Ryu Y, Lee IS, Chae Y. Acupuncture treatment for functional gastrointestinal disorders: Identification of major acupoints using network analysis. Integr Med Res 2023; 12:100970. [PMID: 37559923 PMCID: PMC10407428 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.100970] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using network analysis, we sought to determine the acupoints most commonly used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), particularly functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS To explore the acupoint patterns used for FGID, data on acupoint combinations for FD and IBS were gathered from systematic reviews. Network analysis was used to determine the degree, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and eigenvector centrality of each acupoint. The most common acupoint combinations for FD and IBS were examined based on the eigenvector centrality. RESULTS Network analysis revealed that CV12, ST25, ST36, CV10, and LR3, which had the highest eigenvector centrality values, were the main acupoints for treating FGID. CV12 was the main acupoint for treating FD, while ST25 was the hub acupoint for treating IBS in the abdomen. ST36, LR3, and PC6 were the key peripheral acupoints for FD and IBS. CONCLUSIONS Using network analysis, we provided data that will aid the selection of both general and specific acupoints for FD and IBS, along with spatial information (i.e., the positions of acupoints on a body map). These findings could be applied in future acupuncture research on therapy for gastrointestinal system dysfunction. They may also help bridge the gap between the traditional meridian theory, which assumes that there is a link between diseases/symptoms and the specific body region being treated, and real-world clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heeyoung Moon
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Wu X, Chen T, Wang K, Wei X, Feng J, Zhou J. Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoints stimulation for preoperative anxiety in thoracoscopic surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067082. [PMID: 36797022 PMCID: PMC9936321 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preoperative anxiety occurs at a very high rate in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Moreover, it will result in poor mental state, more analgesic consumptions, rehabilitation delay and extra hospitalisation costs. Transcutaneous electrical acupoints stimulation (TEAS) is a convenient intervention for pain control and anxiety reduction. Nevertheless, TEAS efficacy of preoperative anxiety in VATS is unknown. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This single-centre randomised sham-controlled trial will be conducted in cardiothoracic surgery department of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in China. A total of 92 eligible participants with pulmonary nodules (size ≥8 mm) who are arranged for VATS will be randomly assigned to a TEAS group and a sham TEAS (STEAS) group in a 1:1 ratio. Daily TEAS/STEAS intervention will be administered starting on 3 days before the VATS and continued once per day for three consecutive days. The primary outcome will be the generalised anxiety disorder scale score change between the day before surgery with the baseline. The secondary outcomes will include serum concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, intraoperative anaesthetic consumption, time to postoperative chest tube removal, postoperative pain, and length of postoperative hospital stay. The adverse events will be recorded for safety evaluation. All data in this trial will be analysed by the SPSS V.21.0 statistical software package. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: 2021-023). The results of this study will be distributed through peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04895852.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi Wu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongyu Chen
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Wang
- Clinical Research Institute of Acupuncture and Anaesthetic, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuqiang Wei
- Clinical Research Institute of Acupuncture and Anaesthetic, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jijie Feng
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Kwon CY, Yeh CH. Use of Information and Communication Technologies to Enhance Self-Acupressure: a Literature Review. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2022; 15:214-226. [DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2022.15.4.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Young Kwon
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Dong-Eui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Chao Hsing Yeh
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Application of Virtual Reality Technology in Clinical Practice, Teaching, and Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1373170. [PMID: 35990836 PMCID: PMC9388243 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1373170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background The application of virtual reality (VR) in clinical settings is growing rapidly, with encouraging results. As VR has been introduced into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a systematic review must be undertaken to understand its current status. Aim This review aims to evaluate and summarize the current applications of VR in CAM, as well as to explore potential directions for future research and development. Methods After a brief description of VR technology, we discuss the past 20 years of clinical VR applications in the medical field. Then, we discuss the theoretical basis of the combination of VR technology and CAM, the research thus far, and practical factors regarding usability, etc., from the following three main aspects: clinical application, teaching, and scientific research. Finally, we summarize and propose hypotheses on the application of VR in CAM and its limitations. Results Our review of the theoretical underpinnings and research findings to date leads to the prediction that VR and CAM will have a significant impact on future research and practice. Conclusion Although there is still much research needed to advance the science in this area, we strongly believe that VR applications will become indispensable tools in the toolbox of CAM researchers and practitioners and will only grow in relevance and popularity in the era of digital health.
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Lee H, Choi Y, Son B, Lim J, Lee S, Kang JW, Kim KH, Kim EJ, Yang C, Lee JD. Deep autoencoder-powered pattern identification of sleep disturbance using multi-site cross-sectional survey data. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:950327. [PMID: 35966837 PMCID: PMC9374171 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.950327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern identification (PI) is a diagnostic method used in Traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) to select appropriate and personalized acupuncture points and herbal medicines for individual patients. Developing a reproducible PI model using clinical information is important as it would reflect the actual clinical setting and improve the effectiveness of TEAM treatment. In this paper, we suggest a novel deep learning-based PI model with feature extraction using a deep autoencoder and k-means clustering through a cross-sectional study of sleep disturbance patient data. The data were obtained from an anonymous electronic survey in the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) members from August 16, 2021, to September 20, 2021. The survey instrument consisted of six sections: demographics, medical history, military duty, sleep-related assessments (Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Berlin questionnaire, and sleeping environment), diet/nutrition-related assessments [dietary habit survey questionnaire and nutrition quotient (NQ)], and gastrointestinal-related assessments [gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) and Bristol stool scale]. Principal component analysis (PCA) and a deep autoencoder were used to extract features, which were then clustered using the k-means clustering method. The Calinski-Harabasz index, silhouette coefficient, and within-cluster sum of squares were used for internal cluster validation and the final PSQI, Berlin questionnaire, GSRS, and NQ scores were used for external cluster validation. One-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test and chi-squared test were used for between-cluster comparisons. Among 4,869 survey responders, 2,579 patients with sleep disturbances were obtained after filtering using a PSQI score of >5. When comparing clustering performance using raw data and extracted features by PCA and the deep autoencoder, the best feature extraction method for clustering was the deep autoencoder (16 nodes for the first and third hidden layers, and two nodes for the second hidden layer). Our model could cluster three different PI types because the optimal number of clusters was determined to be three via the elbow method. After external cluster validation, three PI types were differentiated by changes in sleep quality, dietary habits, and concomitant gastrointestinal symptoms. This model may be applied to the development of artificial intelligence-based clinical decision support systems through electronic medical records and clinical trial protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of TEAM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonhoon Lee
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yujin Choi
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Byunwoo Son
- Department of Korean Medicine, Combined Dispensary, 7th Corps, Republic of Korea Army, Icheon-si, South Korea
| | - Jinwoong Lim
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wonkwang University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Seunghoon Lee
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Won Kang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kun Hyung Kim
- School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Eun Jung Kim
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Hospital, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Changsop Yang
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Changsop Yang
| | - Jae-Dong Lee
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Jae-Dong Lee
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Lee IS, Chae Y. Exploring Acupuncture Actions in the Body and Brain. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2022; 15:157-162. [PMID: 35770545 DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2022.15.3.157] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture's actions have been explained by biomedical research. However, the meridian system used in acupuncture needs further clarification. This review describes how acupuncture affects the body and brain. From the perspective of traditional East Asian medicine, the meridian system is closely connected with acupuncture's treatment effects. In the body, the indications of acupoints, primarily established based on the meridian system, have spatial symptom patterns. Spatial patterns of acupoint indications are distant from the stimulated sites and strongly associated with the corresponding meridian's route. Understanding how acupuncture works based on the original meridian system is important. From a neuroscience perspective, an acupuncture-induced sensation originates from the bottom-up action of simple needling in the peripheral receptor and the reciprocal interaction with top-down brain modulation. In the brain, enhanced bodily attention triggered by acupuncture stimulation can activate the salience network and deactivate the default mode network regardless of the actual stimulation. The application of data science technology to acupuncture research may provide new tools to uncover the principles of acupoint selection and enhance the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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Li AR, Andrews L, Hilts A, Valdebran M. Efficacy of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Alopecia: A Narrative Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:868079. [PMID: 35755043 PMCID: PMC9219404 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.868079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is the practice of applying needles to target specific pressures points in the body. Since originating in China, acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years to treat numerous conditions including chronic pain and mood disorders. Alopecia is a common dermatologic condition associated with psychological distress and decreased quality of life. Although it remains underexplored in western medicine, recent evidence suggests that acupuncture may be efficacious in the treatment of alopecia. In this review, we discuss the available evidence describing the efficacy of acupuncture or moxibustion alone (ACU) and in combination with other traditional and alternative interventions (ACU + TRAD) for hair loss. Additionally, the proposed physiologic mechanisms, targeted acupuncture points, and the benefits and barriers to treatment will be further described. An exploratory search using PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus databases was performed for studies that evaluated the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on alopecia. In these studies, both ACU and ACU + TRAD were efficacious for numerous etiologies of hair loss including alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and seborrheic alopecia. Given their ability to modulate the immune system, as well as neuronal networks associated with emotional cognition, the most frequently targeted acupoints were ST 36, GV 20, and LR 3. The proposed mechanistic effect is dependent upon disease etiology and is theorized to be twofold: reduction of inflammation and decrease in testosterone levels. The limited side effect profile of acupuncture makes it an advantageous treatment option, however, factors including cost, time, limited access, and aversion to needles may serve as barriers to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andraia R Li
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Laura Andrews
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Alexis Hilts
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Manuel Valdebran
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Yoo Y, Ryu Y, Lee IS, Chae Y. Diachronic analysis of major acupoints used in ancient and current acupuncture treatments. Integr Med Res 2022; 11:100865. [PMID: 35516161 PMCID: PMC9062420 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2022.100865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over time, a large body of knowledge on acupoint selection patterns has accumulated. This study compared the main acupoint selection patterns between ancient and current acupuncture treatments. Methods Data on the 10 most frequently used acupoints were obtained from a current medical database, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the ancient medical text Donguibogam. Network analysis was used to identify the most commonly used major points across various diseases. Results The most commonly used acupoints in both ancient and current acupuncture were ST36, SP6, LR3, LI4, and GV20. Acupoints CV3, CV4, CV6, CV8, and CV12 were more widely used in ancient acupuncture, while in current acupuncture, HT7, PC6, KI3, GB34, and EX-HN3 were more prevalent. Conclusions Ancient and current acupuncture practice had similar and distinct acupoint selection patterns. Diachronic analysis sheds light on how patterns of acupoint selection have changed.
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Vodyanoy V, Pustovyy O, Globa L. Primo Vascular Node in the Bone Marrow and Longevity. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2022; 15:12-24. [DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2022.15.1.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Vodyanoy
- Department Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Oleg Pustovyy
- Department Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Ludmila Globa
- Department Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
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Lee S, Ryu Y, Park HJ, Lee IS, Chae Y. Characteristics of five-phase acupoints from data mining of randomized controlled clinical trials followed by multidimensional scaling. Integr Med Res 2022; 11:100829. [PMID: 35024336 PMCID: PMC8733268 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2021.100829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background An unbiased assessment of clinical outcomes may provide greater insight into the characteristics of individual acupoints. In this study, we used machine-learning methods to examine clinical trial data for diseases treated using prescribed five-phase acupoint patterns. Methods We performed a search of acupuncture treatment regimens used in randomized controlled trials included in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The frequencies of 60 five-phase acupoints were calculated based on 421 clinical trials on 30 diseases. The characteristics of prescribed five-phase acupoints were further analyzed using multidimensional scaling and K-means clustering. Results Among the five-phase acupoints, stream and sea acupoints were the most widely used, with well, spring, and river acupoints less common. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis revealed that the LR3, ST36, GB34, BL60, KI3, LI11, and HT7 acupoints exhibited distinct characteristics based on distances representing the similarity between acupoint indications. Conclusions The results suggest that stream and sea acupoints exhibit distinct characteristics compared to the other acupoints. Such data-driven approaches will improve our understanding of five-phase acupoints and facilitate the establishment of new models of analysis and educational resources for major acupoint characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyoung Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Jang DY, Oh KC, Jung ES, Cho SJ, Lee JY, Lee YJ, Kim CE, Yang IJ. Diversity of Acupuncture Point Selections According to the Acupuncture Styles and Their Relations to Theoretical Elements in Traditional Asian Medicine: A Data-Mining-Based Literature Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102059. [PMID: 34064891 PMCID: PMC8151004 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture point (AP) selections can vary depending on clinicians’ acupuncture style, and therefore, acupuncture style is an important factor in determining the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. However, few studies have examined the differences in AP selections according to the acupuncture styles and theoretical backgrounds causing the differences. We compared the AP prescriptions used for 14 diseases in three classical medical textbooks, Dongeuibogam (DEBG), Saamdoinchimgooyogyeol (SADI), and Chimgoogyeongheombang (CGGHB), which represent unique acupuncture styles and have affected clinicians during this time. AP prescriptions showed more diversity between textbooks than between types of diseases. Among the three textbooks, AP prescriptions of SADI were most different compared to those of DEBG and CGGHB. Importantly, we found each style can be more clearly explained by AP attributes than by the APs per se. Specifically, SADI, DEBG, and CGGHB preferred five transport points located on the limbs, APs of the extra meridians, and source points, respectively. This suggests the possibility that the theoretical diversity of acupuncture styles results in the heterogeneity of AP selections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Yeop Jang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea;
| | - Ki-Chang Oh
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (K.-C.O.); (E.-S.J.); (S.-J.C.); (J.-Y.L.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Eun-Seo Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (K.-C.O.); (E.-S.J.); (S.-J.C.); (J.-Y.L.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Soo-Jin Cho
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (K.-C.O.); (E.-S.J.); (S.-J.C.); (J.-Y.L.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Ji-Yun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (K.-C.O.); (E.-S.J.); (S.-J.C.); (J.-Y.L.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Yeon-Jae Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (K.-C.O.); (E.-S.J.); (S.-J.C.); (J.-Y.L.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Chang-Eop Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea;
- Correspondence: (C.-E.K.); (I.-J.Y.); Tel.: +82-31-750-5416 (C.-E.K.); +82-54-770-2366 (I.-J.Y.)
| | - In-Jun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
- Correspondence: (C.-E.K.); (I.-J.Y.); Tel.: +82-31-750-5416 (C.-E.K.); +82-54-770-2366 (I.-J.Y.)
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16
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Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Be Parameterized and Standardized? A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:177. [PMID: 33562368 PMCID: PMC7914658 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9020177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Western health systems and research requires a rational communicable theory, scientific proof of efficacy and safety, and quality control measures. The existence of clear definitions and the diagnosis standardization are critical factors to establish the patient's vegetative functional status accurately and, therefore, systematically apply TCM therapeutics such as the stimulation of reflex skin areas known as acupoints. This science-based conceptualization entails using validated methods, or even developing new systems able to parameterize the diagnosis and assess TCM related effects by objective measurements. Traditionally, tongue and pulse diagnosis and the functional evaluation of action points by pressure sensitivity and physical examination may be regarded as essential diagnostic tools. Parameterizing these techniques is a future key point in the objectification of TCM diagnosis, such as by electronic digital image analysis, mechanical pulse diagnostic systems, or the systematic evaluation of acupoints' electrophysiology. This review aims to demonstrate and critically analyze some achievements and limitations in the clinical application of device-assisted TCM diagnosis systems to evaluate functional physiological patterns. Despite some limitations, tongue, pulse, and electrophysiological diagnosis devices have been reported as a useful tool while establishing a person's functional status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Carlos Matos
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- CBSIn—Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa, Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- CTEC—Centro Transdisciplinar de Estudos da Consciência da Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pereira Machado
- CBSIn—Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa, Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal;
- ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Fernando Jorge Monteiro
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Henry Johannes Greten
- ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Lee IS, Chae Y. Identification of major traditional acupuncture points for pain control using network analysis. Acupunct Med 2020; 39:553-554. [PMID: 33319596 DOI: 10.1177/0964528420971309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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18
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Identification of Acupoint Indication from Reverse Inference: Data Mining of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9093027. [PMID: 32962229 PMCID: PMC7564320 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9093027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity of acupoint indication (i.e., reverse inference—diseases for which an acupoint could be used) might differ from the specificity of acupoint selection (i.e., forward inference—acupoints used for a disease). In this study, we explore acupoint specificity through reverse inferences from the dataset of prescribed acupoints for a certain disease in clinical trials. We searched acupuncture treatment regimens in randomized controlled trials included in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. For forward inference, the acupoints prescribed for each disease were quantified. For reverse inference, diseases for each acupoint were quantified. Data were normalized using Z-scores. Bayes factor correction was performed to adjust for the prior probability of diseases. The specificities of acupoint selections in 30 diseases were determined using forward inference. The specificities of acupoint indications regarding 49 acupoints were identified using reverse inference and then subjected to Bayes factor correction. Two types of acupoint indications were identified for 24 acupoints: regional and distal. Our approach suggests that the specificity of acupoint indication can be inferred from clinical data using reverse inference. Acupoint indication will improve our understanding of acupoint specificity and will lead to the establishment of a new model of analysis and educational resources for acupoint characteristics.
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