Objective To investigate the combined effects of digastric muscle low frequency modulated medium frequency electro-acupuncture therapy and voice training for dysphagia in patients who underwent aortic arch surgery. Methods Forty-two consecutive patients with dysphagia after aortic arch surgery between October 2014 and November 2017 were divided into two groups including an observation group and a control group. There were 21 patients in each group. There were 17 males and 4 females at age of 51.0±6.5 years in the observation group, while 18 males and 3 females at age of 49.8±7.3 years in the control group. The patients in the observation group underwent electroacupuncture therapy and voice training (20 min per day for each therapy, 2 weeks), while the patients in the control group only received safe swallowing education and rehabilitation guidance (2 weeks). The test results, such as fibrolaryngoscope and functional oral intake scale (FOIS) score, and the data of computer phonatory detection, before and after the intervention were compared. Results The fibrolaryngoscope of vocal cords significantly decreased and the FOIS score significantly increased after digastric muscle low frequency modulated medium frequency electro-acupuncture therapy and voice training in the observation group(6.30 vs. 4.60, P<0.05). Bucking was obviously reduced. The indicators of hoarse degree, such as median pitch, fundamental frequency, jitter (0.60%±0.96%vs. 1.99%±1.86%, P=0.033), shimmer (2.47%±4.26% vs. 5.89%±3.66%, P=0.043), maximum phonation time (15.31±9.10 s vs. 3.72±8.83 s, P=0.006), maximum and loud phonation time (9.30±5.73 s vs. 2.32±2.99 s, P=0.039), mean noise-to-harmonics ratio (23.99±10.17 vs .9.98±9.37, P=0.006) and mean harmonics-to-noise ratio (0.03±0.02 vs. 0.17±0.23, P=0.019) improved after the treatment in both groups. But the improvement in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group. Conclusion The combination of digastric muscle low frequency modulated medium frequency electro-acupuncture therapy and voice training on dysphagia in patients who underwent aortic arch surgery can significantly improve the swallowing function of patients. Meanwhile, it also helps the recovery of phonic function and improves the ability of feeding and communication in these patients.
In order to standardize the reporting of sham acupuncture and improve the quality of reporting of sham acupuncture, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine has developed a specific reporting guideline for sham acupuncture: SHam Acupuncture REporting (SHARE) which contains ten categories with nineteen items. This paper introduces the development methods and main contents of the guidelines to provide a reference for researchers to correctly understand and reasonably apply the guidelines.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion (acup-moxi) therapy for breech presentation. Methods We electronically searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2008), PubMed (1980 to Mar. 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to 2008), Ovid EBM Database (1991 to 2008), CBMdisc (1978 to Mar. 2008), VIP (1989 to Mar. 2008), CNKI (1979 to Mar. 2008), and WangFang Database (1983 to Mar. 2008), as well as handsearched seven traditional Chinese medicine journals to obtain randomized control trials (RCTs) about acup-moxi for breech presentation. Quality assessment was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.0.1. Meta-analyses were performed for the results of homogeneous studies using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Eight RCTs involving 1 341 patients met the inclusion criteria. Five trials were of relatively high quality and 3 were of low quality. The pooled analysis of six trials showed that acup-moxi was superior in cephalic presentation with RR=1.38, and 95%CI 1.20 to 1.58. Conclusion Acup-moxi can increase the successful rate of cephalic presentation in the treatment of breech presentation compared with no (routine care) or knee-chest position treatment.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in animal hyperlipidemia models. MethodsDatabases such as CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase and The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2013) were searched for studies concerning the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in animal hyperlipidemia models up to December 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies by using reformative CAMARADES List. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 4 studies involving 89 rats were included. The average score of CAMARADES List was 4. The results of meta-analysis showed that:there were no significant differences between electroacupuncture group and medication group in reducing the levels of TC (MD=0.06, 95%CI -0.08 to 0.20, P=0.40), TG (MD=-0.01, 95%CI -0.08 to 0.06, P=0.74), LDL-C (MD=0.01, 95%CI -0.04 to 0.03, P=0.65) and increasing the level of HDL-C (MD=-0.00, 95%CI -0.09 to 0.08, P=0.93). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that there are no differences between electroacupuncture and medication in reducing levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and increasing the level of HDL-C in hyperlipidaemia rats. But due to the limitation of sample size of included studies, more large-scale, high quality studies are needed.
ObjectiveSham acupuncture control is a commonly employed method to assess the specific effects of acupuncture in clinical trials. However, due to the absence of specific reporting standards, the reporting quality of sham acupuncture in these trials is low. In order to standardize the reporting of sham acupuncture and improve the reporting quality of sham acupuncture, our project team has developed SHam Acupuncture REporting guidelines and a checklist in clinical trials (SHARE). MethodsThe development process included four parts: we conducted literature research to form initial items of sham acupuncture reporting; two rounds of Delphi surveys were carried out to evaluate the reporting necessity of these initial items; two expert consensus meetings were held to further discuss and agree upon the Delphi results and approve the SHARE checklist; a pilot testing was conducted to assess the feasibility and practicality of the list and make necessary revisions to generate the final SHARE checklist. ResultsThe SHARE checklist consisted of 10 categories with 19 items. The requirements for reporting sham acupuncture primarily focused on sham acupuncture detailed information as well as relevant background factors. ConclusionThe SHARE serves as specialized reporting guidelines for sham acupuncture that offers clear guidance on comprehensive and concise reporting of sham acupuncture.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the functional rehabilitation of injured peripheral nerve with electric acupuncture. METHODS: Sciatic nerve injury model was established by transection of left sciatic nerve in 60 Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with electroacupuncture, no treatment in the control group. Change of nerve electrophysiological, power of muscle and sciatic functional index (SFI) were observed. RESULTS: Nerve muscle-action potential (MAP) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in the experimental group were better than that of the control group (P lt; 0.01). The single muscle twitch and tetanization of gastrocnemius muscle were higher in the experimental group too (P lt; 0.05). SFI were significantly higher in the experimental group (P lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electric acupuncture therapy can improve functional rehabilitation of injured peripheral nerve.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture for treating ischemic stroke. MethodWe searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to December 30th 2014 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on scalp acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed risk bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 27 studies involving 2 741 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:a) As for the improvement of nervous functional deficiency, the scalp acupuncture plus drug group was superior to the drug alone group (MD=-5.33, 95%CI -6.71 to -3.96, P<0.000 01), and the scalp acupuncture plus conventional therapy group was superior to the conventional therapy alone group (MD=-2.11, 95%CI -3.31 to -0.91, P=0.0006). b) As for the effective rate, the scalp acupuncture group was superior to the body acupuncture group (OR=0.28, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.53, P<0.000 01), the scalp acupuncture plus drug group was superior to the drug alone group (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.29, P<0.000 01), and the scalp acupuncture plus conventional therapy group was superior to the conventional therapy alone group (OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.56, P=0.008). However, there was no significant difference between the scalp acupuncture group and the drug alone group (OR=0.16, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.97, P=0.05). ConclusionScalp acupuncture appears to be an effective adjuvant therapy method for ischemic stroke, and can significantly improve the nervous functional deficiency when combined with other treatment. However, the strength of evidence is low due to high risk of bias of the included studies. More rigorous studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and compare it with the curative effect of the two methods separately. MethodsA total of 168 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated from March 2006 to December 2012 were randomly divided into 3 groups. Electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 58 patients in the treatment group, single acupuncture treatment was given to the 57 patients in control group A, and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 53 patients in control group B. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Assessment of knee osteoarthritis by Lequesne international standard index number and the total efficiency was carried out before treatment and 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months after treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.38%, of control group A was 68.42%, and of control group B was 79.25%. There was a significant difference between the treatment group and control group A, and between the treatment group and control group B (P<0.05). No blood, liver or kidney damage or gastrointestinal adverse reaction occurred among patients in all the three groups. ConclusionThe efficacy of electro-acupuncture plus oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules is better than simple acupuncture and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus by observing the changes of hippocampal subtle neuron pathology and apoptosis.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were used to prepare epileptic status models of lithium-pilocarpine mice, and then 7-day electroacupuncture stimulation (Baihui, Fengfu) were given to the mice model. Open field experiment and new object recognition experiment were performed to observe the changes of cognitive abilities. The pathological changes of hippocampal neurons were detected by HE staining. Hippocampal apoptosis protein (Caspase-3) and microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Effect of electroacupuncture on apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus were recorded.Results① Compared with the control group, the vertical movement, modification times, and number of crossings of the model group all decreased significantly (P<0.000 1,P<0.000 1,P<0.000 1), and their cognitive ability decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, vertical movements, modification times, and number of crossings were increased in the electroacupuncture (EA) group (P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05), and the cognitive ability of new objects was increased (P<0.01). ② HE staining showed that the model group had significant damage to the hippocampal neurons of mice, and the cells swelled, nuclear collapsed and vacuoles appeared. In the EA group, the injury of hippocampal neurons was alleviated, and cell edema and vacuolization were alleviated. ③ Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the control group, the IOD of the Caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus of the model group increased significantly (P<0.000 1), and the IOD of the MAP-2 positive cells decreased significantly (P<0.01); Compared with the electroacupuncture, the IOD of the Caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus of the mice decreased (P<0.05), and the IOD of the MAP-2 positive cells increased (P<0.05).ConclusionsElectroacupuncture can improve the pathological changes of hippocampal neurons in C57BL/6J mice with status epilepticus, promote cytoskeletal repair, reduce neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus, and antagonize the damage of hippocampal neurons induced by status epilepticus.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture analgesia after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP), aiming to reduce the use of analgesics post-surgery. MethodsPatients who underwent unilateral TEP in the Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery at our hospital from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected as research subjects. Those who met the inclusion and exclusion criterias were randomly assigned to three groups: TCM acupuncture analgesia group, traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture analgesia plus western medicine analgesia group (referred to as Chinese and western medicine analgesia group), and western medicine analgesia group. The basic information, postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperative recovery indicators, and complication rates of the three groups were analyzed and compared.ResultsThere was no statistically significant differences in the basic data of patients across the three groups (P>0.05). There were significant differences in NRS score, recovery time of intestinal function, first urination time after operation and first ambulation time after operation at each time point after analgesia (6 h, the next morning, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after operation) among the three groups (P<0.05). The NRS scores in both the TCM acupuncture analgesia group and the Chinese and western medicine analgesia group were lower than those in the western medicine analgesia group (P<0.05), Additionally, postoperative recovery outcomes were better in the TCM acupuncture analgesia group and the Chinese and western medicine analgesia group compared with the western medicine group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of the above results compared between the TCM acupuncture analgesia group and the Chinese and western medicine analgesia group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionTCM acupuncture analgesia following TEP surgery is effective and leads to improved postoperative recovery compared with the use of oral analgesics alone, without an increase in adverse reactions.