ObjectiveTo investigate theefficacy of transcutaneous acupoint electrical nerve stimulation plus acupoint pressing in treatingheadachesafter ethmoidectomyforchronic nasosinusitis.MethodOne hundred patients withchronic nasosinusitiswho hadundergoneethmoidectomyunder general anesthesia were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each.The control group received routine treatment (auricular plastertherapy,anti-inflammatoryandhemostatic therapy, andoxygen uptake) and the treatment group, transcutaneous acupoint electrical nerve stimulation plus acupoint pressing in addition.Postoperative headache severities were comparedbetweenthe two groups at 6, 12 and 24 hrs after thebeginningof treatment.ResultHeadaches were relieved more significantly in the treatment group than in thecontrol groupat 6, 12 and 24 hrs, especially at 24 hrs. ConclusionsTranscutaneous acupoint electrical nerve stimulation plus acupointpressing has a marked therapeutic effect on headachesafter paranasal sinus surgeryand cansignificantlyimprove postoperative quality of life in the patients.This treatment is non-invasive and more easily accepted by the patients and canimprovethe operatingefficiency and feasibility.

ObjectiveTo objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy of three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy for cervicogenic headache.MethodSixty patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment group received three-step acupuncture-cupping therapy and the control group, conventional acupuncture based on “Acupuncture Therapeutics”. Both groups were treated for three courses (10 days as acourse with two days of rest between two courses) and then the clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated. The evaluation included the overall therapeutic effect on the symptoms, the VASscore and the follow-up recurrence rate at six months after treatment.ResultThe total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 83.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). A follow-up of six months after treatment in the two groups showed that the recurrence rate was 16.7% in the treatment group and 46.7% in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionThree-step acupuncture-cupping therapy has a definite effect on cervicogenic headache. Its immediate and long-term effects are superior to those of conventional acupuncture. The recurrence rate in six months is lower in this therapy than in conventionalacupuncture.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of nape eight needles plus cephalic ashi point acupuncture in treating cervicogenic headache.MethodA randomized controlled trial was carried out. Eighty-nine patients with cervicogenic headache were randomly allocated to two groups, the treatment group of 45 cases and the control group of 44 cases. Nape eight points [bilateral Fengchi(GB20), Fengfu(GV16), Dazhui(GV14) and “nape Sihuaxue”] and cephalic ashi points were selected inthe treatment group and Huatuo jiaji(Ex-B2) points at the affected cervical vertebrae and points Tianzhu(BL10), Fengchi, Yuzhen(BL9), Lieque(LU7), Taichong(LR3)and Zulinqi(GB41), in the control group. Every group was treated three times a week for two weeks. A follow-up was performed at one month after the completion of treatment. Headache was scored using the VAS, and continuous headache time, headache frequency and range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine were scored before treatment, at the end ofone week’s treatment, at the completion of treatment and at one month after the completion of treatment. The therapeutic effect at the completion of treatment and the follow-up was evaluated according to criteria for assessing the therapeutic effect.ResultAt the completion of treatment and the follow-up, the headache score and the range of motion of cervical spine score were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the total efficacy rate was 91.1% at the completion of treatment and 86.7% at the follow-up; the short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). After one week of treatment, the total efficacy rate was 57.8%, which was higher than 11.4% in thecontrol group (P<0.05).ConclusionTreatment with nape eight needles plus cephalic ashi point needle retention has a marked improving effect on headache symptoms and range of motion of cervical spine in cervicogenic headache. Its short-term and long-termtherapeutic effects are superior to those of conventional acupuncture. It has a higher efficacy rate and effect-producing speed.

ObjectiveTo observe the treatment efficacy of needling LIN’s three temporal acupoints in treating children with autism by using a randomized controlled study method.MethodSixty-eight patients with autism were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Because of dropouts and rejects, 33cases were finally recruited into the observation group, and 32 into the control group. The two groups both received speech training and special education. In addition, the control group received acupuncture at Shenting (GV24), Benshen (GB13), Sishenzhen (Extra), Emotional zone, Speech zone 1, Speech zone 2, and Speech zone 3; while the observation group received acupuncture at LIN’s three temporal acupoints based on the points selected in the control group except for Speech zone 3. Twisting needles and electroacupuncture were also applied in both groups. The treatment was performed once every other day, 10 sessions as a treatment course, with a 15-day interval between two courses, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses. Gesell test and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were adopted for evaluation before and after the intervention.ResultBefore treatment, there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the social adaptation, speech and social intercourse ability from Gesell test and ABC score (P>0.05); after treatment,the social adaptation, speech, intercourse ability, and ABC scorewere significantly improved in both groups (P<0.01);there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the social adaptation and speech ability (P>0.05), while theimprovement of social intercourse ability and ABC scoreinthe observation group were more significant than thatinthe control group (P<0.05). ConclusionNeedling LIN’s three temporal acupoints possibly has a specialtreatment effect in improving social intercourse ability and abnormal behavior in autism patients.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acupuncture and Chinese medication in improving the quality of life in post-menopausal women.MethodThe menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was adopted to evaluate the quality of life in post-menopausal women. Thirty post-menopausal women of MRS≥20 were randomized into an acupuncture group and a Chinese medication group to respectively receive 4-week treatment. They were scored again by using MRS at the end of intervention and during the follow-up study to compare with the pre-treatment scores.ResultThe decrease of MRS score was more significant in the acupuncture group than that in the Chinese medication group, and the intra-group comparisons between pre-treatment and post-treatment scores showed significant differences (P<0.001), and the intra-group comparisons also showed differences between pre-treatment and follow-up results (P<0.05).ConclusionThe effect of acupuncture in improving the quality of life in post-menopausal women is more significant than that of Chinese medication.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of auricular point sticking plus acupressure on blood pressure and lipid in hypertension patients with a dampness-phlegm constitution.MethodThe eligible subjects were randomized into antreatment group of 38 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The control group was intervened by conventional medication, while thetreatment group was additionally intervened by auricular point sticking plus acupressure. Before and after intervention, the blood pressure and lipid levels [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL)] were detected. ResultAfter intervention, the blood pressure, TC and TG levels were decreased in thetreatmentgroup (P<0.05,P<0.01), while the changes of HDL and LDL were statistically insignificant (P>0.05).ConclusionAuricular point sticking plus acupressure can somehow improve the blood pressure, TC and TG of hypertension patients with a dampness-phlegm constitution.

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating post-operative intractable hiccup.Method Sixty-seven patients with post-operative intractable hiccup were divided into a treatment group of 34 cases and a control group of 33 cases. The treatment group was intervened by electroacupunctureplus diaphragmatic training, while the control group was by Metoclopramide and Baclofen tablets. The effective rate, recovery time, recovery rate of the first treatment week, and relapse rate within 2 weeks were statistically analyzed.ResultThe total effective rate was 88.2% in the treatment group versus 63.6% in the control group; the mean recovery time was (5.75±3.14)d in the treatment group versus (6.11±3.40)d in the control group. The recovery rate of the first treatment week was 41.2% in the treatment group versus 18.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relapse rate within 2 weeks was 20.0% in the treatment group versus 76.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01).ConclusionElectroacupuncture plus diaphragmatic training is an effective approach in treating post-operative intractable hiccup.

ObjectiveTo observe the synergistic action of lower He-sea and Front-mu points in treating functional dyspepsia by adopting electroacupuncture at the lower He-sea and Frong-mu points of stomach.MethodSixty patients with functional dyspepsia were randomized into a lower He-sea group, a Front-mu group, and a combining group of lower He-sea and Front-mu points, to receive treatment once daily, 5 sessions a week, totally for 4 weeks. Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) was tested before and after intervention, and the general therapeutic efficacy was evaluated.ResultThe total effective rate was 100.0% in the combining group, versus 90.0% in the Front-mu group and 90.0% in the lower He-sea group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The follow-up study showed that the total effective rate was 100.0% in the combining group, versus 90.0% in the Front-mu group and 85.0% in the lower He-sea group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Before treatment, therewere no significant inter-group differences in comparing Nepean Dyspepsia Symptom Index (NDSI) and Nepean Dyspepsia Life Quality Index (NDLQI)(P>0.05), while there were significant differences in comparing NDSI and NDLQI after treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionIt can improve the functional dyspepsia symptoms by using the lower He-sea point and Front-mu point together or using them separately, while the combining use can produce a more significant efficacy.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect ofTong Guan Li Qiao(opening orifices) needling method on the swallowing function in patients with post-stroke deglutition disorders.MethodNinety-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group of 46 cases and a control group of 45 cases. The acupuncture group was intervened byTong Guan Li Qiaoneedling method, while the control group was by rehabilitation training. The Standard Swallowing Assessment (SSA), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Swallowing-related Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were adopted for evaluation before and after intervention.ResultAfter intervention, the SSA, MBI, SWAL-QOL, and HAMD scores were significantly improved in the two groups (P<0.05); there were significant differences in comparing the scores between the two groups after intervention (P<0.05), and the improvements in the acupuncture group were more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Tong Guan Li Qiaoneedling method can produce a more significant efficacy than conventional rehabilitation, by more effectively improving the swallowing function, activities of daily life, quality of life, and depression state in patients with post-stroke deglutition disorders.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion at umbilicus in treating primarydysmenorrhea based on metabonomics.MethodTwenty patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into two groups to respectively receive herb-partitioned moxibustion at umbilicus and moxa-stick moxibustion at umbilicus. After treatment for 3 menstrualcycles, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate abdominal pain, and LC-MS-based metabonomics analysis was adopted to detect the change of plasma metabolites.ResultAfter intervention, the VAS scores decreased with the menstrual cycles in both groups. The decrease of VAS score in herb-partitioned moxibustion group was more significant than that in moxa-stick moxibustion group (P<0.05); herb-partitioned moxibustion at umbilicus up-regulated the contents of 20α-dihydroprogesterone, pregnenolone, prostaglandin E2and?-propalanine, and down-regulated the contents of estrone and prostaglandin H2in plasma; moxa-stick moxibustion decreased the content of 5’-pyridoxal phosphate.ConclusionThe two methods both can improve abdominal pain in primary dysmenorrhea, while herb-partitioned moxibustion can produce a more significant efficacy than moxa-stick moxibustion, and its effect is possibly realized via regulating estrone, progesterone, and prostaglandin.