[Introduction]There are few studies on the effect of acupuncture on QOL and work ability. Therefore, by this prospective study, we examined the effect of acupuncture treatment for QOL and work ability of visual display terminal (VDT) workers.
[Methods]Sixty-one VDT workers participated as subjects (41 males, 20 females). Acupuncture sessions were performed once a week for 4 weeks. Acupuncture points were decided by individualized VDT workers neck and shoulder symptoms points. Disposable press tack needles were used. Improvement of SF-36 and the work ability index were evaluated.
[Results]All VDT workers completed follow-up. There were statistically significant improvements in Mental Component Score (MCS), Physical Component Score (PCS), Role Physical and Body-Pain of the SF-36, and WAI. Regular correlations between before WAI and MCS, PCS, and 8 subscales of the SF-36 were observed. In addition improvement rate of WAI and Body-Pain were observed.
[Conclusion]Symptoms in the neck shoulder stiffness of the VDT workers was improved by acupuncture, and QOL/work ability improved.

We evaluated the efficacy, usefulness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by the randomized, parallel-group, multi-center study with the drug-treated outpatient group as the control. The endpoints, important in the clinical assessment of acupuncture treatment, included the improvement criteria in ACR core set variables and the Japanese version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales Version 2 (AIMS-2), a system of evaluation of the quality of life (QOL) of patients with RA.
Regarding intervention (therapy), a therapy chart for each stage of disease was drawn up to give local and systemic treatment in consideration of the patient's activity and disability in each stage of RA, so that generally consistent therapy adapted to the patient's condition would be provided. Result 1. Patients eligible for analysis were 80 patients of A-group (drug therapy group) (80 females, 2 males) and 90 patients of B-group (drug plus acupuncture and moxibustion group), total 170 patients. 2. Patients who satisfied the improvement criteria in ACR core set variables (improved patients) were 8 of 80 patients in A-group and 20 of 90 patients in B-group. The improvement rate was significantly higher for B-group treated by drug plus acupuncture and moxibustion versus A-group, with P=0.04 in 2 (2 table chi square test. 3. In QOL change investigated by AIMS-2 questionnaire, the improvement occurred significantly more frequently in the drug plus acupuncture and moxibustion group, with difference between groups at 12 months after the initiation of clinical study at P=0.001. 4. Changes in the subjects included in AIMS-2 questionnaire : Improvement was significantly more frequent in the drug plus acupuncture and moxibustion group versus drug therapy group in respect to the ability to walk, finger function, housework, sociableness, pain, mood, and the degree of subjective improvement. In the present randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study, a significant improvement was detected in the drug plus acupuncture and moxibustion group versus the drug therapy group in the aforesaid respect, which suggested that the use of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with the conventional therapy would prevent deterioration of physical functions, improve blood circulation, stabilize mental status, and thereby contribute to the improvement of QOL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

[Introduction]Recently, in the development of information technology, VDT workers are increasing rapidly. Physical and mental health symptoms associated with working at visual display terminals (VDTs) are controversial. However, there are few studies about the effect of acupuncture treatment on eye fatigue, neck and shoulder stiffness that many VDT workers have.
Therefore, in this prospective study, we examined the effect of acupuncture treatment for complaints of VDT workers.
[Methods]Sixty-one VDT workers participated as subjects (41 males, 20 females). Acupuncture sessions were performed once a week for four weeks. Acupuncture points were decided by the patient's muscleskeletal distress.
Disposable press tack needles were used. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine eye fatigue, neck and shoulder stiffness. Improvements of each VAS were evaluated. Then we analyzed improvement on shoulder and neck stiffness associated with eye fatigue.
[Results]The neck and shoulder distress of patients was reduced in four weeks by acupuncture treatment. A regular correlation between the improvement rate of eye fatigue and neck/shoulder stiffness was observed.
[Conclusion]The neck and shoulder stiffness was improved by acupuncture treatment. According to improved symptoms, eye fatigue was mitigated as well. Thus it was suggested that utility of acupuncture is high in the field of industrial medicine.

[Purpose] We know of no reports on the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation, on human skeletal muscle blood flow (MBF), examined quantitatively with a direct method. Therefore, we investigated changes in MBF before, during and after EA with a new clearance method. [Methods] Ten healthy adult volunteers (8 men and 2 women; median age 30.5 years) were given EA to the trapezius at the BL 10 and GB 21 acupoints, employing the left trapezius as the non-EA side to contrast with the right trapezius as the EA side, and using stainless needles of 50 mm length and 0.18 mm gauge. MBF data were surveyed for 2 minutes before EA, for 4 minutes during EA, and for 4 minutes after EA, and a total of10minutes were analyzed l(?). Blood pressure and heart rate were simultaneously measured. [Results] MBF on the EA side increased significantly during EA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were shown to decrease during EA (p < 0.05). [Discussion] These results, showing that MBF increased on the EA side, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased, suggest a regional muscle pump action with EA. [Conclusion] In evaluating a new, direct means of quantitatively examining _99mTc0_4- clearance, an increase in MBF with right side EA stimulation was clearly shown. Because the present method is simpler and easier, and higher in accuracy than past methods, we believe it may be used more aggressively in future clinical studies of acupuncture/moxibustion.