Objective To observe the correlation between infrared radiation temperature of specific points of the bladder (Zhongji, Pangguangshu, Weizhong and Shenshu) and OAB symptom severity in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) before and after electroacupuncture.Method Eighty-six patients were treated with electroacupuncture. The infrared radiation temperatures of the points were measured using an infrared thermograph in the patients before and after electroacupuncture. The patients’ symptoms were scored using the OAB Symptom Score (OABSS). The correlation between the infrared radiation temperature and the symptom score was analyzed according to the changes in the two.Result In the patients, the OAB symptom score (OABSS) was 8.00 (7.00, 9.00) before treatment and 2.00 (4.00, 6.00) after. There was a statistically significant difference between the two (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the infrared radiation temperatures of the points (Zhongji, Pangguangshu, Weizhong and Shenshu) (P<0.05). The OAB symptom score (OABSS) and Zhongji infrared radiation temperature had a rank and positive correlation.Conclusion Zhongji infrared radiation temperature has important reference value for the assessment of OAB symptom severity.

Objective To explore the regularities in clinical application of acupoints in acupuncture treatment for ovulatory disorder infertility and provide guidance for clinical treatment of this disease.Methods China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Chinese Scientific Journal Database and China Biomedical Literature Database were searched to retrieve clinical literature on acupuncture treatment for ovulatory disorder infertility published from 1996 to 2015 and analyze the application frequency of main acupoints statistically, acupoint meridian tropism and regions, and regularities in acupoint selection.Results A total of 98 articles were included, involvng 58 main acupoints, 608 frequencies of using main acupoints and 11 meridians to which the main acupoints were related. The four most frequently used acupoints were Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao, Zigong and Zhongji. The meridians of which the main acupoints were used at the first five highest frequencies were in order the Ren meridian, the spleen meridian, the stomach meridian, the bladder meridian and the kidney meridian.Conclusions Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao, Zigong and Zhongji are the most frequently used acupoints in modern acupuncture treatment for ovulatory disorder infertility. The principles of acupoint selection are based on visceral and meridional syndrome differentiations. Acupoint selection along the meridian and local acupoint selection are the main methods and acupoint selection according the experience is an auxiliary method.

Purpose To observe the effect of acupuncturing different points on unstable bladder. Method Fifty-one patients of unstable bladder were divided randomly into Shu-point group, Mu-point group, He-point group,observe the change of symptom score and urodynamics.Results Puncturing these points can improve the symptom score and urodynamics, but the different points can get different effect, and the effect of Sbu-point and Hepoint is superior to that of Mu-point, Conclusion The different points of bladder have different adjusting function and that function relates with nerves locating in points.

Objective: To systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of using acupuncture-moxibustion therapy alone to treat adult overactive bladder (OAB) by taking oral Western medication solely as the control, and to provide evidence-based reference for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of OAB. Methods: A systemic search was conducted through China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE). RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Statistical descriptions were made using standardized mean difference (SMD), confidence interval (CI), and risk ratio (RR). Results: Eight randomized controlled studies were finally recruited and were analyzed after being grouped according to intervention methods. Regarding urinary symptoms, compared with sole use of oral Western medication, acupuncture plus moxibustion can more effectively reduce 24 h urinary frequency [P=0.01, SMD=-0.57, 95％CI (-1.02, -0.12)], 24 h nocturia frequency [P=0.03, SMD=0.49, 95％CI (0.05, 0.94)], and OAB syndrome score (OABSS) [P<0.001, SMD=-3.67, 95％CI (-4.48, -2.86)]. Acupuncture combined with moxibustion and oral Western medication work equivalently in comparing 24 h urinary urgency frequency [P=0.38, SMD=-0.17, 95％CI (-0.57, 0.22)], 24 h urgent incontinence frequency [P=0.25, SMD=0.26, 95％CI (-0.18, 0.70)], and single voiding volume [P=0.22, SMD=1.15, 95％CI (-0.70, 3.00)]. There were no significant differences between acupuncture/electroacupuncture and oral medication in comparing 24 h urinary frequency [P=0.46, SMD=0.07, 95％CI (-0.12, 0.26)], 24 h urinary urgency frequency [P=0.18, SMD=0.70, 95％CI (-1.71, 0.32)], 24 h nocturia frequency [P=0.46, SMD=-0.71, 95％CI (-2.60, 1.17)], 24 h urgent incontinence frequency [P=0.08, SMD=-0.22, 95％CI (-0.48, 0.03)], single voiding volume [P=0.09, SMD=0.17, 95％CI (-0.02, 0.36)], or OABSS [P=0.96, SMD=-0.07, 95％CI (-2.65, 2.52)]. Compared with oral Western medication, moxibustion can more effectively reduce 24 h urinary frequency [P<0.001, SMD=-6.53, 95％CI (-7.65, -5.44)] and 24 h urinary urgency frequency [P<0.001, SMD=-1.6, 95％CI (-2.85, -0.36)]. In comparing the adverse reaction rate, acupuncture-moxibustion was associated with a lower rate compared with oral medication [P=0.002, RR=0.07, 95％CI (0.01, 0.37)], but the difference was statistically insignificant between acupuncture/electroacupuncture and oral medication [P=0.40, RR=0.57, 95％CI (0.16, 2.12)]. Conclusion: Acupuncture-moxibustion is equivalent to the sole use of oral Western medication in improving urinary symptoms in OAB patients and has a higher safety rating.

Objective:To investigate the effects of acupuncture of Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang (BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)on the main symptoms of unstable bladder (USB)and explore the specificity of different points in treating USB through a clinical randomized controlled trial.Methods:Eighty-nine USB patients were allocated to three groups:Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35).I-PSS was used as an observation index.The effects were evaluated and a comparison was made between the groups after three and six treatments.Resuits:I-PSS significantly improved in all Shenshu (BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups of USB patients (P＜0.05).The effect was significantly beaer in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).The efficacy rate was 50.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)group,82.8% in the Huiyang(BL 35)group and 90.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)group.It was significantly higher in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Points Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)can all regulate voiding dysfunction and improve quality of life in USB patients.Shenshu (BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)has the most marked therapeutic effect.

Objective To evaluate and verify the preventive and therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) plus pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in treating mild-moderate female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Method By adopting a single-blind randomized controlled design, eighty-two SUI patients were randomized into an observation group of 40 cases and a control group of 42 cases. The observation group was intervened by EA plus PFMT, while the control group only received PFMT. Before the treatment and after 4-week treatment, the 1 h urine leakage amount, Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) and improvement rate were evaluated in the two groups, to analyze the effects of the two methods in improving mild-moderate SUI. Result For mild SUI patients, the 1 h urine leakage amount and ICI-Q-SF score dropped significantly after the treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). For moderate SUI patients, the 1 h urine leakage amount and ICI-QSF score dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05), the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05), and the improvement rate in the observation group was markedly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion EA plus PFMT caneffectively improve the urine leakage and urination in mild-moderate SUI patients. EA plus PFMT can effectively prevent the aggravation of moderate female SUI, and its effect is better than PFMT alone.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder neck and detrusor of rats with unstable bladder. METHODS: Rat models of unstable bladder were established by operation to induce urethral obstruction. Electroacupuncture treatment was given by acupuncturing Huiyang and Zhonglushu points for a week. Then the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)- and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive cells in bladder neck and detrusor of the rats were observed. RESULTS: The nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder neck and detrusor were obviously decreased in rats with unstable bladder. The electroacupuncture treatment could significantly increase the contains of NOS in bladder tissue. CONCLUSION: To promote the synthesis and secretion of nitrergic neurotransmitter in bladder tissue may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in adjusting bladder function.

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in clinical efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage between the opposing needling technique and routine acupuncture at the affected side so as to provide the evidence on the acupuncture treatment for peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage.

METHODSForty patients were rando- mized into an opposing needling technique group (19 cases) and an affected side needling technique group (21 cases). The basic medication was same in the two groups. The acupoints were Fengchi (GB 20), Yangbai (GB 14) to Yuyao (EX-HN 4) (penetrating needling method), Jingming (BL 1), Chengqi (ST 1), Xiaguan (ST 7), Jiache (ST 6) to Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). In supplementation, in the opposing needling technique group, the acupoints were stimulated on the face of healthy side. In the affected side needling technique group, the acupoints were stimulated on the face of the affected side. The treatment was given three times a week, for 4 weeks. House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function assessment was used to evaluate facial nerve function before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe facial nerve function was recovered in the two groups and the total effective rate was 100.0% in the two groups (P>0.05). The curative rate was 68.4% (13/19) in the opposing needling technique group and better than 47.6% (10/21) in the affected side needling technique group (P<0.05). On the 7th and 14th day, scores of H-B in the opposing needling technique group were better than those in the affected side needling technique group (both P<0.05). The curative time in the opposing needling technique group was apparently shorter than that in the affected side needling technique group ((23.95 +/- 4.30) days vs. (29.14 +/- 5.43) days, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe opposing needling technique accelerates the recovery of facial nerve function in peripheral facial paralysis at acute stage and apparently shortens the curative time. The efficacy is better than that in acupuncture on the affect- ed side of the face.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective Taking sham electroacupuncture as control, to observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Method By using central random design, the eligible subjects were randomized into an electroacupuncture group of 42 cases [electroacupuncture at Zhongliao (BL33) and Huiyang (BL35)] and a sham group of 42 cases [sham electroacupuncture at points beside Zhongliao and Huiyang]. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by observing the urine leakage volume in the 1-h pad test and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Result In the electroacupuncture group, the urine leakage volumes in the 4th, 6th, 20th, and 32nd treatment week were significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.05);the decreases of urine leakage volume in the electroacupuncture group were more significant than that in the sham group in the 4th, 6th, 20th, and 32nd treatment week (P<0.05). In the electroacupuncture group, the ICIQ-SF scores in the 4th, 6th, 20th, and 32nd treatment week were significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.05); the ICIQ-SF scores were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the sham group in the 4th, 6th, 20th, and 32nd treatment week (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively improve urine leakage and other urinary symptoms in SUI.