OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of acupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi" (activating blood and eliminating wind, soothing liver and strengthening spleen) on morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infraction combined with essential hypertension.

METHODSSixty-eight patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. The patients in the two groups were treated with acupuncture method of "Xingnao Kaiqiao" (consciousness-restoring resuscitation) and oral administration of nifedipine. In addition, patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi" that met the criteria of standard manipulation, in which bilateral Renying (ST 9), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, five times a week, for totally six weeks. The improvement and control rate of morning blood pressure in the two groups were observed.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, the morning blood pressures were decreased significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.05); after 15 treatments, the reduction of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in the observation group was superior to that in the control group, but the difference was not significant (both P > 0.05); after 30 treatments, the reduction of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group (both P < 0.05). (2) After 30 treatments, the control rate of morning blood pressure in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [82.4% (28/34) vs 58.8% (20/34), P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture method of "Huoxue Sanfeng, Shugan Jianpi", characterized with standard manipulation criteria, can effectively control morning blood pressure in patients with cerebral infraction combined with essential hypertension.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure, serum lipids level and life satisfaction in essential hypertension patients. METHOD: The research design used was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Foot Reflexology was used as the experimental treatment from June 23rd, 2003 until August 31st, 2003. Thirty-four subjects were assigned to an experimental group(18) and control group(16). Foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 6 weeks and self foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 4 weeks on the experimental group. RESULT: There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure but no significant decrease indiastolic pressure in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol level in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. However, the triglyceride level in theexperimental group compared to the control group was significantly decreased after foot reflexology. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. Life satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group was significantly improved after foot reflexology. CONCLUSION: The results proved that foot reflexology was an effective nursing intervention to decrease systolic pressure, and triglyceride but not for the blood cholesterol and to improve life satisfaction. Therefore, blood cholesterol should be further evaluated in a larger group of subjects and for a longer period. Further research is regarded as necessary to evaluate and to compareeffects of self-foot reflexology and foot reflexology.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/physiopathology/*therapy ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; *Massage ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of percutaneous renal artery intervention on renal function and blood pressure in patients with renal artery stenosis.

METHODSEighty-seven patients with severe uni- or bi-lateral renal artery stenosis (luminal diameter narrowing >/= 70%) and clinical hypertension received renal artery stenting between January 2002 and December 2002. The changes in blood pressure and serum creatinine level and creatinine clearance (CCr) 48 hours after intervention and during 6 months of follow-up were assessed.

RESULTSRenal stenting was performed in 98 stenotic arteries of 87 patients, and the procedural success rate was 100%. Serum creatinine level was slightly elevated from (176 +/- 21) micro mol/L to (179 +/- 11) micro mol/L (P = 0.15) 48 hours after the procedure, but significantly decreased to (149 +/- 15) micro mol/L at 6 months (P < 0.001). CCr was also greatly improved [(37 +/- 11) ml/min before versus (51 +/- 8) ml/min at 6 months, P < 0.001]. During follow-up, 61% of the patients experienced a normal renal function. Despite conventional medical treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also significantly decreased after stenting [(163 +/- 23)/(96 +/- 13) mm Hg before versus (148 +/- 12)/(79 +/- 15) mm Hg at 6 months, all P < 0.001], and hypertension was well controlled in 67% of the patients at 6 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSIONRenal artery stenting has a high success rate and is effective in improving renal function and blood pressure for patients with severe renal artery stenosis.

Aged ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Renal ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Renal Artery ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Stents

OBJECTIVETo observe the aging law on anti-hypertensive effect of scrapping therapy on primary hypertension so as to provide the reference evidence for the best treatment frequency of scrapping therapy.

METHODSEighty-nine patients of primary hypertension complied with inclusive criteria were treated with scrapping therapy according to syndrome differentiation. The stimulated sites included the courses of the governor vessel and the bladder meridian on the neck and back region, the line from Quchi (LI 11) to Shousanli (LI 10) and that from Zusanli (ST 36) to Fenglong (ST 40). The strong stimulation for reducing attempt was applied to the case of excessi syndrome, determined by subcutaneous capillary rupture and subcutaneous blood stasis. The mild stimulation for reinforcing attempt was applied to the case of deficiency syndrome, determined by subcutaneous capillary hyperemia and skin flush. Each site was scrapped for 10 times, about 5 cm in width, for 15 min. One scrapping treatment was required. The blood pressure was taken as the observation index separately, named 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm one day before scrapping, the time before scrapping in the afternoon on the day of treatment, the moment (2:00 pm), 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm; 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm after scrapping, in 24 h and 48 h after scrapping.

RESULTS(1) After one scrapping, the blood pressure was reduced to be (137. 51±10. 24)/(81. 06±10. 56) mmHg half a hour after scrapping from (149. 00±10. 19)/(85. 30±10. 96) mmHg (1mmHg~0. 133 kPa) before scrapping (P<0. 01). (2) The differences were significant in blood pressure at each time point after scrapping as compared with that before scrapping (all P<0. 01). (3) Through nonlinear regression analysis, the systolic blood pressure after scrapping was increased up to 140 mmHg in 47. 2 h after scrapping.

CONCLUSIONScrapping therapy achieves the apparent immediate anti-hypertensive effect on primary hypertension. It is suitable to apply scrapping treatment once every other day.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week Tai Chi exercise program on reducing blood pressure for hypertensive patients. METHOD: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Participants were recruited from the Community Health Center in Busan, Korea. Twenty-eight hypertensive patients participated in this study. Among them, fourteen were in the experimental group and the rest are in the control group. Members in the experimental group participated in a 6- week program of Tai Chi exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of the Tai Chi program, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and cortisol level were measured before and after week 6. RESULT: After the 6-week Tai Chi program, there were significant differences in systolic pressure (t=-3.13, p= .004) and diastolic blood pressure (t=-4.75, p= .000) in the experimental group when compared to the control group. However there were no significant differences in the total cholesterol (t=1.07, p=.294) and cortisol level (F=1.35, p= .256). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a 6-week Tai Chi program can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce blood pressure for hypertensive patients.
*Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/*blood ; Hypertension/blood/physiopathology/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Tai Ji

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week Tai Chi exercise program on reducing blood pressure for hypertensive patients. METHOD: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Participants were recruited from the Community Health Center in Busan, Korea. Twenty-eight hypertensive patients participated in this study. Among them, fourteen were in the experimental group and the rest are in the control group. Members in the experimental group participated in a 6- week program of Tai Chi exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of the Tai Chi program, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and cortisol level were measured before and after week 6. RESULT: After the 6-week Tai Chi program, there were significant differences in systolic pressure (t=-3.13, p= .004) and diastolic blood pressure (t=-4.75, p= .000) in the experimental group when compared to the control group. However there were no significant differences in the total cholesterol (t=1.07, p=.294) and cortisol level (F=1.35, p= .256). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a 6-week Tai Chi program can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce blood pressure for hypertensive patients.
*Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/*blood ; Hypertension/blood/physiopathology/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Tai Ji

Blood Pressure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Syncope ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore safe, effective, simple and easy non-drug treatments for grade 1 essential hypertension.

METHODSAccording to TCM syndrome differentiation, 126 cases of grade 1 essential hypertension were classified into 4 types: liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome, yin-deficiency and yang-hyperactivity syndrome, excessive phlegm-dampness syndrome, yin-yang deficiency syndrome, and then the patients were randomly divided into a photoelectric combined with musical treatment group (group A), an acupuncture group(group B) and a placebo group (group C). The acupoints were selected according to TCM syndrome differentiation in group A and group B, and multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus and acupuncture were used in the two groups respectively, once daily. Taichong (LR 3) and Quchi (LI 11) were selected in liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome, Taixi (KI 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected yi yin-deficiency and yang-hyperactivity syndrome, Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) were selected in excessive phlegm-dampness syndrome, while Taixi (KI 3) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were selected yi yirryang deficiency syndrome. The group C was treated with oral administration of starch tablet (25 mg), one tablet each time,three times everyday. Ten days were considered as one course, totally three courses were required in the three groups. The blood pressure and scores of TCM syndromes before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe blood pressure decreased significantly after treatment in group A and group B (all P<0.01), and the decrease in systolic blood pressure was more significant in group A (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.5 / (38/42) in group A, which was superior to 71. 4 (30/42, P < 0.05) in group B and 19.1% (18/34, P<0. 01) in group C. The scores of TCM syndromes were both improved in group A and group B, but without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus for treatment of grade 1 essential hypertension is reliable. Meanwhile, it has the advantages of a non-invasive and simple operation.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Music Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI 11) on blood pressure and blood plasma catecholamines in the patient of essential hypertension and to investigate the mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases of essential hypertension were randomly divided into an EA group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). In the EA group, bilateral Quchi (LI 11) were selected; and in the control group, western medicine Nicardipine was taken. The variation of blood pressure and blood plasma catecholamines were examined before and after the treatment.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, there were significant reduction in the levels of systolic blood pressure and diastole blood pressure in both groups (P < 0.01); (2) After treatment, significant reduction in levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline were also found in both groups (P < 0.01), however, no significant differences in the level of dopamine were observed in both groups (P > 0.05); (3) The effective rate of 66.7% in the EA group was similar to that of 70.0% in the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth EA at Quchi (LI 11) and western medicine are able to beneficially regulate blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension through adjusting blood plasma catecholamines.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Catecholamines ; blood ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture and western medication on blood pressure variability in young patients with hypertension.

METHODSSixty cases of hypertension in young patients were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3). In western medication group, Captopril was taken orally. Twenty-four hour dynamic blood pressure, blood pressure variability and day-night rhythm were observed after 14 days treatment in two groups.

RESULTSElectroacupuncture on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) reduced systolic pressure and diastolic pressure at different time phases in young patients with hypertension (all P < 0.01), which did not present significant statistical difference as compared with western medication group (all P > 0.05). Electroacupuncture on Quchi (Li, 11) and Taichong (LR 3) reduced apparently the standard deviations of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure at different time phases in young patients with hypertension, indicating significant statistical differences as compared with the deviations before the treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The statistical significance presented in 24 h systolic standard deviation (24 h SSD), 24 h diastolic standard deviation (24 h DSD), daytime SSD (dSSD), nighttime SSD (nSSD) and nighttime DSD (nDSD) between two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). In comparison of the numbers of Dippers and non-Dippers in two groups, the significant statistical difference presented between two groups after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) has long-term antihypertensive effect and improves effectively day-night rhythm variation in young patients with hypertension. Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) are the effective pair points for hypertension treated with acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged