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 clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Diji (SP8) in easing pain after Caesarean section (C-section) and the safety of the treatment. Method Sixty patients going to receive lower-uterine-segment C-section were enrolled and randomized into two groups. The control group was intervened by patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with Sufentanil after the surgery, while the treatment group was intervened by 30-minute electroacupuncture (EA) after the surgery. The contents of blood β-endorphin (β-EP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were evaluated at several time points: prior to EA (T1), 2 h after the surgery (T2), 12 h after the surgery (T3), 24 h after the surgery (T4) and 48 h after the surgery (T5). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was adopted to measure pain intensity at T2, T3, T4 and T5. The therapeutic efficacy, safety level and adverse reactions were recorded at each time point. Result The VAS score was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group at T2, T3 and T4 (P<0.05). The content of plasma β-EP in the treatment group was significantly increased compared to that in the control group at T3, T4, and T5 (P<0.05). The contents of plasma 5-HT and PGE2 in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, the contents of 5-HT and PGE2 at T2, T3, and T4 were significantly higher than those at T1 (P<0.05); in the treatment group, the content of β-EP at T3, T4 and T5 wassignificantly higher than that at T1 (P<0.05). There were no significant intra-group differences in comparing the contents of PGE2 and 5-HT at each time point in the treatment group (P>0.05). Regarding the efficacy evaluation, the excellent rate was 86.7% in the treatment group 2 h after the surgery, significantly higher than 60.0% in the control group (P<0.05). The security level in the treatment group was markedly higher than that in the control group (P< 0.05). Conclusion EA can provide a safe and effective post-operation analgesia for C-section, and the possible mechanism is that EA at Zusanli and Diji increases the secretion of β-EP and inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators 5-HT and PGE2.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of bloodletting plus acupoint sticking in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Method Eighty DPN patients were randomized into a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 40 cases. In addition to the basic treatment (general blood glucose control) in both groups, the treatment group was given bloodletting plus acupoint sticking with Chinese medication, while the control group was given oral administration of Mecobalamin tablets. Result The treatment group had a higher total effective rate (92.5%) than the control group (67.5%), and the improvement of nerve conduction velocity in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Bloodletting plus acupoint sticking is effective in treating DPN.

Objective To observe the efficacy of acupuncture plus medication in treating diarrhea-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) due to liver depression and spleen deficiency, and its effect on serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and endothelin (ET). Method Sixty IBS-D (liver depression and spleen deficiency) were recruited and randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases each. Patients in the observation group were intervened by acupuncture plus modified Bai Zhu Shao Yao powder, while the control group was intervened by acupuncture alone. The total effective rate, change of syndrome score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and diarrhea-irritable bowel syndrome quality of life scale (IBS-QOL), as well as the levels of serum 5-HT, CGRP and ET, were observed. Result The total effective rate was 83.3% in the observation group, significantlyhigher than 63.3% in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in comparing the global and component TCM symptoms scores and IBS-QOL between the two groups before the treatment (P>0.05). The global and component TCM symptoms scores and IBS-QOL dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05). The global TCM symptoms score and IBS-QOL in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention (P<0.05); the component TCM symptoms scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after the intervention (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in comparing the serum 5-HT, CGRP and ET levels between the two groups (P>0.05) before the treatment. The levels of 5-HT, CGRP and ET decreased significantly after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); after the intervention, the levels of 5-HT, CGRP and ET in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture plus medication can effectively mitigate the symptoms in IBS-D (liver depression and spleen deficiency) and enhance the quality of life, which is possibly achieved by down-regulating the serum 5-HT, CGRP and ET levels.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture in promoting the lung recovery in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to discuss its advantage and safety in lung recovery. Method Forty-four patients were randomized into two groups, 22 cases in the treatment group and 19 in the control group finally (with 3 dropouts). In addition to the required aerobic exercises, the treatment group received active acupuncture treatment and the control group received placebo acupuncture treatment, with acupoints from the Spleen and Stomach Meridians and Conception Vessel as the major points, 2-3 sessions a week, for 14 sessions in total. The body mass index (BMI), athletic ability, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), pulmonary function and inflammation indexes [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] were observed before and after the treatment. Result After the treatment, the improvements in the six-minute walking distance, CAT and pulmonary function scores were statistically more significant in the treatment group than those in the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01); the serum content of TNF-α was increased more significantly in the control group than in the treatment group (P<0.05); there was no significant change in BMI in the treatment group, while a significant decrease of BMI was found in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture plus exercises can boost the lung recovery in remission-stage COPD and reduce the adverse reactions brought by sports fatigue.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus Nao Xue Shu oral liquid in treating vascular dementia (VD) due to blood stasis blocking collaterals. Method A total of 135 patients with VD due to blood stasis blocking collaterals were randomized into a basic group, a medication group, and an acupuncture-medication group, 45 cases in each group. The basic group was intervened by conventional treatment, while the control group was additionally given Nao Xue Shu oral liquid, and the acupuncture-medication group was additionally intervened by acupuncture plus Nao Xue Shu oral liquid, 60 d as a treatment course. The Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Brief Screening Scale for Dementia (BSSD) and the syndrome of blood stasis blocking collaterals subscale in the syndrome differentiation scale of vascular dementia (SDSVDA) were scored before and after the treatment, and the changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and serum uric acid (SUA) were also observed. Result One case dropped out in the basic group. After 60-day treatment, the total effective rate was 91.1%(41/45) in the acupuncture-medication group, significantly higher than 65.9% (29/44) in the basic group (P<0.01) and 75.6% (34/45) in the medication group (P<0.05). The improvements of MMSE, BSSD and SDSVDA scores in the acupuncture-medication group were more significant than those in the basic group and medication group (P<0.05). The improvements of CGRP, LPO and SUA levels in the acupuncture-medication group were superior to those in the basic group and medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion Traditional acupuncture method plus Nao Xue Shu oral liquid can produce a significant efficacy in treating VD due to blood stasis blocking collaterals.

Objective To observe the intervention efficacy of Tiao Ren Tong Du (regulating the Conception Vessel and unblocking the Governor Vessel) needling in treating perimenopausal insomnia and its effect in improving the symptoms, for providing theoretical evidence for the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia. Method A total of 72 female perimenopausal insomnia patients were randomized into a treatment group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases). The treatment group was intervened by Tiao Ren Tong Du needling at Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36) after standard sterilization, with lifting and thrusting manipulations until needling sensation was obtained. The treatment was given three times a week, successively for 4 weeks. The control group was intervened by conventional public education, without treatment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Kupperman Menopausal Index (MI) were scored before and after the treatment to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Result Thirty-three cases in the treatment group finished the treatment and 3 dropped out; while 32 cases in the control group finished the treatment and 4 cases dropped out, and the drop-out rate was 9.7%. The total effective rate was 87.9% in the treatment group versus 40.6% in the control group, and there was a significant difference in comparing the clinical efficacy between the two groups (P<0.01). After the treatment, PSQI and MI sores were significantly changed in thetreatment group (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were no significant changes in PSQI and MI scores in the control group after the treatment (P>0.05). There were significant differences in PSQI and MI scores between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion Tiao Ren Tong Du needling is effective in treating perimenopausal insomnia, and it can improve perimenopausal syndrome and significantly enhance the patients' quality of life.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Method A total of 80 PCOS patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus auricular point sticking, while the control group was intervened by acupuncture only. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups after 3 treatment courses. Result The menstrual condition and basal body temperature (BBT) were compared in the two groups before and after the treatment. The menstrual condition and BBT in the treatment group were significantly improved (P<0.01); the menstrual condition was improved (P<0.05) and the BBT condition was significantly improved in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 82.5% in the treatment group, significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture plus auricular point sticking can produce a satisfactory efficacy in treating PCOS.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of abdominal acupuncture in treating cervicogenic headache. Method Sixty-three patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of cervicogenic headache were allocated using a random number table: 33 cases to the abdominal acupuncture group and 30 cases to the acupuncture groups. The abdominal acupuncture group of patients received abdominal acupuncture and the acupuncture group of patients, body acupuncture. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups of patients after three courses of treatment. The headache index score was recorded at the same time. Result The total efficacy rate was 84.8% in the abdominal acupuncture group and 63.3% in the acupuncture group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The pain index score decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05) and decreased more in the abdominal acupuncture group than in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). Conclusion Abdominal acupuncture is more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating cervicogenic headache. It is a new effective way to clinically treat cervicogenic headache.

Objective To investigate and compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture at myofascial trigger points and extracorporeal shock wave and their effects on the quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Method Seventy-eight patients with myofascial pain syndrome were allocated, using a random number table, to acupuncture and shock wave groups, 39 cases each. The two groups received acupuncture at myofascial trigger points and extracorporeal shock wave, respectively. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups of patients after 20 consecutive days of treatment. The quality of life score was recorded in the two groups of patients before and after one month of treatment. Result The VAS score (1.57±0.83), the PRI score (1.87±1.06) and the PPI score (0.94±0.72) in the acupuncture group were lower than the VAS score (2.16±0.95),the PRI score (2.68±1.14) and the PPI score (1.53±0.81) in the shock wave group. All had a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The VAS score, the PRI score and the PPI score decreased significantly in the two groups of patients after treatment compared with before. Eight scaled scores: physical functioning, physical role functioning, bodily pain, social role functioning, vitality, general health perceptions, emotional role functioning and mental health increased significantly in the two groups of patients after treatment compared with before (P<0.05) and increased more in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The marked efficacy rate was 84.6% in the acupuncture group, which was significantly higher than 61.5% in the shock wave group (P<0.05). Conclusion Both acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy have a marked clinical effect on myofascial pain syndrome. It can further improve the quality of life in the patients.