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.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture at mind-tranquilizing points plus conventional shoulder points in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis (periarthritis of shoulder) at the early stage of adhesion. Method Sixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at mind-tranquilizing points plus conventional shoulder points and the control group, at conventional points. In both groups, treatment was given three times a week, for two weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were recorded before and after treatment. Result The VAS score,the HAMA score, the HAMD score and the JOA score improved in both groups after treatment compared with before (P<0.05). The VAS score and the HAMA score improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant post-treatment differences in the HAMD score and the JOA score between the treatment and control groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Mind-tranquilizing acupuncture plus conventional acupuncture is more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis at the early stage of adhesion.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of fire needling therapy for vitiligo. Method A self-control study was carried out. Fifty-six vitiligo patients with 124 skin lesions were allocated by long-axis random to two groups. The treatment group received fire needling therapy weekly for 12 times or until cure and the control group, no treatment as a blank control. The clinical efficacy and safety were assessed after the completion of treatment. Result The total efficacy rate of local fire needling therapy for vitiligo skin lesions was 79.8% and there was a statistically significant difference as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect was better in patients with faciocervical skin lesions or short course of disease. The therapeutic effect increased with an increase in the course of treatment at the early stage of treatment but did not significantly increase after 8 weeks of treatment. Main adverse reactions were mild pain and skin infection. Conclusion Local fire needling has a definite therapeutic effect on vitiligo with high safety.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of needle-knife therapy in treating allergic rhinitis. Method Sixty allergic rhinitis patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by needle-knife therapy; the control group was given Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray plus oral administration of Desloratadine, both twice a day. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and symptoms scores were observed before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups. Result The markedly effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 66.7% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The RQLQ and symptoms scores were significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the RQLQ and symptoms scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Needle-knife therapy is safe and effective in treating allergic rhinitis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Guangming (GB37) and Diwuhui (GB42) in treating dry eye due to different syndromes. Method Thirty-nine dry eye patients (78 eyes) conforming to syndrome of up-flaming liver fire or liver-kidney yin deficiency were randomized into a distant group and a periocular group, to receive acupuncture at distant acupoints [Guangming (GB37) and Diwuhui (GB42)] and periocular acupoints [Cuanzhu (BL2), Tongziliao (GB1), and Taiyang (EX-HN5)], respectively. Result In the distant group, the total effective rate was 60.0% after 2-week acupuncture and 75.0% after 4-week acupuncture; in the periocular group, the total effective rate was 53.6% after 2-week acupuncture and 65.8% after 4-week acupuncture. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The tear production and tear film break-up time (BUT) were significantly improved in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05). The inter-group difference in the improvement of up-flaming liver fire syndrome score was statistically insignificant (P>0.05), while the inter-group difference in the improvement of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome score was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at Guangming and Diwuhui can boost the improvement of dry eye symptoms and tear production, and prolong BUT; dry eye due to up-flaming liver fire achieved a satisfactory therapeutic efficacy in both groups, while liver-kidney yin deficiency type responded better to acupuncture at distant acupoints.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture therapy in treating tinnitus in elderly neurosensory deafness. Method Eighty elderly neurosensory deafness patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Mecobalamin tablets, and the treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus acupoint injection plus auricular point sticking. The changes of tinnitus intensity after the treatment in the two groups were observed, the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between disease duration and therapeutic efficacy was also observed. Result The tinnitus degree was significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 83.3% in the treatment group, versus 57.1% in the control group. There was a significant difference in comparing the clinical efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05). In both groups, the clinical efficacy of the patients with a disease duration ≤3 years was significantly different from that of the patients with a disease duration > 3 years in the same groups (P <0.05). Conclusion Comprehensive acupuncture therapy is an effective method in improving tinnitus in elderly neurosensory deafness.

Objective To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) on anxiety and sleep disorders after heroin withdrawal. Method Sixty-seven patients with heroin addiction were randomized into a Neiguan group (25 cases), a Zusanli group (22 cases) and a Neiguan plus Zusanli group (20 cases), to receive corresponding treatments once every 20 d, for 4 sessions in total. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were adopted to observe the anxiety and sleep condition before and after the treatment. Result After 60 d thread-embedding treatment, the total and standard SAS scores, sleep initiation time and total PSQI score were significantly decreased in the 3 groups (P<0.05), and the sleep durations were significantly extended (P<0.05); in comparing the improvement of anxiety, Neiguan plus Zusanli group > Neiguan group >Zusanli group (P<0.05); in comparing the improvement of sleep, Neiguan plus Zusanli group was superior to both Zusanli group and Neiguan group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between Zusanli group and Neiguan group (P>0.05). Conclusion It's effective to use thread-embedding at Neiguan and Zusanli independently or together for anxiety and sleep disorders after heroin withdrawal, but the efficacy is more significant when the two points are used in combination, indicating the synergy of acupoints.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Lao Shi Jiu (moxibustion at a group of ten acupoints) plus Wu Zhu Xiang Sha Liu Jun decoction in treating chronic gastritis due to deficient cold in spleen-stomach. Method Ninety patients with chronic gastritis due to deficient cold in spleen-stomach were randomized into a moxibustion-medication group and a Western medication group by using the random number table, 45 cases each. The moxibustion-medication group was intervened by Lao Shi Jiu plus Wu Zhu Xiang Sha Liu Jun decoction, while the Western medication group was prescribed with conventional medications. The clinical efficacy and changes in symptoms were observed after the intervention. Result The total effective rates were respectively 88.9% and 75.6% in the moxibustion-medication group and Western medication group, and the rate in the moxibustion-medication group was significantly higher than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05); the gastroscopy-based total effective rates were respectively 91.1% and 77.8% in the moxibustion-medication group and Western medication group, indicating that the moxibustion-medication group was superior to the Western medication group (P<0.05); the improvement of stomachache in the moxibustion-medication group was more significant than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion The moxibustion-medication group is superior to the Western medication group in comparing the clinical efficacy and improvement of symptoms in treating chronic gastritis due to deficient cold in spleen-stomach.

Objective To observe the efficacy of ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus Chinese medication enema in treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Method Forty patients with antibiotics-induced diarrhea were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Twenty cases in the control group were treated by Metronidazole and Live Combined Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus tablets; twenty cases in the observation group were given ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus Chinese medication enema. The total effective rate and the change of abdominal pain index were observed after successive 7-day treatment. Result The total effective rate in the observation group (90.0%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (70.0%) (P<0.05); the diarrhea score was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus Chinese medication enema can promote the recovery of antibiotics-induced diarrhea, mitigate abdominal symptoms and signs, and enhance the quality of life of patients.