In a previous paper, we reported the efficacy of auricular acupuncture in the treatment of hypertension. In the present study, auricular acupuncture was applied to two groups of patients: those taking hypotensive drugs for a long time and those taking no drugs. The difference in the efficacy of the therapy between the two groups was investigated. The fluctuation of blood pressure, the renin activity and catecholamines concentration in the blood during a three-month period were examined.
Patients, who had essential hypertension without any obvious underlying disease, were classified into three groups according to World Health Organization's criteria as follows:
Group I. (Hypertension) exceeding systolic value of 160mmHg, or exceeding diastolic value of 95mmHg. Group II. (Boundary Zone) neither Group I nor II. Group III. (Normal) below systolic value of 140mmHg or diastolic value of 90mmHg.
A subcutaneous needle was inserted horizontally in the anterior direction at the hypotensive point in the fossa triangularis, and then left there. Once a week, the needle was changed, and the blood pressure was measured. The efficacy was evaluated two weeks later as follows: A case which moved from Group I to III was “remarkable”. A case from Group II to III or from Group I to II was “effective”. An unmoved case was “unchanged”. A case from Group II to I was “aggravated”.
Result: No drug group. The efficacy of the auricular acupuncture was noted in 84% (32%: remakable, 52%: effective) of the nineteen Group I, II patients who were taking no hypotensive drugs. Drug group. The efficacy of the auricular acupuncture was noted in 50% (21%: remarkable, 29%: effective) of the twenty-four Group I, II patients who were taking hypotensive drugs. Druing the three-month period, both systolic and diastolic pressure in all the patients in Group I and II showed a significant decrease.
The serum renin activity showed a tendency to decrease but only within the normal range. The concentration of catecholamines changed also within the normal range, though no consistent tendency was seen.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the role that caregiver burden plays in the familial functioning, social support, and quality of family life (QOFL) of caregivers of elderly family members with dementia. Methods: A survey was conducted with 200 primary caregivers of elderly dementia patients who resided in prefecture “S”. The questionnaire consisted of items that required demographic information, the Japanese versions of the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II), and scales that measure quality of family life and social support. On the basis of the median ZBI score (i.e., 30.8), participants were divided into two groups: group A (i.e., ZBI score < 30) and group B (i.e., ZBI score > 30). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted with QOFL as the dependent variable. Version 24 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows was used to conduct all the statistical analyses; the statistical significance level was specified as 0.05. Results: Group A and B obtained average ZBI scores of 18.5 and 43.8, respectively. The study targeted 81 patients from group A (average age = 61.0 years) and 77 patients from group B (average age = 61.7 years). Time that was spent on caregiving tasks was significantly higher for group B, when compared to group A. In addition, significant differences in cohesion and adaptability, which are two dimensions that are measured by the FACES II, and QOFL emerged between the two groups. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that cohesion (β = 0.38), practical support (β = 0.32), adaptability (β = 0.30), and living arrangement (β = −0.12) significantly predicted QOFL. Conclusion: Family cohesion and adaptability are indicators of healthy familial functioning. In order to improve the QOFL of caregivers of elderly dementia patients, it is necessary to strengthen emotional ties, maintain emotional attachment, and flexibly respond to the burden of nursing care and changes in power structures and role relationships.