OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion in the treatment of chronic insomnia complicated with mild depressive state. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with chronic insomnia complicated with mild depressive state were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral Zhaohai (KI6), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Anmian (Extra) and Sishencong (EX-HN1), Baihui (GV20), etc. The observation group was treated with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion based on the treatment in the control group, on the abdomen，Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongwan (CV12) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25) were selected , on the back, the acupoints of governer vessel from Dazhui (GV14) to Yaoshu (GV2) were selected. Both groups were treated once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score, Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17) score, insomnia severity index (ISI) score, fatigue assessment instrument (FAI) score before and after treatment and after 2 weeks of treatment completion (follow-up) were observed in the two groups, and the serum level of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) before and after treatment was detected in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment and in the follow-up, the sub-item scores and total scores of PSQI in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.001); except for the score of daytime dysfunction in the follow-up, the scores of sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction, and total scores of PSQI in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment and in the follow-up, the HAMD-17, ISI and FAI scores in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.001); the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment，the serum levels of GABA in both groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); the level in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of treating chronic insomnia in the observation group was 96.7% (29/30), which was higher than 80.0% (24/30) in the control group (P<0.05); and the total effective rate of improving mild depressive state was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (P<0.001). During the treatment period, no serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion has definite efficacy in the treatment of chronic insomnia complicated with mild depressive state, and has synergistic efficacy in improving sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction and depressive state, its action mechanism may be related to the increase of serum level of GABA.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Depression/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting for insomnia with phlegm-fire disturbing heart. METHODS: A total of 60 cases with insomnia of phlegm-fire disturbing heart were selected, and the treatment of electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting was delivered. Acupuncture was applied at Yintang (GV24⁺), Shenting (GV24), Sishencong (EX-HN1) and bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Quchi (LI11), Zhaohai (KI6), Shenmai (BL62), Fenglong (ST40), Neiting (ST4), Yintang (GV24⁺) and Shenting (GV24) were connected to electroacupuncture, continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency. In addition, bloodletting was applied at ear tip. The treatment was given for 4 weeks. Before treatment, and after 1,4 weeks into treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), insomnia severity index (ISI) and TCM syndrome were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: After 1,4 weeks into treatment, the scores of PSQI, AIS, ISI and TCM syndrome were decreased compared with those before treatment in the patients (P<0.05). Of 60 cases, 30 cases were cured, 19 cases markedly effective, 9 cases effective and 2 cases failed, and the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting can improve the sleep quality and clinical symptoms in patients with insomnia of phlegm-fire disturbing heart.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Electroacupuncture ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Bloodletting ; Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises for vaginal laxity syndrome (VLS). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with VLS were randomized into an observation group (33 cases, 2 cases dropped out, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (33 cases, 5 cases dropped out). The observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with Kegel exercises, acupuncture was applied to bilateral Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Sanyinjiao (SP6), etc. The control group was treated with Kegel exercises. Both acupuncture and Kegel exercises were performed once every other day, three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the vaginal laxity questionnaire (VLQ) score, pelvic floor muscle strength (vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration), degree of vaginal laxity and sexual satisfaction questionnaire (SSQ) grade were observed in both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the VLQ score, vaginal resting pressure, vaginal systolic pressure, vaginal contraction duration in the observation group were elevated compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and SSQ grade was improved (P<0.05); and the above indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference before and after treatment in the degree of vaginal laxity in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on "status-target coherence" theory combined with Kegel exercises can effectively enhance the strength of pelvic floor muscles, improve the symptoms of vaginal laxity, and improve the satisfaction of sexual life, and its therapeutic effect is better than Kegel exercises alone.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Vagina/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Vaginal Diseases/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of successive trigger needling combined with conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis of qi stagnation and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with cervical spondylosis of qi stagnation and blood stasis were selected, and successive trigger needling at ashi points combined with conventional acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and bilateral C₃-C₇ Jiaji (EX-B2), Jiquan (HT1), etc. were delivered, once a day, 5 times a week as one course, and 2 courses were required totally. Before treatment and after 1, 2 weeks of treatment, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After 1, 2 weeks of treatment, the VAS scores were decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.001). After treatment, the total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40). CONCLUSION Successive trigger needling combined with conventional acupuncture can effectively treat the cervical spondylosis of qi stagnation and blood stasis, reduce pain and improve the clinical symptoms and signs.
Humans ; Spondylosis/physiopathology* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Qi ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture for adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children. METHODS: Seventy-two children with AH were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 5 cases dropped out, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (36 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). The observation group received deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture. The needle depth of Xiaguan (ST7) was 20-30 mm. Electroacupuncture was applied at Xiaguan (ST7), Yingxiang (LI20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz. Warm acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST36). The treatment was performed 30 min each time, once a week for 12 weeks. The control group was treated with mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray, one spray per nostril each time, once a day for 12 weeks. The symptom score, adenoid-to-nasopharynx ratio (A/N), and 18-item health-related quality-of-life survey for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA-18) score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the total scores of symptom, A/N, and OSA-18 scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than 83.3% (25/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture could effectively improve symptoms, reduce adenoid volume, and improve the quality of life in children with AH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hypertrophy/therapy* ; Adenoids/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in treating low back pain with cold-damp. METHODS: Seventy-two patients of low back pain with cold-damp were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (36 cases, 1 case dropped out). The control group received acupuncture at Jizhong (GV6), Yaoyangguan (GV3), ashi points, bilateral Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25), and Weizhong (BL40) for 30 min daily. The observation group was treated with thunder-fire moxibustion in addition to the same acupuncture regimen as the control group, once daily. Both groups were treated for 6 consecutive days followed by one rest day, for a total duration of 4 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, present pain intensity (PPI) score, and serum levels of β-endorphin (β-EP), 5-hydroxytryp tamin (5-HT), and substance P (SP) were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, ODI scores, PPI scores, and serum levels of 5-HT and SP were decreased (P<0.01), while JOA scores and serum levels of β-EP were increased (P<0.01) in both groups after treatment. The observation group showed lower VAS, ODI, and PPI scores and serum levels of 5-HT and SP than those in the control group (P<0.05), as well as higher JOA score and serum level of β-EP (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.3% (33/35), higher than 82.9% (29/35) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion could effectively alleviate pain and improve lumbar function in patients of low back pain with cold-damp, possibly by regulating β-EP, 5-HT, and SP levels.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Low Back Pain/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy ; beta-Endorphin/blood* ; Young Adult ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of the Tongnao Huoluo Liyan (unblocking brain, activating collaterals and relaxing throat) acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke dysphagia (PSD). METHODS: A total of 92 PSD patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (46 cases, 1 case was discontinued) and a control group (46 cases, 1 case was discontinued, 1 case dropped out). The patients in the control group received rehabilitation training, including low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation for swallowing, lip and tongue movement training, and oral sensory function training, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The patients in the observation group received the Tongnao Huoluo Liyan acupuncture method in addition to the same rehabilitation training. Acupoints included Lianquan (CV23), bilateral Jia Lianquan, Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HN13), Baihui (GV20), Shuigou (GV26), and bilateral Neiguan (PC6), once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, Kubota water stvallowing test grading, standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores, Fujishima Ichiro swallowing efficacy scores, and swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) scores were assessed in both groups. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate the average amplitude (AEMG) and mean swallowing time of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the proportion of patients classified as Grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ in the Kubota water stvallowing test was increased in both groups (P<0.05), with better results in the observation group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, SSA scores were decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with lower scores in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, Fujishima Ichiro swallowing efficacy scores and SWAL-QOL scores were improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with significantly higher scores in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compare before treatment, AEMG values of the Submental musckes and infrahyoid muscles groups were increased (P<0.05), and mean swallowing time was decreased (P<0.05) in both groups after treatment. The observation group showed greater increases in AEMG values and shorter mean swallowing times compared to the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.8% (44/45) in the observation group, higher than 84.1% (37/44) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The Tongnao Huoluo Liyan acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could enhance the contraction function in swallowing-related muscle groups, facilitate hyoid and laryngeal elevation, restore swallowing function, and improve patients' quality of life. This combined treatment approach is superior to rehabilitation training alone.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with medication in the treatment of functional constipation in elderly with yang deficiency and qi stagnation and its effect on emotional disorder. METHODS: A total of 86 elderly patients with functional constipation of yang deficiency and qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture and moxibustion group (43 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated) and a medication group (43 cases, 1 case dropped out). The medication group was treated with lactulose oral solution, once a day；in the acupuncture and moxibustion group, on the basis of the treatment in the medication group, acupuncture at intestinal three points (bilateral Tianshu [ST25], Shangjuxu [ST37] and Guanyuan [CV4] were selected, 30 min each time, once every other day) combined with thunder-fire moxibustion (Shenque [CV8] was selected, 30 min each time, once every other day) was given. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the patient assessment of constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM) score, defecation situation (defecation interval time, defecation time, defecation frequency) and the scores of TCM syndrome, patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, after treatment, the PAC-SYM scores, defecation interval time, defecation time, TCM syndrome scores, PAC-QOL scores, SAS scores and SDS scores in both groups were decreased (P<0.05), the defecation frequency was increased (P<0.05) in the two groups; the PSQI score in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was decreased (P<0.05). The PAC-SYM score, defecation interval time, defecation time, TCM syndrome score, PAC-QOL score, PSQI score, SAS score and SDS score after treatment in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05), and the defecation frequency in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was higher than that in the medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the acupuncture and moxibustion group was 92.7% (38/41), which was higher than 73.8% (31/42) in the medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was 2.44% (1/41), while that in the medication group was 4.76% (2/42), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with medication could improve the defecation situation, emotional disorder, quality of life in elderly patients with functional constipation of yang deficiency and qi stagnation.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Constipation/drug therapy* ; Female ; Aged ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Qi ; Middle Aged ; Yang Deficiency/drug therapy* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic paralysis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke spastic paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. In the observation group, jingjin needling was applied at tendon blockage points of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Biguan (ST31), Fengshi (GB31), Taichong (LR3), etc. on the affected side. Treatment was given once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks in both groups. The scores of clinical spasticity index (CSI), modified Ashworth scale, modified Barthel index (MBI), and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the onset time was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), while the scores of MBI and FMA were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001) in the two groups. After treatment, the scores of CSI and modified Ashworth scale in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the MBI score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FMA scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The onset time of the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training and conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can effectively treat post-stroke spastic paralysis, jingjin needling combined with rehabilitation training exhibits better therapeutic effect and rapider onset.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Muscle Spasticity/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Paralysis/therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: Sixty-six IS patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out). The control group received endovascular intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the experimental group received acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory starting from the second day after surgery, Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10), etc. were selected, once a day, 6 times a week for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Barthel index (MBI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were observed in the two groups, the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the NIHSS and mRS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the NIHSS and mRS scores in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the MBI scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the MBI score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the experimental group was 86.7% (26/30), which was higher than 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 6.7% (2/30), which was lower than 13.3% (4/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in treating IS has good efficacy, improves neurological function, and enhances daily living ability.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Ischemic Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Endovascular Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy