BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection posed a huge threat and burden to public healthcare in late 2022. Non-drug measures of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion, are commonly used as adjuncts in China to help in severe cases, but their effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical effect of TCM non-drug measures in improving respiratory function and symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study was designed as a multicenter, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The treatment group received individualized TCM non-drug measures in combination with prone position ventilation, while the control group received prone position ventilation only for 5 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients with improved oxygen saturation (SpO₂) at the end of the 5-day intervention, as well as changes of patients' respiratory rates. The secondary outcome measures included changes in SpO₂ and total score on the self-made respiratory symptom scale. The improvement rate, defined as a 3-day consecutive increase in SpO₂, the duration of prone positioning, and adverse events were recorded as well. RESULTS: Among the 198 patients included in the intention-to-treat analysis, 159 (80.3%) completed all assessments on day 5, and 39 (19.7%) patients withdrew from the study. At the end of the intervention, 71 (91%) patients in the treatment group had SpO₂ above 93%, while 61 (75.3%) in the control group reached this level. The proportion of participant with improved SpO₂ was significantly greater in the intervention group (mean difference [MD] = 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4, 27.1; P = 0.008). Compared to the baseline, with daily treatment there were significant daily decreases in respiratory rates in both groups, but no statistical differences between groups were found (all P ≥ 0.05). Compared to the control group, the respiratory-related symptoms score was lower among patients in the treatment group (MD = -1.7; 95% CI: -2.8, -0.5; P = 0.008) after day 3 of treatment. A gradual decrease in the total scores of both groups was also observed. Thirty-one adverse events occurred during the intervention, and 2 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit due to deterioration of their illness. CONCLUSION: TCM non-drug measures combined with prone positioning can effectively treat patients with severe COVID-19. The combined therapy significantly increased SpO₂ and improved symptom scores compared to prone positioning alone, thus improving the patients' respiratory function to help them recover. However, the improvement rate did not differ between the two groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300068319). Please cite this article as: Yin X, Jin Z, Li F, Huang L, Hu YM, Zhu BC, Wang ZQ, Li XY, Li JP, Lao LX, Mi YQ, Xu SF. Effectiveness and safety of adjunctive non-drug measures in improving respiratory symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 637-644.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; COVID-19/complications* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Oxygen Saturation ; Prone Position ; Respiration, Artificial ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions that lead to surgery, and until now surgical hemorrhoidectomy has been the major effective treatment. Post-operative pain from hemorrhoidectomy has been experienced by thousands of patients and remains a major inconvenience of the operation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of the pestle needle therapy, an acupoint stimulation method, for relief of post-hemorrhoidectomy pain. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This was a single-center, patient-assessor-blinded and randomized controlled trial with 154 patients receiving Milligan hemorrhoidectomy surgery. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group at a ratio of 1:1. The treatment group received the pestle needle therapy, with manual stimulation at Yaoshu (DU2), Mingmen (DU4), Changqiang (DU1), Chengshan (BL57), Erbai (EX-UE2) and the perianal points (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11o'clock around the lesion); while the control group received a sham treatment with very light pressure. Three sessions of treatment were performed at 30 min, 4 h and 12 h after the surgery, and each lasted for 15 min. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was post-operative pain measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 12 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes included the VAS scores measured at 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 and 48 h after surgery, the analgesic dose, the time and the VAS score of the patients' first defecation after surgery, as well as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) evaluated before discharge. RESULTS: The mean pain score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (3.10 ± 1.27 vs 4.82 ± 1.29; P < 0.001) at 12 h after surgery. Compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group needed a smaller dose of analgesic within the first 24 hours after surgery (P = 0.002); and their HAMA scores before discharge were lower (4.07 ± 2.40 vs 5.10 ± 2.45, P = 0.009). Compared to the treatment group, patients in the control group had a greater time to the first defecation after surgery ([52.34 ± 15.72] h vs [27.08 ± 13.68] h; P < 0.001), but there was no difference in their VAS scores at the first defecation (P = 0.092). CONCLUSION The pestle needle therapy was effective for relieving pain, reducing anxiety and improving bowel function after hemorrhoidectomy, and it is worthy of clinical application.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum levels of high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and the severity of coronary lesions in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Methods: A total of 450 SCAD patients with coronary angiography (CAG) conifrmed diagnosis in our hospital were studied, and serum levels of hs-cTnT were examined at 3 days prior CAG in all patients. Based on tertiles of Gensini score, the patients were divided into 3 groups: Low score group,n=153 patients with Gensini score<14, Intermediate score group, n=145 patients with Gensini score at 14-28 and High score group,n=152 patients with Gensini score>28. The relationships between Gensini score and hs-cTnT levels were analyzed among 3 groups. The optimal cut-off value of hs-cTnT for predicting high Gensini score and the need of revascularization were studied by ROC curve, the relationships between hs-cTnT and high Gensini score, the need of revascularization were further detected by Logistic regression analysis. Results: The median values (25%-75%) of hs-cTnT in Low score group, Intermediate score group and High score group were 6.72 (4.20, 8.93) pg/ml, 7.90 (5.74, 12.68) pg/ml and 14.99 (10.26, 24.30) pg/ml respectively, allP<0.01. ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under curve (AUC) of hs-cTnT for predicting high Gensini score was 0.837 (95% CI 0.803-0.874), for the need of revascularization was 0.772 (95% CI 0.728-0.817); the best cut-off value of hs-TnT for predicting high Gensini score was 10.04 pg/ml and for the need of revascularization was 8.56 pg/ml. Logistic regression analysis suggested that with adjusted age, gender, the history of hypertension, diabetes, smoking, blood levels of creatinine, LDL-C and hs-CRP, hs-cTnT was still an independent predictor for high Gensini score (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.20,P<0.001) and for the need of revascularization (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.14-1.24,P<0.001). Conclusion: Serum level of hs-cTnT has been related to severity of coronary lesions in SCAD patients, hs-cTnT might be used as one of the pre-operative predictor for severe coronary disease and for the need of revascularization.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with estazolam for the treatment of primary insomnia with heart and spleen deficiency type. Methods Seventy qualified patients were randomized into treatment group and control group, 35 in each group. Both groups received oral use of estazolam before bed time for 6 continuous weeks, and acupuncture group was additionally given acupuncture for regulating governor vessel and tranquilizing spirit on acupoints of Baihui(GV20), Yintang(GV29), Shenting(GV25), Anmian (EX-HN22), Shenmen(H7), Sanyinjiao(SP6), 3 times a week and lasting for 6 continuous weeks. The sleep state of the patients was estimated according to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS) before treatment, on the third and the sixth week of treatment, and one month after the completion of treatment. Results (1) Five cases in the treatment group and 3 cases in the control group were dropped out for not completing the treatment timely. In the end , 30 cases in the treatment group and 32 cases in the control group finished the trial. (2) The total effective rate in the treatment group was up to 90.0%, and was 71.9% in control group, the difference being significant(P<0.01).(3) Compared to the control group, the scores of PSQI, ESS and AIS were much decreased in treatment group on the third and the sixth week of treatment , and one month after treatment(P<0 . 05 or P<0 . 01). Conclusion Acupuncture for regulating governor vessel and tranquilizing mind combined with oral use of estazolam exerts certain therapeutic effect for the treatment of heart and spleen deficiency type insomnia, and the effect was superior to that of estazolam alone.

Objective:To investigate the effect of alendronate(ALN) solution on the healing of replanted dog teeth after extended dry time. Methods:The first, second incisor and first premolar in maxilla and the second, third incisor and first premolar in mandible in two mature mongrel dogs were used for the test. The right tested teeth were included in experimental group, and the left in control. Firstly, all tested teeth were endodontically treated. Seven days later, they were extracted, then naturally dried for 60 min. The teeth in experimental group were soaked for 5 min in a 1 mmol/L solution of ALN before replantation. The teeth in control group were not treated with any other methods before replatation. Bone masses including teeth were taken out 3 monthes after replantation. The samples were examined histologically.Results:The average percentage of cementum healing in experimental group was higher than that in control group(P

0.05).The inflammatory resorption of root in experimental group was lower than that in the control(P