OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Daoqi (directing qi flowing) acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Sixty patients with moderate-to-severe OSAHS were randomly divided into a Daoqi acupuncture group (30 cases) and a conventional acupuncture group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out). In the Daoqi acupuncture group, Daoqi acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing was applied at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV16), and bilateral Lieque (LU7), Zhaohai (KI6); in the conventional acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV16), Yamen (GV15), and bilateral Lieque (LU7), Zhaohai (KI6), Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40). The treatment was adopted once every other day, 3 times a week, 4 weeks as one course and 3 courses were required totally in both groups. Before and after treatment, the polysomnography (PSG) indexes [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), hypopnea index (HI), apnea index (AI), longest apnea duration, lowest nocturnal SaO₂ (LSaO₂)], and scores of Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the AHI, HI, AI and longest apnea duration were reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), the LSaO₂ was increased in the Daoqi acupuncture group (P<0.01); in the Daoqi acupuncture group, the AHI, HI, AI and longest apnea duration were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the LSaO₂ was higher than that in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ESS and PSQI scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the WHOQOL-BREF scores were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups; in the Daoqi acupuncture group, the ESS and PSQI scores were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the WHOQOL-BREF score was higher than that in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the Daoqi acupuncture group, which was higher than 82.8% (24/29) in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Daoqi acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing can effectively treat moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients, improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life, and has the advantages i.e. simpler acupoints selection and gentler stimulation.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Quality of Life

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation in repair of single segment of thoracolumbar fracture can overcome quadrilateral effect, get better biomechanical properties, meanwhile, it also can provide three-point fixation, reduce suspension effect, and reduce the formation of kyphosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and incidence of complications of the percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:Totaly 36 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fractures treated by percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were enroled. A total of 36 vertebral bodies were treated: T11=5, T12=8, L1=17, L2=6. The visual analog scale scores before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment, the Cobb angle before treatment, the first day and at the 12th month after treatment were compared and observed. The incidence of complications was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual analog scale scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001). The Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment were significantly lower those that before treatment (P < 0.001).The Cobb angle before treatment, at the first day and at the 12th month after treatment was significantly smaler than that before treatment (P < 0.001). Only three (8%) patients had complications, including pedicle screw penetrating pedicle into the spinal canal, pedicle screws loosing and the infection in puncture site. These results suggest that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures can correct kyphosis, improve the thoracolumbar motion, quickly relieve patient’s back pain, and the incidence of complications is low.

BACKGROUND: It is stil controversial about whether percutaneous vertebroplasty can be as an option for treatment of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. METHODS: Total y 20 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures between March 2010 and January 2013 were col ected. The variation of visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients was observed before and after the repair. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients were significantly reduced after repair compared with those before repair, moreover, the visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients at the 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after repair were similar. (2) Al patients had no adverse effects and complications. (3) These results suggest that percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures quickly relieves back pain and improves the actives of thoracolumbar segments.