COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread throughout the world. China has achieved rapid containment of this highly infectious disease following the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the Chinese protocol is based on its successful historic experience in fighting against pestilence. Current findings have shown that the Chinese medicine can reduce the incidence of severe or critical events, improve clinical recovery and help alleviate symptoms such as cough or fever. To date there are over 133 ongoing registered clinical studies on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The three Chinese patent medicines (/ (Forsythiae and Honeysuckle Flower Pestilence-Clearing Granules/Capsules), (Honeysuckle Flower Cold-Relieving Granules) and (Stasis-Resolving & Toxin-Removing) were officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration to list COVID-19 as an additional indication. The pharmacological studies have suggested that Chinese medicine is effective for COVID-19 probably through its host-directed regulation and certain antiviral effects.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: A total of 50 AD patients were randomly allocated into a Western medication (WM) group (n=25) and an acupuncture plus medication (APM) group (n=25). Patients in the WM group took oral huperzine A capsules. In addition to huperzine A capsules, patients in the APM group also received EA at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengfu (GV 16), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yongquan (KI 1). The needles on the above points were connected to G6805-Ⅱelectric stimulator [3 pairs: Shenting (GV 24) and Baihui (GV 20); Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengfu (GV 16); and bilateral Yongquan (KI 1)]. The needles were retained 25 min. The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. The patients received a total of 3 treatment courses. There was a 3-day interval between two courses. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Hasegawa dementia scale revised (HDS-R) were conducted before and after treatment. The clinical efficacies were evaluated when the treatment was completed. Results: Before treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in MMSE and HDS-R scores (both P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE and HDS-R scores in the APM group were significantly higher than those in the WM group (both P<0.05). The total effective rate in the APM group was 88.0%, versus 76.0% in the WM group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: EA is effective for AD and can improve clinical symptoms in AD patients.

Objective: To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli (ST 36) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion. Methods: A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPARSF) software. Results: Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles. Conclusion: Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with tuina for chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Methods:A total of 97 CTTH cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=52) and a control group (n=45). Patients in the observation group were treated with EA plus tuina based on pattern identification, whereas patients in the control group were treated with oral amitriptyline and oryzanol. Patients in both groups were treated for 8 weeks. A follow-up was conducted 3 months after the treatment. The intensity, duration, and frequency of the headache were recorded and compared before and after the treatment. Additionally, the patients' psychological state and quality of life (QOL) were compared between the two groups. Results:There were intra-group statistically significant differences in headache intensity score, headache duration, and headache frequency after the treatment and during the follow-up compared with those before the treatment (allP<0.05); and there were between-group statistically significant differences during the same time frame (allP<0.05). The Hamilton depression scale-17 items (HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) scores were significantly reduced in both groups after the treatment or during the follow-up (allP<0.01); and there were no between-group statistical significances during the same time frame (allP>0.05). The World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scores were significantly reduced in both groups after the treatment or during the follow-up (allP<0.05); and the scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (allP<0.05) during the same time frame. The total effective rate was 88.0% in the observation group, versus 71.4% in the control group, showing a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with tuina can significantly decrease the frequency of chronic tension-type headache, alleviate headache intensity, shorten headache duration, and improve the patients' wellness. It is better than amitriptyline plus oryzanol.

Objective: To investigate the community promotion feasibility of superficial needling plus club swing for post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. Methods:A total of 180 cases (duration <1.5 years) with post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint were recruited from three community health centers in Changning District, 60 from each community. They were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=90) and a control group (n=90). Patients in both groups received standard internal and rehabilitation care. Patients in the observation group received additional superficial needling plus club swing. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was conducted before and 60 d after the treatment to evaluate the severity of shoulder pain. The active movement of the shoulder joint and activities of daily living (ADL) were also observed. Results:There were no between-group statistical differences before the treatment (allP>0.05). After a 60-day treatment, the shoulder pain severity, active range of motion of the shoulder joint and ADL in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group (allP<0.01). In addition, no adverse events were reported by participants in the observation group. Conclusion:Superficial needling plus club swing plays a positive role in improving post-stroke motion impairment of the shoulder joint. This safe, reliable and economical therapy has good patient compliance and is suitable for community promotion.

Objective: To observe the effect of needling Hegu (LI 4) on functions of the prefrontal cortex using the functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: A total of 12 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to an acupuncture group (n=6) and a control group (n=6). The control group received no intervention. The acupuncture group received needling Hegu (LI 4) on the right side. The real-time concentration changes of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (d-Hb) and total hemoglobin (t-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex were recorded using the fNIRS, allowing for effect analysis of needling Hegu (LI 4) on the functions of the prefrontal cortex. Results: Compared with the control group, the HbO2 and t-Hb concentrations were increased in the acupuncture group and there were between-group statistical significances (bothP<0.05). There was no between-group statistical significance in d-Hb concentration (P>0.05). Conclusion: Needling Hegu (LI 4) can extensively activate the prefrontal cortex and therefore has significant effect on the functions of the brain's prefrontal cortex.

Objective:To observe the effect of reward alteration following acupuncture for morphine withdrawal rats on the behavior and neuronal discharges in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods:The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into a model group, a confinement group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group, and a control group. Rats with morphine addiction were made by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (same dose injection of saline for rats in the control group), followed by a 2-week morphine withdrawal. Acupuncture and confinement were completed during the morphine withdrawal period. Upon withdrawal, the rats received conditioned place preference (CPP) training and open field test. The multi-channel neural signal processor was used in the electrophysiological experiment to measure the neuronal discharges in different subareas of prefrontal cortex in CPP box and aversion box. Results:Rats in the model group and the confinement group spent longer period of time in CPP box than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference between the EA group and the control group. The total distances of movement by rats in the model group and the confinement group were longer than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.01). The mPFC neuronal discharge frequencies were compared between morphine preference box and aversion box. The mPFC neuronal discharge frequencies in the model group and the confinement group were higher than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference between the EA group and the control group. Conclusion:Acupuncture can effectively interfere with the reward alteration following morphine withdrawal, possibly because of its involvement with the mPFC neuronal discharges.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture for cerebral palsy (CP) complicated with intellectual disabilities. Methods:A total of 300 CP cases aged between 1 and 5 years were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=150) and a control group (n=150). Patients in the treatment group were treated with Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain- refreshing scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, whereas patients in the control group received rehabilitation training alone. The Beijing Gesell developmental (Gesell) scale and gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale were used to assess the motor and intellectual development before and 3 months after the treatment. In addition, the head CT/MRI examination was applied to assess the brain nerve repair before and after the treatment. Results:After the treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was 78.0%, versus 42.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). As for scores of five subscales in the Gesell scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (allP<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (allP<0.05). As for scores of five dimensions in GMFM scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (allP<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (allP<0.05). According to the head CT/MRI findings, the total effective rate was 73.3% in the treatment group, versus 62.0% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion:When used in combination with rehabilitative training, Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture can significantly improve the clinical efficacy for cerebral palsy complicated with intellectual disabilities. It can also improve the patients' motor function, intelligence and language ability.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) plus self-made Jiawei Jinhuanggao (Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste) for gouty arthritis.Methods:A total of 80 cases with gouty arthritis were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=40) and a Western medication group (n=40). Cases in the observation group received EA and external application of self-madeJiawei Jinhuanggao(Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste), whereas cases in the Western medication group took Colchicine and Allopurinol tablets orally. After 10 d of treatment, the pain, joint swelling and uric acid in blood were observed. In addition, the follow-up was conducted 6 months after end of the treatment to evaluate the long-term effect.Results:After treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in pain and uric acid in blood (P>0.05); and there were between-group statistical differences in joint swelling and relapse rate (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.5% in the observation group, versus 95.0% in the Western medication group, showing no statistical difference (P>0.05).Conclusion:EA plus Jiawei Jinhuanggao (Supplemented Golden Yellow Paste) has safe and long-term efficacy for gouty arthritis efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of tuina along the pathways of meridians on lower limb swelling after surgical repair of fracture.Methods:A total of 72 cases with lower limb fractures were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=36) and a control group (n=36). On the third day when the draining tube was removed after surgery, patients in both groups started same rehabilitation training. The patients in the observation group received additional tuina therapy along the pathways of meridians, twice a day for 7 d. Then the swelling and deswelling time of patients in both groups were observed.Results:After 7 d of treatment, the swelling degree of patients in both groups were significantly alleviated (P<0.05); and the alleviation was more significant in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was between-group statistical difference in clinical effect (P<0.05). The follow-up visit 6 months after treatment showed a significantly shorter deswelling time in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion:Tuina along the pathways of meridians plus rehabilitation training can effectively prevent or alleviate (fracture) postoperative lower limb swelling.