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Acupunct Med 2022 May 24:9645284221076504. Epub 2022 May 24.

Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: Studies were identified from English and Chinese databases from their inception to September 2020. The outcomes of interest were remission incidence, number of daily attacks, incidence of positive cold stimulation tests and incidence of cold provocation tests. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 18:9645284221085278. Epub 2022 May 18.

Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P.R. China.

Objectives: Acupuncture has been found to be effective at relieving many inflammatory pain conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of manual acupuncture (MA) treatment of RA using adjuvant-induced arthritic (AIA) rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of MA at ST36 () in AIA rats were assessed using paw withdrawal latency and swelling, histological examination and cytokine detection by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221085578. Epub 2022 May 17.

Nanjing Maigaoqiao Community Health Service Center, Nanjing, China.

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221086293. Epub 2022 May 17.

Internal Medicine B Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a healthcare burden. Acupuncture improves dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but, to the best of our knowledge, has not been tested in AECOPD. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of true acupuncture added to standard of care (SOC), as compared with both sham procedure plus SOC and SOC only, for the treatment of AECOPD among inpatients. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221086288. Epub 2022 May 17.

Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulation of the host response to infection. Acupuncture is used for treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, its effectiveness and safety as a complementary therapy for sepsis has not been fully explored.

Methods: Data were retrieved from eight databases. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221085579. Epub 2022 May 17.

Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Objective: To visualize and compare the sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at the sites of different traditional acupuncture points in the rat forehead and face by histochemical examination.

Methods: GB14 (), ST2 () and ST6 () were selected as the representative traditional acupuncture points in this study, and the local tissues at these sites were dissected in rats after perfusion followed by double or triple fluorescent histochemical staining. Here, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) were used to label the sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers, respectively. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221085576. Epub 2022 May 17.

BioMechanical Engineering Laboratory, University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.

Objectives: This study analyzed the physical-chemical properties of three different brands of acupuncture needle, classified by acupuncturists as high (A), medium (B) and low (C) quality.

Methods: Experienced acupuncturists, rated, in terms of perceived needling quality, three acupuncture needle brands as high (A), medium (B) and low (C) quality. Next, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the tip and surface finish of the needles of each brand were analyzed. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221085279. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka, Japan.

Background: GV20 and are important targets in acupuncture treatment for depression. In this study, we examined the antidepressant effects of simultaneous acupuncture stimulation at GV20 and .

Methods: We compared the antidepressant effects of manual acupuncture (MA) stimulation at GV20 and , compared to acupuncture stimulation at two control point locations on the back of the mice (overlying the spinal column) and imipramine administration in a forced swimming (FS)-induced mouse model of depression, and examined the mRNA and protein expression of neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin (NT)-3, and NT-4/5 in the brains by real-time polymerase chain reaction in two different experimental schedules - preventive (MA given alongside FS modelling) and therapeutic (MA given after FS-induced depression was already established). Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 May 17:9645284221085282. Epub 2022 May 17.

School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.

Purpose: Level 1 evidence supports the use of acupuncture/acupressure (A/A) to manage post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to survey healthcare professionals' attitudes towards A/A, influencing factors and barriers to implementing this effective non-drug intervention into peri-operative care.

Methods: A validated, anonymous survey with 43 questions was emailed or distributed as a hard copy at meetings to anaesthetists, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, gynaecologists and surgeons at a public hospital in Australia. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Apr 27:9645284221085284. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Background: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a type of pathological aging, which seriously interferes with the fertility of affected women. Electroacupuncture (EA) may have a beneficial effect; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of EA on ovarian function in ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced mouse model of POF. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Apr 18:9645284221076506. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of patients with moderate or severe acne vulgaris (AV).

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 12 treatment sessions of acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 4 weeks with 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the Skindex-16 scale total score at treatment completion. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Apr 18:9645284221085280. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

The Third Hospital/Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.

Objective: The efficacy of acupuncture alone in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is controversial, but the benefit of acupuncture added to usual care has rarely been studied. We aimed to examine the benefit of acupuncture added to usual care through network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from their inception to 1 July 2021, without any language restriction. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Apr 18:9645284221077111. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Physiotherapy Course, Institute of Motricity Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Brazil.

Background: Acupuncture, as a complementary and alternative medical treatment, has shown some promise as a therapeutic option for obesity and weight control. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on body weight, body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, waist circumference and skin temperature of the abdominal region in non-obese women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat.

Methods: A total of 50 women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat (and average BMI of 22) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an EA group (n = 25) receiving 10 EA sessions (insertion of needles connected to an electrical stimulator at a frequency of 40 Hz for 40 min) and a control group (n = 25) that received no treatment. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 22:9645284221077106. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Background: To date, there has been little focus on research into acupuncture for insomnia after ischemic stroke. Insomnia is one of the most common sequelae after ischemic stroke, and it is the most unrecognized modifiable risk factor.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for insomnia after ischemic stroke. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 2:9645284221077103. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) upregulates triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) protein in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model animals from the perspective of TREM2 DNA methylation.

Methods: In total, 24 eight-month-old senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were divided into an (untreated) AD group (n = 8), donepezil group (receiving donepezil treatment, n = 8) or EA group (receiving an EA intervention, n = 8). A healthy control group comprising 8-month-old senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice (n = 8) was also included. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 2:9645284221077104. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment for post-stroke depression (PSD).

Methods: This study was a single-center, single-blinded, parallel-arm randomized controlled trial. In total, 65 patients with PSD were randomly allocated into EA and sham EA groups. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 1:9645284221076515. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Anesthesiology Institute, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Background: Neuroinflammation refers to a wide range of immune responses occurring in the brain or spinal cord. It is closely related to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, for which it potentially represents a new direction for treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) is one method of acupuncture treatment, which can be used as an adjuvant therapy for many diseases. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 1:9645284221076507. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Purpose: This document describes the consensus process and intervention for a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded multi-site feasibility study utilizing acupuncture for te pan in he Emergenc Department (ACUITY). The acupuncture intervention is designed to be flexible and responsive to the most common Emergency Department (ED) scenarios, including trauma, acute pain of the low back, abdomen and/or musculoskeletal system, renal colic and headache.

Background: Opioids remain a primary treatment for acute ED pain with attendant risk of adverse effects, addiction liability, diversion and death. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 06 1;40(3):284-286. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.

Acupunct Med 2022 Mar 1:9645284221076517. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of preoperative electroacupuncture (EA) on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and severity of postoperative pain, in gynecological patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. The effects of EA administered at different preoperative time points were compared.

Methods: A total of 413 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomly allocated into 4 groups receiving EA the day before surgery (Group Pre, n = 103), 30 min before (Group 30, n = 104) or both (Group Comb, n = 103), or usual care alone (Group Usual, n = 103). Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 06 1;40(3):281-283. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.

Acupunct Med 2022 Feb 25:9645284221078873. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases co-constructed by Henan province & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Zhengzhou, China.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. Pulmonary vascular remodeling is the main pathological feature of COPD. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the key regulator of angiogenesis, mediates activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, which regulates the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and plays important roles in pulmonary angiogenesis and remodeling in COPD. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 06 25;40(3):278-280. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Acupunct Med 2022 06 23;40(3):268-269. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Acupunct Med 2022 06 23;40(3):270-271. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Department of Rehabilitation, Tong Ren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Acupunct Med 2022 06 23;40(3):275-277. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, London, UK.

Acupunct Med 2022 06 23;40(3):272-274. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Acupunct Med 2022 Feb 1:9645284211066499. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, China-USA Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, P.R. China.

Background: Improving synaptic plasticity is a good way to alleviate neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is currently used worldwide to treat this disease, but its specific mechanisms of action need further investigation. Evidence has suggested that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in promoting nerve regeneration and can promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Jan 19:9645284211056352. Epub 2022 Jan 19.

Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety-related psychiatric disorder, manifesting high comorbidity with anxiety disorders. Its underlying neurobiological mechanisms have been associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction and stress hormones. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a primary stress hormone, expressed in the hypothalamus and amygdala. Read More

Acupunct Med 2022 Jan 16:9645284211070301. Epub 2022 Jan 16.

Department of Soft Tissue Traumatology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.

Background And Aim: Disordered hepatic energy metabolism is found in obese rats with insulin resistance (IR). There are insufficient experimental studies of electroacupuncture (EA) for IR and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to probe the effect of EA on disordered hepatic energy metabolism and the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)/ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70-kDa (p70S6K) signaling pathway. Read More