Acupuncture and Meridians

Complete Recovery following Electroacupuncture Therapy in Refractory Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss Publication date: Available online 26 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Warangkana Arpornchayanon, Supanimit Teekachunhatean Abstract Role of electroacupucture (EA) in refractory unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) remains unclear but might be promising for the Meniere's disease (MD). Two cases of unilateral SNHL who were unresponsive to conventional treatment of sudden SNHL showed complete recovery after receiving EA therapy. The first case was a 46-year-old female who received EA in the seventh month after the acute onset of sudden right hearing loss and tinnitus. She had mild-to-moderate degree of sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies in the right ear with episodic vertigo. The second was a 55-year-old female who received EA in the sixth year after developing sudden SNHL in the right ear. Before the EA began, her pure tone average (PTA) of the affected ear was 45 dB and the phonetically balanced (PB)'s score was 88%. The regimen for both patients included 12 sessions of EA over four weeks at the main acupoints (SI 19, TE 21, TE 18, TE 17, and TE 3) on the affected ear and the bilateral adjuvant acupoints (LI 4, CV 6, CV 4, KI 3, and LIV 3). Both patients regained their normal hearing thresholds three weeks following the first EA. No adverse events were observed. Hence, EA may be a useful additional therapy in unilateral SNHL, even at the late phase when other treatments have failed because the possibility of MD cannot be excluded.

Canine and Feline Patients Referred Exclusively for Acupuncture and Herbs: A Two Year Retrospective Analysis Publication date: Available online 24 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Justin Shmalberg, Huisheng Xie, Mushtaq A. Memon Abstract Acupuncture and the administration of herbal supplements are increasingly utilized in veterinary practice, but no retrospective studies have examined patient characteristics and treatment interventions in a population of dogs and cats presenting exclusively for such therapies. This two-year retrospective analysis of 161 referrals to an integrative medicine service at an academic teaching hospital found that dogs were more frequently treated than cats (91.9% vs. 8.1%, respectively), and that small animal patients most frequently were presented for musculoskeletal (26.7%), neurologic (16.8%), oncologic (14.9%), and dermatologic (10.6%) conditions. Cats were older than treated dogs (12.7±3.7 vs. 9.5±4.3 years) and more likely to be treated for oncologic complaints (odds ratio = 5.6). Patients received acupuncture (95.4%), herbal supplements (76.4%), acupuncture with percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (electroacupuncture, 26.1%), and/or cyanocobalamin injections in acupuncture points (aqua-acupuncture, 23.6%). Some differences were detected between treatment groups. This retrospective analysis provides a foundation for designing future prospective studies using acupuncture and herbs in dogs and cats.

Effects Of Scalp Acupuncture On Functional Deficits Induced By Early Sensorimotor Restriction Publication date: Available online 24 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Angela Kemel Zanella, Jessié Martins Gutierres, Felipe Stigger Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of scalp acupuncture and electrostimulation, combined or not, in a disuse model consisted of early sensorimotor restriction in rats. Male Wistar pups received sensorimotor restriction from the second postnatal day (P2) until P28. Animals were divided in 5 different groups (n=6): control (CT), sensorimotor restricted (SR), acupuncture (AC), electrostimulation (EL) and electro-acupuncture (AC+EL). Experimental animals received sham, acupuncture or electrical stimulation, combined or not, of two scalp regions for seven days (P29-P35). Previously to treatment period (P29) and after treatment (P36) animals were evaluated with the narrow suspended bar, horizontal ladder and stride length tests. SR animals had worse performance in the narrow suspended and horizontal ladder tasks compared to SR animals at P29 (p≤0.005). Significant improvements were observed in both tasks in AC, EL and EL+AC groups comparing P29 and P36 (p<0.001). Also, at P35 all treated animals performed significantly better motor tasks compared to SR group (p<0.05). There was no difference between treated groups. Finally, acupuncture and electrical stimulation, combined or not, have beneficial effect on motor performance following early developmental disuse.

Wet Cupping; Traditional Hijamah Technique versus Asian Cupping Technique in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Publication date: Available online 24 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Sulaiman M. Al-Eidi, Ashry Gad Mohamed, Raid A. Abutalib, Abdullah M. AlBedah, Mohamed K.M. Khalil Abstract Background Low back pain is a common complaint worldwide. Wet cupping (AlHijamah) therapy, which is one of the common traditional therapies in Saudi Arabia, Asia, and some European countries, is usually used to relieve low back pain. However, the majority of high-quality wet cupping trials were conducted in Asia and Europe, where they use a different cupping technique compared to our local wet cupping technique in Saudi Arabia. Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of comparing the effect of the traditional Hijamah and the Asian wet cupping techniques in the management of Chronic Low Back Pain patients. Design Randomized clinical trial comparing traditional versus Asian wet cupping techniques in CLBP; Setting Outpatient clinics in two secondary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Patients Seventy eligible participants with CLBP for at least three months were randomly allocated to either Traditional cupping group (34) or the Asian cupping group (36). Intervention Participants were randomized to receive one session of wet cupping using either - Asian technique or Traditional Hijamah technique. Cupping was done at four sites of the bilateral Bladder Meridian (BL 23, BL24, and BL25). Outcome measures The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) scores were measured immediately after intervention, seven days, and 14 days after. Results In both groups, there was a significant decrease in NRS, PPI, and ODS, immediately after intervention and at seven days, and 14 days after intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups across all the outcome measures up to 14 days after intervention. Conclusions The study did not show a superiority of one technique compared to the other. Longer follow-up periods and more than one cupping session may be needed to evaluate the difference, if any, between both techniques. Trial Registration NCT02012205.

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of PC5 and PC6 acupoints modulates autonomic balance in heart transplant patients: a pilot study Publication date: Available online 23 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Beatriz Robert Moreira, Alice Pereira Duque, Carole Sant'Ana Massolar, Rodrigo de Lima Pimentel, Mauro Felippe Felix Mediano, Tereza Cristina Fellipe Guimarães, Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Junior Abstract The increased resting heart rate (HR) in heart transplant patients is associated with enhanced metabolic demand, the potential for fatigue, and lower quality of life. In the present study, we hypothesized that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) could modulate autonomic balance and reduce resting HR in these patients. A single-arm clinical trial was conducted with patients aged > 18 years, at ambulatorial accompaniment after heart transplantation, were submitted to a single TEAS (40 minutes at PC5 and PC6 acupoints). The arterial blood pressure and RR interval were recorded from 20 minutes before to 20 minutes after TEAS. The RR intervals were used to calculate heart rate variability (HRV) and sympathovagal index. Linear mixed models were used for comparing variables before, during and after TEAS. The significance level was set as P < 0.05. TEAS acutely improved HRV in transplant patients and enhanced the sympathovagal index during its application. Significant increases in systolic, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, were observed at recovery, such as a slight, but significant, decrease in heart rate. In conclusion, TEAS at PC5 and PC6 acutely modulates HRV and hemodynamics in transplant patients.

Concurrent Effects of Dry Needling and Electrical Stimulation in the Management of Upper Extremity Hemiparesis Publication date: Available online 23 April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Maryam Selk Ghaffari, Ardalan shariat, Roshanak Honarpishe, Azadeh Hakakzadeh, Joshua A. Cleland, Sepehr Haghighi, Tohid Seif-Barghi Abstract Stroke is one of leading causes of disability in western countries. A variety of rehabilitation programs for the treatment of patients post stroke have been proposed. We describe the outcomes of a 49-year-old female patient with 5-year history of right upper extremity hemiparesis post stroke. Physical examination revealed a right wrist extensor strength grade of 1 according to the Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) scale, stage 4 according to the Brunnstrom hand functional recovery and grade 1 in finger flexor and in wrist flexor according to the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) system of muscle spasticity. Magnetic Resonance Imaging taken immediately after the stroke was indicative of an abnormal signal in left paraventricle and lentiform nucleus. After receiving a single session of dry needling and electrical stimulation, the patient had significant improvement including a strength grade of 3 for the right wrist extensor muscles, stage 6 according to Brunnstrom hand functional recovery and a grade 0 in finger flexor and in wrist flexor according to MMAS system of muscle spasticity. This case report found that dry needling combined with electrical stimulation may be an effective in hand function recovery, wrist extensor muscles strength and decreased wrist and finger spasticity.

Accuracy and Precision in Acupuncture Point Location: A Critical Systematic Review Publication date: April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Debra R. Godson, Jonathan L. Wardle Abstract A number of studies have examined the accuracy and precision of acupuncture point location across various point location methods. Accuracy of point location is essential for safe, efficacious and reliable treatments and valid reproducible research outcomes. This review aims to identify, summarize, compare and critically appraise available empirical studies relating to the accuracy and precision of acupuncture point location. A comprehensive search of five electronic databases, World Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Google scholar was performed for studies investigating accuracy and precision in acupuncture point location. 771 studies were screened of which 14 studies were identified, including 9 studies that investigated the localization of acupoints and 5 studies that examined the cun measurement system. Considerable variation in localization of acupoints was reported among qualified medical acupuncturists. Variation in point location among qualified non-medical acupuncturists is unknown due to lack of any identified study. The directional method was found to be significantly inaccurate and imprecise in all studies that evaluated the method. Suitability of other methods for clinical and research purposes and influencing factors such as education, training and experience were identified as topics for future studies.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review Publication date: April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Rodrigo de Lima Pimentel, Alice P. Duque, Beatriz R. Moreira, Luiz F. Rodrigues Abstract Acupuncture, for the westerns countries, is an innovative and low-cost therapy for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, most of its effects and mechanisms are poorly understood. Thus, the objective of this work was to systematically review the literature regarding the clinical effects of acupuncture for the treatment and prevention of CVDs. A search for papers published in English or Portuguese in the past 20 years was conducted at PubMed, SciELO, and PEDro databases. Clinical trials conducted on the effects of acupuncture were included in this review. Two reviewers extracted the data independently from the remaining 17 articles after screening. The most used acupoint was PC6 (10 studies, 64.7%), followed by ST36 (6 studies, 35.3%) and auricular acupoints (4 studies, 23.5%). Among the clinical applications, hypertension was the most studied CVD, with acupuncture being the most reported method among the studies (70.6%). Only three articles reported no benefit in the treatment of CVDs for the methodology used. We conclude that although several studies indicated an improvement in the response of the cardiovascular system in CVDs by acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or electrostimulation treatment, the heterogeneity of the studies does not allow a standardization of its application for each specific disease, making further studies necessary for its use to become a reality.

Editorial Board Publication date: April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s):

The Effect of Manual Acupressure (Point BL32) on Pain Associated with Intramuscular Injections of Magnesium Sulfate Publication date: April 2019 Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Seyed S. Najafi, Setareh Nazaribin, Marzieh Momennasab, Amin Kordi Yoosefinejad Abstract The aim of this study was determining the effect of acupressure on the severity of pain associated with intramuscular injections of magnesium sulfate administered by the Z-track technique in patients with eclampsia and preeclampsia. Forty-eight patients participated in this single-group clinical trial, which was conducted in three stages. For each patient, three intramuscular injections were administered by the Z-track technique. The first injection was administered by the conventional method. The second injection at a sham control point and the third injection using acupressure (BL32) were administered. Pain severity was measured on a visual analogue scale. The mean pain intensity was 7.22 in the first, 4.75 in the second and 1.94 in the third injections (p < 0.001). The results of the study showed that acupressure at the BL32 point before intramuscular injection of magnesium sulfate significantly reduced the injection-related pain.