This blog is to share the latest research and development of acupuncture and raise the awareness of alternative treatments for your conditions, and is for information only.

Monday 28 July 2014

Laser acupuncture relieves pain in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

Laser acupuncture help relieve pain in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. It is reported in Journal of Formosan Medical Association.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are conditions affecting jaw joint, including pain, dysfunction of mastication muscles and temporomandibular joint. The symptoms comprise pain in the joint area and nearby, reduced jaw movement, noise from temporomandibular joint during jaw movement. TMD is a common problem affecting 20-40% of people aged between 20 and 40 and can become chronic and difficult to manage, leading to a detrimental to quality of life. It is thought the cause of TMD include wear and tear to the inside of the joint, arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, and injury to the joint. Conventional treatments include medication, local injection and surgery which can relieve symptoms but are not always satisfactory.

Scientists in Taiwan ran a clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture on TMD. Twenty patients with TMD were treated with laser acupuncture at four acupoints (ST6, ST7, LI4 and Ashi point) once a week for total four weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale (1-10) was used to measure pain intensity before and after treatment.

At the end of treatment the average pain score was significantly reduced from 6.3±1.6 before treatment to 2.5±2.2 after treatment. Six of 17 patients with TMD felt pain free and 11 of 17 patients showed various degree of pain relief following the treatment. There was no adverse effect after treatment.

The study indicates that laser acupuncture could be an effective alternative treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders.

Reference:
Huang YF et al., Clinical effectiveness of laser acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (2014)113, 535e539.   http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664612003944

Friday 25 July 2014

Acupuncture as an adjunctive helps improve psoriasis

Acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbs and auricle cutting technique significantly improved psoriasis condition according to a report published in journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin condition that causes the symptoms on the skin and sometimes on the joints. It is characterised by the red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques which often itchy and can occur on any area of the body. Psoriasis occurs when the abnormally quick skin replacement process develops. The cause of psoriasis is not well known and it is believed that abnormal immune response, genetic and environmental factors are associated with its development. Although there is no cure for the condition, conventional treatments include topical, phototherapy and systematic medication can help keep the condition under control.

Recently researchers in China conducted a clinical study to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in combination with auricle cutting in psoriasis. Fifty-six patients with psoriasis being treated with Chinese herbs, were randomly divided into four groups (n=14 in each group), including combined group, acupuncture alone group, auricle cutting alone group and control group (Chinese herbs alone). The treatment was given once daily, seven days as a session and total treatment lasted for two sessions. Psoriasis area and severity index was evaluated before and after the treatment.

It was found that at the end of treatment psoriasis area and severity index scores were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared with baseline scores. However, the combined group achieved 57% of effective rate, compared with 14% in auricle cutting alone group and 7% in acupuncture alone group and 0% in control group.

The authors conclude that the combination of acupuncture, auricle cutting technique and Chinese herbs achieved the best therapeutic effect on psoriasis.

Reference:
Li T et al., [Acupuncture combined with auricle cutting method for blood stasis-type psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 May;34(5):449-53.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022114

Monday 21 July 2014

Scalp acupuncture is effective in improving vascular dementia

Scalp acupuncture plus auricular point sticking are found to have a superior total efficacy to body acupuncture and conventional medicine in treating of vascular dementia, according to a report published in journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease in old people. Any conditions that affect blood supply to the brain, such as stroke can potential cause vascular dementia. Symptoms of vascular dementia include cognitive impairment and depend on which area of the brain has been damaged. Acupuncture has been used to treat vascular dementia in China.

Researchers in China conducted a clinical study to compare the efficacy of scalp plus auricular acupuncture with body acupuncture and conventional therapy in vascular dementia. Thirty one patients were treated with scalp plus auricular acupunctures, 29 patients were given body acupuncture and 30 patients were treated with conventional medication. Acupuncture was given once a day, 14-day as a course for 3 courses. Evaluation in cognitive behaviour ability, mini-mental state examination (MIMSE) and activities of daily living (ADL), were assessed before and after the treatment.

It was found that at the end of treatment all groups showed the improvement compared with baseline. Group comparison analysis revealed that scalp plus auricular acupuncture is superior to other two treatments and body acupuncture is much better than conventional medication in improving cognitive function.

Reference:
Li SK, [Effects of scalp acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking on cognitive behavior ability in patients with vascular dementia]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 May;34(5):417-20.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022106

Friday 18 July 2014

Progress in early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease

Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is crucial to effectively slow down the progression of condition. A study, reporting that 181 genes in the blood showed a similar expression trend both in Parkinson’s patients and normal subjects, was published in Journal Biomedical and Environmental Sciences.

So far Parkinson’s can be diagnosed according to medical history and neurological symptoms. At this stage, majority of dopamine cells in the brain have already degenerated. How to diagnose the condition at the possible early stage is very important to slow down the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s.

Scientists in China recently analysed gene expression profiles of Parkinson’s in blood in order to find candidate genes in the blood for its early diagnosis. Using high-throughput cell biology techniques they analysed blood sample from 27 patients with PD and 26 control subjects and found that 181 genes in blood exhibited the similar expression profile trend within PD patients and control subjects. Those genes possess important biological process function and can be potential candidates of serum markers for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

The findings of study are promising for the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s. In the future, when the biomarkers can reliably indicate the early symptoms of Parkinson’s early acupuncture treatment to patients may be able to stop or slow down the disease progression, as suggested by the reports of basic and clinic acupuncture studies.


Reference:
Zhang Y et al., Bioinformatics Analysis Raises Candidate Genes in Blood for Early Screening of Parkinson’s Disease. Biomed Environ Sci, 2014; 27(6): 462-465.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24961856

Monday 14 July 2014

Acupuncture exerted long-lasting improvement in menopause

A systematically analysed data of 12 independent clinical studies with 869 menopausal patients showed that acupuncture treatment not only significantly reduced menopause severity but had long-lasting improvement in symptoms, according to a study published in journal Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.

Although hormone therapy and antidepressants are effective in relieving many symptoms of menopause they have high risk of developing chronic cardiovascular diseases and many others following long-term use.

Researchers in Taiwan, using meta analysis that allows a more objective appraisal of evidence than traditional review and provides precise estimate of treatment effect, combined data from 12 qualified independent clinical acupuncture studies and evaluated efficacy of acupuncture on menopause. They found that acupuncture markedly reduced frequency, severity of hot flashes, and other menopause-related symptoms such as headache, palpitation and depression. Acupuncture-induced improvement lasted 1-3 months after the end of treatment.

Acupuncture is a good alternative treatment for patients with menopause.

Reference:
Chiu HY et al., Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women on natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause. 2014 Jul 7.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003620

Friday 11 July 2014

How does acupuncture help improve osteoporosis?

Although many people with osteoporosis experienced improvement of the condition after having acupuncture treatment it is not clear how it does work? Recently a study exploring the underlying mechanism of acupuncture on osteoporosis revealed that acupuncture can increase bone morphogenetic protein-2 content in an osteoporosis model. It is published in journal of Zhen ci yan jiu (Acupuncture research).

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a condition characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading bone brittle and prone to fracture or break. It often occurs on the hip, spine, knee and wrist. Females are more susceptible to the condition which is related to the changes in hormone after menopause. Osteoporosis is also associated with aging. Bone density gradually decreases as we get older. We need to supplement our diet with minerals such as calcium, which is essential for maintaining normal bone density level. Conventional approach for osteoporosis focuses on hormone replacement therapy, which has many side effects such as breast cancer and blood clots. For people prefer to non-prescription treatment acupuncture is a good alternative therapy.

Recently researchers in China conducted a study to explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture with osteoporosis. They gave acupuncture treatment to osteoporosis models 20 min daily for 30 times. At the end of study, bone morphogenetic proteins of bone tissue and bone biomechanical value were assessed. It was found that bone morphogenetic protein 2, which plays an important role in the development of bone and cartilage, was significantly increased in bone tissue from acupuncture treated group compared with the controls. This is accompanied by the elevated bone biomechanical value.

The study suggests that acupuncture improves biomechanical changes in osteoporosis.

Reference:
Huagn GR et al., [Effect of electroacupuncture of "Mingmen" (GV 4) on bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression in osteoporosis rats]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2014 Apr;39(2):130-5.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24818497

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Acupuncture has a long-lasting antiallergic effect on rhinitis

Acupuncture is as effective as antihistamine drug loratadine in treating persistent allergic rhinitis. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture lasts longer than loratadine according to a study published in Journal of Allergy recently.

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the inside of the nose normally caused by the allergens such as house dust, pollen etc. Common symptoms include sneezing, a blocked or congested nose, a runny and itchy nose.  Persistent allergic rhinitis is believed to last 4-day or more than 4-day a week. Medication such antihistamine and corticosteroids help temporarily reduce symptoms but are not satisfactory in many cases. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture are used to treat rhinitis.

Researchers in Germany conducted a clinical study to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture with antihistamine drug loratadine in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis and to investigate the mechanism of action by acupuncture. Fifteen patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were treated with acupuncture for 20 min a day, while 9 patients were given loratadine 10mg daily for 21 days. Evaluations include objective examination of nasal conditions and subjective interviews and blood serum levels of inflammation related cytokines e.g. interleukins. Assessments were carried out prior to (baseline), at the end of treatment and at 10-week follow-up.

It was found that effectiveness of acupuncture treatment is similar to that of loratadine in controlling symptoms of rhinitis during and at the end of treatment compared to baseline scores. However, 10-week follow-up revealed that 80% of patients received acupuncture maintained significant improvement of rhinitis symptoms whiles none of patients given loratadine showed any improvement compared to baseline scores. Blood test showed that although levels of most interleukins were not changes compared to baseline between two groups, the level of interleukin-10 was gradually elevated in acupuncture group while it was stable within drug treated group. Interleukin-10 is believed to act as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, counteracting the inflammatory effect at the site of allergic action.

The study indicates that acupuncture treatment modulates immune system to exert long-lasting antiallergic effect in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis.

Reference:
Hauswald B et al., The Effectiveness of Acupuncture Compared to Loratadine in Patients Allergic to House Dust Mites. Journal of Allergy, Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 654632, 7 pages.    http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ja/2014/654632/

Monday 7 July 2014

Electroacupuncture improved colitis by modulating the expression of inflammation related genes

In a colitis model study, electroacupuncture stimulation at PC3 and PC6 acupoints improved macroscopic and microscopic changes by decreasing gene expression of inflammatory response related factors according to a study published in journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease. The symptoms include loss of appetite, fatigue, tummy pain, recurring diarrhoea mixed with blood. The exact cause of colitis is unknown but dysfunction of immune system is believed playing an important role in the development of colitis. The conventional treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs and immunesuppressants. Those drugs are effective in reducing symptoms but have severe adverse effects with long-term use.

Researchers in Taiwan carried out an experimental study to investigate the effectiveness and mechanism of acupuncture on colitis model. They performed electroacupuncture (ranging from 1 Hz, 10 Hz to 100 Hz) on acupoints PC3 and PC6 on mouse model of colitis 30 min daily for 7 days. At the end of acupuncture researchers used Immunohistochemistry to look at pathological changes and used microarray analysis to look the changes in inflammation related gene expression. Acupuncture stimulation with 100 Hz significantly improved the mucosa integration, ulceration, thickening of colonic wall of the large intestine in the model compared with other acupuncture treated groups and control group. This was accompanied by markedly reduction in many elevated cytokine gene expression.

The study suggested that acupuncture modulated gene expression associated with immune system and inflammatory responses and improved the condition of colitis.

Reference:
Ho TY, et al., Electroacupuncture improves trinitrobenzene sulfonic Acid-induced colitis, evaluated by transcriptomic study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:942196.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24995035

Friday 4 July 2014

Acupuncture is more effective than conventional therapy in improving functional activities in subacute stroke patients

Patients with ischemic stroke of subacute stage recovered better following combination of body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture treatment compared to conventional therapy, according to a report recently published in journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu.

It is believed that subacute stage of stroke occurs between 1-6 months after onset of stroke. Better recovery in the subacute stage of stroke is crucial for patient’s long-term revival.

Researchers in China carried out a randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of combination of body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture in patients of subacute stroke. One hundred twenty-six patients were divided into acupuncture treatment group (n=61) and conventional treatment group (n=65). Acupuncture was given 5 times a week for total 8 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer scale and NIHSS scale and Barthel index were used to evaluate the motor functioning, balance, sensation, joint functioning and activity of daily living before, during and after acupuncture treatment and follow-up.

Assessment after 4-week acupuncture showed a very good improvement compared to baseline judged by all parameters but did not show significant difference from conventional treatment group. At the end of 8-week acupuncture patients demonstrated markedly improvement in all assessments compared to baseline. Acupuncture showed a significant functional improvement compared to conventional group at the end of 8-week treatment and 3-month follow-up assessment.

Authors conclude that combination of body acupuncture and scalp acupuncture achieved better clinical efficacy in stroke recovery compared to conventional treatment.

Reference:
Chen LF et al., [Motor dysfunction in stroke of subacute stage treated with acupuncture: multi-central randomized controlled study]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 Apr;34(4):313-8.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946625

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Acupuncture improves PD symptoms and helps Parkinson’s patients gradually stop medication.

An acupuncture technique called “the seven acupoints of the cranial base” is reported to improve clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and help Parkinson’s patients gradually stopped medications for two weeks after acupuncture treatment. It was published in journal Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion recently.

The seven acupoints of cranial base consists of DU15, bilateral BL10, GB20 and GB12 and is located at the very place of cranial bottom. It is believed that the function pattern of the seven acupoints echoes the brain resting-state network.

Researchers in China conducted the clinical study to assess the effectiveness of the seven acupoints of the cranial base in patients with Parkinson’s. Forty nine patients with Parkinson’s were assessed using Webster scores and categorized as early illness (<10 scores, n=4), moderate (11-20 scores, n=43) and advanced (21-25 scores, n=2). Before acupuncture 36 patients were treated with Madopar other patients were given other medications. All patients were given electroacupuncture at the seven acupoints for 30min, 3 times a week.

Patients with early stage of PD stopped taking medication after 3 times of acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 6 times. Patients with moderate PD reduced their medication to half dosage after having 3-time acupuncture, and stopped taking medication after 6th acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 6 times. Advanced patients reduced their medication by a third after 3-time acupuncture, and reduced their medication to half dosage after 6th acupuncture treatment, then stopped medication after 10th acupuncture, but continued acupuncture treatment for a further 9 times. There was no adverse effect and complication during and after acupuncture treatment.

Before acupuncture the average of Webster scores was 16.74±3.35 and it was significantly reduced to 11.50±4.17 after acupuncture treatment. Approximately 87% of patients with PD stopped medication for two weeks after last acupuncture treatment and maintained good improvement of their symptoms.

It will be interesting to know the outcome of the follow-up study.

Reference:
Yuan Y et al., [Forty-nine cases of Parkinson's disease treated by acupuncture adjunctive therapy]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 Jan;34(1):53-4. Chinese. 

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Gold acupuncture induced facial multiple epidermal cysts

Permanent placement of gold acupuncture needle for facial skin rejuvenation caused multiple epidermal cysts according to a case report in journal Annals of Dermatology.

Doctors in Korea reported a case study describing a 58-year-old woman with multiple tiny papules having comedo-like openings on her face. Three years ago patient had a facial skin rejuvenation treatment by using permanent placement of gold acupuncture needles under skin performed by an unlicensed acupuncturist. The acupuncture sites were swollen for three months following procedure. Multiple papules with pungent odour appeared at the same sites.

Punch biopsies were performed on the lesioned sites in the infraorbital and forehead. The gold needles were found on the lesion sites. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of multiple epidermal cysts associated with acupuncture gold needles. The patient was treated with relevant medications.

Inserting acupuncture needles into different facial acupoints has been used for facial skin rejuvenation. However its mechanism and safety have not been proven. The adverse effects include skin irritation, hematoma, bleeding, fainting.

The authors acknowledged that this is the first case of multiple epidermal cysts following permanent placement of gold needles.

Reference:
Park KY et al., Multiple Epidermal Cysts as a Complication of Gold Acupuncture. Ann Dermatol. June 2014; 26(3):405-406.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069658/