Acupuncture treatment improves immune system of patients with colorectal cancer

Acupuncture treatment reduced anxiety, depression and improved immune system by increasing natural killer cells, white blood cells and other body defence cells of patients with colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy, according to a study reported in the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Chemotherapy is one of common treatments for colorectal cancer. One of main adverse effects of chemotherapy is suppression of body immune system which has a major prognostic and predictive impact on the fate of cancer patients. How to improve immune system of cancer patients is very important.

Dr. Irene Pais and colleagues in Portugal conducted a randomized pilot study to assess immumodulative effect of acupuncture on colorectal cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer patients were given acupuncture at acupoints LV3, ST36, SP3, GB39, LI4, PC5, TB5, and LU7 for 45 min, during which moxibustion was applied on following acupoints SI6, TB5, ST32 and CV6 for 2 min, twice a week for total 6 sessions. Blood tests were carried out prior, during and following acupuncture treatment. Anxiety and depression scores were also evaluated before and after acupuncture.

It was found that acupuncture treatment reduced anxiety and depression and increased natural killer cells by twofold, produced a positive trend on the levels of white blood cells, total lymphocytes, T and B cells compared with baseline and control group. The authors also noticed a tendency for decreasing certain symptoms such as gastrointestinal and urological symptoms and chemotherapy side-effects within acupuncture-treated patients.

The authors suggest that acupuncture may stimulate anticancer immunity, promote a myeloprotective effect and minimize chemotherapy side effect.

Reference:

Pais I et al., Effects of Acupuncture on Leucopenia, Neutropenia, NK, and B Cells in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 2014, Article ID 217397,9 pages.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/217397/

Scalp acupuncture treatment cures anxiety disorders – a case report

Scalp acupuncture with electronic stimulation produces remarkable immediate and long-term therapeutic effects on patients with general anxiety disorders or posttraumatic stress disorder, according to a report published in the journal Global Advances in Health and Medicine.

Anxiety disorders are one of most common psychiatric disorders in Western countries. In the United States, around 40 million adults aged 18 or over have suffered from the condition. Anxiety disorders include general anxiety disorders, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and many others. It is believed that genetic inheritance, abnormal brain neurotransmissions are involved in development of the disorders. Conventional approaches include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication. The latter has many adverse effects. Acupuncture is a popular alternative treatment for the condition.

Dr. Y He and colleagues in the United States designed a scalp acupuncture treatment with two new stimulation areas, one is between Yintang (M-HN-3), Shangxing (DU-23) and Shenting (DU-24) and another is between Taiyang (M-HN-9), Tianchong (GB-9) and Shuaigu (GB-8), to treat the patients with anxiety disorders. They reported two cases with remarkable therapeutic achievement.

The case one was a 70-year-old male with general anxiety disorder and panic attack at night. He was given scalp electroacupuncture for 45 min once a week. After 4 sessions of treatment patients was free of panic attack at night and of anxiety during the daytime. A 4-week follow up found he was still resolved from the condition.

The case two was a 35-year-old male veteran, diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder with symptoms of severe anxiety, insomnia, nightmare, etc plus multiple joint pains. He was treated with scalp electroacupuncture for his mental disorder and body acupuncture for his pain 30 min once a week. After two sessions of treatment, the patient reported that he felt less anxiety and had a better sleep. Following 6 sessions of treatment, patient completely recovered from his mental disorder and went back to work and lived a happy and healthy family life.

The study suggests that acupuncture is very effective in treating anxiety disorders.

Reference:

He Y et al., Scalp acupuncture treatment protocol for anxiety disorders: a case report. Glob Adv Health Med. 2014 Jul;3(4):35-9. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25105075  

Acupuncture plus moxibustion is an effective treatment for Crohn’s disease

Acupuncture plus moxibustion significantly improved the symptoms and quality of life of patients with Crohn’s disease according to a report published in the journal World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Researchers in China conducted a randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture plus moxibustion for the treatment of active Crohn’s disease. Ninety-two patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 were treated at acupoints ST36, ST37, SP4, SP6, KI3 and LV3; plus herb moxibustion applied at acupoint CV6, CV12 and ST25. Patients in group 2 were treated at placebo acupoints and sham moxibustion. Acupuncture treatment was 30 min/session, three times a week for 12 weeks. Crohn’s disease active index (ADAI), haemoglobin, quality of life and indicators of intestinal inflammation such as C-reactive protein were evaluated before, after and 12-week follow up.

It was found that although acupuncture group and control group showed significant improvement in ADAI scores compared with baseline, the improvement was markedly greater in acupuncture group and maintained in follow-up evaluation. Further, biochemical studies showed a reduced intestinal inflammation and increased in haemoglobin in acupuncture group compared with control group.

The study demonstrated efficacy of acupuncture plus moxibustion for the Crohn’s disease.

Reference:

Bao CH et al., Randomized controlled trial: Moxibustion and acupuncture for the treatment of Crohn's disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Aug 21;20(31):11000-11.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25152604

Auricular acupuncture treatment reduce craving and anxiety in substance use disorder

Auricular acupuncture treatment significantly reduces craving and anxiety among military veterans in recovery from substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder is a complex brain condition and includes such problems as alcoholism and drug addiction. It occurs when a person has a dependence on alcohol and or drugs that is accompanied by intense or sometimes uncontrollable craving and compulsive behaviour to obtain the substance. Persistence use of substance has dangerous and negative consequence on personal relationship, employment and public safety.

Drs. BH Chang and E Sommers in the United States conducted a randomized controlled clinical study to assess the effect of auricular acupuncture on craving and anxiety of veterans in recovery from substance use disorder. Twenty-three subjects were treated with auricular acupuncture at acupoints Shen Men, Sympathetic, Kidney, Lung and Liver for 30 min, twice a week for 10 weeks. The control group (n=21) were given usual care. Degree of craving for substance on a scale of 1-10 and anxiety level on a scale of 1-4 were rated by each participant before and after acupuncture session.

It was found that auricular acupuncture produced a significantly immediate reduction in craving and anxiety after one acupuncture session compared with baseline, and continued treatment induced a markedly cumulative reduction in craving and anxiety compared with control group. Relaxation-response therapy also reduced craving and anxiety.

The study provided scientific evidence of auricular acupuncture, a non-pharmaceutical approach for treatment of substance use disorder.

Reference:

Chang BH & Sommers E, Acupuncture and relaxation response for craving and anxiety reduction among military veterans in recovery from substance use disorder. Am J Addict. 2014 Mar;23(2):129-36.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25187049

Acupuncture is effective in relieving constipation

Constipation is a common problem that affects people of all ages. Although constipation is not a life-threatening condition it could significant impact people’s daily life when it is not treated. Unhealthy life style, chronic medication and other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, Parkinson’s and many others can cause constipation. Changes in life style and medications such as laxatives are effective in treating constipation. For many people who prefer to alternatives acupuncture is a popular choice for constipation treatment.

Recently researchers in China conducted a randomized clinical study to assess the efficacy of different acupoint prescriptions on constipation. One hundred and four patients with functional constipation were divided into group 1 (n=19) treated with electroacupuncture at acupoints bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25). Patients in group 2 (n=34) were treated at bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). Acupoint prescription in group 3 (n=26) was Tianshu (ST 25), Dachangshu (BL 25), Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). Patients in group 4 (n=25) were given mosapride citrate tablets, 5mg/each, 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Electroacupuncture treatment was given 5 times a week for the first two weeks, then 3 times a week in the following two weeks. The weekly defecation frequency and life quality scores were evaluated before, at the end of treatment and a 4-week follow-up.

The results showed that 3 acupuncture-treated and drug-treated groups all significantly improved weekly defecation frequency. However, only patients in group 2 reported that defecation difficulty and life quality scores were markedly improved compared with other groups.

The study suggests that acupuncture stimulation at Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) has super therapeutic effect on constipation.

Reference:

Wu JN et al., [Comparison of efficacy on functional constipation treated with electroacupuncture of different acupoint prescriptions: a randomized controlled pilot trial]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 Jun;34(6):521-8.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25112080

Acupuncture as an adjunct improves symptoms of patients with early stage stroke

Acupuncture in combination with route treatments for early stage stroke significantly reduced the blood pressure, hematoma volume in the brain and improved neurological deficits of haemorrhagic stroke patients.

The early stage stroke is a critical period for any better recovery. Immediate access to high quality stroke specialist care is paramount importance. Early multidisciplinary therapies that would help earlier recovery should be considered in stroke treatment.

Doctors in China conducted a clinical study to assess the impact of acupuncture as an adjunct on patients with early stage stroke. Fifty-four patients with small amount of cerebral haemorrhage were randomly divided into conventional treatment group and conventional plus acupuncture group. Patients in conventional group were treated with stroke special care, oxygen therapy, never nutrition and symptomatic support, antihypertension and other treatments when necessary. Patients in conventional plus acupuncture group were given additional acupuncture treatment at 4h, 6h and 12h after disease onset respectively. Blood pressure including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), hematoma volume and neurological deficits were assessed at different time points.

It was found that blood pressure including SBP, DBP and MAP were significantly increased 12h after stroke onset in conventional treatment group. Additional acupuncture significantly decreased blood pressure at 12h compared conventional treatment alone. This improvement in blood pressure by acupuncture lasted to 24h. Acupuncture significantly decreased hematoma volume at 6h after stroke onset compared with conventional treatment and this improvement maintained up to 24h. Evaluation of neurological deficits revealed that acupuncture markedly reduced neurological deficit scores compared with conventional treatment alone group.

The study suggests that acupuncture as an adjunct therapy in early stage stroke treatment should significantly improve the symptoms within 24h and has potential for a better recovery.

Reference:

Tao WQ et al., Impacts of acupuncture on blood pressure and hematoma in patients of cerebral hemorrhage at the early stage. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 May;34(5):426-30.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022108

Acupuncture produces a sustainable symptom relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Acupuncture treatment of the knee osteoarthritis not only relieves pain and improves joint flexibility but induces a sustainable therapeutic effect, according to a study published in the journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Conventional treatment to knee osteoarthritis often includes pain killer which only temporarily reliefs the symptoms and has many adverse effects with prolonged use. Many patients with the condition often seek alternative therapies. Acupuncture is a very popular choice.

Scientists in China conducted a non-randomized clinical study to assess the efficacy of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis. Ninety-seven patients with knee osteoarthritis were given acupuncture at acupoints ST34, ST35, ST36, GB33, GB34, SP9, SP10 and EX-LE4, for 30 min, once a day for 4 weeks. Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the changes in stiffness, physical function and pain intensity prior and following the treatment and at 4-week follow-up. It was found that stiffness, pain intensity and physical function were all significantly improved compared with baseline and control groups by the end of 4-week acupuncture. A 4-week follow-up assessment showed that all improvements were sustainable and were not significantly different from the end of treatment evaluation. There was no adverse effect reported.

The study provides evidence that acupuncture exerts a sustainable therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.

Referece:

Dai Z et al., [Efficacy evaluation on knee osteoarthritis treated with acupuncture: non-randomized concurrent control trial]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 Apr;34(4):329-33.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24946628