Acupuncture Research
Acupuncture May Reduce Risk of Stroke Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers in this study stated, "Acupuncture is known to control pain and inflammation, and the study proposes that it may also mitigate the risk of stroke by reducing levels of cytokines associated with cardiovascular disease."
Acupoint stimulation for long COVID: A promising intervention
This study's researchers have stated, "Traditional Chinese medicine is effective in treating the various phases of COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that acupoint stimulation therapy is effective in improving palpitations, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms in patients."
Acupuncture for cancer-related conditions: An overview of systematic reviews
This systematic reviewed demonstrated that, "Evidence from SRs showed that acupuncture is beneficial to cancer survivors with cancer-related pain, fatigue, insomnia, improved quality of life, nausea and vomiting, bone marrow suppression, menopausal symptoms, arthralgia, and dysphagia, and may also be potential for lymphoedema, gastrointestinal function, and xerostomia. For neuropathy, depression and anxiety, acupuncture should be used as an option based on individual conditions. Acupuncture is relatively safe without serious adverse events. More well-designed clinical trials of acupuncture are recommended on cancer-related depression and anxiety, arthralgia, xerostomia, gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysphagia."
The immunomodulatory mechanisms for acupuncture practice
Researchers "reviewed the immunomodulatory mechanism of acupuncture and systematically integrates existing research to respectively elucidate the modulatory mechanisms of acupuncture on the innate immune system, adaptive immune system, and well-known neuroanatomical mechanisms, including intact somatosensory-autonomic reflex pathway." This research details the some of the mechanisms responsible for acupuncture's efficacy with autoimmune disorders, like Psoriasis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as well as diseases like Asthma and improving survivability from Sepsis.
Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial
Researchers divided 90 participants with cancer-related pain were divided into three groups: one treatment group and two placebo groups. Pain intensity decreased by 36% at 2 months from baseline in the group receiving acupuncture; there was little change for patients receiving placebo (2%).
The Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Herpes Zoster: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis included 22 randomized clinical trials comparing acupuncture with standard Western medical care for the treatment of Herpes Zoster. Compared with conventional medication therapy, acupuncture was associated with a significant improvement in Visual Acuity Score (VAS), effective rate, and times to pain relief and elimination. Times to new blister cessation, incrustation, and decrustation (days) were significantly improved. Furthermore, the incidence rate of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia was lower in acupuncture groups. The results suggest that acupuncture could be a reasonable treatment option for patients with HZ who suffer from pain and accompanying symptoms.
Acupuncture treatment of Meige syndrome: a case report
A case of Meige syndrome treated by acupuncture was reported. The main symptoms of this patient were involuntary and persistent twitching of muscles around the eyes, lips and jaws. The syndrome belongs to hyperactivity of liver yang. The treatment is dispelling wind and dredging collaterals, soothing liver and relieving spasm. Acupuncture treatment was given at bilateral Dadun (LR1), Sanjian (LI3), Shaoshang (LU11), Zulinqi (GB41), Yuyao (EX-HN4), Sibai (ST2), Jiachengjiang (Extra), Fengchi (GB20), Yifeng (TE17), once every other day. After 10 times of treatment, the twitching frequency of facial muscles decreased significantly, and basically did not twitch without emotional fluctuations; the acupuncture treatment was changed to once a week, and the consolidation treatment was 4 times. After 1 month of follow-up, there was no twitching of facial muscles.
Acupuncture for alcohol use disorder
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common medical and social problem, affecting about 240 million people in the world. To address this major health concern, the currently available treatments for AUD need to be improved. Acupuncture, a popular form of complementary and alternative therapy, is emerging as an effective treatment for AUD. This review summarizes how preclinical and clinical studies are related to the application of acupuncture for AUD. These studies suggest that if used correctly, acupuncture may effectively reduce alcohol intake, attenuate alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and rebalance AUD-induced maladaptation in neurotransmitters and hormones in related brain areas.
Background:
Insomnia is the most common disease in modern society. Anmian I (Ex-8) and Anmian II (Ex-9) are commonly used along with other acupuncture points for the treatment of insomnia. However, no known studies reported the effect of Ex-8 and Ex-9 alone on insomnia. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of acupuncture needling only at those acupuncture points on the quality of sleep in patients with insomnia.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted on 100 primary insomnia patients, aged between 18 and 40 years, who were randomly allocated into two groups (i.e., study group and control group). The study group underwent 10 sessions (20 min/session, daily) of acupuncture needling at Ex-8 and Ex-9, while the control group underwent their normal routine for 10 days. Assessments were taken before and after the intervention.
Results:
After 10 sessions of intervention, the study group showed a significant reduction (p-value <0.001) in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
This study’s results suggest that 10 sessions of acupuncture needling at Ex-8 and Ex-9 improve the quality of sleep and reduce insomnia severity and daytime sleepiness in PI patients.