Trigger Point Acupuncture for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis – a Preliminary Rct for a Pragmatic Trial

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Itoh ◽  
Satoko Hirota ◽  
Yasukazu Katsumi ◽  
Hideki Ochi ◽  
Hiroshi Kitakoji
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Acupuncture Therapy ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Sham Treatment

Background There is evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in knee osteoarthritis, but it remains unclear which acupuncture modes are most effective. We evaluated the effects of trigger point acupuncture on pain and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients, compared with acupuncture at standard points, and sham acupuncture. Methods Thirty patients (27 women, 3 men; aged 61–82 years) with non-radiating knee osteoarthritis pain for at least six months and normal neurological examination were randomised to one of three groups for the study period of 21 weeks. Each group received five acupuncture treatment sessions. The standard acupuncture point group ( n=10) received treatment at traditional acupuncture points for knee pain; the trigger point acupuncture group ( n=10) received treatment at trigger points; and the third group ( n=10) received sham acupuncture treatment at the trigger points. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS) and WOMAC index (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index). The groups were compared by the area under the curve method. Results Five patients dropped out of the study because of lack of improvement, and one patient (in the trigger point acupuncture group) dropped out because of deterioration of symptoms; the remaining 24 patients were included in the analysis. After treatment, the trigger point acupuncture group reported less pain intensity on VAS than the standard acupuncture or sham treatment group, but both the trigger point acupuncture and standard acupuncture groups reported improvement of function of knee. There was a significant reduction in pain intensity between pre-treatment and five weeks after treatment for the trigger point acupuncture (P<0.01) and standard acupuncture groups (P<0.01) included in the analysis, but not for the sham treatment group. Group comparison using the area under the curves demonstrated a significant difference only between trigger point acupuncture and sham treatment groups analysed (P<0.025 for VAS, and P<0.031 for WOMAC). Conclusion These results suggest that trigger point acupuncture therapy may be more effective for osteoarthritis of the knee in some elderly patients than standard acupuncture therapy.

Trigger Point Acupuncture Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in Elderly Patients – a Blinded Rct

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Itoh ◽  
Yasukazu Katsumi ◽  
Hiroshi Kitakoji
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Superficial Needling

Objective There is some evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in chronic low back pain, but it remains unclear which acupuncture modes are most effective. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of two different modes of trigger point acupuncture on pain and quality of life in chronic low back pain patients compared to standard acupuncture treatment. Methods Thirty five consecutive out-patients (25 women, 10 men; age range: 65–81 years) from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Meiji University of Oriental Medicine, with non-radiating low back pain for at least six months and normal neurological examination, were randomised to one of three groups over 12 weeks. Each group received two phases of acupuncture treatment with an interval between them. Nine patients dropped out during the course of the study. The standard acupuncture group (n=9) received treatment at traditional acupuncture points for low back pain, while the other acupuncture groups received superficial (n=9) or deep (n=9) treatments on trigger points. Outcome measures were VAS pain intensity and Roland Morris Questionnaire. Results After treatment, the group that received deep needling to trigger points reported less pain intensity and improved quality of life compared to the standard acupuncture group or the group that received superficial needling to trigger points, but the differences were not statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in pain intensity between the treatment and interval in the group that received deep needling to trigger points (P<0.01), but not in the standard acupuncture group or the group that received superficial needling to trigger points. Conclusion These results suggest that deep needling to trigger points may be more effective in the treatment of low back pain in elderly patients than either standard acupuncture therapy, or superficial needling to trigger points.

scholarly journals Effects of Acupuncture on Cardiac Remodeling in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Patient- and Assessor-Blinded Pilot Trial and Its Implications for Future Research

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Jung Myung Lee ◽  
Seung Min Kathy Lee ◽  
Jungtae Leem ◽  
Jin-Bae Kim ◽  
Jimin Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sham Acupuncture Group ◽  
Af Recurrence

Background and Objectives: In this study, we attempted to determine the effects of acupuncture on cardiac remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rates in patients with AF after electrical cardioversion (EC). Materials and Methods: We randomly assigned 44 patients with persistent AF to an acupuncture group or a sham acupuncture group. An electroacupuncture treatment session was administered once weekly for 12 weeks at four acupuncture points (left PC5, PC6, ST36, and ST37). Results: Among the 44 recruited participants, 16 (treatment group) and 15 (control group) completed the trial. The three-month AF recurrence rate (primary outcome) was not significantly different between the two groups. Following the completion of treatment, patients who had been treated with acupuncture had a significant reduction in left atrial volume index (42.2 ± 13.9 to 36.1 ± 9.7 mL/m2; p = 0.028), whereas no change in atrial size was observed in the sham acupuncture group. No serious adverse events were observed. The AF recurrence rate and cardiac function did not differ significantly between the two groups. At three months, the acupuncture treatment group showed more favorable atrial structural remodeling compared to the sham acupuncture group. Conclusion: In future research on acupuncture in AF management, it is recommended that the inclusion criteria be amended to include only symptomatic AF, that an appropriate control group is designed, and that the acupuncture treatment frequency is increased to several times per week.

scholarly journals The cerebral mechanism of acupuncture for chronic insomnia with gastrointestinal disorder: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Peng ◽  
Xiaojuan Hong ◽  
Yaru Huangfu ◽  
Zhao Sun ◽  
Wei Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Chronic Insomnia ◽  
Self Rating ◽  
Real Acupuncture ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Multimodal Mri

Abstract Background Many patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. First-line insomnia medications do not treat GI problems. Acupuncture has a comprehensive regulative action on both CID and GI disorder and is receiving increasing attention. Recent studies indicate that both CID and GI diseases may cause abnormal brain activity. However, the neurological mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture on such diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the pathological mechanisms of CID with GI discomfort, as well as the main response characteristics of acupuncture treatment from multiple perspectives using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A total of 60 participants with CID and GI disorders will be randomly divided into two groups (real acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group; ratio of 1:1). Patients will receive 20 sessions (five sessions per week) of real acupuncture treatment or sham acupuncture treatment. The primary outcome is the aggregate score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes are scores on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Multimodal MRI scans and clinical assessments will be performed both at baseline and post-treatment. Another 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy subjects will be recruited as controls and will receive MRI scans and clinical evaluations. Discussion This study aims to provide scientific evidence for the mechanism of acupuncture in treating CID with GI disorder using multimodal MRI imaging data on brain structure, function, and metabolism. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017092 (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=27173). Registered on July 11, 2018.

scholarly journals Research Progress on Acupuncture Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 106-110
Author(s):  
Zhang Yueyu ◽  
Song Aiqun ◽  
Peng Ying
Keyword(s):  
Acupuncture Therapy ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Joint Inflammation ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee ◽  
Joint Function

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common clinical degenerative disease, which occurs in middle-aged and elderly people. Acupuncture therapy has a significant effect in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and is gradually accepted by more and more patients. Observing the treatment of knee osteoarthritis by different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies, we can find that acupuncture treatment of knee osteoarthritis has the advantages of relieving knee joint pain, improving knee joint function, absorbing knee joint inflammation, and promoting the recovery of damaged soft tissue. The treatment of osteoarthritis provides a more effective treatment plan.

scholarly journals Effect of Siguan Acupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Min Shin ◽  
Ji-Eun Park ◽  
Sanghun Lee ◽  
Sun-Mi Choi ◽  
Yo-Chan Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Motility ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
The Body ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Acupuncture ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sham Acupuncture Group

Siguan acupoints have been used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms in acupuncture practices for a long time. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Siguan acupuncture on gastrointestinal motility under accelerated conditions using a randomized, sham-acupuncture-controlled, crossover study. Twenty-one healthy male subjects were hospitalized and randomized into either a real acupuncture group (at Siguan acupoints) or a sham acupuncture group. Subjects were administered with mosapride citrate (15 mg a day) for 2 days starting 24 hours before the first acupuncture treatment. Immediately after the administration of radio markers, acupuncture treatment was conducted 4 times at 12-hour intervals. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed using radiograph distribution of the radio-markers located in the small intestine, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, rectum, and outside the body immediately after the first acupuncture treatment and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. After a 2-week washout period, the real acupuncture group in the first session was treated with sham acupuncture in the second session, and vice versa. Gastrointestinal motility was generally reduced in the real acupuncture group compared with the sham acupuncture group throughout the 4 different time points. A significant difference was observed at 24 hours following the first acupuncture treatment (P<0.05).

Referred Knee Pain Treated with Electroacupuncture to Iliopsoas

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 32-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Knee Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Hip Resurfacing ◽  
Left Knee ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Point ◽  
Resurfacing Arthroplasty ◽  
History Of

This is a case report of a 33-year-old woman who presented with an eight year history of deep left knee pain. The pain was originally diagnosed as deriving from osteoarthrosis of the hip secondary to dysplasia, however, the same pain returned at seven months, and again at 10 months, after successful hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Six to eight weeks after the start of the second relapse of referred knee pain, the patient sought acupuncture treatment at the British Medical Acupuncture Society's London Teaching Clinic. A single myofascial trigger point was found in iliopsoas that reproduced the patient's pain. It was successfully treated with two sessions of electroacupuncture applied directly to the point. Pain referral to the knee from trigger points in the upper part of rectus femoris is well recognised, however, this pattern of referral from iliopsoas has not been described previously.

Effect of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Changli Xue ◽  
Robert English ◽  
Jerry Jiansheng Zhang ◽  
Cliff Da Costa ◽  
Chun Guang Li
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Syndrome Differentiation ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Real Acupuncture

The clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) was evaluated by employing a two-phase crossover single-blind clinical trial. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to two groups with 17 and 13 subjects respectively and treated with real or sham acupuncture (three times per week) for four consecutive weeks and then a crossover for treatments for a further four weeks without a washout period. The administration of real acupuncture treatment was guided by a syndrome differentiation according to Chinese Medicine Theory. Subjects were assessed by various criteria before, during and after the treatments. Outcome measures included subjective symptom scores using a five-point scale (FPS), relief medication scores (RMS) and adverse effect records. Twenty-six (26) subjects completed the study. There was a significant improvement in FPS (nasal and non-nasal symptoms) between the two types of acupuncture treatments. No significant differences were shown in RMS between the real acupuncture treatment group and the sham acupuncture treatment group. No side effects were observed for both groups. The results indicate that acupuncture is an effective and safe alternative treatment for the management of SAR.

scholarly journals The Cerebral Mechanism of Acupuncture for Chronic Insomnia with Gastrointestinal Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Peng ◽  
Xiaojuan Hong ◽  
Yaru Huangfu ◽  
Zhao Sun ◽  
Wei Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Chronic Insomnia ◽  
Self Rating ◽  
Real Acupuncture ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Multimodal Mri

Abstract BackgroundMany patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. First-line insomnia medications do not treat GI problems. Acupuncture has a comprehensive regulative action on both CID and GI disorder and is receiving increasing attention. Recent studies indicate that both CID and GI diseases may cause abnormal brain activity. However, the neurological mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture on such diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the pathological mechanisms of CID with GI discomfort, as well as the main response characteristics of acupuncture treatment from multiple perspectives using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsA total of 60 participants with CID and GI disorders will be randomly divided into two groups (real acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group; ratio of 1:1). Patients will receive 20 sessions (five sessions per week) of real acupuncture treatment or sham acupuncture treatment. The primary outcome is the aggregate score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes are scores on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Multimodal MRI scans and clinical assessments will be performed both at baseline and post-treatment. Another 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy subjects will be recruited as controls and will receive MRI scans and clinical evaluations. DiscussionThis study aims to provide scientific evidence for the mechanism of acupuncture in treating CID with GI disorder using multimodal MRI imaging data on brain structure, function, and metabolism. Trial registrationThe study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on July 11, 2018. (ChiCTR1800017092)

The Analgesic Efficacy of Bee Venom Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Study with Needle Acupuncture

2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (02) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Bae Kwon ◽  
Ji-Hoon Kim ◽  
Jung-Hee Yoon ◽  
Jae-Dong Lee ◽  
Ho-Jae Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Acupuncture Therapy ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Analgesic Efficacy ◽  
Safe Method ◽  
Bee Venom Acupuncture ◽  
Needle Acupuncture

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether been venom (BV) administered directly into an acupoint was a clinically effective and safe method for relieving the pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) as compared to traditional needle acupuncture. We evaluated the efficacy of BV acupuncture using both pain relief scores and computerized infrared thermography (IRT) following 4 weeks of BV acupuncture treatment. We observed that a significantly higher proportion of subjects receiving BV acupuncture reported substantial pain relief as compared with those receiving traditional needle acupuncture therapy. Furthermore, the IRT score was significantly improved and paralleled the level of pain relief.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study on the Effects of Trigger Point Release vs Myofascial Release for Myofascial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius in Smartphone Users

2021 ◽  
Vol SP (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjali Suresh ◽  
Rama Chandra L. A. ◽  
Prasanna Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
The Body ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Myofascial Release ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Neck Disability

Background/aim: The increasing use of smartphone in daily life has brought about numerous musculoskeletal problems. Impairments in the neck is the most common when compared to other parts of the body. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different manual treatment techniques in two separate groups, i.e., trigger point release and Myofascial release (MFR) on the trigger points (TrPs) in the upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users. Both group received Ultrasound therapy. The smartphone addiction scale -short version was administered to all participants to determine the level of addiction and those who scores were high were included in the study. The set criteria in the study included the pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS) neck disability using the Neck Disability Index and Cervical Range of motion side flexion using cervical goniometer. Subjects and methods: This clinical trial study assessed the outcome measures within and between groups before, after the intervention and a follow up was done after 15 days. The target population were smartphone users between the age group of 18 to 35 years. 106 subjects (48 males, 53 females) participants who had been selected from among the eligible participants of 176 and who had TrPs in their upper trapezius muscle. Results: The effect of Trigger point release and Myofascial release on patients of each groups with TrPs in the upper trapezius muscle resulted in increased cervical lateral flexion (P < 0.001), decreased pain intensity on VAS (P < 0.001) and decreased decrease in Neck disability (P < 0.001) within the groups and between the group there was no significance. Conclusion: Both manual techniques Trigger point release and Myofascial release reduced the symptoms of TrPs in the upper trapezius in both the groups equally, neither technique being superior to the other.

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