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 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).

Effect of Acupuncture on Perception Threshold: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
Shuang Wu ◽  
Hidenori Yamaguchi ◽  
Koh Shibutani
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Foramen ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perception Threshold ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sham Acupuncture Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective To determine the current perception thresholds (CPTs) for arm and mental foramen areas to enable a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Methods Ninety-eight volunteers enrolled as participants and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an acupuncture group (34 subjects); a sham acupuncture group (32 subjects) and a waiting group (32 subjects). CPTs for the arm and mental foramen areas were determined before and after acupuncture at LI4 Hegu of the left hand. A Neurometer CPT was used to evaluate the perception threshold at the homolateral mental foramen and arm. For further exploration, thresholds of homolateral and contralateral mental foramina were determined before and after acupuncture in a subgroup of 13 participants in the acupuncture group. Results Acupuncture at LI4 increased the perception thresholds of the left mental foramen in the acupuncture group significantly (p<0.01). The increases were significantly greater than in the control group for all frequencies, and significantly greater than sham acupuncture for 250 Hz and 5 Hz. In the subgroup, only the CPTs at 5 Hz increased significantly for the contralateral mental foramen. Conclusions Acupuncture at LI4 increases the perception threshold in the mandibular area, but not in the arm. This finding is probably related to the analgesic effect of acupuncture.

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.

scholarly journals Delayed Effect of Acupuncture Treatment in OA of the Knee: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Miller ◽  
Yair Maimon ◽  
Yishai Rosenblatt ◽  
Anat Mendler ◽  
Avi Hasner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Knee Score ◽  
Randomized Controlled

To assess the efficacy in providing improved function and pain relief by administering 8 weeks of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. This randomized, controlled, blinded trial was conducted on 55 patients with OA of the knee. Forty-one patients completed the study (26 females, 15 males, mean age ± SD 71.7 ± 8.6 years). Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group that received biweekly acupuncture treatment (n= 28) and a control group that received sham acupuncture (n= 27), both in addition to standard therapy, for example, NSAIDS, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen, intra-articular hyaluronic acid and steroid injections. Primary outcomes measures were changes in the Knee Society Score (KSS) knee score and in KSS function and pain ratings at therapy onset, at 8 weeks (closure of study) and at 12 weeks (1 month after last treatment). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction and validity of sham acupuncture. There was significant improvement in all three scores in both groups after 8 and 12 weeks compared with baseline (P< .05). Significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the KSS knee score (P= .036) was apparent only after 12 weeks. Patient satisfaction was higher in the intervention group. Adjunctive acupuncture treatment seems to provide added improvement to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. Future research should determine the optimal duration of acupuncture treatment in the context of OA.

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.

A Blinded Randomised Trial of Acupuncture (Manual and Electroacupuncture) Compared with a Non-Penetrating Sham for the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Knee

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald W Jubb ◽  
Emad S Tukmachi ◽  
Peter W Jones ◽  
Emma Dempsey ◽  
Lynn Waterhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee ◽  
Womac Pain ◽  
Treatment Comparison

Objectives To compare the effect of acupuncture (manual and electroacupuncture) with that of a non-penetrating sham (‘placebo’ needle) in patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and disability who are blind to the treatment allocation. Methods Acupuncture naive patients with symptomatic and radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly allocated to a course of either acupuncture or non-penetrating sham acupuncture using a sheathed ‘placebo’ needle system. Acupuncture points for pain and stiffness were selected according to acupuncture theory for treating Bi syndrome. Both manual and electrical stimulation were used. Response was assessed using the WOMAC index for osteoarthritis of the knee, self reported pain scale, the EuroQol score and plasma β-endorphin. The effectiveness of blinding was assessed. Results There were 34 patients in each group. The primary end point was the change in WOMAC pain score after the course of treatment. Comparison between the two treatment groups found a significantly greater improvement with acupuncture (mean difference 60, 95% CI 5 to 116, P=0.035) than with sham. Within the acupuncture group there was a significant improvement in pain (baseline 294, mean change 95, 95% CI 60 to 130, P<0.001) which was not seen by those who had sham acupuncture (baseline 261, mean change 35, 95% CI-10 to 80, P=0.12). Similar effects within group, but not between groups, were seen with the secondary end points of WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC function, and self reported pain. One month after treatment the between group pain difference had been lost (mean difference 46; 95% CI −9 to 100, P=0.10) although the acupuncture group was still benefiting compared to baseline (mean difference 59; 95% CI 16 to 102, P=0.009). The EuroQol score, a generic measure of health related quality of life, was not altered by the treatments. A minority of patients correctly guessed their treatment group (41% in the acupuncture group and 44% in the control group). Plasma β-endorphin levels were not affected by either treatment. Conclusions Acupuncture gives symptomatic improvement for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, and is significantly superior to non-penetrating sham acupuncture. The study did not confirm earlier reports of release of plasma β-endorphin during acupuncture.

Effects of acupuncture on anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal overweight and obese women: a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842091225
Author(s):  
Koh-Woon Kim ◽  
Woo-Chul Shin ◽  
Min Sun Choi ◽  
Jae-Heung Cho ◽  
Hi-Joon Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Serum Lipid ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Metabolic Parameters ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lipid Levels ◽  
Serum Lipid Levels

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on obesity-related parameters with regard to metabolomics. Methods: This two-arm parallel, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial included 120 obese participants. Participants were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received a combined intervention of manual acupuncture (MA) plus electroacupuncture (EA), while the control group received a combination of sham acupuncture interventions consisting of sham MA plus sham EA for 6 weeks. The serum lipid levels were measured as the primary outcome measure and anthropometric parameters and serum metabolic profiles including amino acids and carnitines were measured as secondary outcome measures. Results: The serum lipid levels and anthropometric measurements did not significantly differ between groups, while body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were improved within each group and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased over time in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in amino acid levels between groups, while certain carnitine (C2, C4, C6, and l-carnitine) levels were significantly increased ( p < 0.05) in the treatment group compared to the control group. Conclusion: In summary, 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment did not affect anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters, with the exception of certain carnitines, when compared to sham acupuncture. The observation of increased carnitine levels in the acupuncture group could result in potential long-term benefits to obese individuals. Additional studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of acupuncture on lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanism of action. Trial registration number: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02066090).

Immediate Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on the Gait of Patients with Subacute Intracerebral Haemorrhage Analysed by Three-Dimensional Motion: Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Qiao Wang ◽  
Gui-Rong Dong ◽  
Chun-Ling Bao ◽  
Zhi-Hua Jiao
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Scalp Acupuncture ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective To investigate the immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on walking pattern, using three-dimensional gait analysis (3D-GA), among patients in the subacute stage of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Methods A subset of 30 patients with subacute ICH participating in a recently published randomised controlled trial who were able to walk independently were assessed by 3D-GA before and immediately after scalp acupuncture treatment (treatment group) or no intervention (control group) and the results presented here as a secondary analysis. The acupuncture manipulation was repeated three times with an interval of 5 min. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters during walking were collected and analysed using a 3D motion analysis system. Results After treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the spatiotemporal parameters of step length, velocity and cadence (p<0.05) and double-limb support. No significant difference was found in step width. When kinematic parameters were evaluated, the treatment group showed a significantly decreased peak pelvic anterior tilt angle and an increased hip extension angle after scalp acupuncture treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated no temporal changes. There were no significant changes in any other kinematic parameters in either group. Conclusions As the first exploratory study to investigate the effect of the scalp acupuncture on gait performance in patients with subacute ICH, this secondary analysis of a recent randomised trial suggested an immediate effect of treatment on spatiotemporal parameters. Improvement in gait pattern may be associated with a decreased anterior tilt of the pelvis and augmented hip joint motion during walking. Trial Registration Number ChiCTR-TRC-08000225; Post-results.

A Sham-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture as An Adjunct in Migraine Prophylaxis

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Foroughipour ◽  
Amir Reza Golchian ◽  
Mohsen Kalhor ◽  
Saeed Akhlaghi ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Farzadfard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Migraine Prophylaxis ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Migraine Headaches ◽  
Prophylactic Drugs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sham Acupuncture Group

Background Migraine is one of the most common types of headache, with significant socioeconomic effects. Prophylactic drugs are used to prevent migraine headaches but are unpromising. Objective To assess the effects of adding acupuncture to conventional migraine prophylaxis. Methods One hundred patients with migraine (41 male, 59 female), in whom prophylactic drugs had not produced a fall of at least 50% in the number of attacks, entered the study. The patients were randomised into two groups, sham and true acupuncture. The patients in both groups continued their prophylactic treatment and received 12 sessions of either true or sham acupuncture. Each session was 30 min and was repeated three times a week. The number of headaches in the two groups was compared at baseline, and at the end of four successive months. Results There was no significant difference in the frequency of attacks between the two groups before intervention. After 1 month, the frequency of attacks each month decreased from 5.1 (0.8) to 3.4 (1.2) in the true acupuncture group, and from 5.0 (0.8) to 4.4 (1.1) in the sham acupuncture group (a significant difference, p<0.001). The frequency continued to decrease in month 2 but increased in months 3 and 4; however, it was still significantly lower than baseline, and the difference remained significant after month 4. Conclusions Acupuncture is applicable as an adjunct to prophylactic drugs in migraineurs in whom the number of attacks does not fall with prophylactic medication.

scholarly journals Effect of “Deqi” during the Study of Needling “Wang’s Jiaji” Acupoints Treating Spasticity after Stroke

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huanqin Li ◽  
Huilin Liu ◽  
Cunzhi Liu ◽  
Guangxia Shi ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Sham Acupuncture Group

Background.Acupuncture has been shown to reduce spasticity and prevent the onset of spasticity after stroke. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of “Deqi” during needling “Wang’s Jiaji” acupoints treating spasticity in the early stage of stroke.Methods. This study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. 238 patients with stroke (<21 days) participated and were randomly allocated to the verum-acupuncture (n=121) group or sham-acupuncture group (n=117). The verum-acupuncture group received verum acupuncture required to produce the sense of “Deqi” while the sham-acupuncture group received sham acupuncture without “Deqi.” Patients in both groups followed the same 30 min acupuncture regimen 5 times per week for a period of 4 weeks. Scales of MAS, FMA, ADL, MBI, NIHSS, SS-QOL, and MRS were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after intervention.Results.Significant differences were observed between two groups. The MRS rating composition has the statistical difference after 4 weeks (P=0.017). The score of MAS, FMA, Barthel, and SSQOL in verum-acupuncture group has increased significantly compared with the sham-acupuncture group after 12 weeks. There was 14% reduction of higher muscle tension in the verum-acupuncture group.Conclusion.Acupuncture “Wang’s Jiaji” points with sensation of “Deqi” in the early stage may reduce the occurrence and decrease the severity of spasticity after stroke.

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