Comparison the effect of lateral wedge insole and acupuncture in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Knee. 2013 Dec 27. pii: S0968-0160(13)00249-4. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2013.12.002.

Ashraf A1, Zarei F2, Hadianfard MJ3, Kazemi B3, Mohammadi S3, Naseri M4, Nasseri A2, Khodadadi M5, Sayadi M6.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There is lack of well-designed trials evaluating structural benefits of non-pharmacologic therapies in knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, we aim to compare the possible advantages of lateral wedge insole and acupuncture in patients with medial knee OA.

METHOD:

Patients with grade two or three of medial knee OA were randomly allocated to group one who received an in shoe lateral wedge and group two who underwent acupuncture. We assessed patients' pain, function and knee joint cartilage thickness before and after intervention. Paired t-test and independent samples t-test were used for in group and between group analyses. (Level of evidence: 2.) 

RESULTS: Twenty patients in each group were recruited in the study. Pain significantly decreased after therapy in both groups one and two (paired t test, P<0.001, 95% CI: 1.62-3.25 and 1.58-3.20 respectively). Function improved in each group (paired t test, P=0.001, 95% CI of 0.94-2.38 in group one and 0.97-2.43 in group two). A non-clinically statistically significant difference regarding the femoral and tibial cartilage thickness was obtained in both groups one (P=0.005, CI: -0.43-0.82 and P=0.037, CI: -0.44-0.80 respectively) and two (P=0.025, CI: -0.45-0.79 and P=0.035, CI: -0.29-0.96 respectively). Between groups analysis showed no significant difference regarding abovementioned measures.

CONCLUSION:

Both lateral wedge insole and acupuncture can be effective in the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis without any superiority of one over the other. 

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Acupuncture, Knee osteoarthritis, Lateral wedge insole, Magnetic resonance imaging

Efficacy observation of carpal tunnel syndrome treated with electroacupuncture

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2013 Aug;33(8):700-2.

Xia Q, Liu XW, Wang XL, Tao Y.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the impacts of electroacupuncture on median nerve conduction velocity and morphology in patients of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture on CTS.

METHODS:

Thirty cases of CTS were treated with electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Yangchi (TE 4), Shousanli (LI 10), Neiguan (PC 6) and Hegu (LI 4) on the affected side, combined with semiconductor laser irradiation at Shenmen (HT 7) and Yangxi (LI 5) on the affected side. The improvements in the symptoms and changes in nerve conduction velocity and ultrasound morphology were observed before and after treatment.

RESULT:

The clinical total effective rate was 96.7% (29/30). The median nerve conduction velocity was accelerated apparently and the amplitude was increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment, indicating the statistically significant difference (all P<0.001). The distal motor latency was shortened apparently (P<0.001) and the motor amplitude had no apparent change (P>0.05). The proximal median nerve swelling was relieved apparently after treatment (P<0.05) and the effective rate was 36.7% (11/30). There was no apparent difference in the ratio of the vertical and horizontal diameters of carpal tunnel after treatment as compared with that before treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Electroacupuncture presents the positive repair function to the median nerve in the patients of CTS. It can effectively alleviate inflammatory reaction and relieve ischemia and swelling of nerve fibers. And it cannot induce the changes in morphology in a short term.

Acupuncture effectiveness as a complementary therapy in functional dyspepsia patients

Arq Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul-Sep;50(3):202-7. doi: 10.1590/S0004-28032013000200036.

Lima FA, Ferreira LE, Pace FH.

Abstract

Context: Functional dyspepsia represents a frequent gastrointestinal disorder in clinical practice. According to the Roma III criteria, functional dyspepsia can be classified into two types as the predominant sympton: epigastric pain and postprandial discomfort. Even though the pathophysiology is still uncertain, the functional dyspepsia seems to be related to multiple mechanisms, among them visceral hypersensitivity, changes in the gastroduodenal motility and gastric accommodation and psychological factors. 

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as a complementary to conventional treatment in functional dyspepsia patients. 

Methods: Randomized clinical trial in which were enrolled patients with functional dyspepsia patients in according with Rome III criteria. One group was submitted to drug therapy and specific acupuncture (GI) and the other to drug therapy and non-specific acupuncture (GII). The gastrointestinal symptoms, presence of psychiatric disorders and quality of life were evaluated, at the end and three months after treatment. 

Results: After 4 weeks of treatment there was improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms in Group I (55 ± 12 vs 29 ± 8.8; P = 0.001) and Group II (50.5 ± 10.2 vs 46 ± 10.5; P = 0.001). Quality of life was significantly better in Group I than group II (93.4 ± 7.3 vs 102.4 ± 5.1; P = 0.001). Anxiety (93.3% vs 0%; P = 0.001) and depression (46.7% vs 0%; P = 0.004) were significantly lower in Group I than group II. When comparing the two groups after 4 weeks of treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms (29 ± 8.8 vs 46 ± 10.5; P<0.001) and quality of life (102.4 ± 5.1 vs 96 ± 6.1; P = 0.021) were significantly better in Group I than group II. Three months after the treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms remained better only in Group I, when compared to the pre-treatment values (38 ± 11.3 vs 55 ± 12; P = 0.001). 

Conclusion: In patients with functional dyspepsia the complementary acupuncture treatment is superior to conventional treatment. Further studies with more patients are needed to confirm these findings.

Combined treatment with acupuncture reduces effective dose and alleviates adverse effect of l-dopa by normalizing Parkinson's disease-induced neurochemical imbalance

Brain Res. 2013 Dec 7. pii: S0006-8993(13)01524-2. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres. 2013.11.28

Kim SN1, Doo AR2, Park JY2, Choo HJ3, Shim I2, Park JJ4, Chae Y1, Lee B5, Lee H1, Park HJ6

Abstract

This study first showed the behavioural benefits of novel combination therapy of l-dopa with acupuncture on Parkinson's disease, and its underlying mechanisms within basal ganglia. The previous study reported that acupuncture may improve the motor function of a Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse model by increasing the dopamine efflux and turnover ratio of dopamine. Hence, we hypothesised that combining l-dopa with acupuncture would have a behavioural benefit for those with PD. We performed unilateral injections of 6-OHDA into the striatum of C57Bl/6 mice to model hemi-Parkinsonian attributes. To test motor function and dyskinetic anomalies, we examined cylinder behaviour and abnormal involuntary movement (AIM), respectively. 

We found that (1) a 50% reduced dose of l-dopa (7.5mg/kg) combined with acupuncture showed an improvement in motor function that was comparable to mice given the standard dose of l-dopa treatment (15mg/kg) only, and that (2) the combination treatment (l-dopa +acupuncture) was significantly superior in reducing AIM scores when equivalent doses of l-dopa were used. The combination treatment also significantly reduces the abnormal increase of GABA contents in the substantia nigra compared to the standard l-dopa treatment. Furthermore, abnormal expression of FosB, the immediate early gene of l-dopa induced dyskinesia (LID), was mitigated in the striatum by the combination treatment. 

All of these results indicate that acupuncture enhances the benefits of l-dopa on motor function with reduced dose of l-dopa and alleviating LID by normalising neurochemical imbalance within the basal ganglia.

© 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Thread-moxa in Zhuang folk medicine combined with acupuncture and external application drugs on AIDS patients with herpes zoster: a clinical observation

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2013 Aug;33(8):1050-3.

Liu ZW, Mo JH, Pang J, Deng X.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the efficacy of thread-moxa in Zhuang folk medicine (TM) combined with acupuncture and external application drugs for AIDS patients with herpes zoster (AHZ).

METHODS:

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 patients with AHZ. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (treated with TM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment) and the control group (treated with Famciclovir Tablet, nimesulide dispersible tablet, vitamin B1, ribavirin ointment). The treatment course was 14 days for both groups.The clinical efficacy, significant efficiency visual analog scale score (VAS), sleep quality score (QS), the postherpetic neuralgia rate in 1 year after treatment were observed.

RESULTS:

The markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (86.7% vs. 53.3%, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (96.7% vs. 80.0%, P > 0.05). The post-treatment VAS, QS, the time for pain disappearance, skin repair, crusting, and 1-year postherpetic neuralgia incidence rate were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

TM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment was effective for treating AHZ patients. It relieved pain quickly, shortened their course of disease, and improved their quality of sleep.

Ganglion cyst of the foot treated with electroacupuncture: A case report

J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013 Dec;57(4):310-315.

Woitzik E, Kissel J.

Source

Division of Graduate Studies, Sports Sciences, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie Street, Toronto, Canada M2H 3J1.

Abstract

in English, French

Complete Text (PDF)

OBJECTIVE:

To present the clinical management of a ganglion cyst presenting on the dorsolateral aspect of the foot.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

A 45-year-old female cyclist complaining of ganglion cyst following training period.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME:

Patient was treated with high-frequency electroacupuncture in four consecutive sessions over four weeks, and reported resolution of the cyst following therapeutic intervention.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ganglion cysts of the foot are relatively rare connective tissue tumours with variable treatment approaches. Electroacupuncture may be a novel and non-invasive conservative approach for the treatment of ganglion cysts. Further evaluation of the efficacy of such treatment is warranted.

Patients with anorexia nervosa receiving acupuncture or acupressure; their view of the therapeutic encounter

Complement Ther Med. 2013 Dec;21(6):675-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.08.015. Epub 2013 Aug 31.

Fogarty S, Smith CA, Touyz S, Madden S, Buckett G, Hay P.

Source

Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: s.fogarty@uws.edu.au.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Anorexia nervosa is a serious illness with significant morbidity. The evidence base for existing psychological and pharmacological interventions to manage anorexia nervosa is not strong, and use of new adjunctive therapies that improve the effectiveness of existing treatments, and lead to improved mental health outcomes for this patient group is highly desirable. This study investigates the views of patients with anorexia nervosa receiving an acupuncture or acupressure intervention.

METHOD:

A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia. Twenty-six inpatients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were randomised to a six week intervention of acupuncture or acupressure with light massage. Treatment was administered twice weekly for three weeks, then weekly for three weeks. A post treatment questionnaire was administered to explore participant views, of the study consultation. Questions examined important aspects of the clinical encounter including the, patient's perception of the practitioners' relational empathy (CARE), treatment perceptions and the, therapeutic relationship.

RESULTS:

Participants in both groups scored highly on the CARE scale assessing empathy and the, therapeutic relationship. There was no difference in the mean CARE scores for the acupuncture group (50 (SD 0.0)) and the acupressure group (49.5 (SD 0.8)). Participants highly valued the therapeutic, encounter and in particular the characteristics of empathy, positive regard, acceptance, non, judgemental responses and trust. Having someone to talk to, being less stressed/relaxed and contact, with the study staff were also perceived to be important.

CONCLUSION:

Study participants perceive the therapeutic relationship and empathy as important qualities of the acupuncture or acupressure intervention as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.