Background Plasma cell mastitis (PCM) is a chronic nonlactational inflammatory breast disease characterized by recurrent inflammation, abscesses, sinus tracts, fibrosis, and high recurrence risk. Current treatments mainly target symptoms and complications but may not fully address underlying inflammatory, immune, and tissue-remodeling mechanisms. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained attention as a complementary approach due to its multicomponent and multitarget properties. Methods A narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, and VIP databases. English- and Chinese-language clinical, experimental, and mechanistic studies available up to June 2026 were reviewed. Evidence was qualitatively synthesized, with priority given to PCM-specific studies, while findings from related inflammatory or fibrotic diseases were considered indirect evidence. Results Current evidence suggests that Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, external herbal therapy, and integrated TCM–Western medicine may improve symptom control, inflammation resolution, wound healing, postoperative recovery, and recurrence management. However, available studies are mainly small-scale, single-center, observational, or retrospective, limiting evidence quality. Proposed mechanisms involve modulation of inflammatory cytokines, immune responses, macrophage polarization, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and tissue repair, although PCM-specific validation remains limited. Conclusions TCM may serve as a potential adjunctive strategy for PCM by regulating inflammation, immune imbalance, fibrosis, and tissue repair. However, definitive efficacy and superiority remain unconfirmed. Large-scale multicenter randomized trials, standardized protocols, long-term recurrence evaluation, validated biomarkers, and PCM-specific mechanistic studies are needed.
Objective To develop a nomogram for predicting ADL improvement among patients with ischaemic stroke receiving acupuncture combined with physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) and to identify independent predictors of poor ADL improvement. Methods A total of 253 patients with ischaemic stroke were retrospectively included, comprising a development cohort of 190 patients admitted between April 2024 and April 2026 and an earlier, nonoverlapping temporal validation cohort of 63 patients admitted between December 2023 and March 2024 at the same institution. All patients received a standardised comprehensive rehabilitation programme combining acupuncture with PT and OT. Based on the degree of improvement in the Barthel Index (BI) score following intervention, they were divided into the good group (BI score improvement ≥ 15 points, n = 118) and the poor group (BI score improvement < 15 points, n = 72). Demographic and baseline clinical data, rehabilitation intervention indicators and laboratory indicators were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent predictors of poor ADL improvement. Based on the regression results, a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve and decision curve (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy, calibration and clinical application value of the model. Results The age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and course of infarction in the poor group were higher than those in the good group, and the albumin (ALB) level was lower than that in the good group. Age, NIHSS score and course of infarction were independent risk factors for poor ADL improvement, and ALB was an independent protective factor. The nomogram model constructed based on the above four indicators was internally verified by bootstrap. The area under the curve (AUC) of the original model was 0.853, and the AUC after bootstrap correction was 0.763. The calibration curve shows that the prediction probability is in good agreement with the actual observation probability, and the DCA shows that the model has a good net benefit in a wide threshold probability range. In an earlier, nonoverlapping retrospective temporal validation cohort from the same institution of 63 patients, the nomogram achieved an AUC of 0.936 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.878–0.993), which was significantly higher than that of the NIHSS-only model (AUC = 0.814, 95% CI: 0.741–0.902; DeLong P = 0.005). Conclusion Age, admission NIHSS score, infarction course and ALB were independent predictors of poor ADL improvement in patients with ischaemic stroke. The nomogram prediction model based on the above indicators has good discrimination, calibration and clinical practicability.
Background Poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) severely impacts patients’ lives. Acupuncture shows potential in improving PSCI, yet the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Aims This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating PSCI symptoms by regulating miR-18a-5p. Methods The study assessed mental status and self-care capacity in 107 PSCI cases and 102 healthy participants through the Mini-Mental State Examination, Revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale, and activities of daily living evaluation. Male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce PSCI. Cognitive performance in this model was then examined via the Morris water maze assessment and the novel object recognition test. The diagnostic value and relevance of miR-18a-5p for PSCI were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve and Spearman correlation coefficient. The targeting relationship between miR-18a-5p and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter and ribonucleic acid immunoprecipitation assay. Inflammatory cytokine concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum miR-18a-5p expression was significantly reduced in PSCI patients compared to controls, but acupuncture intervention effectively increased its levels. Furthermore, higher miR-18a-5p concentrations correlated with better cognitive function and enhanced daily living capacity. After MCAO surgery, Zea-Longa score and cognitive deficits were increased in rats, and acupuncture and overexpression of miR-18a-5p improved cognitive dysfunction. In the hippocampal tissue of MCAO rats, miR-18a-5p expression was reduced, and acupuncture and overexpression of miR-18a-5p reversed the downregulation trend, whereas HIF-1α expression and inflammatory cytokine concentrations exhibited opposite changes. Conclusions Acupuncture alleviates PSCI by modulating miR-18a-5p, providing a novel therapeutic target.
Objective To examine the association between adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and short-term functional recovery in patients receiving acupuncture and motor rehabilitation after ischemic stroke in the recovery phase. Methods A retrospective cohort study analyzed 102 patients (onset 1–3 months prior, October 2022–December 2025) categorized into Control (acupuncture + motor therapy, n = 51) and Observation (acupuncture + motor therapy + HBOT, n = 51) groups. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, time from onset, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom stage, Barthel Index) were balanced using 1:1 propensity score matching. Primary outcomes (changes in Brunnstrom stage and Barthel Index) were compared between groups using multivariable linear regression with cluster-robust standard errors accounting for matched pairs and adjustment for residual postmatching imbalance; paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed as sensitivity analyses. The secondary composite response outcome was analyzed using McNemar's test. Results After matching, baseline characteristics were generally balanced, although four covariates retained modest residual imbalance (standardized mean difference 0.10–0.16) and were further adjusted for. The Observation group showed greater improvement in Brunnstrom stage (adjusted mean difference, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52–0.78; p < 0.001) and Barthel Index (adjusted mean difference, 5.62; 95% CI, 3.93–7.32; p < 0.001) than the Control group. Matched-pair Wilcoxon sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results (both p < 0.001). The composite response rate was higher in the Observation group (88.2% vs. 64.7%), with matched-pair analysis also supporting a between-group difference (McNemar p = 0.0015). Conclusion The addition of HBOT to acupuncture plus motor rehabilitation was associated with greater short-term improvements in motor recovery and daily living independence; given the retrospective design, these findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in prospective randomized trials.
Objective: This study aims to examine the influence of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on clinical efficacy, lower extremity blood perfusion, and serum Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway-related factors in patients with diabetic lower extremity vascular disease. It also intends to explore potential mechanisms for improving lower-extremity ischemia and reducing inflammation. Methods: The study recruited a total of 145 patients with diabetic lower-extremity vascular disease admitted from January 2022 to December 2024, categorized into an observation group (73 cases) and a control group (72 cases) using the random number table method. Both groups were treated with standardized basic treatment, but the control group received additional cilostazol, while the observation group was additionally treated with TEAS. The two add-on regimens were directly compared on the same standardized background treatment. The treatment course lasted 8 weeks. The total clinical effective rate and ankle-brachial index (ABI), lower extremity arterial peak systolic velocity, vascular resistance index, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO 2 ) of the foot dorsum, serum TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor- κ B p65 (NF- κ B p65), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β ), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), hemorheology, blood lipids, and TCM syndrome score before and after treatment were compared between both groups. Results: The observation group obtained a higher total effective rate than the control group ( P < 0.05), and the distribution of the three efficacy grades differed between the groups ( Z = −2.510, P = 0.012). After treatment, increases in ABI, peak systolic velocity and TcPO 2 were observed for the observation group, while vascular resistance index decreased, all of which were superior to those in the control group ( P < 0.05). The observation group exhibited lower levels of serum TLR4, MyD88, NF- κ B p65, TNF- α , IL-6, IL-1 β , and hs-CRP as well as a higher level of IL-10 compared with those of the control group ( P < 0.05). Relative to the control group, levels of whole blood high-shear viscosity, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower for the observation group showed a greater reduction in the TCM syndrome score was better ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: TEAS can improve lower-extremity blood perfusion, relieve inflammatory response, and enhance clinical efficacy for patients with diabetic lower-extremity vascular disease. These effects were accompanied by decreases in serum TLR4, MyD88, and NF- κ B p65, indicating that the therapeutic effect of TEAS may be associated with the modulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF- κ B pathway-related serum factors.
Objective This article aims to examine whether adjunctive electroacupuncture was associated with more favorable rehabilitation outcomes among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) receiving standard exercise rehabilitation. Methods In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 174 patients with SCI treated between January 2020 and December 2025 were screened. After 1:1 propensity score matching for age, sex, body mass index, injury level, broad etiology (traumatic vs non-traumatic), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade, 86 patients were analyzed: 43 received exercise rehabilitation alone, and 43 received adjunctive electroacupuncture. Both groups completed an 8-week rehabilitation course. Outcomes included residual urine volume, daily urination frequency, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Composite Spasticity Index (CSI), Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM-III), International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) motor and sensory scores, oxidative-stress markers, and documented adverse events. Results The covariates included in the matching model were balanced after matching. Within-group comparisons showed improvement in bladder parameters, spasticity, independence, neurological scores, and oxidative-stress markers. At 8 weeks, the adjunctive electroacupuncture group had lower residual urine volume, urination frequency, MAS and CSI scores, and malondialdehyde, together with higher SCIM-III, ISNCSCI motor and sensory scores, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase than the exercise-only group (all P < 0.05). Documented adverse-event proportions were 13.95% and 11.63% ( P = 0.747); however, the complete-case retrospective design was not sufficient to establish comparative safety. Conclusion Among complete cases, adjunctive electroacupuncture was associated with more favorable post-treatment functional, neurological, and oxidative-stress values during an 8-week rehabilitation course. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because the exact interval from injury or disease onset to rehabilitation, detailed non-traumatic etiologies, and several treatment-related confounders were unavailable.
Objective This article aims to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) combined with Zhigancao decoction on atrial electromechanical coupling and serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods This retrospective analysis included 103 patients with HFpEF and AF. All patients received conventional Western medical therapy; 48 patients (Chinese medicine group) were additionally given oral Zhigancao decoction, and 55 patients (combination group) received EA at PC6 on this basis, with a treatment course of 8 weeks. Inflammatory cytokine levels, atrial electromechanical coupling parameters, echocardiographic indices, European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom classification, and adverse events were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results After 8 weeks of treatment, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, interatrial/atrioventricular electromechanical delay, E / e ′ ratio, and AF episode frequency decreased, while left atrial reservoir/contractile strain and left ventricular ejection fraction increased in both groups. The combination group showed more favorable posttreatment values than the Chinese medicine group (all P < 0.05). The posttreatment EHRA symptom-class distribution was more favorable in the combination group than in the Chinese medicine group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion EA at PC6 combined with Zhigancao decoction was associated with lower inflammatory marker levels, improved atrial electromechanical coupling parameters, better cardiac functional indices, and symptom relief in patients with HFpEF and AF. Due to the retrospective nonrandomized study design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal treatment effects.
Systemic inflammation involves coordinated disruption of neural reflexes, neuroendocrine responses, immune-cell activation, and epithelial or vascular barriers. In this review, the somatic–autonomic nervous–immune axis is defined as a layered neuroimmune pathway in which somatic afferent signals generated at acupoints are centrally integrated and converted into vagal, sympathetic, and neuroendocrine outputs that regulate immune-cell activity, mediator release, and tissue-barrier homeostasis. Experimental and translational studies indicate that acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, can activate somatic afferent pathways, engage central autonomic circuits, and regulate vagal, sympathetic, and neuroendocrine outputs. Through these routes, acupuncture may influence immune niches in the spleen, adrenal gland, intestine, cardiopulmonary system, and brain, thereby limiting excessive inflammatory amplification and supporting resolution and organ protection. This review summarizes current evidence on the somatic–autonomic nervous–immune axis, including acupoint specificity, stimulation parameters, autonomic routing, immune-effector remodeling, and molecular targets. Studies in sepsis, acute lung injury, cardiovascular inflammatory injury, intestinal inflammation, neuroinflammation, and related disorders indicate that acupuncture is best understood as a multilevel neuroimmune regulatory intervention rather than a single-pathway therapy. Future work should define acupoint–neuron–organ maps, establish measurable autonomic and immune biomarkers, and integrate multi-omics with clinical stratification to support more precise acupuncture-based control of systemic inflammation.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness of electroacupuncture combined with conventional medication for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods In this retrospective propensity score-matched study, the initial cohort comprised 146 patients with PHN admitted between January 2024 and December 2025 (67 in the control group and 79 in the observation group). After 1:1 propensity score matching, 80 patients remained, with 40 patients in each group. The following outcomes were measured: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, Th17/Treg balance, CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), pain mediators (substance P, SP; and 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), PainDegree values, and the rates of rescue analgesic use and adverse events. Results Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant main effects of time, group, and their interaction for NRS scores, PSQI scores, DLQI scores, Th17/Treg balance, CX3CR1, CCR2, pain mediators, and PainDegree values ( P < 0.05). The rate of rescue analgesic use was lower in the observation group than in the control group ( P < 0.05), while none of the individually reported adverse events (dizziness, somnolence, headache, or nausea/vomiting) differed significantly between groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture combined with medication was associated with greater pain relief and better sleep and quality of life in PHN patients. Improvements in immune and inflammatory markers were observed, but no causal inferences can be drawn from this observational study. The lack of blinding and retrospective design are major limitations; prospective randomized trials are required to confirm these findings.
Floating needle therapy, also known as Fu’s subcutaneous needling (FSN), is a shallow subcutaneous needling technique that has been explored as an adjunctive approach for digestive system diseases and digestive-system-related symptoms. This narrative review summarizes current clinical evidence and discusses plausible but incompletely validated mechanisms. Existing clinical reports suggest that FSN, either alone or more commonly combined with conventional medication, moxibustion, biofeedback, massage, or rehabilitation therapy, is associated with improvement in symptom scores, gastrointestinal hormones, gut microbiota indicators, intestinal barrier-related markers, and postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in selected conditions. However, most available studies are small, single-center, short-term, and lack credible sham controls or blinded outcome assessment. Therefore, the independent contribution of FSN cannot be separated from co-interventions in many studies. Mechanistic evidence specific to FSN remains limited. Pathways involving subcutaneous mechanotransduction, Aβ/Aδ afferents, the brain–gut axis, vagal anti-inflammatory signalling, Piezo1/TRPV4, and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors should be regarded as hypotheses extrapolated from related acupuncture, connective-tissue, and neurogastroenterology research rather than mechanisms directly confirmed in FSN studies. Current evidence supports cautious consideration of FSN as an investigational adjunctive therapy, but it is insufficient to support guideline-level recommendations. Future studies should use preregistered multi-centre randomized trials, credible sham-FSN controls, blinded outcome assessment, longer follow-up, and mechanism-linked endpoints.
Objective To retrospectively evaluate the value of a multimodal assessment panel comprising continuous cerebral function monitoring (amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG)), MRI diffusion tensor imaging (FA value), and neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) in assessing early treatment response to electroacupuncture (EA) therapy in neonates with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods A total of 100 neonates diagnosed with brain injury from May 2023 to April 2026 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. They were divided into control group ( n = 50) receiving conventional supportive care and observation group ( n = 50) receiving conventional care plus EA (20 min daily for 14 days). aEEG score, NBNA score, and MRI fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Statistical analysis included independent t -test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (all P > 0.05). At posttreatment (day 14), the observation group showed significantly higher NBNA scores (36.9 ± 2.2 vs. 32.5 ± 2.3, P < 0.001), aEEG scores (7.9 ± 1.1 vs. 5.5 ± 1.2, P < 0.001), and MRI FA values (0.44 ± 0.05 vs. 0.35 ± 0.05, P < 0.001) compared to control. The improvements were sustained at 3-month follow-up (all P < 0.001). Conclusion The combination of EA with multimodal brain monitoring was associated with improvements in short-term and medium-term neurological outcomes in neonatal brain injury. The multimodal assessment panel of aEEG, NBNA, and MRI FA shows promise for early efficacy assessment, although prospective validation is warranted.
Background ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) affects 25%–65% of critically ill patients, prolonging ventilation and hospitalization, impairing quality of life, and increasing mortality. Objective To assess MIR's effect on ICU-AW, functional recovery, and links to clinical, inflammatory, and nutritional markers. Methods This prospective, nonrandomized controlled trial at a single center enrolled 237 ventilated ICU patients (July 2022–July 2025). Patients were divided into control ( n = 115, usual care) and MIR ( n = 122, usual care plus six-part rehab). Primary endpoint: ICU-AW incidence. Secondary endpoints: ICU stay, ventilation duration, 90-day mortality, MRC score at ICU discharge, Berg balance score, change in diaphragmatic excursion, rapid shallow breathing index, and peak expiratory flow at weaning. Correlations between day-14 IL-6/CRP and functional recovery were explored. Age, sex, APACHE II, and baseline MRC were adjusted. Results Baseline data matched except RASS and prealbumin. MIR group had lower ICU-AW incidence (RR = 0.18), shorter ventilation (9.3 vs. 15.3 days), ICU stay (14.6 vs. 21.4 days), and lower 90-day mortality (20.5% vs. 38.3%; P < 0.01). At discharge, MIR patients outperformed controls in MRC score, Berg balance, diaphragmatic excursion, and weaning indices ( P < 0.001). Weak negative links were noted between IL-6/CRP and functional recovery, and a weak positive link for albumin ( r ≈ 0.18–0.19; P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis identified MIR as an independent predictor of MRC score (β = 6.32; P < 0.001) and a strong protective factor against ICU-AW (OR = 0.055; P < 0.001). Conclusion MIR lowers ICU-AW risk, cuts ventilation and hospital stay, reduces 90-day death rate, and aids muscle, balance, and diaphragm recovery. Inflammation/nutrition changes weakly correlate with functional gain.
Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with drug intervention in facial nerve palsy, focusing on compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and latency. Methods: This retrospective study included 100 patients treated between March 2024 and February 2026. The control group (n = 50) received conventional drug therapy alone, and the observation group (n = 50) received additional TMS. Outcomes included House-Brackmann (HB) grade, Sunnybrook score, clinical efficacy, CMAP amplitude, latency, electroneurography (ENoG) degeneration ratio, and adverse events. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable (all P > 0.05). Both groups improved significantly after treatment (P < 0.001). Compared with controls, the observation group had significantly better post-treatment HB grade (2.53 +/- 0.74 vs. 2.98 +/- 0.81, P = 0.005) and Sunnybrook score (67.9 +/- 11.8 vs. 58.6 +/- 12.4, P < 0.001). The observation group also showed a higher overall response rate (90.0% vs. 76.0%, P = 0.037) and a higher proportion of patients with >= 2 level HB improvement (62.0% vs. 42.0%, P = 0.045). Electrophysiologically, the observation group had higher posttreatment CMAP amplitude (1.39 +/- 0.36 vs. 1.18 +/- 0.33 mV, P = 0.003), shorter latency (4.54 +/- 0.72 vs. 4.96 +/- 0.79 ms, P = 0.007), and lower ENoG degeneration ratio (33.6 +/- 12.7% vs. 41.8 +/- 13.5%, P = 0.002). Improvements from baseline in all measures were significantly greater in the observation group. No serious adverse events occurred; the overall incidence did not differ significantly between groups (10.0% vs. 4.0%, P = 0.238). Conclusion: TMS combined with drug intervention was associated with better clinical recovery and improved electrophysiological outcomes in facial nerve palsy than drug therapy alone, with an acceptable safety profile. Given the retrospective single-center design, prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Background Gastric cancer (GC), as one of the main causes of cancer-related death, has relatively few treatment options, and the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the course of this disease; this study investigates the pathway's role and evaluates the therapeutic potential of its inhibition using a rat model.Materials and Methods Fifty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, model, Wnt/beta-catenin inhibition, IWR-1 treatment, and combined treatment groups, with GC induced by methyl-N '-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) administration. Protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt, beta-catenin, and P-beta-catenin were evaluated using Western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR.Results The tumor proliferation of experimental rats can be significantly inhibited by suppressing the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, and the expression levels of related molecules in this pathway also show obvious downregulation, with combined IWR-1 treatment further enhancing these therapeutic effects compared with the model group.Conclusion Targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway shows good prospects as a potential strategy for the treatment of GC, with findings suggesting that its inhibition could limit tumor progression and warrant further investigation for clinical applications.
Acupoint treatment therapy, a core component of traditional medicine, has garnered increasing attention globally for its therapeutic applications and health benefits. This review explores various acupoint-based treatment techniques, including acupuncture, laser acupuncture, acupressure, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion. The mechanisms underlying these therapies are discussed, particularly their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which are crucial to their efficacy. These demonstrate acupuncture's versatility in addressing physical and mental health disorders. The study focused on various acupoint treatment therapies, examining their specific applications and techniques, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms by which these therapies modulate inflammatory responses in the body. While acupoint therapies are generally considered safe, minor adverse effects, including bruising and soreness, have been reported. Patient tolerability and precautions for special populations, such as individuals with comorbidities or pregnant women, are also emphasized. The review concludes by identifying knowledge gaps and advocating for further research to standardize protocols, enhance understanding of underlying mechanisms, and promote global integration of acupoint treatment therapy into modern healthcare practices.
Late-life depression (LLD, onset ≥60 years) is a common and disabling condition, often inadequately managed with conventional pharmacotherapy due to limited efficacy, adverse effects, and polypharmacy risks. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers multimodal interventions that may complement modern treatment. Recent studies demonstrate that herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and exercise therapy can relieve depressive symptoms through the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters, enhancement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), modulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and protection of hippocampal function. Acupuncture and exercise have shown preliminary evidence of improving neuroendocrine balance and cognitive performance, while integrative approaches combining TCM with antidepressants may provide improved clinical outcomes and reduced adverse effects in some studies, although the evidence remains heterogeneous and should be interpreted cautiously compared with pharmacotherapy alone. Despite promising findings, current evidence is constrained by heterogeneous protocols, small sample sizes, and insufficient long-term safety data. Future research should emphasize standardized regimens, large-scale randomized controlled trials, and integrative strategies to optimize outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with depression.
Objective This study aimed to evaluate respiratory muscle thickness using ultrasonography (USG) in patients with stroke and to investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle thickness and pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters. Materials and Methods This case-controlled, cross-sectional clinical study included 35 patients with stroke and 35 healthy controls. Diaphragmatic and abdominal muscle thicknesses on the paretic and non-paretic sides in stroke patients, and on the dominant side in healthy participants, were measured using USG. Thickening fractions were calculated, and all participants underwent pulmonary function testing. Results No significant correlation was found between diaphragmatic or rectus abdominis muscle thickness and PFT parameters in patients with stroke ( p > 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between paretic-side external oblique muscle thickness and forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Paretic-side internal oblique (IO) and transversus abdominis muscle thicknesses were positively correlated with MEP ( p < 0.05). On the non-paretic side, IO thickness during maximum forced expiration correlated positively with MEP, while transversus abdominis thickness correlated with FEV 1 /FVC and PEF ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Lateral abdominal muscle thickness was positively correlated with several PFT parameters, particularly MEP, in patients with stroke. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the paretic-side lateral abdominal muscles may play an important role in assessing expiratory muscle strength and monitoring respiratory rehabilitation outcomes in this population.
Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of a warm fennel compress combined with abdominal massage in the prevention and management of constipation in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods: A total of 326 patients undergoing spinal surgery were enrolled. Patients in the intervention group received a warm fennel compress combined with abdominal massage using lubricating oil, in addition to routine nursing guidance for constipation prevention. Patients in the control group received routine nursing guidance for constipation prevention with abdominal massage alone. Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group had a significantly lower incidence of postoperative abdominal distension [61.96% vs. 80.37%, chi(2) = 13.454, p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95%CI: 0.22-0.59] and related gastrointestinal symptoms (6.13% vs. 17.18%, chi(2) = 9.651, p = 0.020, OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.15-0.68). For the primary outcome (third postoperative day first bowel movement rate), the intervention group achieved a notably higher rate than the control group (80.37% vs. 69.94%, chi(2) = 4.747, p = 0.028, OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.06-2.92). The intervention group also had a 100% first flatus rate at all postoperative time points, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (all p < 0.001). No adverse events related to the interventions occurred in either group. Conclusion: The combination of a warm fennel compress and abdominal massage was shown to be an effective approach for preventing and managing constipation in patients undergoing spinal surgery. This intervention is accessible, cost-efficient, practical, safe, and effective. Shortening the length of hospitalization contributes to improved ward-bed turnover and reduced hospital costs and aligns with the current diagnosis-related group (DRG) medical insurance payment model.
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion on the Governor Vessel (Du Meridian) with ginger separation in treating senile nocturia. Methods Ninety elderly patients with nocturia were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 45) or a control group (n = 45). The treatment group received Du Meridian ginger-separated moxibustion every 3 days for 5 sessions, while the control group received conventional mild moxibustion at standard acupoints for 10 sessions. Primary outcomes included nocturnal urination frequency, nocturnal urine volume, nocturnal polyuria index (NPI), and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire (N-QOL). Secondary outcomes included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, and post-void residual urine volume (PVR). Results After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group. Nocturnal urination frequency decreased from 4.9 +/- 1.3 to 2.1 +/- 0.8 times, and nocturnal urine volume decreased from 489.2 +/- 45.7 to 198.6 +/- 32.1 mL (both P < 0.001). NPI decreased from 42.3% +/- 5.7% to 22.5% +/- 4.3%, while N-QOL scores increased from 28.7 +/- 4.5 to 43.2 +/- 5.3 (P < 0.001). PSQI scores improved markedly (14.2 +/- 2.1-6.8 +/- 1.5), and PVR decreased modestly. The total effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group (93.3%) than in the control group (75.6%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion Du Meridian moxibustion with ginger separation effectively reduces nocturnal urination, improves sleep and quality of life, and is superior to conventional moxibustion in treating senile nocturia.
