In light of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic), compiled in the name of Qibo, the founder of Chinese medicine, the theory of "relationship between meridians and zangfu" within meridian-collateral system has been systematically refined. Under the guidance of this theory, acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has made an indelible contribution to safeguarding health of the Chinese nation throughout its long historical development. Notably, during nearly the same historical period, Galenus, a representative figure in ancient Greek and Roman medicine, proposed a theory of surface-viscus connection known as "homoeomeria". Although stemming from distinct Eastern and Western cultural and philosophical frameworks, both theories collectively reveal a natural correlation between specific "regions" on the human body surface and their corresponding internal "target organs", and regard these "regional domains" as the key "therapeutic sites" for treating the corresponding diseases. This consensus that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries not only reflects the profound exploration of holistic view of life in ancient medicine, but also demonstrates the collective wisdom of humanity in elucidating patterns between the body and diseases. Furthermore, it provides invaluable historical origins and theoretical foundations for subsequent research in related fields.
Objective:To compare the difference of autonomic responses to transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) between high-altitude and low-altitude populations, explore the characteristics of neural response under the background of high altitude hypoxia. Methods:A total of 30 border guards stationed in high altitude areas for an extended period were included as the high altitude group. At the same time, 30 healthy subjects were recruited in Beijing as the low altitude group. In both groups, taVNS was applied bilaterally to the auricular branches of the vagus nerve distribution areas (auricular points corresponding to shen[CO10] and xin[CO15]). Using a multimodal wristband, photoplethysmography (PPG) signals were collected during the baseline period, stimulation period, and recovery period. Heart rate (HR) and time-domain and frequency-domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between the two groups. The time-domain indexes included the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the percentage of adjacent normal RR intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50). The frequency-domain indexes included low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and low-frequency/high- frequency (LF/HF). Results:In the high altitude group, HR during the stimulation period was lower than that during the baseline period (P<0.05), and RMSSD was lower than that during the recovery period (P<0.05). In the low altitude group, all indexes showed no statistically significant differences among the baseline, stimulation, and recovery periods (P>0.05). The high altitude group exhibited higher HR, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, LF, and HF across all three periods compared to the low altitude group (P<0.05), and lower LF/HF compared to the low altitude group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Under taVNS intervention, the vagal responses in high-altitude populations exhibit a characteristic pattern of delayed activation. This finding suggests that taVNS interventions for high-altitude populations should appropriately extend post-stimulation observation time and optimize stimulation patterns.
Objective:To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to investigate its influence on serum biomarkers related to central sensitization. Methods:Ninety patients with chronic pain caused by KOA were randomly assigned to an EA group (45 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham-EA group (45 cases, 5 cases dropped out and 1 case was eliminated). The patients in both groups received health education. Additionally, in the EA group, EA was performed at the acupoints such as Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST35), Heding (EX-LE2) and Xuehai (SP10) on the affected side, with dense-disperse wave, at the frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and the electric current of 1 mA to 2 mA, it was operated for 30 min in each session, once daily, 6 sessions a week, and for 4 consecutive weeks. In the sham-EA group, sham-EA was operated at the same acupoints as the EA group, with the same duration of interventions, but without electric stimulation exerted. In the baseline (week 0), and week 2, 4, 8 and 16, the score on numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain at rest and during activity, as well as pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at the local and distal of knee joint were observed in the two groups separately. In week 0, 4, and 16, the Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) were scored. In week 0 and 4, the score on central sensitization inventory (CSI) and the levels of serum biomarkers related to central sensitization, such as glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were observed in the two groups. Results:Compared with the baseline, the EA group showed the decrease in NRS scores at rest and during activity in week 2, 4, 8, and 16, in the scores on subscales and the total score of WOMAC in week 4 and 16, as well as in CSI score and serum levels of Glu, Gln, SP, and CGRP in week 4 (P<0.05); and presented higher PPTs at the local and distal knee joint in week 2, 4, 8 and 16 and the scores on physical and mental health of SF-12 in weeks 4 and 16 (P<0.05). The sham-EA group presented the reduced resting-related NRS scores in week 2, 4, and 8, the activity-related NRS score in week 4, the scores on pain and function subscales and the total score of WOMAC in week 4 and 16, and serum CGRP level in week 4 when compared with the baseline, separately (P<0.05); and PPTs at the center of knee point in week 2 and 4 and the lateral side in week 4 increased (P<0.05). After treatment and at each time point of follow-up visit, NRS scores at rest and during activity, the scores on each subscale and the total score of WOMAC, the score of CSI and serum levels of Glu, Gln, SP, and CGRP in the EA group were lower than those in the sham-EA group (P<0.05); PPTs at each site (except at the lateral side of knee point in week 2 and the deltoid point in week 16) and the scores of SF-12 (except mental health score of SF-12 in week 16) were higher in the EA group when compared with the sham-EA group (P<0.05). Change scores of NRS at rest and during activity were positively correlated with those of CSI in the EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture effectively alleviates chronic pain of KOA, improves joint function and quality of life, which may be achieved through the inhibition of central sensitization.
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion combined with conventional medication and conventional medication alone in treating asthenozoospermia infertility of kidney yang deficiency. Methods:A total of 126 patients with asthenozoospermia infertility of kidney yang deficiency were randomized into a herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion group (moxibustion group, 63 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a medication group (63 cases, 2 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). The medication group was treated with levocarnitine oral solution and Yougui capsules orally. On the basis of the treatment in the medication group, herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion was applied in the moxibustion group, once every 6 days. Both groups were treated for 90 days. Before and after treatment, the sperm progressive mobility (PR), sperm progressive and non-progressive mobility (PR+NP), sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation index (DFI), seminal plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and TCM syndrome score were observed; the natural pregnancy rate of spouses was recorded during treatment and follow-up of 6 weeks after treatment completion; and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. Results:After treatment, the sperm PR and PR+NP, and seminal plasma SOD levels were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), while the sperm DFI, seminal plasma MDA levels, and TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups. After treatment, the sperm PR and PR+NP, and seminal plasma SOD level in the moxibustion group were higher than those in the medication group (P<0.05), the sperm DFI, seminal plasma MDA level, and TCM syndrome score were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05). During the treatment and follow-up periods, there were no statistically significant differences in the natural pregnancy rates of spouses in the two groups (P>0.05). The total effective rate in the moxibustion group was 75.0% (45/60), which was higher than 47.5% (28/59) in the medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion:On the basis of conventional medication treatment, herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion can improve the sperm motility, sperm DFI, and seminal plasma SOD and MDA levels, and alleviate TCM clinical symptoms in patients with asthenospermia infertility of kidney yang deficiency. Its clinical efficacy is superior to that of medication treatment alone.
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Tongyuan acupuncture in treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods:A total of 106 patients with PHN were randomly divided into a Tongyuan electroacupuncture group (53 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a conventional electroacupuncture group (53 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). In the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group, Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24+), Shuigou (GV26), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), ashi points and bilateral Xinshu (BL15), Geshu (BL17), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Tianshu (ST25) were selected, and 5 to 6 pairs of acupoints were selected to connect the electroacupuncture therapeutic apparatus; in the conventional electroacupuncture group, ashi points and Jiaji points (EX-B2) of the relevant ganglion segments in the affected area were selected, and Jiaji points (EX-B2) and ashi points were connected to the electroacupuncture therapeutic apparatus. In both groups, dense-disperse waves were selected at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of 2 mA. The needles were retained for 30 min per session, once daily. Five sessions constituted one treatment course, with a 2-day interval between courses. A total of four treatment courses were administered. The simplified McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) score (including the pain rating index [PRI] score, visual analogue scale [VAS] score, and present pain intensity [PPI] score) of both groups were observed before treatment, after 2 weeks of treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score of both groups were observed before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment, and pain recurrence was followed up at 3 months after treatment completion. Results:Compared with before treatment, the sub-scores and total scores of the SF-MPQ in both groups decreased after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and the scores after 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the scores of VAS and PPI, and the total score of SF-MPQ in the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the conventional electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, all sub-scores and total score of the SF-MPQ in the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the conventional electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the PSQI, HAMA, and HAMD scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the PSQI, HAMA, and HAMD scores in the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the conventional electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate and marked effective rate in the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group were 90.0% (45/50) and 72.0% (36/50), respectively, both higher than those in the conventional electroacupuncture group (74.5% [35/47] and 44.7% [21/47], P<0.05). During follow-up, the pain recurrence rate in the Tongyuan electroacupuncture group was 2.2% (1/45), which was lower than that in the conventional electroacupuncture group (17.1% [6/35], P<0.05). Conclusion:Tongyuan acupuncture can alleviate pain, improve sleep disturbances, and ameliorate emotional comorbidities in patients with PHN, and its short-term and long-term efficacy is superior to that of conventional electroacupuncture.
