Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages which causes symptoms mostly in the nose and eyes.
Background
Allergies cause a considerable burden to both sufferers and the National Health Service. There is growing interest in acupuncture as a treatment for a range of conditions. Since acupuncture may modulate the immune system it could be a useful treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) sufferers. We therefore assessed the evidence for the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with AR by performing a systematic review of the literature.
Methods
Searches (to 2007) were conducted in all major databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of AR. No limits were placed on language. Studies were included if they compared acupuncture to a sham or inactive acupuncture treatment (placebo) with or without standard care. Meta-analysis was performed where feasible.
Results
Seven relevant RCTs were included after screening and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The trials were generally of poor quality as assessed by a modified Jadad scale, with the exception of two studies which scored highly. A wide variety of outcomes was measured but most assessed symptom severity on a visual analogue scale. A meta-analysis failed to show any summary benefits of acupuncture treatment for symptom severity scores or serum IgE measures which could not have been accounted for by chance alone. Acupuncture was not associated with any additional adverse events in the trials.
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of acupuncture in patients with AR. A large well conducted RCT, which overcomes identified methodological problems in the existing RCTs, would be required to resolve this question.
A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2008; 8: 13. Open Access article.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Review Article, Uncategorized Allergic rhinitis
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a specialized MRI scan that measures the changes in blood flow related to neural activity in the brain.
Background
Clinical studies suggest that acupuncture can stimulate saliva production and reduce xerostomia (dry mouth). We were interested in exploring the neuronal substrates involved in such responses.
Methods
In a randomized, sham acupuncture controlled, subject blinded trial, twenty healthy volunteers received true and sham acupuncture in random order. Cortical regions that were activated or deactivated during the interventions were evaluated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Saliva production was also measured.
Results
Unilateral manual acupuncture stimulation at LI-2, a point commonly used in clinical practice to treat xerostomia, was associated with bilateral activation of the insula and adjacent operculum. Sham acupuncture at an adjacent site induced neither activation nor deactivation. True acupuncture induced more saliva production than sham acupuncture.
Conclusion
Acupuncture at LI-2 was associated with neuronal activations absent during sham acupuncture stimulation. Neuroimaging signal changes appear correlated to saliva production.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes and saliva production associated with acupuncture at LI-2 acupuncture point: a randomized controlled study
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2008 Jul 7;8:37. Open Access article.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Randomized Controlled Trial, Uncategorized Dry Mouth, fMRI, LI-2, Xerostomia
Subcutaneous injections of sterile water and acupuncture reduced the pain of labor.
Sterile water is better than acupuncture in relieving the pain of labor
Medscape J Med. 2008 Jun 26;10(6):151
See Medscape Medical Minute link to video.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Research Article Labor pain, Sterile water
A review of the current literature on pediatric acupuncture including conditions of Chronic Pain, Migraine, Procedural Stress, Enuresis, Constipation, Epilepsy, Allergies, Neurologic Disability, Laryngospasm, Post-operative Vomiting and Cancer-related Conditions.
Pediatric Acupuncture: A Review of Clinical Research.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Jan 10.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Review Article Allergies, Chronic Pain, Constipation, Enuresis, Epilepsy, Laryngospasm, Migraine, Pediatric, Post-operative Vomiting
How does acupuncture compare to physiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis?
Acupuncture in addition to the treatment delivered by physiotherapists for osteoarthritis of the knee did not improve pain scores according to this study.
Acupuncture as an adjunct to exercise based physiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: randomised controlled trial
BMJ. 2007 September 1; 335(7617): 436.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Randomized Controlled Trial Knee, Osteoarthritis, Pain
Ménière’s syndrome is a chronic, progressive disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance.
Most of the studies were conducted in China. Three randomized controlled trials showed a statistically significant benefit using body or scalp acupuncture.
Exploring the Evidence Base for Acupuncture in the Treatment of Meniere’s Syndrome–A Systematic Review
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Jun 8.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Review Article Balance, Hearing, Meniere's Syndrome, Scalp acupunture
Auricular acupuncture has been shown to be effective in cocaine dependence treatment, is it effective for “addictive” behaviors such as repetitive self-injury in depressed adolescents?
An Open Trial of Auricular Acupuncture for the Treatment of Repetitive Self-Injury in Depressed Adolescents.
Can Child Adolesc Psychiatr Rev. 2003 Feb;12(1):10-2.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Research Article Auricular acupuncture, Depression, Self-injury
What do rheumatologists in the United States think of complementary and alternative medicine which includes acupuncture?
Background
We aimed to describe prevailing attitudes and practices of rheumatologists in the United States toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. We wanted to determine whether rheumatologists’ perceptions of the efficacy of CAM therapies and their willingness to recommend them relate to their demographic characteristics, geographic location, or clinical practices.
Methods
A National Institutes of Health-sponsored cross-sectional survey of internists and rheumatologists was conducted regarding CAM for treatment of chronic back pain or joint pain. In this study we analyzed responses only from rheumatologists. Response items included participant characteristics and experience with 6 common CAM categories, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. Descriptive statistics were used to describe attitudes to CAM overall and to each CAM category. Composite responses were devised for respondents designating 4 or more of the 6 CAM therapies as “very” or “moderately” beneficial or “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to recommend.
Results
Of 600 rheumatologists who were sent the questionnaire, 345 responded (58%); 80 (23%) were women. Body work had the highest perceived benefit, with 70% of respondents indicating benefit. Acupuncture was perceived as beneficial by 54%. Most were willing to recommend most forms of CAM. Women had significantly higher composite benefit and recommend responses than men. Rheumatologists not born in North America were more likely to perceive benefit of select CAM therapies.
Conclusions
In this national survey of rheumatologists practicing in the United States, we found widespread favorable opinion toward many, but not all, types of CAM. Further research is required to determine to what extent CAM can or should be integrated into the practice of rheumatology in the United States.
What rheumatologists in the United States think of complementary and alternative medicine: results of a national survey.
Manek NJ, Crowson CS, Ottenberg AL, Curlin FA, Kaptchuk TJ, Tilburt JC.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Jan 28;10(1):5. Open Access article.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Research Article Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Rheumatology
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Can functional MRI be used to evaluate the effect of acupuncture stimulation on a specific acupoint such as LI-4 ?
Hypothalamus and Amygdala Response to Acupuncture Stimuli in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pain. 2007 August; 130(3): 254–266.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Research Article Acupoints, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, fMRI, LI-4