Does electroacupuncture improve sleep quality in patients with chronic insomnia?
Sleep architecture, sleep continuity, slow wave sleep time and REM sleep time was evaluated in this study.
Electroacupuncture treatment of chronic insomniacs.
Chin Med J (Engl). 2009 Dec 5;122(23):2869-73.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Question :
Is there any evidence for use of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in spinal cord injuries?
Answer :
This article is a review of the allopathic and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) literature.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that principally involves the joints.
Background
In planning a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture, we conducted a pilot study using validated outcome measures to assess the feasibility of the protocol, and to obtain preliminary data on efficacy and tolerability of 3 different forms of acupuncture treatment as an adjunct for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods
The study employs a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA), traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and sham acupuncture (Sham) in patients with RA. All patients received 20 sessions over a period of 10 weeks. Six acupuncture points were chosen. Primary outcome is the changes in the pain score. Secondary outcomes included the changes in the ACR core disease measures, DAS 28 score and the number of patients who achieved ACR 20 at week 10.
Results
From 80 eligible patients, 36 patients with mean age of 58 ± 10 years and disease duration of 9.3 ± 6.4 years were recruited. Twelve patients were randomized to each group. Twelve, 10 and 7 patients from the EA, TCA and Sham group respectively completed the study at 20 weeks (p < 0.03); all except one of the premature dropouts were due to lack of efficacy. At week 10, the pain score remained unchanged in all 3 groups. The number of tender joints was significantly reduced for the EA and TCA groups. Physician’s global score was significantly reduced for the EA group and patient’s global score was significantly reduced for the TCA group. All the outcomes except patient’s global score remained unchanged in the Sham group.
Conclusion
This pilot study has allowed a number of recommendations to be made to facilitate the design of a large-scale trial, which in turn will help to clarify the existing evidence base on acupuncture for RA.
Acupuncture in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind controlled pilot study
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007; 7: 35.
Tam LS, Leung PC, Li TK, Zhang L, Li EK. Open Access article.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture where two acupuncture needles are attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses between them. Does electroacupuncture stimulate sciatic nerve blood flow?
One mechanism of action of acupuncture and electrical acupuncture stimulation could be that, in addition to its influence on the pain inhibitory system, it participates in causing a transient change in sciatic nerve blood blow, including circulation to the cauda equine and nerve root.
Acupuncture Treatment for Low Back Pain and Lower Limb Symptoms—The Relation between Acupuncture or Electroacupuncture Stimulation and Sciatic Nerve Blood Flow
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 June; 5(2): 133–143.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
What is the anti-nociception effect is obtained by stimulation of acupoint St36? What is the best frequency for Electroacupuncture?
Naloxone was shown to block the anti-nociception effect of Electroacupuncture.
Opioidergic orofacial antinociception induced by electroacupuncture at acupoint St36
Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008 Jul;41(7):621-6.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Can transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulations (TEAS) reduce the urge to smoke?
A Standardized Transcutaneous Electric Acupoint Stimulation for Relieving Tobacco Urges in Dependent Smokers.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Jan 20.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter