Journal of Clinical Medicine

Editorial

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2 pages, 166 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue: State of the Art in Research on Acupuncture Treatment

by Younbyoung Chae, Myeong Soo Lee and Yi-Hung Chen

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(24), 5943; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245943 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2068

Abstract

Acupuncture is a medical treatment that involves inserting a needle into the body [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

Research

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14 pages, 1360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acupuncture Treatment Associated with Functional Connectivity Changes in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Resting State fMRI Study

by Cheng-Hao Tu, Yu-Chen Lee, Ying-Yu Chen, Chun-Ming Chen, Wen-Chi Lu, Yi-Hung Chen and Su-Tso Yang

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(20), 4731; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10204731 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2645

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the most commonly encountered gynecological problem in reproductive-age women. Acupuncture has been suggested as an effective treatment of PDM that may modulate descending pain modulation systems. In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate [...] Read more.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the most commonly encountered gynecological problem in reproductive-age women. Acupuncture has been suggested as an effective treatment of PDM that may modulate descending pain modulation systems. In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate possible changes in descending pain modulation systems after acupuncture treatment in women with PDM. Thirty-four right-handed adult women with PDM participated in this randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled study. Each patient was randomly allocated to an 8-week verum or sham acupuncture intervention on the bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted before, during, and after the intervention to measure the spontaneous activity in brain. After the 8-week intervention, both verum and sham groups reported decreased menstrual pain. However, the cessation of decreased functional connectivity (FC) between periaqueductal gray matter and the regions associated with affective pain modulation and attention-related pain modulation were found in the verum but not in the sham group after the 8-week intervention. More decreased FC has been found in the region associated with non-specific effects of acupuncture intervention after the early stage of acupuncture intervention. These results indicated that verum acupuncture may intercept the altered FC in descending pain modulation systems in PDM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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17 pages, 1892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acupuncture Relieved Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

by Chien-Chen Huang, Tsung-Jung Ho, Hsin-Yueh Ho, Pei-Yu Chen, Cheng-Hao Tu, Yu-Chuen Huang, Yu-Chen Lee, Mao-Feng Sun and Yi-Hung Chen

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(16), 3694; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163694 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5412

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a disabling side effect caused by neurotoxic chemotherapy. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on CIPN. Twenty eligible breast cancer patients receiving taxane chemotherapy treatment were recruited and randomly divided into verum [...] Read more.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a disabling side effect caused by neurotoxic chemotherapy. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on CIPN. Twenty eligible breast cancer patients receiving taxane chemotherapy treatment were recruited and randomly divided into verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. Each group received 15 treatments over 9 weeks. Quantitative tactile detection thresholds were measured using Semmes–Weinstein monofilament testing (SWM). The World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx), and the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) were measured before and after treatment. The between-group comparison of SWM revealed that the verum acupuncture group had more improvement of touch perception thresholds compared to the sham acupuncture group. The average pain severity in the BPI-SF of the verum acupuncture group was significantly lower than that of the sham acupuncture group. There were no significant differences in the FACT/GOG-Ntx trial outcome index and WHOQOL-BREF scores between the acupuncture and sham groups. The results suggest that acupuncture can alleviate the neuropathic pain of CIPN and improve touch perception thresholds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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18 pages, 1838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acupuncture for Poor Ovarian Response: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Jihyun Kim, Hoyoung Lee, Tae-Young Choi, Joong Il Kim, Byoung-Kab Kang, Myeong Soo Lee, Jong Kil Joo, Kyu Sup Lee and Sooseong You

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(10), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10102182 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4397

Abstract

Acupuncture is believed to improve ovarian reserve and reproductive outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of network-optimized acupuncture followed by IVF on the oocyte yield in women showing a poor ovarian response. This [...] Read more.

Acupuncture is believed to improve ovarian reserve and reproductive outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of network-optimized acupuncture followed by IVF on the oocyte yield in women showing a poor ovarian response. This study was an exploratory randomized controlled trial conducted from June 2017 to January 2020 at the Pusan National University Hospital. Women diagnosed with poor ovarian response were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: IVF alone and Ac + IVF groups (16 acupuncture sessions before IVF treatment). Eight acupoints with high degree centrality and betweenness centrality were selected using network analysis. Among the participants, compared with the IVF treatment alone, the acupuncture + IVF treatment significantly increased the number of retrieved mature oocytes in women aged more than 37 years and in those undergoing more than one controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle. The negative correlation between the number of retrieved mature oocytes and consecutive controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles was not observed in the Ac + IVF group irrespective of the maternal age. These findings suggest that physicians can consider acupuncture for the treatment of women with poor ovarian response and aged > 37 years or undergoing multiple IVF cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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12 pages, 1777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Acupuncture Point Selections According to the Acupuncture Styles and Their Relations to Theoretical Elements in Traditional Asian Medicine: A Data-Mining-Based Literature Study

by Dong-Yeop Jang, Ki-Chang Oh, Eun-Seo Jung, Soo-Jin Cho, Ji-Yun Lee, Yeon-Jae Lee, Chang-Eop Kim and In-Jun Yang

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(10), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10102059 - 11 May 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4114

Abstract

Acupuncture point (AP) selections can vary depending on clinicians’ acupuncture style, and therefore, acupuncture style is an important factor in determining the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. However, few studies have examined the differences in AP selections according to the acupuncture styles and theoretical [...] Read more.

Acupuncture point (AP) selections can vary depending on clinicians’ acupuncture style, and therefore, acupuncture style is an important factor in determining the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. However, few studies have examined the differences in AP selections according to the acupuncture styles and theoretical backgrounds causing the differences. We compared the AP prescriptions used for 14 diseases in three classical medical textbooks, Dongeuibogam (DEBG), Saamdoinchimgooyogyeol (SADI), and Chimgoogyeongheombang (CGGHB), which represent unique acupuncture styles and have affected clinicians during this time. AP prescriptions showed more diversity between textbooks than between types of diseases. Among the three textbooks, AP prescriptions of SADI were most different compared to those of DEBG and CGGHB. Importantly, we found each style can be more clearly explained by AP attributes than by the APs per se. Specifically, SADI, DEBG, and CGGHB preferred five transport points located on the limbs, APs of the extra meridians, and source points, respectively. This suggests the possibility that the theoretical diversity of acupuncture styles results in the heterogeneity of AP selections. Full article

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12 pages, 1785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Acupuncture in Pain Management of Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy: Prospective Randomized Unicentric Study

by Radana Dymackova, Iveta Selingerova, Tomas Kazda, Marek Slavik, Jana Halamkova, Michaela Svajdova, Pavel Slampa and Ondrej Slama

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(5), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10051111 - 7 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2892

Abstract

This prospective randomized open-label trial aimed to evaluate the role of acupuncture in the treatment of pain related to curative and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Patients in two arms (30 patients in each arm) underwent standard oncology therapy and standard [...] Read more.

This prospective randomized open-label trial aimed to evaluate the role of acupuncture in the treatment of pain related to curative and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Patients in two arms (30 patients in each arm) underwent standard oncology therapy and standard supportive care with or without acupuncture. The stratification factors were the type of treatment and chemotherapy indication. The toxicity assessed was represented by pain rated on a 10-point pain scale and analgesic use. Average pain (AP) and the worst pain during the day (WP) were significantly lower in the acupuncture arm during radiotherapy (AP median 0.16 vs. 1.36, p < 0.001; WP median 0.90 vs. 1.96, p < 0.001) and three months after radiotherapy (AP median 0.07 vs. 0.50, p < 0.001; WP median 0.30 vs. 0.83, p = 0.002). The analgesic consumption between arms was statistically significantly different. A median of the proportion of days when the patients used analgesics was 8% and 32.5% during radiotherapy (p = 0.047) and 0% and 20.8% during three months after radiotherapy (p = 0.006) for the acupuncture and control arm, respectively. Results point out lower analgesic consumption and milder pain in acupuncture arm. Acupuncture consequently offers another alternative to standard treatment leading to a reduction in the toxicity of oncological treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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13 pages, 10402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Reduces Postoperative Analgesic Requirement in Patients Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

by Mateusz Szmit, Siddarth Agrawal, Waldemar Goździk, Andrzej Kübler, Anil Agrawal, Piotr Pruchnicki, Marta Woźniak, Matylda Nowak, Bartłomiej Bartoszewicz and Jerzy Rudnicki

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(1), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010146 - 4 Jan 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3939

Abstract

Given the rising rate of opioid-related adverse drug events during postsurgical pain management, a nonpharmacologic therapy that could decrease analgesic medication requirements would be of immense value. We designed a prospective, placebo-and-randomized controlled trial to assess the clinical effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical [...] Read more.

Given the rising rate of opioid-related adverse drug events during postsurgical pain management, a nonpharmacologic therapy that could decrease analgesic medication requirements would be of immense value. We designed a prospective, placebo-and-randomized controlled trial to assess the clinical effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS) on the postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) requirement for morphine, as well as side effects and recovery profile after inguinal hernia repair. Seventy-one subjects undergoing inguinal hernia repair with a standardized anesthetic technique were randomly assigned to one of three analgesic treatment regimens: PCA + TEAS (n = 24); PCA + sham-TEAS (no electrical stimulation) (n = 24), and PCA only (n = 23). The postoperative PCA requirement, pain scores, opioid-related side effects, and blood cortisol levels were recorded. TEAS treatment resulted in a twofold decrease in the analgesic requirement and decreased pain level reported by the patients. In addition, a significant reduction of cortisol level was reported in the TEAS group at 24 h postoperatively compared to the sham and control groups. We conclude that TEAS is a safe and effective option for reducing analgesic consumption and postoperative pain following inguinal hernia repair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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15 pages, 1135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Follow-Up of Spinal Stenosis Inpatients Treated with Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment

by Doori Kim, Joon-Shik Shin, Young-Joo Moon, Gwanghyun Ryu, Wonbin Shin, Jiyun Lee, Suyeon Lim, Hyun A Jeon, Ji-Yeon Seo, Wu Hao Wang, Jin-Ho Lee, Kyoung Sun Park, Yoon Jae Lee and In-Hyuk Ha

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010074 - 28 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

The present prospective observational study aimed to analyze the outcomes of inpatients who received integrative Korean medicine treatment in order to provide evidence on its effects on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Patients with LSS who received inpatient treatment at four Korean medicine hospitals [...] Read more.

The present prospective observational study aimed to analyze the outcomes of inpatients who received integrative Korean medicine treatment in order to provide evidence on its effects on lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Patients with LSS who received inpatient treatment at four Korean medicine hospitals from January 2015 to December 2018 were followed up. Outcomes measured included the numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for back and leg pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Changes in outcomes at admission, discharge, and follow-up, as well as associated predictors that could account for the improvement in outcomes were analyzed. The NRS score for back pain, NRS score for leg pain, and ODI decreased by 2.20 points (95% confidence interval (CI), −2.41 to −1.99), 2.28 points (95% CI, −2.59 to −1.96), and 17.31 points (95% CI, −19.6 to −15.02), respectively, at long-term follow-up compared with at admission. Patients with LSS who received inpatient integrative Korean medicine treatment exhibited an improvement in pain and functional disability. Further studies are required to determine the effects of integrative Korean medicine treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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10 pages, 1913 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Acupoint Indication from Reverse Inference: Data Mining of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

by Ye-Chae Hwang, In-Seon Lee, Yeonhee Ryu, Ye-Seul Lee and Younbyoung Chae

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(9), 3027; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9093027 - 20 Sep 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3233

Abstract

The specificity of acupoint indication (i.e., reverse inference—diseases for which an acupoint could be used) might differ from the specificity of acupoint selection (i.e., forward inference—acupoints used for a disease). In this study, we explore acupoint specificity through reverse inferences from the dataset [...] Read more.

The specificity of acupoint indication (i.e., reverse inference—diseases for which an acupoint could be used) might differ from the specificity of acupoint selection (i.e., forward inference—acupoints used for a disease). In this study, we explore acupoint specificity through reverse inferences from the dataset of prescribed acupoints for a certain disease in clinical trials. We searched acupuncture treatment regimens in randomized controlled trials included in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. For forward inference, the acupoints prescribed for each disease were quantified. For reverse inference, diseases for each acupoint were quantified. Data were normalized using Z-scores. Bayes factor correction was performed to adjust for the prior probability of diseases. The specificities of acupoint selections in 30 diseases were determined using forward inference. The specificities of acupoint indications regarding 49 acupoints were identified using reverse inference and then subjected to Bayes factor correction. Two types of acupoint indications were identified for 24 acupoints: regional and distal. Our approach suggests that the specificity of acupoint indication can be inferred from clinical data using reverse inference. Acupoint indication will improve our understanding of acupoint specificity and will lead to the establishment of a new model of analysis and educational resources for acupoint characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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14 pages, 2450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroimaging-Based Scalp Acupuncture Locations for Dementia

by Jin Cao, Yiting Huang, Nathaniel Meshberg, Sierra A. Hodges and Jian Kong

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(8), 2477; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082477 - 1 Aug 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 10603

Abstract

Scalp acupuncture is a modality of acupuncture in which acupuncture needles are inserted into a certain layer of the scalp in order to affect the function of corresponding areas of the cerebral cortex and relieve symptoms. Clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of [...] Read more.

Scalp acupuncture is a modality of acupuncture in which acupuncture needles are inserted into a certain layer of the scalp in order to affect the function of corresponding areas of the cerebral cortex and relieve symptoms. Clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of scalp acupuncture as a non-pharmacological treatment for dementia. Unfortunately, recent findings from brain neuroimaging studies on dementia have not been incorporated into scalp acupuncture. This study aims to integrate meta-analysis, resting-state functional connectivity, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify potential locations of scalp acupuncture for treatment of dementia. We found that the prefrontal cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, the middle and superior temporal gyrus, the temporal pole, the supplementary motor area, the inferior occipital gyrus, and the precuneus are involved in the pathophysiology of dementia and, therefore, may be the target areas of scalp acupuncture for dementia treatment. The neuroimaging-based scalp acupuncture protocol developed in this study may help to refine the locations for the treatment of dementia. Integrating multidisciplinary methods to identify key surface cortical areas associated with a certain disorder may shed light on the development of scalp acupuncture and other neuromodulation methods such as transcranial electrical current stimulation, particularly in the domain of identifying stimulation locations. Full article

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18 pages, 1663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intensive Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment (MSAT) Is Effective for Patients with Acute Whiplash Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Doori Kim, Kyoung-Sun Park, Jin-Ho Lee, Won-Hyung Ryu, Heeyoung Moon, Jiwon Park, Yong-Hyun Jeon, Ji-Yeon Seo, Young-Joo Moon, Jin Namgoong, Byung-Cheul Shin and In-Hyuk Ha

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(7), 2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9072079 - 2 Jul 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4679

Abstract

In this single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the effects and safety of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT; a combination of acupuncture and Doin therapy) on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Ninety-seven patients with [...] Read more.

In this single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the effects and safety of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT; a combination of acupuncture and Doin therapy) on pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Ninety-seven patients with cervical pain admitted to the Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, South Korea, due to acute whiplash injury were treated with integrative Korean medicine (IKM) with (MSAT group, 48 patients) or without (control group, 49 patients) an additional 3-day MSAT during hospitalization (5–14 days) and followed-up for 90 days. The mean numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of the MSAT and control groups at baseline were 5.67 (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.33, 6.01) and 5.44 (95% CI, 5.06, 5.82), respectively, and on day 5, 3.55 (95% CI, 3.04, 4.06) and 4.59 (95% CI, 4.10–5.07), respectively. The NRS change difference between the groups was −1.07 (95% CI, −1.76, −0.37). The rate of recovery of neck pain (NRS score change ≥ 2 points) was significantly faster in the MSAT than in the control group (log-rank test p = 0.0055). IKM treatment combined with MSAT may be effective in reducing the pain and improving the range of motion in patients with WADs. Full article

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16 pages, 2045 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acupuncture Treatment Modulates the Connectivity of Key Regions of the Descending Pain Modulation and Reward Systems in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

by Siyi Yu, Ana Ortiz, Randy L. Gollub, Georgia Wilson, Jessica Gerber, Joel Park, Yiting Huang, Wei Shen, Suk-Tak Chan, Ajay D. Wasan, Robert R. Edwards, Vitaly Napadow, Ted J. Kaptchuk, Bruce Rosen and Jian Kong

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(6), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061719 - 3 Jun 2020

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 6243

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a common disorder with unsatisfactory treatment options. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising method for treating cLBP. However, the mechanism underlying acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the modulation effects of acupuncture on resting state [...] Read more.

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a common disorder with unsatisfactory treatment options. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising method for treating cLBP. However, the mechanism underlying acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the modulation effects of acupuncture on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in patients with cLBP. Seventy-nine cLBP patients were recruited and assigned to four weeks of real or sham acupuncture. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before the first and after the last treatment. Fifty patients completed the study. We found remission of pain bothersomeness in all treatment groups after four weeks, with greater pain relief after real acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture. We also found that real acupuncture can increase VTA/PAG rsFC with the amygdala, and the increased rsFC was associated with decreased pain bothersomeness scores. Baseline PAG-amygdala rsFC could predict four-week treatment response. Our results suggest that acupuncture may simultaneously modulate the rsFC of key regions in the descending pain modulation (PAG) and reward systems (VTA), and the amygdala may be a key node linking the two systems to produce antinociceptive effects. Our findings highlight the potential of acupuncture for chronic low back pain management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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14 pages, 1805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Analysis of Moxibustion Research Trends Over the Past 20 Years

by Hyejin Park, In-Seon Lee, Hyangsook Lee and Younbyoung Chae

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(5), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051254 - 26 Apr 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4401

Abstract

Objectives: A bibliometric approach using network analysis was applied to identify the development and research trends for moxibustion. This study also examined the network hub of moxibustion research by investigating the collaborative work of organizations and authors. Methods: Academic articles on moxibustion research [...] Read more.

Objectives: A bibliometric approach using network analysis was applied to identify the development and research trends for moxibustion. This study also examined the network hub of moxibustion research by investigating the collaborative work of organizations and authors. Methods: Academic articles on moxibustion research published from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Extracted records were analyzed according to publication year, research area, journal title, country, organization, and authors. The VOSviewer program was utilized to visualize the trends in moxibustion research and to explore the influential organizations and authors. Results: Analyses of 1146 original and review articles written in English demonstrated that the number of publications related to moxibustion research has increased consistently over the last 20 years. China issued the most articles in this field, and the most represented research area was integrative complementary medicine. A network analysis based on the co-occurrence and publication year of keywords identified the relevant characteristics and trends of moxibustion research. By assessing the total link strength of organizations and authors, influential organizations and authors who have contributed to moxibustion research were identified. Conclusions: The current study examined research on moxibustion using bibliometric analysis and identified a time-based development of moxibustion research and a global network hub of moxibustion research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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Review

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13 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evidence Map of Cupping Therapy

by Tae Young Choi, Lin Ang, Boncho Ku, Ji Hee Jun and Myeong Soo Lee

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(8), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081750 - 17 Apr 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 18157

Abstract

This study aimed to describe and assess the current evidence in systematic reviews on cupping therapy for various conditions. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and six Korean databases for systematic reviews of trials on cupping [...] Read more.

This study aimed to describe and assess the current evidence in systematic reviews on cupping therapy for various conditions. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and six Korean databases for systematic reviews of trials on cupping treatments for any condition published prior to March 2021. We used a bubble plot to graphically display the clinical topics, the number of articles, the number of participants in the total population, confidence, and effectiveness. Thirteen systematic reviews that met the inclusion criteria were included in the evidence map, and 16 bubbles were created. The findings from six reviews showed potential benefits of cupping for conditions such as low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, knee osteoarthritis, neck pain, herpes zoster, migraine, plaque psoriasis, and chronic urticaria. Cupping has been applied in a variety of clinical areas, and systematic reviews in a few of these areas have demonstrated statistically significant benefits. The evidence map provides a visual overview of cupping research volume and findings. Evidence mapping can facilitate the transfer of knowledge from researchers to policymakers and promote research on musculoskeletal pain (such as low back pain, neck pain, and knee osteoarthritis) and skin disease (plaque psoriasis). Full article

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26 pages, 1106 KiB

Open AccessReview

Efficacy and Underlying Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

by Chan-Young Kwon, Boram Lee and Sang-Ho Kim

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(8), 1575; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081575 - 8 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4848

Abstract

Acupuncture is a nonpharmacological intervention that can be useful in the clinical management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in situations with a lack of medical resources, including large-scale PTSD events such as disasters. Some clinical studies have reported the clinical effect of [...] Read more.

Acupuncture is a nonpharmacological intervention that can be useful in the clinical management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in situations with a lack of medical resources, including large-scale PTSD events such as disasters. Some clinical studies have reported the clinical effect of acupuncture in improving PTSD symptoms, but the underlying therapeutic mechanism has yet to be explored. Therefore, this review summarized the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture in animal PTSD models. A comprehensive search was conducted in 14 electronic databases, and two independent researchers performed study selection, data extraction, and the methodological quality assessment. Twenty-four relevant studies were included in this review and summarized according to the proposed main mechanisms. In behavioral evaluation, acupuncture, including manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, reduced anxiety and fear responses and weakened fear conditioning, improved sleep architecture, reduced depressive symptoms, and alleviated disturbance of spatial learning and memory of PTSD animal models. The therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture proposed in the included studies could be classified into two categories: (1) regulation of stress responses in the neuroendocrine system and (2) promotion of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in several brain areas. However, the methodological quality of the included animal studies was not high enough to produce robust evidence. In addition, mechanistic studies on specific aspects of acupuncture that may affect PTSD, including expectancy effects, in human PTSD subjects are also needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Research on Acupuncture Treatment)

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