Thursday, 28 October 2010

Effect of electroacupuncture on the healing process of tibia fracture in a rat model: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Electrical stimulation is used to promote bone reunion, and is most effective when applied directly to the fracture site.

Objective: To examine the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the healing process of tibia fracture in a rat model.

Methods: Thirty 12-week-old male Wistar rats underwent unilateral open osteotomies of the tibiae. The rats were then assigned randomly to three groups: EA group (n=10), sham group (n=10) and control group (n=10). In the EA group, a cathodal electrode was connected to an acupuncture needle percutaneously penetrated directly at the surgery site, while an acupuncture needle inserted at 15 mm proximal to the surgery site was used as an anodal electrode. EA (50 Hz, 20 μA, 20 min) was performed daily for 3 weeks. In the sham group the acupuncture needles were inserted at the same sites but no electrical stimulation was given and in the control group, no treatment was given. The response was evaluated at 1, 3, 4 and 6 weeks after surgery by radiographic, macroscopic and mechanical examinations.

Results: The EA group showed accelerated bone healing (EA group 29.92±4.55 mm2, sham group 26.46±5.21 mm2, control group 26.19±2.81 mm2, p greater0.05>Conclusion: The use of EA enhanced callus development and bone mineralisation during the bone healing process.

Thursday, 21 October 2010

The Effects of Acupuncture (PC6) on Chronic Mild Stress-induced memory loss

Institute:
Division of Brain Disease, Center for Biomedical Science, National Institute of Health, 194 Tongillo, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, 122-701, Korea.

Author: Kim H, Park HJ, Shim HS, Hahm DH, Lee H, Shim I.

Journal: Neurosci Lett. 2010 Oct 11

Abstract
A previous study reported that the PC6 acupuncture point can alleviate chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced anxiety [17]. Following the previous study, this study examined the effects of the PC6 acupuncture point on CMS-induced memory loss. The memory storage and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the hippocampus were measured, respectively, using a passive avoidance test (PAT) and AchE immunohistochemistry. In the PAT (retention test), the CMS group showed a markedly lower latency time than the control (post (72h): p<0.01,>

CONCLUSION: These results show that the acupuncture point is effective in restoring the CMS-related biochemical and behavioral impairments, such as learning and memory.

PMID: 20946936

Acupuncture reduces crying in infants with infantile colic: a randomised, controlled, blind clinical study.

Institute: 1Department of Health Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Journal: Acupunct Med. 2010 Oct 18.

Author: Landgren K, Kvorning N, Hallström I.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether acupuncture reduces the duration and intensity of crying in infants with colic. Patients and methods 90 otherwise healthy infants, 2-8 weeks old, with infantile colic were randomised in this controlled blind study. 81 completed a structured programme consisting of six visits during 3 weeks to an acupuncture clinic in Sweden. Parents blinded to the allocation of their children met a blinded nurse. The infant was subsequently given to another nurse in a separate room, who handled all infants similarly except that infants allocated to receive acupuncture were given minimal, standardised acupuncture for 2 s in LI4.

RESULTS: There was a difference (p=0.034) favouring the acupuncture group in the time which passed from inclusion until the infant no longer met the criteria for colic. The duration of fussing was lower in the acupuncture group the first (74 vs 129 min; p=0.029) and second week (71 vs 102 min; p=0.047) as well as the duration of colicky crying in the second intervention week (9 vs 13 min; p=0.046) was lower in the acupuncture group. The total duration of fussing, crying and colicky crying (TC) was lower in the acupuncture group during the first (193 vs 225 min; p=0.025) and the second intervention week (164 vs 188 min; p=0.016). The relative difference from baseline throughout the intervention weeks showed differences between groups for fussing in the first week (22 vs 6 min; p=0.028), for colicky crying in the second week (92 vs 73 min; p=0.041) and for TC in the second week (44 vs 29 min; p=0.024), demonstrating favour towards the acupuncture group.

CONCLUSIONS: Minimal acupuncture shortened the duration and reduced the intensity of crying in infants with colic. Further research using different acupuncture points, needle techniques and intervals between treatments is required.

PMID: 20959312

Effect of electroacupuncture on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) on blood pressure variability in young patients with hypertension

Institute:

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of TCM, Jinan 250011, China.

Journal: Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010 Jul;30(7):547-50.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture and western medication on blood pressure variability in young patients with hypertension.

METHODS: Sixty cases of hypertension in young patients were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3). In western medication group, Captopril was taken orally. Twenty-four hour dynamic blood pressure, blood pressure variability and day-night rhythm were observed after 14 days treatment in two groups.

RESULTS: Electroacupuncture on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) reduced systolic pressure and diastolic pressure at different time phases in young patients with hypertension (all P <> 0.05). Electroacupuncture on Quchi (Li, 11) and Taichong (LR 3) reduced apparently the standard deviations of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure at different time phases in young patients with hypertension, indicating significant statistical differences as compared with the deviations before the treatment