The latest medical research on Complementary Medicine

Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is an evidence-based yoga intervention that has been used as an effective adjunct treatment for posttra...

People frequently report pain, anxiety, depression, and stress during hospital stays. Yoga has been shown to decrease these experiences in various ...

Narcolepsy is a primary neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, and in a majority of patients, cataplexy, which ...

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The objectives were to explore the protective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on senile osteoporosis in aged rats and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

This study included aged (24-month-old; n = 16) and young (3-month-old; n = 8) male Sprague-Dawley rats. Aged rats were further randomized 1:1 to an aged control group (Aged; n = 8) and an EA treatment group (EA; n = 8). The 3-month-old rats served as young controls (Young). EA rats received EA at ST36, SP6, GB34 and SP10 bilaterally for 30 min a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks.

EA significantly increased serum markers of bone formation in Aged rats. There were no significant differences in serum markers of bone resorption between EA and Aged rats. Deterioration of bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone architecture was observed in the Aged group, while EA significantly increased BMD of the left femur and L5 vertebral body in aged rats. Aging-induced deterioration of trabecular bone architecture was partially reversed in EA rats. Runx2 and Osterix mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ was significantly decreased in bone marrow cells in EA compared with Aged groups. The mRNA and protein levels of core constituents of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Wnt3a, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)5 and β-catenin) were significantly increased and Dickkopf 1 was significantly decreased in bone marrow cells in EA compared with Aged groups.

EA may prevent bone loss and deterioration in aged rats by promoting osteogenesis via a mechanism that may involve activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. EA may represent a therapeutic option for senile osteoporosis.

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Acupoint autohemotherapy (AA), a therapeutic technique involving the subcutaneous injection of autologous blood into acupoints, has been empirically validated as safe and effective for treating asthma by alleviating symptoms and decreasing acute attacks, though its mechanism is not well understood.

The role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in AA-induced suppression of asthmatic airway inflammation is examined.

Twenty rats were assigned randomly to four groups, namely the Control, OVA, OVA + AA, and (OVA + Snpp) + AA. Rats in the OVA + AA and (OVA + Snpp) + AA received autologous blood injections into acupoints (BL13 and BL23) following OVA challenge. Rats in the (OVA + Snpp) + AA were concurrently subjected to intraperitoneal injections of Snpp, a inhibitor of HO-1. Airway inflammation was evaluated through HE staining, while the concentrations of cytokines in BALF were quantified using ELISA. The mRNA and protein levels of RORγt (Th17-specific transcription factor), Foxp3 (Treg-specific transcription factor), and HO-1 in lung tissue were assessed through qRT-PCR and WB.

HE staining indicated that airway inflammation was alleviated in the OVA + AA. The OVA + AA displayed significantly lower counts of total cells and eosinophils in the BALF compared to both the OVA and (OVA + Snpp) + AA. The ELISA demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of pro-inflamatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-17A), and an increase in levels of anti-inflamatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10), in the OVA + AA when compared to both OVA and (OVA + Snpp) + AA. The qRT-PCR and WB analyses revealed an upregulation of HO-1 and Foxp3 expression, and a downregulation of RORγt expression, in the OVA + AA when compared to OVA and (OVA + Snpp) + AA.

The involvement of HO-1 in the underlying mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of AA is evident.

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Labor pain presents significant challenges during childbirth, necessitating effective pain management strategies. Auriculotherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention targeting specific ear points, has been explored as a potential solution for alleviating labor pain.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of auriculotherapy in reducing labor pain intensity and improving maternal satisfaction.

The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception until December 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating auriculotherapy as an intervention for labor pain management.

Two authors independently conducted literature selection based on predefined criteria (i.e., RCTs assessing auriculotherapy for labor pain management).

Data extraction was performed independently by two authors, and a random-effects model was used for meta-analysis. The pooled mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was calculated to estimate the effect size.

The primary outcome was labor pain intensity measured on the visual analog scale.

Meta-analysis of five RCTs involving 451 patients revealed a significant reduction in labor pain following auriculotherapy compared with no treatment (MD, -1.78; 95% CI, -2.62 to -0.93). However, significant heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I2, 87%; p < 0.01).

Despite the observed heterogeneity, this meta-analysis suggests that auriculotherapy holds promise as a non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating labor pain. Further investigation is warranted to refine auriculotherapy protocols and assess its long-term effects, thereby enhancing its potential as a viable option for labor pain management.

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The rapidly growing use of ultrasound in South Korea has revolutionized the real-world application of acupuncture, making it a safer, more accurate treatment. However, little is known about the challenges Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) encounter, as well as the procedures and resources necessary for hygienic, safe ultrasound-guided acupuncture.

This study aimed to investigate the purpose, indications, and procedure for ultrasound-guided acupuncture in Korean medicine (KM) practice and the challenges KMDs encounter in using ultrasonography.

Eleven KMDs with expertise in practicing or teaching ultrasonography were consulted in detail. The purpose of ultrasonography in real-world practice, the overall process, resources utilized in ultrasound-guided procedures, and the unaddressed needs of KMDs were investigated.

Ultrasound guidance, employed for various diseases in KM practice, is crucial for pharmacopuncture and acupotomy to increase accuracy and safety. Ultrasoundguided acupuncture involves covering the probe, putting on sterile gloves, and scanning with disinfectants, though the exact steps vary among experts. They also suggested that a lack of insurance coverage was a common obstacle for KMDs utilizing ultrasonography.

Acupuncture with ultrasound guidance has become a prevalent procedure in South Korea. Standard procedure guidelines and insurance coverage for ultrasonography used for acupuncture procedures are essential to ensure safe, accurate procedures.

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This report details a case of effectively managing severe panic attacks in a panic disorder (PD) patient with agoraphobia by acupuncture treatment.

A 38-year-old Japanese woman suffering from PD with agoraphobia presented at our acupuncture clinic with complaints of repeated panic attacks and anxiety. Initially starting to experience symptoms in her late teens, she avoided psychiatric consultation due to reluctance toward psychotropic medications. An unbiased psychiatrist used the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) to assess her PD severity. The PDSS score decreased from 21 on the first to 12 points on the sixth visit. The patient experienced reduced frequency and severity of panic attacks, with restored confidence to go into public despite agoraphobia.

This is the first report to demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture on PD with agoraphobia using PDSS, suggesting its potential as a nonpharmacological treatment for patients with PD and agoraphobia.

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Orthognathic surgery is utilized to rectify facial deformities, but it can lead to neurosensory alterations. Electroacupuncture has been shown to enhance sensitivity and motor functions in patients post-surgery. However, its application in traumatic facial injuries remains inadequately researched.

To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on sensitivity and orofacial function in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

A randomized clinical trial involving patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and genioplasty who are randomly allocated to either a physiotherapy (PT) or physiotherapy plus electroacupuncture group (PTEA).

Participants will be allocated to their respective therapies for a duration of six weeks. The PT group will receive a 50-minute physical therapy session along with 30 minutes of simulated procedure. The PTEA group will receive 50 minutes of physical therapy followed by 30 minutes of electroacupuncture.

Before treatment, sensitivity will be assessed using the SMILE Sensitivity Test-BAURU kit, edema will be evaluated using the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema protocol, range of motion will be measured using a digital caliper, and muscle pain and fatigue will be gauged using numerical scales. The chewing function will be evaluated using the Chewing Quality Assessment Questionnaire.

All assessments will be repeated at three and six months following the initiation of treatment.

This study may provide reliable and high-quality clinical evidence regarding the impact of electroacupuncture on restoring altered sensation and motor function in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

David Wark's latest iteration of alert hypnosis, the "49-word protocol," reduces performance anxiety. Several case studies have demonstrated improv...

Despite decades of research on yoga and depression, subjective experiences of participants in these studies have rarely been reported, and never in...

An association between expectations of treatment and treatment outcome has been reported for conventional medical and surgical treatments. However,...

The latest medical research on Complementary Medicine

Experiences with One-to-One Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Sessions: Consensual Qualitative Research.

Yoga as an Adjunct Treatment to Manage Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress During Hospital Stays: A Systematic Review.

Hypnosis: An aid in working with patients with narcolepsy.

Protective effects of electroacupuncture on senile osteoporosis in rats.

Acupoint Autohemotherapy Alleviates Airway Inflammation in Asthmatic Rats via Upregulating Expression of Hemeoxygenase-1.

Auriculotherapy for Labour Pain Management: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Transformation of Acupuncture Practice Using Ultrasonography: Expert Opinions.

Acupuncture for Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia: a Case Report.

Electroacupuncture Protocol for Sensory and Motor Function Recovery After Orthognathic Surgery: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Use of the 49-word protocol (alert hypnosis) to reduce anxiety: a case series.

Participant Experiences from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Heated Yoga for Depression.

Patients' Expectations of Yoga and Associated Therapies Influence Treatment Outcome: A Convenience Sampling Pre-Post Study from India.

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