An Observational Study on Acupuncture for Earthquake-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 2019.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31031878
This research study was to test the efficiency of acupuncture for the treatment of Earthquake related PTSD. The research study lasted for a total of 5 weeks and acupuncture treatments were given to patients by experienced acupuncturists. Researchers used the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to help measure the efficiency of the results. Before the study began, it showed that 68.3% of patients had pain and psychological symptoms. Acupuncturists used meridian points such as Kidney, Large Intestine, Spleen, and Gall bladder. The outcome of the research study had great results. After just three daily treatments, 54.05% of patients reported improvements in psychological symptoms and 60.6% of patients reported improvement in their pain symptoms. At the end of the study, there was a significant difference in the pain and psychologic symptoms from the beginning of the treatment to the end. No side effects were reported.
Acupuncture in Living Liver & Kidney Donors: A Feasibility Study, 2019.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30594484
This acupuncture study was conducted to test the efficiency of using acupuncture along with routine care of living liver and kidney donors during the process of donation and recovery. Twenty-five patients were recruited to participate in the acupuncture intervention, which only 1 patient had prior acupuncture treatment. Fifteen of these patients donated some of their liver and the other ten donated a kidney. Prior to beginning their acupuncture treatments, patients were asked to fill out questionnaires about their acupuncture outcome expectations and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Patients were given acupuncture before their organ donation surgery. An average of 4 sessions were given while they were in inpatient care, and then again at a 2-week follow up. Afterwards, the patients provided feedback on their acupuncture treatment. The results of the research study showed that most patients had positive experiences, stating the acupuncture helped with relaxation and the pain. While most patients had positive results, some patients reported that they felt overburdened during recovery. While there are still more studies that need to be done, this study does show that acupuncture can be a helpful treatment in addition to traditional treatment with organ donation.
Efficacy and Safety of Thread Embedding Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial, 2018.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29794761
In this 2018 research study, researchers explored the possibility of thread-embedded acupuncture for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. This research study was meant to serve as a foundation for larger research studies to test the sufficiency of thread-embedded acupuncture for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Researchers enlisted a total of 40 participants with chronic low back pain for this randomized controlled trial. These 40 participants were separated into two groups: the TEA, thread-embedded acupuncture group and the control, acupuncture, group. For a total of 8 weeks, the TEA group received TEA once every two weeks, totaling 4 sessions. The acupuncture control group received acupuncture twice a week for the duration of 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions. Researchers evaluated VAS scores, McGill Pain Questionnaires and used the Oswestry Disability Index scores to determine the results of the study. These assessments were executed in the screening stage and again at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week intervals. Four participants ended up dropping out of the study, leaving researchers to examine the results of the remaining 36 participants. Researchers collected the data from the VAS scores, Questionnaire, and the Disability Index for the outcome of the research study. The conclusion of this acupuncture study showed that the TEA group and the acupuncture group both demonstrated improvements in the VAS score, the Questionnaire, and the Disability Index. There were no serious side effects reported. While this was a study meant to lay a foundation for a larger study, this researcher study does show the adequacy of thread-embedded acupuncture, along with regular acupuncture, for the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Pain and Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial, 2018.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6205765/
This 2018 research study was organized to determine the usefulness of auricular acupuncture for chronic pain and insomnia. Researchers gathered forty-five participants, which were separated into two groups: auricular acupuncture and usual care group. The auricular acupuncture group was provided with semi-permanent acupuncture needles that were left in place for up to four days, while the other group continued to receive their usual care. By using the Brief Pain Inventory scores, along with the Insomnia Severity Index scores, researchers were able to conclude the research study after eight days. The outcome of the research study was auricular acupuncture led to a decreased in the pain severity scores that was higher than the control group. Additionally, both groups did show a decrease in the Insomnia Severity Index scores, but the auricular acupuncture group showed a compelling between-group reduced Insomnia Severity Index scores. This research study does confirm that auricular acupuncture can be used as a treatment option for chronic pain and insomnia.
Clinical Study on Warming-Needle Moxibustion for Infertility Patients with Thin Endometrium, 2018.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1003525718300400
In this 2018 research study, researchers sought to analyze the outcome of using warm-needle moxibustion on the endometrial thickness for women dealing with infertility. Researchers chose forty women, all who had mature follicle and successful ovulation, but their endometrial thickness was less than 7 mm. The 40 women were divided into two groups: Group A used warm-needle moxibustion, acupuncture, and electro acupuncture as treatments and Group B consisted of just medication as treatment. Group A was administered the acupuncture, warm-needle moxibustion acupuncture, and electro acupuncture at different clinical stages. The medication used for Group B was Progynova, which was provided beginning on the 7th day of menstruation until the 14th day after ovulation. This medication was received for a total of 3 menstrual cycles. After the treatments were administered, researchers distinguished the results of the research study. This research study showed that the endometrial thickness of patients increased after both treatments. The increase in the endometrial thickness was more exceptional in Group A than that of Group B. After the treatment, the pregnancy rate increased in the women of Group A. Group A showed a 25% pregnancy rate, while Group B had a 15% pregnancy rate.
References:
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acu.2018.1329
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2095496418301213
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2018.1294
https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-018-3049-x
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1003525718300400