Development and current application status of acupuncture manipulation measuring instrument and operating instrument

Acupuncture manipulation, a crucial component of acupuncture procedures, significantly influences the therapeutic outcomes. Acupuncture manipulation measuring instrument and operating instrument have been developed based on modern technology to objectively characterize manipulation parameters, and achieve standardized and normalized output of acupuncture manipulation. This paper systematically reviews the development and current application status of in vivo acupuncture manipulation measuring instrument, ex vivo acupuncture manipulation measuring instrument, and acupuncture manipulation operating instrument worldwide, and explores key issues that acupuncture manipulation operating instruments need to address for clinical applications, and provides insights into the future prospect of acupuncture robots.

Review of economic analysis of available interventions on idiopathic short stature: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic short stature (ISS) causes a high economic burden worldwide. As part of a research project that synthesizes economic evidence for Korean medicine treatment of ISS, we describe the methods that will be used for the comprehensive review of articles that analyze health-related economic evaluation for available interventions for ISS using a systematic review methodology.

METHODS

Eight electronic English, Korean, and Chinese databases will be searched from their inception until December 2020 to identify studies on the economic evaluation of available interventions on ISS, without language, study design, or publication status restrictions. From the included studies, the effectiveness, utility, and cost data will be collected as the outcome measures by two researchers independently. Descriptive analysis of individual studies will be conducted. If it is judged that the interventions and outcomes of the included studies are sufficiently homogeneous, we will attempt a quantitative synthesis through meta-analysis using Review Manager version 5.4 software (Cochrane, London, UK).

RESULTS

This study will summarize the evidence regarding the economic evaluation of available interventions for ISS.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this review will help clinicians and patients in evidence-based decision-making in clinical settings and help policy makers develop effective policies and distribute resources based on the available evidence.

Acupuncture for patients with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) class agent has grown rapidly in the last decade due to its effects on lowering HbA1c and weight and the low possibility of hypoglycemia. However, GLP-1 RAs are not devoid of adverse effects among which nausea and vomiting rank first, which reduce adherence to treatment. Accumulated evidences proved that acupuncture can properly treat nausea and vomiting caused by various reasons. The study aims at assessing the safety and effectiveness exhibited by acupuncture treatment for patients with nausea and vomiting induced by GLP-1 RAs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Articles that have been identified via electronically searching databases of MEDLINE, Nature, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, WorldSciNet, EMbase, Science Online, AMED, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Databse and China Biology Medicine Disc and the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database from their inception of to December 31, 2019 will be incorporated into the systematic review. The review only adopts Chinese and English. It will also pay attention to searching resources of qualified studies, relevant conference proceedings, potential reference list, as well as related system reviews. Two researchers will take charge of completing the selection of research, the extraction of data as well as the assessment of research quality independently. A random- or fixed-effects model will be employed to synthesize data combining the heterogeneity test. The primary outcomes will be nausea and vomiting, seen from the objective and self-reported assessment. Data analysis will be performed via the RevMan 5 software, and GRADE will help to assess the evidence level. The heterogeneity level will determine whether the random-effects model or the fixed-effects model will be used. The 2 categories will adopt risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Continuous variables will adopt the weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference and 95% CI. Meta-analysis will not be conducted if no assessment, like subgroup analysis, is able to explain existing meaningful heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis shall carefully consider each subgroup in certain case.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The systematic review does not involve the evaluation of patients' individual information or patients' right; thus, there is no need to gain the approval from ethical institution. The article will be published in journals reviewed by peers and present at related conference.Registration: Open Science Framework (OSF) Preregistration. 2020, April 8. osf.io/3fgu8.

[Discussion on the issues of time recorded in Lingshu: Weiqixing]

Lingshu: Weiqixing (the Chapter 76 of Miraculous Pivot) states the running course and time of the defensive qi circulation, as well as the needling techniques of acupuncture for waiting for qi arrival. However, because of the conflicts on the time system of acupuncture in the record, it is hard to be adopted in clinical practice in the later generations. In comparison of the 28-lunar-mansion time system with the clepsydra time system, it is known that the 28-lunar-mansion time system is much more rational because the clepsydra system is the tool for counting rather than timing. Hence, in compliance with the original meaning recorded in Lingshu: Weiqixing, the method for estimating the circulation of defensive qi is re-collected so as to provide a new approach to the study on the needling techniques of acupuncture for waiting for qi arrival.

Outcome measures for assessing the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in frequent episodic or chronic migraine: a Delphi study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this Delphi survey was to establish an international consensus on the most useful outcome measures for research on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for migraine. This is important, since guidelines for pharmacological trials recommend measuring the frequency of headaches with 50% reduction considered a clinically meaningful effect. It is unclear whether the same recommendations apply to complementary (or adjunct) non-pharmacological approaches, whether the same cut-off levels need to be considered for effectiveness when used as an adjunct or stand-alone intervention, and what is meaningful to patients.

SETTING

University-initiated international survey.

PARTICIPANTS

The expert panel was chosen based on publications on non-pharmacological interventions in migraine populations and from personal contacts. 35 eligible researchers were contacted, 12 agreed to participate and 10 completed all 3 rounds of the survey. To further explore how migraine patients viewed potential outcome measures, four migraine patients were interviewed and presented with the same measurement tools as the researchers.

PROCEDURES

The initial Delphi round was based on a systematic search of the literature for outcome measures used in non-pharmacological interventions for headache. Suggested outcome measures were rated by each expert, blinded towards the other members of the panel, for its usefulness on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from definitely not useful to extremely useful. Results were combined using median values and IQRs. Tools rated overall as definitely or probably not useful were excluded from subsequent rounds. Experts further suggested additional outcome measures that were presented to the panel in subsequent rounds. Additionally, experts were asked to rank the most useful tools and provide information on feasible cut-off levels for effectiveness for the three highest ranked tools.

RESULTS

Results suggest the use of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and headache frequency as primary outcome measures. Patient experts suggested the inclusion of a measure of quality of life and evaluation of associated symptoms and fear of attacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations are for the use of the MIDAS, the HIT-6 and headache frequency, in combination with an outcome measure for quality of life. Associated symptoms and fear of attacks should also be considered as secondary outcomes, if relevant for the individual target population. The cut-off level for effectiveness should be lower for non-pharmacological interventions, especially when used as an adjunct to medication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS00011777).

Urtica dioica in comparison with placebo and acupuncture: A new possibility for menopausal hot flashes: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica in comparison with placebo, acupuncture and combined therapy on hot flashes and quality of life in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

In a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, patients were treated for 7 weeks then followed up 4 weeks. Seventy-two postmenopausal women who reported at least 20 hot flashes attacks per week were randomly allocated into one of the 4 groups of Urtica dioica 450 mg/day and acupuncture 11 sessions (A), acupuncture and placebo (B), sham acupuncture and Urtica dioica (C), and sham acupuncture and placebo (D). The primary outcomes were the change in hot flashes score from baseline to the end of treatment and follow up; and the change in the quality of life (MENQOL) from baseline to the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in FSH, LH, and ESTRADIOL levels from baseline to the end of treatment. The trial was conducted from October 2017 to July 2018 in Acupuncture clinic of a teaching hospital in Iran.

RESULTS

A total of 72 women 45-60 years old were enrolled, and 68 were included in the analyses. The median (IQR) hot flashes score decreased in the A group by 20.2 (31.7) and 21.1 (25.1), B group by 19 (18) and 17.3 (27), C group by 14.6 (25.4) and 20.8 (13), and D group by 1.6 (11.6) and 1 (13.3) at the end of treatment and follow up (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001); no significant difference between A, B and C groups. The mean (SD) of MENQOL score decreased in the A group by 42.6 (21.1), B group by 40.7 (29.8), C group by 37.8 (26.8) and D group by 9.8 (14.3) at the end of treatment (P = 0.001); no significant difference between A, B and C groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Urtica dioica can decrease menopausal hot flashes and increase the quality of life of postmenopausal women better than placebo-sham control but same as acupuncture. The combination of Urtica dioica and acupuncture did not add to the effects of those therapies.

The safety and efficacy of acupuncture for epididymitis protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Epididymitis is a common disease in non-specific infections of the male reproductive system. According to the clinical incidence of acute epididymitis and chronic epididymitis, which is more common in chronic epididymitis. There are many clinical trials confirmed that acupuncture treatment can relieve pain and improve symptoms of epididymitis to some extent. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for epididymitis.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search for PubMed, Cochrane Library, AMED, EMbase, WorldSciNet; Nature, Science online and China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature CD-ROM Database (CBM), and related randomized controlled trials included in the China Resources Database. The time is limited from the construction of the library to November 2018. We will use the criteria provided by Cochrane 5.1.0 for quality assessment and risk assessment of the included studies, and use the Revman 5.3 and Stata13.0 software for meta-analysis of the effectiveness, recurrence rate, and symptom scores of epididymitis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for epididymitis. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process trial.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018111348.

Acupuncture for gender differences and similarities in cerebral activity of health volunteers: A pilot fMRI study

This study aimed to explore the feasible gender differences and similarities in cerebral activity response to the acupuncture at local acupoints around knee.Fifteen male and 15 female healthy adults were recruited and included in this study. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was applied to measure cerebral activity response to acupuncture at Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP-10), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), and Dubi (ST-35).Acupuncture activated the postcentral gyrus, precuneus, temporal, posterior lobe, and occipital lobe in both males and females. When compared with females, males showed brain activation in the right middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, right precuneus, right superior parietal lobule, left cerebellum anterior lobe; and brain deactivation in the right frontal. When compared with males, females were observed brain activation in the right frontal lobe, right parietal lobe, and right middle temporal gyrus; and brain deactivation in the left and right medial frontal gyrus.The results of this study demonstrated that the neural effects of local acupoints around knee might be different between male and female subjects. Further clinical trials should take this gender effect into account in their design of studies.

An economic evaluation of Alexander Technique lessons or acupuncture sessions for patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized trial (ATLAS)

Objectives

To assess the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture and usual care, and Alexander Technique lessons and usual care, compared with usual GP care alone for chronic neck pain patients.

Methods

An economic evaluation was undertaken alongside the ATLAS trial, taking both NHS and wider societal viewpoints. Participants were offered up to twelve acupuncture sessions or twenty Alexander lessons (equivalent overall contact time). Costs were in pounds sterling. Effectiveness was measured using the generic EQ-5D to calculate quality adjusted life years (QALYs), as well as using a specific neck pain measure–the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ).

Results

In the base case analysis, incremental QALY gains were 0.032 and 0.025 in the acupuncture and Alexander groups, respectively, in comparison to usual GP care, indicating moderate health benefits for both interventions. Incremental costs were £451 for acupuncture and £667 for Alexander, mainly driven by intervention costs. Acupuncture was likely to be cost-effective (ICER = £18,767/QALY bootstrapped 95% CI £4,426 to £74,562) and was robust to most sensitivity analyses. Alexander lessons were not cost-effective at the lower NICE threshold of £20,000/QALY (£25,101/QALY bootstrapped 95% CI -£150,208 to £248,697) but may be at £30,000/QALY, however, there was considerable statistical uncertainty in all tested scenarios.

Conclusions

In comparison with usual care, acupuncture is likely to be cost-effective for chronic neck pain, whereas, largely due to higher intervention costs, Alexander lessons are unlikely to be cost-effective. However, there were high levels of missing data and further research is needed to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of these interventions.

[Discussion on ideological concept implied in traditional reinforcing and reducing method of acupuncture]

The forming and development of traditional reinforcing and reducing method of acupuncture was rooted in traditional culture of China, and was based on the ancients' special understanding of nature, life and diseases, therefore its principle and methods were inevitably influenced by philosophy culture and medicine concept at that time. With deep study on Inner Canon of Huangdi and representative reinforcing and reducing method of acupuncture, the implied ideological concept, including contradiction view and profit-loss view in ancient dialectic, yin-yang balance theory, concept of life flow, monophyletic theory of qi , theory of existence of disease-evil, yin-yang astrology theory, theory of inter-promotion of five elements, were summarized and analyzed. The clarified and systematic understanding on guiding ideology of reinforcing and reducing method of acupuncture could significantly promote the understanding on principle, method, content and manipulation.

Comparative Assessment of the Heart's Functioning by Using the Akabane Test and Classical Methods of Instrumental Examination

Acupuncture physicians have studied the application of reflexotherapy to cardiology. However, no one has investigated the connection of ancient Chinese diagnostic methods with modern tools. A total of 102 patients (54 men and 48 women) with heart pathology, namely, sick-sinus syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and atrioventricular blockade, were studied using the usual instrumental methods (transesophageal electrophysiological study of the heart, echocardiography), after which they underwent Akabane thermopuncture testing as in traditional Chinese medicine. The results of cardio examination from one side of the Akabane test with that from the other side were compared by means of a multiple stepwise regression analysis. We revealed the effects on the characteristic pattern of acupuncture channel lesions inherent in a definite heart pathology, i.e., the most vulnerable acupuncture channel (AC), of such factors as disturbances of the contractile, conductive, or automatic heart functions, and changes in the chambers' size or circulation volume. Сhanges in the indices of the left and the right branches of these channels usually reflect the opposing natures of the changes in these indicators, which should be considered in reflexotherapy. The main value of the Akabane test along with the use of mathematical analysis lies in early, quick, and inexpensive detection of the above-mentioned heart disturbances.

Electro-acupuncture-modulated miR-214 prevents neuronal apoptosis by targeting Bax and inhibits sodium channel Nav1.3 expression in rats after spinal cord injury

Electro-acupuncture (EA) has been proven to contribute towards neurologic and functional recoveries in spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown especially regarding the effects of preventing neuronal apoptosis and alleviating neuropathic pain involved in the development of EA. In this study, we evaluated the effect of EA treatment in an animal model of SCI using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score method, lesion volume by cresyl violet staining and neuronal apoptosis by TUNEL staining. Our results showed that EA therapy improved functional recovery, and reduced tissue loss and neuronal apoptosis after SCI. Meanwhile, we found that proapoptotic proteins (cleaved-caspase-3, 9 and cleaved-PARP) were downregulated and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was upregulated following EA. To further explore the antiapoptotic effect of EA treatment, we verified that a large set of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression were altered following EA treatment and the miR-214 was one of the miRNAs being most significantly upregulated. Importantly, we validated both apoptosis related protein Bax and pain related protein Nav1.3 as two functional targets of miR-214 in vitro and vivo. Furthermore, our data showed that EA attenuates SCI-induced Nav1.3 and Bax upregulation in injured spinal cord via upregulating miR-214. These results suggest that miR-214 played an important role after SCI in the process of EA therapy, and the miR-214 could become an attractive novel therapeutic target for the treatment of SCI.

Safety of essential bee venom pharmacopuncture as assessed in a randomized controlled double-blind trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

While bee venom (BV) pharmacopuncture use is common in Asia, frequent occurrence of allergic reactions during the treatment process is burdensome for both practitioner and patient.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study compared efficacy and safety in isolated and purified essential BV (eBV) pharmacopuncture filtered for phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and histamine sections, and original BV to the aim of promoting safe BV pharmacopuncture use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In in vitro, we examined the effect of BV and eBV on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and clinically, 20 healthy adults aged 20-40 years were randomly allocated and administered eBV 0.2mL and BV pharmacopuncture 0.2mL on left and right forearm, respectively, and physician, participant, and outcome assessor were blinded to treatment allocation. Local pain, swelling, itching, redness, wheals, and adverse reactions were recorded by timepoint.

RESULTS

eBV and BV exhibited similar inhibitory effects on NO production. Also, in comparison between eBV and BV pharmacopuncture administration areas on each forearm, eBV displayed significantly lower local pain at 24h post-administration (P=0.0062), and less swelling at 30min (P=0.0198), 2 (P=0.0028), 24 (P=0.0068), and 48h post-administration (P=0.0253). eBV also showed significantly less itching at 24 (P=0.0119), 48 (P=0.0082), and 96h (P=0.0141), while redness was significantly less at 30min (P=0.0090), 6 (P=0.0005), and 24h (P<0.0001). Time-by-treatment interactions were statistically significant for itching and redness (P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively), and all original BV pharmacopuncture administered regions showed a tendency toward more severe itching and redness in later measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

eBV and BV displayed comparable anti-inflammatory effects, and eBV pharmacopuncture presented less local allergic reactions.

Assessing knowledge about acupuncture: A survey of people with back pain in the UK

OBJECTIVES

Despite the prevalence of acupuncture treatment in the UK, and the increasing evidence of safety and effectiveness, the information presented to patients by practitioners frequently contains inaccuracies. As knowledge of treatment affects both patient decision-making and treatment outcomes, this study aimed to establish what is known about acupuncture in a sample of people who had, and had not, previously experienced acupuncture.

DESIGN

A 15-item questionnaire was constructed to assess knowledge of acupuncture.

SETTING

Online survey of people with a history of back pain.

RESULTS

202 participants completed the questionnaire. 66.8% of the sample was female and 33.2% male, with a mean age of 35 years (range 18-74 years). 87.6% had back pain in the past six months, 44.1% currently. 21.8% had previously received acupuncture, and 69.8% had previously read or heard information about acupuncture. On average participants answered 11.03 of 15 questions about acupuncture correctly (SD=2.64). Items relating to common concerns about acupuncture, acupuncture efficacy, and types of acupuncture were correctly answered by ≥80% of participants. Participants possessed less knowledge of accessibility, Government legislation, and methods of administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified key gaps in knowledge about acupuncture among patients. In particular, many participants were unaware that acupuncture is available from the UK National Health Service and that acupuncturists are not subject to statutory regulation in the UK. These knowledge gaps should be addressed in order to increase people's understanding of and access to acupuncture.

Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials

The aims of this systematic review were to study the analgesic effect of real acupuncture and to explore whether sham acupuncture (SA) type is related to the estimated effect of real acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain. Five databases were searched. The outcome was pain or disability immediately (≤1 week) following an intervention. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Meta-regression was used to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. Sixty-three studies (6382 individuals) were included. Eight condition types were included. The pooled effect size was moderate for pain relief (59 trials, 4980 individuals, SMD -0.61, 95% CI -0.76 to -0.47; P < 0.001) and large for disability improvement (31 trials, 4876 individuals, -0.77, -1.05 to -0.49; P < 0.001). In a univariate meta-regression model, sham needle location and/or depth could explain most or all heterogeneities for some conditions (e.g., shoulder pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, and fibromyalgia); however, the interactions between subgroups via these covariates were not significant (P < 0.05). Our review provided low-quality evidence that real acupuncture has a moderate effect (approximate 12-point reduction on the 100-mm visual analogue scale) on musculoskeletal pain. SA type did not appear to be related to the estimated effect of real acupuncture.

[Doubting the twirling angle of filiform needle in Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion textbooks and National Standards]

In National Standards (GB) as well as the textbooks used in TCM universities, the twirling angles of acupuncture manipulation vary a lot. By reviewing the previous editions of textbooks from 3 publication houses and comparing the relevant contents, the author calculated the arc lengths of various twirling angles based on the specification of filiform needle in National Standards (GB) and International Standards (ISO). The conclusion is that the twirling angles mentioned in National Standards (GB) and textbooks are too small and not in compliance with the clinical practice. Hence, it is not advisable to propose a rigid specific provision of twirling angle in acupuncture manipulation.

Effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in addition to physiotherapy in patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty — a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the acute effects of acupuncture with sham acupuncture on knee pain, range of motion and ambulation in patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty, when added to a standard postoperative physiotherapy programme.

Design: Prospective patient- and assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Acute inpatient physiotherapy department.

Patients: Thirty patients (24 women and 6 men) undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty were included for final analysis in the study.

Interventions: Both groups received a standard postoperative physiotherapy programme. Each patient was also given either 10 sessions of acupuncture or sham acupuncture within two weeks.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were the levels of pain at rest and at maximum after exercise measured by the numeric pain rating scale. Other outcome measures included active and passive ranges of knee motion measured by standard goniometer, and ambulation measured by the timed up-and-go test.

Results: Thirty-six patients were recruited at the start of the study with 18 patients allocated to the acupuncture group and another 18 patients to the sham acupuncture group. On postoperative day 15, there were 30 patients with complete data; three patients in each group dropped out from the study. The mean differences (95% confidence interval (CI)) in overall averages of postoperative mean pain levels were 0.4 (—0.6 to 1.3) and —0.8 (—2.0 to 0.4) at rest and at maximum respectively. There were no significant differences in the active and passive ranges of knee motion and the time for the timed up-and-go test between the two groups.

Conclusion: There is no difference between the acute effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in addition to standard postoperative physiotherapy programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

[Effects of Blood Activating Wind Dissipating Acupuncture on Blood Pressure of Prehypertension Patients]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODS

Totally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Sensorimotor Learning of Acupuncture Needle Manipulation Using Visual Feedback

Objective

Humans can acquire a wide variety of motor skills using sensory feedback pertaining to discrepancies between intended and actual movements. Acupuncture needle manipulation involves sophisticated hand movements and represents a fundamental skill for acupuncturists. We investigated whether untrained students could improve their motor performance during acupuncture needle manipulation using visual feedback (VF).

Methods

Twenty-one untrained medical students were included, randomly divided into concurrent (n = 10) and post-trial (n = 11) VF groups. Both groups were trained in simple lift/thrusting techniques during session 1, and in complicated lift/thrusting techniques in session 2 (eight training trials per session). We compared the motion patterns and error magnitudes of pre- and post-training tests.

Results

During motion pattern analysis, both the concurrent and post-trial VF groups exhibited greater improvements in motion patterns during the complicated lifting/thrusting session. In the magnitude error analysis, both groups also exhibited reduced error magnitudes during the simple lifting/thrusting session. For the training period, the concurrent VF group exhibited reduced error magnitudes across all training trials, whereas the post-trial VF group was characterized by greater error magnitudes during initial trials, which gradually reduced during later trials.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that novices can improve the sophisticated hand movements required for acupuncture needle manipulation using sensorimotor learning with VF. Use of two types of VF can be beneficial for untrained students in terms of learning how to manipulate acupuncture needles, using either automatic or cognitive processes.

[Inheritance and evolution of acupuncture manipulation techniques of Zhejiang acupuncture masters in modern times]

There are many eminent acupuncture masters in modern times in the regions of Zhejiang province, which has developed the acupuncture schools of numerous characteristics and induces the important impacts at home and abroad. Through the literature collection on the acupuncture schools in Zhejiang and the interviews to the parties involved, it has been discovered that the acupuncture manipulation techniques of acupuncture masters in modern times are specifically featured. Those techniques are developed on the basis of Neijing (Internal Classic), Jinzhenfu (Ode to Gold Needle) and Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). No matter to obey the old maxim or study by himself, every master lays the emphasis on the research and interpretation of classical theories and integrates the traditional with the modern. In the paper, the acupuncture manipulation techniques of Zhejiang acupuncture masters in modern times are stated from four aspects, named needling techniques in Internal Classic, feijingzouqi needling technique, penetrating needling technique and innovation of acupuncture manipulation.

Dry needling for the treatment of poststroke muscle spasticity: a prospective case report

BACKGROUND

Spasticity is a common symptom that can be detrimental to the quality of life and daily function of patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the use of dry needling (DN) as a novel method for the treatment of affected upper limb spasticity in a patient with chronic ischemic stroke who was admitted at the Stroke Physiotherapy Clinic.

METHODS

The pronator teres (PT), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) on the affected side were needled. The patient received deep DN for 1 session, and the duration of needling for each muscle was 1 minute. The main outcomes were the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) muscle spasticity score, and the Hmax/Mmax ratio which were measured before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 minutes after the end of needling (T2).

RESULTS

The case was a 53-year-old man with a 13-year history of right hemiparesis poststroke. After DN, the spasticity scores improved and maintained as indicated in the MMAS grades (PT 3 to 2, finger flexors 1 to 0) and the Hmax/Mmax ratio (0.39, 0. 29, and 0.32 at T0, T1, and T2, respectively). The patient was able to voluntarily extend the wrist and fingers slightly after DN. The upper limb Brunnstrom recovery stage (3 to 4) and hand function (2 to 3) improved and maintained. The passive supination increased at T1 (75°) and T2 (50°) compared to T0 (38°).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective case report presents dry needling as a novel method in neurorehabilitation for the treatment of poststroke spasticity. Further research is recommended.

[Analysis on Cheng Dan-an's educational thought in his book Chinese acupuncturology]

Mr. CHENG Dan-an, a famous acupuncture master, is the beginner of "Chengjiang Acupuncturological School" in China. This school of thought has a far-reaching impact on current acupunturological education,and its educational thought and teaching features chiefly reflect in CHENG's works. In the present paper, the authors analyze the influence of contemporary historical factors and sum up Mr. CHENG's educational thought on the basis of the written foundation, style and contents of his book Chinese Acupuncturology from four aspects (1) the role of education, (2) the process of education, (3) the teacher's and students' relationship in educational activities,and (4) the compilation of teaching materials about acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Brief discussion on the life of ZENG Tian-zhi, a follower of Chengjiang acupuncture school]

ZENG Tian-zhi, as one of the disciples of Mr. CHENG Dan-an, is considered as one of the major successors of the Chengjiang acupuncture school in the South of the Five Ridges. By collecting Mr. ZENG's works and papers as well as the interviews with his followers, his life and achievements are verified and his existing representative works are introduced. It is found out that following CHENG Dan-an's steps, ZENG Tian-zhi has practiced the medicine and performed great deeds, established schools and taught students. Also he established the first educational institution of acupuncture in Hong Kong, namely College of Scientific Acupuncture. He has traveled to many places to promote the acupuncture and cultivate a large number of acupuncturists. His works are characterized by organized edition, bringing in modern medical theory and focusing on clinic applicability.

[Exploration and practice of research-based teaching in the course of theory of Meridians and Acupoints for acupuncture and tuina specialty]

For the purpose of exploring the teaching reform model and method, also promoting the quality of talents in acupuncture and tuina field, the research-based teaching model is applied into the course of Theory of Meridians and Acupoints. This method includes two parts of teaching and learning. For teachers, they bring modern research focus and trend into teaching through questionnaire survey among students, aiming to integrate the education inside and outside class. For students, they are guided to resolve the opening, enlightening and scalable issues through consulting abundant resources of literature and database to achieve autonomous participation in the course of learning. By this teaching method, it is expected to train the student's ability of expanding their thinking, as well as discovering, analyzing and solving the problem.

[A brief talk on the embodiment of Three-Layer thought in the science of acupuncture and moxibustion]

Three-Layer thought is an important proposition in Chinese traditional philosophy. This thought embodies the Chinese people's cosmology and methodology and exerts a far-reaching influence on various aspects of Chinese culture. The embodiment of Three-Layer thought in the theory and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion from naming of acupoints, principles of treatment, needling instruments, prescription of acupoints as well as needling techniques is elaborated and briefly analyzed. Thus it illustrates the comprehensive application of Three-Layer thought in acupuncture and moxibustion through the history and the significance of Chinese traditional philosophy in the science of acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Thoughts and methods of study on acupuncture medical history: an example of Mr. MA Ji-Xing]

Mr. MA Ji-xing has devoted himself into the study of acupuncture medical history for more than 70 years. As a result, a great work of Zhenjiuxue Tongshi (see text), History of Acupuncture-Moxibustion) has been completed. The author has expensively studied for history of acupuncture medicine in time and space. Base on abundant historical materials, deliberate textual research as well as strategically situated academic view, it is considered as a masterpiece of acupuncture on real significance. It is worthwhile to note that the book has a systematic and profound explanation on Bian-stone therapy, unearthed literature relics of acupuncture, the bronze figure or illustration of acupoint as well as special topics of Japan and Korea acupuncture history. Filled several gaps of the field, and explored some significant new paths of study, it laid the groundwork for the profound study and unscramble of traditional acupuncture theory as well as the investigation of the academic history, which is considered to have a profound and persistent influence. The careful sorting and profound digging of many distinguish thoughts and methods of Mr. MA Ji-xing in the study of acupuncture medical history has significant meaning in references and enlightenment of the future research on acupuncture medical history.

Effectiveness of acupuncture to treat irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

METHODS: We searched MEDLIINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1966 to February 2013 for double-blind, placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of IBS. Studies were screened for inclusion based on randomization, controls, and measurable outcomes reported. We used the modified Jadad score for assessing the quality of the articles. STATA 11.0 and Revman 5.0 were used for meta-analysis. Publication bias was assessed by Begg’s and Egger’s tests.

RESULTS: Six randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The modified Jadad score of the articles was > 3, and five articles were of high quality. We analyzed the heterogeneity and found that these studies did not cause heterogeneity in our meta-analysis. Begg’s test showed P = 0.707 and Egger’s test showed P = 0.334. There was no publication bias in our meta-analysis (Begg’s test, P = 0.707; Egger’s test, P = 0.334). From the forest plot, the diamond was on the right side of the vertical line and did not intersect with the line. The pooled relative risk for clinical improvement with acupuncture was 1.75 (95%CI: 1.24-2.46, P = 0.001). Using the two different systems of STATA 11.0 and Revman 5.0, we confirmed the significant efficacy of acupuncture for treating IBS.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture exhibits clinically and statistically significant control of IBS symptoms.

A pluralist challenge to "integrative medicine": Feyerabend and Popper on the cognitive value of alternative medicine

This paper is a critique of 'integrative medicine' as an ideal of medical progress on the grounds that it fails to realise the cognitive value of alternative medicine. After a brief account of the cognitive value of alternative medicine, I outline the form of 'integrative medicine' defended by the late Stephen Straus, former director of the US National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Straus' account is then considered in the light of Zuzana Parusnikova's recent criticism of 'integrative medicine' and her distinction between 'cognitive' and 'opportunistic' engagement with alternative medicine. Parusnikova warns that the medical establishment is guilty of 'dogmatism' and proposes that one can usefully invoke Karl Popper's 'critical rationalism' as an antidote. Using the example of Straus, I argue that an appeal to Popper is insufficient, on the grounds that 'integrative medicine' can class as a form of cognitively-productive, critical engagement. I suggest that Parusnikova's appeal to Popper should be augmented with Paul Feyerabend's emphasis upon the role of 'radical alternatives' in maximising criticism. 'Integrative medicine' fails to maximise criticism because it 'translates' alternative medicine into the theories and terminology of allopathic medicine and so erodes its capacity to provide cognitively-valuable 'radical alternatives'. These claims are then illustrated with a discussion of 'traditional' and 'medical' acupuncture. I conclude that 'integrative medicine' fails to exploit the cognitive value of alternative medicine and so should be rejected as an ideal of medical progress.

Effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression and newly cell birth in rats

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. Caspases are essential players in apoptotic cell death both as initiators and executioners. The v-Fos FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos, c-Fos) is an immediate early gene, and Fos expression is sometimes used as a marker for stimuli-induced changes in the metabolic activity of neurons. The expressions of caspase3 and Fos are enhanced with neuroregeneration and with neuronal cell death, respectively. Cells proliferation the dentate gyrus of adult rodents is enhanced by certain pathologic events as seizures and ischemic insult, and such up-regulation of cell proliferation occurring during pathologic situations is thought to be a compensatory response to lesion-induced cell death in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the striatum and on the Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats.

METHODS

For this study, immunohistochemistry for caspase3, Fos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was performed.

RESULTS

Caspase3 expression in the striatum was increased by intrastriatal hemorrhage. Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage were also increased. Acupunctural treatment, especially at the ST36 acupoint, suppressed the intracerebral hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the stratum, and it also inhibited expression of Fos and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we have shown that acupuncture treatment has a neuroprotective effect on intrastrstriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death, and this suggests that acupuncture can aid in the recovery of the central nervous system following stroke.

Acupuncture application for neurological disorders

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture has been widely used for a range of neurological disorders. Despite its popularity, the evidence to support the use of acupuncture is contradictory.

METHODS

This review was designed to summarize and to evaluate the available evidence of acupuncture for neurological disorders.

RESULTS

Most of the reviewed studies suffer from lack of methodological rigor. Owing to paucity and poor quality of the primary studies, no firm conclusion could be drawn on the use of acupuncture for epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ataxic disorders, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury. For stroke rehabilitation, the evidence from recent high-quality trials and previous systematic reviews is not convincing.

CONCLUSION

More rigorous trials are warranted to establish acupuncture's role in neurological disorders.

Acupuncture, a promising adjunctive therapy for essential hypertension: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study assessed effects of acupuncture as an add-on to conventional antihypertensive managements such as medication or lifestyle modification for hypertensive or pre-hypertensive subjects.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Kyung Hee University Hospital. Forty-one hypertensive or pre-hypertensive (systolic BP> or =120 mmHg or diastolic BP> or =80 mmHg) volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned into real or sham acupuncture groups. The hypertensive subjects on antihypertensive medication continued their medication. Acupuncture point prescriptions were partially individualized, based on the Saam acupuncture theory. Park's sham needle method was adopted for the sham procedure. Measurements were performed at baseline, weeks 4 and 8. BP, scales of overall health and pain, and anticipation or satisfaction for the treatments, were recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty subjects completed the intervention, all of whom were on antihypertensive medication. The sham acupuncture group showed no significant change in mean BP, while the real acupuncture group showed a significant (p<0.01) decrease in mean BP after 8 weeks of intervention from 136.8/83.7 to 122.1/76.8 mmHg. Other factors showed no difference between the groups throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture seems to offer an additional benefit to the treatment of hypertensive patients.

[Effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis]

The efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment was examined on eight female patients with refractory interstitial cystitis (IC) who had been treated conservatively with hydrodistension, intravesical instillation of dimethyl sulfoxide, or oral medication. These patients had received hydrodistension on an average of 2.3±1.8 times. Moxa needles were applied to Ciliao in bladder meridian 32 and Xialiao in bladder meridian 34, and electroacupuncture was performed on Zhongliao in bladder meridian 33 at 3 Hz for 20 min once a week. The bladder condition was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), and the maximum voided volume (MVV). After 3 months, patients who showed a reduction of >2 in their VAS score, reduction of <30% of ICSI and ICPI, and increase of >100 ml MVV were considered responders. There were three responders, and after repeated therapy to maintain these effects, they no longer required hydrodistension. Two responders had no recurrence for 48 months or more. Acupuncture and moxibustion resulted in improvement in 38% of the patients (3/8) with refractory IC, and repeated therapy maintained the therapeutic effects. This therapy is traditional and relatively noninvasive. Although its precise mechanism of action is unclear, this study suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion treatment may be a complementary and alternative therapeutic option for refractory IC.

[Application of acupoint anatomy localization method with colorful tube in education of acupoint anatomy]

To seek a precise and simple method for localization of acupoint in anatomical experiment teaching. Medical bone needles were inserted into acupoints. Then, self-mode copper probe needles were thrust along the center of the bone needles to open the inner structures of acuppoints. And probe needles were replaced by colored plastic tubes. Finally, bone needles were withdrawn so as to fix the plastic tubes into the acupoints to facilitate the later cutting. This method for acupoint anatomic positioning is of low cost with accurate positioning and simple manipulation, which has advantages in strong experimental and innovative values.

[Analysis on the application and evaluation of the case-based learning of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Techniques]

The feasibility of the case-based learning (CBL) of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Techniques is discussed in the aspects of the connotation application, implementation process and effect evaluation of CBL in teaching this course. The result shows that compared with the traditional teaching model, CBL achieves the same effects on the mastery of theoretic knowledge on the techniques of acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping for the undergraduates. Moreover, CBL presentes the obvious advantages on the improvements of the ability of the manipulation selection based on the clinical symptoms and the practical manipulative skills of the students. Hence, CBL is deserved to be promoted as an experimental unit in the professional technique courses of acupuncture-moxibustion.

[Construction of inheritance way of acupuncture and moxibustion science based on tacit knowledge]

The conception and characteristics of tacit knowledge and the tacit knowledge in the science of acupuncture-moxibustion are analyzed in this paper. It is proposed that the attention should be paid to digging the tacit knowledge in the science of acupuncture-moxibustion and constructing the corresponding inheritance way, which could effectively improve the students' cultivation quality and reach the aim of talent cultivation centered on the clinical thinking ability, acupuncture operation skill and clinical innovation ability.

Acupuncture compared with placebo acupuncture in radiotherapy-induced nausea--a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

It is not known if verum (real) acupuncture is effective for nausea and vomiting (emesis) during radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We randomly treated 215 blinded cancer patients with verum: penetrating 'deqi' creating acupuncture (n = 109) or non-penetrating sham needles (n = 106) two to three times per week. The patients documented emesis daily during the radiotherapy period. Primary end point was the number of patients with at least one episode of nausea.

RESULTS

In the verum and the sham acupuncture group, 70% and 62% experienced nausea at least once during the radiotherapy period (relative risk 1.1, 95% CI 0.9-1.4) for a mean number of 10.1 and 8.7 days. Twenty five percent and 28% vomited, and 42% and 37% used antiemetic drugs at least once, respectively. Ninety-five percent in the verum acupuncture group and 96% in the sham acupuncture group believed that the treatment had been effective against nausea. In both groups, 67% experienced positive effects on relaxation, mood, sleep or pain reduction and 89% wished to receive the treatment again.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture creating deqi is not more effective than sham in radiotherapy-induced nausea, but in this study, nearly all patients in both groups experienced that the treatment was effective for nausea.

Increase in the Vagal Modulation by Acupuncture at Neiguan Point in the Healthy Subjects

Acupuncture at the Neiguan (P6) point has been shown to lessen nausea and vomiting which are related to vagal modulation. This study investigated whether acupuncture at the P6 point could improve vagal modulation by using heart rate variability analysis. We compared the heart rate variability measures of 39 subjects receiving acupuncture at the P6 point, 38 subjects receiving sham acupuncture, and 34 subjects receiving no treatment at all. The normalized high-frequency power was used as the index of vagal modulation, and the low-/high-frequency power ratio was used as the index of sympathovagal balance. The normalized high-frequency power after acupuncture increased significantly from 28.1±12.6 nu (mean±SD) to 30.7±14.1 nu in the P6 acupuncture group, but not in the sham acupuncture (30.6±13.7 nu versus 31.8±13.8 nu) or no-treatment group (30.1±15.0 nu versus 30.1±15.7 nu). In both the P6 and sham acupuncture groups, the mean RR interval (the intervals between consecutive R waves in the electrocardiogram) increased significantly after acupuncture. In the no-treatment group, there was no statistical difference in all heart rate variability measures in the initial and later sessions. In conclusion, acupuncture at the P6 point can increase vagal modulation of the subjects. This result may be helpful in the understanding of the mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture or acupressure at P6 on the lessening of nausea and vomiting in clinic.

A Comparison Between Directional and Proportional Methods in Locating Acupuncture Points Using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Korean Women

The cun measurement system, an essential and convenient method for locating acupoints, has been widely used in the practice of acupuncture. However, the traditional cun measurement methods have been criticized for their lack of reliability. In addition, new technology has become available to measure the soft tissue and bone mass independently. The present study was conducted in order to determine if one cun, measured by the directional method, is consistent with proportional methods and to investigate whether both methods can be used to locate acupoints. The lengths of bone from several parts of the body in 47 Korean women were measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. The lengths of each part of the body were compared with 3 cun measured by proportional methods, and the width of all four fingers measured at the level of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint used in the directional method. The results showed that one cun measured by the directional method was significantly different from one cun by proportional methods. The directional method is likely less dependable in locating acupoints than the proportional method.

[Teaching experience in Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion : the advantage of "training the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion before introducing meridians and acupoints"]

In term of four aspects, named "getting the familiarity", "turning to the positive action", "conquering the fear emotion" and "bringing the practice into play", the authors state that the teaching pattern, "training the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion before introducing meridians and acupoints" can vividly introduce the classical content of meridians and acupoints in the Part One of Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, exclude the repeatability of the content and improve the teaching quality. This teaching pattern enables the students mastering the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion before the practice and laying a good foundation for learning meridians and acupoints. The authors put forward the good suggestion of the teaching course arrangement of Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion to benefit the teaching reform.

[Complex treatment of patients with chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency]

Chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency is the most common manifestation of chronic diseases of the nervous system. Its main causes are hypertension and atherosclerosis. Diseases debut mainly on 5-6th decade of life. The condition prohreiyentnyy, but the degree of progression can be varied--from slow to galloping. Therefore, when studying the effectiveness of treatment programs, in our opinion, it is important to include the medical complex of different methods of reflexology.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome: diagnostics and conservative treatment]

The Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent entrapment neuropaphy of human. The Article is dedicated to diagnostics and conservative treatment this pathology. The early diagnostics and in time fixed treatment prevents the progress of the disease, raises the quality of life and allows to avoid surgical procedure. Big attention is given acupuncture reflexotherepy and infrared latherotherepy, which use raises the quality of the therapeutic influences.

[The clinic, diagnosis, complex treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy]

Distal symmetric sensory-motor diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN)--the most common variant of diabetic neuropathy, which is expressed by more than 50% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) 1 and type 2. The pathogenesis of DPN is the damaging effect of chronic hyperglycemia. Based on this key trends in the pathogenetic treatment of DPN are the normal levels of blood glucose, improved tissue perfusion and oxygen consumption, improve the rheological properties of blood, to restore normal energy balance, reducing the severity of oxidative stress.

[Reflexotherapy and evidence-based medicine]

Assessment of the role and place of nontraditional methods of treatment and reflexotherapy, widely applied in hospitals is presented in the article. Besides, we become alerted regarding not serious approach of some scientists and health service managers to reflexotherapy as a whole and to one of its methods acupuncture.

A(1)H NMR-based metabonomic study on the SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice and the effect of electro-acupuncture

A (1)H NMR-based metabonomic method was used to investigate the metabolic change of plasma in senescence-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice before and after electro-acupuncture (EA). Sixteen SAMP8 male mice (aged 8 months) were randomly divided into model group and acupuncture treatment group while the later group received EA treatment for 21 days. Eight senescence-resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice were used as the control group. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the effects of EA. All mice plasma samples obtained from different groups were analyzed by using 600 MHz (1)H nuclear magnetic resonances ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy. The data sets were analyzed by Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) to discriminate the key plasma metabolites among different groups. Results indicated that both the escape and probe tasks of SAMP8 could be improved by EA treatment. Metabonomic study showed that SAMR1 and SAMP8 were separated clearly in both CPMG_OSC_PLS and LED _OSC_PLS score plots. Interestingly, samples obtained from EA group were distributed closely to SAMR1 group in CPMG_OSC_PLS score plot, but away from SAMP8 group in LED_OSC_PLS score plot. Corresponding loading plots showed that much less lactate was seen in SAMP8 mice plasma. Other changes including higher levels of dimethylamine (DMA) Choline and α-glucose but lower levels of leucine/isoleucine, HDL, LDL/VLDL, 3-Hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), and Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were observed in the SAMP8 mice plasma than in the SAMR1. After EA treatment, the levels of lactate, DMA, choline and TMAO were improved. Results of this work can provide valuable clues to the understanding of the metabolic changes in the senile impairment of mice. It is also hoped that the methodology can be used in evaluating the effects of EA and understanding the underlying acupuncture mechanism in treating neurodegenerative diseases.