Acupuncture in Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Electroacupuncture at GB20 improves cognitive ability and synaptic plasticity via the CaM–CaMKII–CREB signaling pathway following cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats","authors":"Qing Han, Feng Wang","doi":"10.1177/09645284231202805","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284231202805","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive recovery and synaptic remodeling in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion and explore the possible mechanism. Method: Focal cerebral ischemia was modeled in healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats by MCAO. The MCAO rats were classified into four groups: sham, MCAO, MCAO + GB20 (receiving EA at GB20) and MCAO + NA (receiving EA at a “non-acupoint” location not corresponding to any traditional acupuncture point location about 10 mm above the iliac crest). Neurological deficit scores and behavior were assessed before and during the treatment. After intervention for 7 days, the hippocampus was dissected to analyze growth-associated protein (GAP)-43, synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density protein (PSD)-95 expression levels by Western blotting. Bioinformatic analysis and primary hippocampal neurons with calcium-voltage gated channel subunit alpha 1B (CACNA1B) gene overexpression were used to screen the target genes for EA against MCAO. Results: Significant amelioration of neurological deficits and learning/memory were found in MCAO + GB20 rats compared with MCAO or MCAO + NA rats. Protein levels of GAP-43, SYN and PSD-95 were significantly improved in MCAO + GB20–treated rats together with an increase in the number of synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region. CACNA1B appeared to be a target gene of EA in MCAO. There were increased mRNA levels of CACNA1B, calmodulin (CaM), Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding (CREB) and increased phosphorylation of CaM, CaMKII and CREB in the hippocampal region in MCAO + GB20 versus MCAO and MCAO + NA groups. CACNA1B overexpression modulated expression of the CaM–CaMKII–CREB axis. Conclusion: EA treatment at GB20 may ameliorate the negative effects of MCAO on cognitive function in rats by enhancing synaptic plasticity. EA treatment at GB20 may exert this neuroprotective effect by regulating the CACNA1B–CaM–CaMKII–CREB axis.","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135758937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture alleviates cognitive dysfunction and neuronal pyroptosis in septic mice.","authors":"Yan Li,&nbsp;Zhaoying Li,&nbsp;Fujuan He,&nbsp;Chenguang Qin,&nbsp;Rui Fan,&nbsp;Fangxiang Zhang,&nbsp;Bin Wang","doi":"10.1177/09645284221117847","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221117847","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sepsis is defined as organ dysfunction caused by an uncontrolled response to infection and is followed by a high incidence of cognitive dysfunction, which can severely affect patients' quality of life. Previous studies have suggested that electroacupuncture (EA) is protective against sepsis-associated cognitive dysfunction and that pyroptosis plays a vital role in cognitive function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EA on cognition and neuronal pyroptosis in a mouse model of sepsis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. Mice were randomly divided into three groups (control, CLP and CLP + EA). EA was performed at bilateral ST36 for three consecutive days after the surgery. The 7-day survival rate of each group was observed on the seventh day after the surgery. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to test cognitive function from the 8th to 12th day after the surgery. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining to determine the structural integrity of hippocampal neuronal membranes and the number of surviving neurons in the hippocampal tissues, respectively. Expression of nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1), caspase-1 and gasdermin-D (GSDM D) in hippocampal CA1 neurons was detected by Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and caspase-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the CLP group, 7-day survival rates and cognitive function were significantly improved in the CLP + EA group. After EA treatment, the integrity of the hippocampal CA1 neuronal membrane and mortality of hippocampal neurons were significantly decreased, and expression of NLRP1, caspase-1 and GSDM D was downregulated.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EA can alleviate cognitive dysfunction and neuronal pyroptosis in septic mice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"246-256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10143747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the effects of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture at LI4 and LI11 on perception thresholds: a prospective crossover trial.","authors":"Aiko Oyamaguchi,&nbsp;Hiroshi Hanamoto,&nbsp;Yoshiki Tanaka,&nbsp;Sayo Takahashi,&nbsp;Hitoshi Niwa","doi":"10.1177/09645284221131339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221131339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) on current perception thresholds (CPTs) using quantitative methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-nine healthy volunteers participated in this prospective crossover trial, in which three acupuncture methods were compared: control, MA, and EA. Acupuncture needles were inserted to a depth of 15 mm at LI4 and LI11 on the left side and retained for 30 min with or without electrical stimulation at a frequency of 2 Hz (EA and MA, respectively). The needles were removed and participants rested for 30 min. CPT in the left mental region was measured at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz, corresponding to the activation of Aβ, Aδ, and C-fibers, respectively, at four time points: baseline, T₀; 15 min after needle application, T₁; immediately after needle removal, T₂; and 30 min after needle removal, T₃. In the control session, only a sensory test was performed (without acupuncture).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant effects of time course on CPT were observed (<i>p</i> < 0.001). CPT values increased significantly at T₁, T₂, and T₃, compared with those at T₀, at all stimulation frequencies during MA and EA. Changes in CPT values with EA were not significantly greater than those with MA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both MA and EA increased the sensory thresholds of Aβ, Aδ, and C-fibers in the mental region for ⩾30 min after needle removal. Additional of electrical stimulation may not confer additional benefits over needling alone.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>UMIN000017983 (University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"206-214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9777673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of acupuncture for fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Faezeh Khodaie,&nbsp;Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi,&nbsp;Amir Hooman Kazemi,&nbsp;Baixiao Zhao","doi":"10.1177/09645284221150824","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221150824","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fatigue is experienced by more than 65% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies have supported the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving the symptoms of MS.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present research was intended to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture plus amantadine compared with amantadine alone on fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in the remission stage of the disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized controlled trial, 60 participants with RRMS suffering from fatigue were recruited and randomized equally to acupuncture (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The acupuncture group received treatment 2 to 3 times per week for 10 sessions over 4 weeks. Both the acupuncture and control groups received amantadine 100 mg daily and routine treatment with immuno-modulators. The primary outcome was the fatigue severity scale (FSS) score, which was evaluated at baseline, and after 2 and 4 weeks. The secondary outcome was the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life 54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire score, measured at baseline and the end of the 4-week treatment period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The severity of fatigue was reduced in both groups. However, after 4 weeks of treatment, the reduction of fatigue in the acupuncture group was more significant than in the control group (<i>P</i> < 0.01, mean difference (MD) = -1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.83 to -0.45). Quality of life, including mental and physical status, was significantly improved in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (<i>P</i> < 0.05, MD = 9.09, 95% CI: 0.46 to 17.73). No adverse events occurred in any of the participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Acupuncture combined with amantadine and routine care compared with amantadine and routine care alone appears to be an effective short-term treatment for reducing fatigue and enhancing quality of life, including physical function and mental status, in patients with RRMS.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"199-205"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9842629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of acupuncture on microglial polarization and the TLR4/TRIF/MyD88 pathway in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.","authors":"Lu-Xi Cao,&nbsp;Shu-Jun Lin,&nbsp;Si-Si Zhao,&nbsp;Shi-Qi Wang,&nbsp;Hai Zeng,&nbsp;Wen-An Chen,&nbsp;Zhuo-Wen Lin,&nbsp;Jia-Xu Chen,&nbsp;Ming-Min Zhu,&nbsp;Yi-Min Zhang","doi":"10.1177/09645284221108214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221108214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Neuroinflammation caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to neurological deficits. Acupuncture can inhibit neuroinflammation and promote nerve repair; however, the specific mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether acupuncture could modulate the M1 and M2 phenotypic polarization of microglia in a rat model of TBI via the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/intracellular toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) pathway.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 90 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, SPF grade, were randomly divided into a normal group, model group and acupuncture group. Each group was further divided into three subgroups (first, third, and fifth day groups) according to the treatment time (<i>n</i> = 10 rats/subgroup). We used the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) method to quantify neurological deficits before and after modeling. We used Nissl staining to observe the pathological changes in brain tissue, flow cytometry to detect the proportion of M1 and M2 polarized microglia in the injured area on the first, third and fifth day, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to examine TLR4/TRIF/MyD88 expression in microglia on the first, third and fifth day, as well as expression of the amount of binding of TLR4 with TRIF and MyD88.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to the model group, mNSS in the acupuncture group gradually decreased and pathological morphology improved. The proportion of CD11b/CD86 positive cells was decreased, while that of CD11b/CD206 was increased in the acupuncture group. Expression of IP TLR4, IP TRIF and IP MyD88 also decreased in the acupuncture group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study demonstrate that one of the mechanisms through which acupuncture mitigates neuroinflammation and promotes nerve repair in TBI rats may be inhibition of M1 phenotypic polarization and promotion of M2 phenotypic polarization through inhibition of the TLR4/TRIF/MyD88 signaling pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"235-245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9784810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of electroacupuncture on liver function in mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury: visual display by <i>in vivo</i> fluorescence imaging.","authors":"Xiao-Jing Song,&nbsp;Shu-You Wang,&nbsp;Shu-Yong Jia,&nbsp;Guang-Jun Wang,&nbsp;Wei-Bo Zhang","doi":"10.1177/09645284221125248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221125248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Acupuncture can improve the symptoms of alcohol-induced bodily injury and has been accepted by the World Health Organization. In this study, <i>in vivo</i> fluorescence imaging (IVFI) was applied to display and evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver function (LF) in mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury (cALI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>IVFI of the Cy5.5-galactosylated polylysine (Cy5.5-GP) probe targeting the liver asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) and liver indocyanine green (ICG) clearance was performed to visually evaluate the effect of EA at ST36 and BL18 on liver reserve function and hepatic metabolism in mice with cALI. In addition, changes in ASGPR expression, serum indexes of LF, and hepatic morphology were observed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After EA at ST36 and BL18, the ASGPR-targeted fluorescence signals (FS) in the liver increased significantly in cALI mice (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and exhibited relationships with liver ASGPR expression, liver ICG clearance, liver histology, and serum marker levels of LF in cALI mice undergoing EA intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>As displayed by IVFI, EA at ST36 and BL18 appears to improve liver reserve function and inhibit the development of liver injury in mice with cALI. EA may have potential as a treatment strategy to protect against ALI.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"215-223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9841013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture relieves visceral hypersensitivity through modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system.","authors":"Ning Ma,&nbsp;Xiaojing Li,&nbsp;Qiuhua Li,&nbsp;Diqi Yang,&nbsp;Shen Zhuang,&nbsp;Sha Nan,&nbsp;Ai Liu,&nbsp;Mingxing Ding,&nbsp;Yi Ding","doi":"10.1177/09645284221107699","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221107699","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively relieve visceral hypersensitivity (VH). However, its mechanisms are still unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the impact of EA on VH caused by ileitis, and whether EA relieves VH by modulating the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty male native goats were randomly divided into a saline-treated control group (Saline, n = 9) and three 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-treated VH model groups that underwent injection of TNBS into the ileal wall to induce VH and remained untreated (TNBS, n = 9) or received six sessions of EA (for 30 min every 3 days) (TNBS + EA, n = 6) or sham acupuncture (TNBS + Sham, n = 6). The visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) was measured after each EA treatment. Three goats in the Saline/TNBS groups were euthanized after 7 days for histopathological examination; the remaining 24 (n = 6/group) underwent sampling of the ileal wall, T11 spinal cord and brain nuclei/areas related to visceral regulation and ascending pain modulation system on day 22. Expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) was detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>VMR to CRD was greater in TNBS-treated goats than in saline-treated goats (p < 0.01) from day 7 to 22. After day 7, EA-treated goats showed a decreased (p < 0.05) VMR compared with untreated TNBS-exposed goats. TNBS treatment decreased CB1R and increased FAAH and MAGL expression in the ileum and related nuclei/areas; this was reversed by EA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EA ameliorates VH, probably by regulating the ECS in the intestine and nuclei/areas related to visceral regulation and descending pain modulation systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 4","pages":"224-234"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9785632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture targeting the minor salivary glands for dry mouth: a case report.","authors":"Nobuari Takakura,&nbsp;Takahiro Yamada,&nbsp;Tomohiro Tanaka,&nbsp;Marina Yokouchi,&nbsp;Miho Takayama,&nbsp;Judith M Schlaeger,&nbsp;Hiroyoshi Yajima","doi":"10.1177/09645284221131340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221131340","url":null,"abstract":"Two distressing symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are dry mouth and dry eyes, but to date no cure has been established.1 Xerostomia, caused by decreased production of saliva, leads to reduced quality of life, with oral discomfort and dryness leading to excessive drinking of fluids, difficulty speaking and weight loss due to difficulty swallowing food. Herein, we explored acupuncture as an alternative treatment approach for xerostomia in a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome who had not responded to pharmacotherapy.","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 3","pages":"192-194"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9988268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of trigger point acupuncture on pain and functional activity in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Hong Liu,&nbsp;Ya-Ping Li,&nbsp;Mei-Jin Hou,&nbsp;Wu-Jie Huang,&nbsp;Xiao-Lin Chen,&nbsp;Zhen Gao,&nbsp;Zheng Jiang","doi":"10.1177/09645284221107685","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221107685","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Trigger point (TrP) acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Evidence for the efficacy of most TrP acupuncture modalities is weak or lacking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the effect of TrP acupuncture on pain, disability, gait and muscle activation in patients with CNLBP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From May 2019 to February 2020, a randomised, single-blind clinical trial was carried out involving 33 participants with CNLBP, divided into one of two intervention groups or a control group (<i>n</i> = 11 per group). The intervention groups received TrP acupuncture or traditional acupuncture treatment three times a week for 4 weeks, and the control group remained on a waiting list and received no treatment. Pain, disability, gait and muscle activation were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At baseline, the three groups showed no significant differences in age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) or disease course (<i>p</i> ⩾ 0.05). At 4 weeks, pain was relieved (measured by visual analogue scores, <i>p</i> = 0.036) and disability was improved (reflected by lower Oswestry disability index scores, <i>p</i> = 0.029) in TrP acupuncture versus waiting list groups. Moreover, lumbar extension range of motion was increased in TrP acupuncture versus both traditional acupuncture and waiting list groups (<i>p</i> = 0.029 and <i>p</i> = 0.027, respectively). At 8 weeks, there were no significant differences in any parameter between the three groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TrP acupuncture had a significant short-term effect on pain relief and disability in patients with CNLBP, but there was no evidence of a long-term influence (at 8 weeks following the intervention). Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed for verification in the future.<b>Trial registration number:</b> ChiCTR1900022838 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 3","pages":"130-141"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9669422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in stiffness at active myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius after dry needling in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Juan Antonio Valera-Calero,&nbsp;Sandra Sánchez-Jorge,&nbsp;Jorge Buffet-García,&nbsp;Umut Varol,&nbsp;César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas,&nbsp;Javier Álvarez-González","doi":"10.1177/09645284221104831","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221104831","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objective: </strong>Since, to our knowledge, the effects of dry needling (DN) on active myofascial trigger point (MTrP) stiffness have not been analyzed previously with shear wave elastography (SWE), our aim was to compare the effects of a single session of DN and sham DN applied to the most active MTrP located in the upper trapezius muscle on clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized, double-blinded sham-controlled trial was conducted; 60 patients were randomized into an experimental (DN) or sham (sham DN) group. Baseline data including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected. SWE and pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) at the MTrP and a control point located 3 cm laterally were the main outcomes assessed before and 10 min after the interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients receiving DN interventions experienced greater increases in the control point PPTs immediately after receiving the intervention compared with sham DN (<i>p</i> < 0.05), but no differences were found for the MTrP (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Post-intervention PPT improvements were found at both locations for both groups (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No significant changes for either MTrP or control locations were found for SWE outcomes in either group (all <i>p</i>s > 0.05). No significant within-group SWE differences were found in the DN or sham DN groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A single session of DN or sham DN applied to active MTrPs located in the upper trapezius muscle produced no detectable changes in stiffness at the MTrP or control locations. Real DN induced an immediate analgesic response at both MTrP and control locations, while sham DN induced an immediate MTrP response.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>NCT04832074 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"41 3","pages":"121-129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9614864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}