A randomized controlled trial of acupoint application for postherpetic neuralgia

Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting the supraorbital nerve for treating the ophthalmic branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients who presented at the Department of Pain, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2015 to January 2022. The patients were diagnosed with the first branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia. In total, 63 patients were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into the following two groups based on the treatment method used: the nerve block (NB) group (n = 32) and the PRF + NB group (radiofrequency group, n = 31). The visual analog scale (VAS) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and pregabalin dose were compared between the two groups before treatment, 1 week after the procedure, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the complications, such as local infection, local hematoma, and decreased visual acuity, were monitored post-treatment. No significant difference was found in terms of pretreatment age, sex, course of disease, preoperative VAS score, preoperative PSQI score, and preoperative pregabalin dose between the two groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative VAS score, PSQI score, and pregabalin dose were significantly decreased in both groups. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the two groups at each preoperative and postoperative time point (P < 0.05). The VAS score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The PSQI score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The dose of pregabalin was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the excellent rate of VAS score in the radiofrequency group was 70.96%, and the overall effective rate was 90.32%, which was higher than that in the NB group. The difference in the efficacy was statistically significant (P < 0.05). PRF targeting the supraorbital nerve can effectively control the pain in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve after herpes, enhance sleep quality, and reduce the dose of pregabalin. Thus, this study shows that PRF is safe under ultrasound guidance and is worthy of clinical application.

Chronic tonsillitis (CT) is a very common ear, nose, and throat disease worldwide, and in severe cases it can cause sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome, which can affect the patient's health and can even be life-threatening. Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy is one of the commonly used methods for treating CT with remarkable results, but more detailed reports are lacking. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy on pain, inflammatory markers, and sleep quality in adult CT patients for clinical reference. A retrospective study was performed on adult patients diagnosed with CT at our hospital between June 2019 and October 2023. Patients were categorized into a control group receiving traditional tonsillectomy and a treatment group undergoing low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy. The groups were compared in terms of baseline characteristics, surgical parameters, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire scores, inflammatory markers, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. Group differences in postoperative complications were also analyzed. There were 160 patients, 80 in the treatment group (50 males and 30 females, mean age 28.90 ± 2.46 years) and 80 in the control group (46 males, 34 females, mean age 28.89 ± 2.01 years). Differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, duration of disease, smoking history, body mass index, and other baseline characteristics were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Operation time, intraoperative bleeding, return to normal diet, and pseudomembrane detachment time in the treatment group were all significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS or SF-36 scores before treatment (p > 0.05). Post-treatment, both groups had lower VAS scores and higher SF-36 scores in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in levels of inflammatory markers before treatment (p > 0.05). Both groups showed increased levels of inflammatory markers post-treatment, but the treatment group had lower post-treatment levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hypersensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) than the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in PSQI scores before treatment (p > 0.05). Following treatment, both groups had decreased PSQI scores, with lower scores in the treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The complication rate was lower in the treatment group than in the control group, with rates of 8.75% and 23.75%, respectively (p < 0.05). Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy for adult CT patients offers advantages such as shorter surgical time, reduced intraoperative bleeding, minimal trauma, and fewer postoperative complications. This procedure significantly alleviates pain, improves quality of life, reduces levels of inflammatory markers, and enhances sleep quality.

Tongxinshu capsules in the treatment of stable angina pectoris due to qi deficiency and blood stasis in coronary heart disease: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Efficacy of Zhenjingdingzhi decoction in treating insomnia with Qi-deficiency of heart and gallbladder: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Insomnia is a common symptom in subhealthy states. In patients, long-term insomnia symptoms can lead to decreased immune function, even mental depression, thus seriously affecting quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to observe the therapeutic effect of huo li su (HLS) oral solution combined with zopiclone in the treatment of insomnia to find suitable drugs for treatment. A total of 161 patients with insomnia from January 2017 to March 2022 were selected in this retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into the observation (82 cases, receiving HLS oral solution and zopiclone) and control (79 cases, receiving zopiclone alone) groups in accordance with therapeutic drug administration. The differences in the scores of the 2 groups on the Sleep Disorder Scale (SDRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Inventory 14 (FS-14), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes before and after treatment were compared. No significant differences in age, gender, disease duration, body mass index (BMI), and other general data were found between the 2 groups (P > .05). The TCM syndrome, PSQI, FS-14, and SDRS scores before treatment of the 2 groups were not significantly different (P < .05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the TCM syndrome, PSQI, FS-14, and SDRS scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group. HLS oral solution combined with zopiclone can effectively improve insomnia symptoms and is superior to zopiclone alone.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified Huangqin Xiebai powder combined with Maxing Shigan decoction in treating Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children. Methods: Sixty pediatric patients diagnosed with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome with MPP, aged between 0 and 14 years and treated at our institution from October 2023 to January 2024, were recruited. These participants were randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups (n=30). The control group received standard medical therapy, whereas the experimental group received standard therapy supplemented with modified Huangqin Xiebai powder and Maxing Shigan decoction. Both groups underwent 7 consecutive days of treatment. Clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, laboratory indices, and adverse event rates were evaluated and compared between groups. Results: The experimental group exhibited a significantly superior clinical response rate (96.66%) relative to the control group (χ²=5.129, P=0.023). Following treatment, white blood cell (WBC) counts decreased in both groups, though without significant differences (P&gt;0.05); however, the extent of reduction was more pronounced in the experimental group. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels declined substantially in both groups, with the experimental group demonstrating notably greater improvement (P&lt;0.05). TCM syndrome scores in both groups showed significant improvement relative to baseline, with the experimental group showing more marked improvement (P&lt;0.05). No severe adverse reactions were recorded in either group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the adjunctive use of Modified Huangqin Xiebai powder and Maxing Shigan decoction significantly improved clinical response, reduced inflammation (CRP), and alleviated TCM symptoms in Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in childen, demonstrating a favorable benefit-risk profile.

<bold>Objective</bold> To explore the clinical efficacy of cervical core strengthening exercise in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. <bold>Methods</bold> A total of 168 patients with cervicogenic headache who visited Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were randomly divided into control group and treatment group using a random number table sampling method, with 84 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with conventional treatment, including taking rest, treating with therapeutic modalities, oral drugs. Therapeutic modalities included ultrashort wave, interferential current therapy, laser, magnetic therapy (15 minutes per time, once per day). On the other hand, drug therapy included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, eperisone hydrochloride and gabapentin, etc. In addition of the conventional treatment, the treatment group also participated in strengthening exercise of anterior, posterior and lateral core muscles of cervical vertebra (each movement held for 10 seconds, 20 movements at a time, and 5 sets of exercise per day) for 4 weeks. Furthermore, it was changed to 2 sets of exercise per day for 12 months. In addition, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Hamilton's Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Patients' Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale were evaluated before treatment and at 1 month, 3 months and 12 months of treatment. <bold>Results</bold> In terms of the intragroup comparison, the VAS score in control group improved at 1 month of treatment compared with that before treatment (<italic>P</italic>&amp;lt;0.05). There were no significant changes in each index at each time point (<italic>P</italic>&amp;gt;0.05). By contrast, the VAS, HAMD-17, PSQI and PGIC scores in the treatment group improved at 1 month, 3 months and 12 months of treatment compared with those before treatment (<italic>P</italic>&amp;lt;0.05). The comparison between groups showed that no significant differences were found in VAS, HAMD-17, PSQI and PGIC scores between the two groups at 1 month of treatment (<italic>P</italic>&amp;gt;0.05). Apart from that, the VAS, HAMD-17, PSQI and PGIC scores in the treatment group improved more than those in the control group at 3 months and 12 months of treatment (<italic>P</italic>&amp;lt;0.05). Specifically, at 3 months of treatment, the scores of the treatment group were VAS (2.96±1.11), HAMD-17 (25.95±5.91), PSQI (4.55±0.81), and PGIC (4.87±1.47), while the scores of the control group were VAS (5.86±1.31), HAMD-17 (36.97±7.62), PSQI (6.97±1.21), and PGIC (2.36±0.74), and the difference was statistically significant respectively (<italic>P</italic>&amp;lt;0.05). Last, at 12 months of treatment, the treatment group's VAS (1.92±0.91), HAMD-17 (21.94±7.52), PSQI (2.32±0.61), and PGIC (5.50±1.41) were better than the control group's VAS (6.97±1.01), HAMD-17 (41.38±9.02), PSQI (5.15±1.11), and PGIC (2.50±0.91), and the difference was statistically significant respectively (<italic>P</italic>&amp;lt;0.05). <bold>Conclusion</bold> The cervical core strengthening exercise will relieve pain, improve scores of mood and sleep in patients with cervicogenic headache.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment based on the principles of primary point selection, local point selection, and syndrome differentiation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients recruited from the rheumatology department of our hospital between January 2022 and January 2024 were randomly assigned to either the sham acupuncture group or the acupuncture group. The sham group received medication combined with sham acupuncture, while the acupuncture group received medication combined with acupuncture based on the principles above. Comparisons were made on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, quality of life, clinical symptoms, and inflammatory status after 4 weeks of treatment. A total of 65 patients in the acupuncture group and 66 in the sham group were analyzed. The acupuncture group showed a substantially higher total effective rate than the sham group, underscoring a significant advantage in treatment efficacy (81.56% vs. 60.61%). After treatment, the reduction in TCM syndrome scores in the acupuncture group was greater by 1.16 compared to the sham group (95% CI: 0.21-2.12). Following treatment, both groups showed notable improvements, as shown by notable decreases in their Disease Activity Score for 28 joints and Health Assessment Questionnaire ratings. The acupuncture group reported significantly lower scores than the sham group (all p < 0.05). Additionally, rheumatoid factor, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels were decreased in both groups. All of the results were statistically significant (all p < 0.05). However, the acupuncture group had significantly lower levels of these markers than the sham group. This suggests that acupuncture has a stronger therapeutic impact when treating illness. Acupuncture treatment based on primary point selection, local point selection, and syndrome differentiation significantly alleviates clinical symptoms and inflammatory states in patients with RA, thereby improving quality of life.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with modified Xiangfu Decoction in the treatment of menopausal insomnia case by liver Qi stagnation. Totally 120 cases were randomly divided into the control group(60 cases) and the treatment group(60 cases). Estazolam and acupuncture combined with modified Xiangfu Decoction were given for 16 weeks. Before and after treatment, Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI), Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score were compared between the two groups. Polysomnography monitor was used to monitor sleep progress and sleep structure. Serum LH, FSH and E_2 were determined. The clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were observed. Four cases were lost during the study. The total effective rate in the treatment group was 91.5%, which was higher than that in the control group 75.4%(P&lt;0.05). After treatment, the scores of clinical symptoms(ESS, PSQI, HAMA, TCM symptoms) in the treatment group were significantly reduced(P&lt;0.05), and lower than that in the control group(P&lt;0.05). TST, SE in the treatment group were increased(P&lt;0.05), while AWT, SL, AT in the treatment group were decreased(P&lt;0.05), and the improvement was more significant than that in the control group(P&lt;0.05). S_1 in the treatment group was decreased(P&lt;0.05), whereas S_2, S_(3+4), REM in the treatment group were increased(P&lt;0.05), and the improvement was more significant than that in the control group(P&lt;0.05). The contents of LH and FSH in the treatment group were significantly reduced(P&lt;0.05), while the content of E_2 was significantly increased(P&lt;0.05), and the changes were more significant than those in the control group(P&lt;0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the control group was 8.8%, which was higher than 1.7% in the treatment group(P&lt;0.05). Acupuncture combined with modified Xiangfu Decoction could significantly improve the sleep status of menopausal insomnia cases caused by liver Qi stagnation, with a lower incidence of adverse reactions, and so is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Efficacy and safety of Qingfei Huatan formula in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Fuzheng-Huayu formula (FZHY), a Chinese herbal mixture prescription, has been proven effective in treating liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in both clinical trials and animal experiments. In this study we assessed the metabolic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome-based FZHY treatment in liver cirrhosis (LC). A total of 113 participants, including 50 healthy controls and 63 LC patients, were recruited. According to the diagnosis and differentiation of the TCM syndromes, the LC patients were classified into 5 TCM syndrome groups including the liver stagnation syndrome (LSS), spleen deficiency and damp overabundance syndrome (SDDOS), damp-heat accumulation syndrome (DHAS), liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome (LKYDS), and blood stagnation syndrome (BSS), and administered FZHY for 6 months. FZHY treatment significantly decreased serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), a biochemical marker for LC, as well as TCM syndrome scores (the TCM syndrome scores were decreased in all the groups with significant decreases in the LSS and LKYDS groups). Furthermore, FZHY treatment gradually shifted the metabolic profiles of LC patients from a pathologic state to a healthy state, especially in LC patients with LSS and LKYDS. Twenty-two differently altered metabolites (DAMs) were identified, including carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, etc with 9 DAMs in LSS patients, 9 in LKYDS patients, and 4 in other patients. The metabolic pathways involved in the conversion of amino acids and the body's detoxification process were regulated first, followed by the pathways involved in the body's energy supply process. In conclusion, the evaluation of the effect of TCM syndrome-based FZHY treatment show that FZHY has a better effect on LKYDS and LSS than on the other TCM syndromes, and the metabolic mechanisms might be involved in the increased detoxification function in LKYDS and the improvement of energy supply in LSS, which provides important evidence for the clinical application of TCM syndrome-based treatment.

Objective This study is aimed at exploring the effect of warming Yang, tonifying kidney, and removing arthralgia therapy in the treatment of cold-dampness arthralgia type ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the effects on the levels of humoral factor in human serum. Method. A total of 72 patients with cold-dampness arthralgia type AS treated in our hospital from May 2020 to June 2021 were selected and divided into the observation group (n = 36) and control group (n = 36) according to the random number table method. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and clinical signs of the two groups were compared, and the pain situation of the two groups was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were used to evaluate the spinal function and activity of the two groups, and the levels of CXC-type chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16), Dickkopf-1(DKK-1), interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), sclerostin (SOST) ,and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2) in serum of the two groups were measured. Results The total effective rate of the observation group (91.67%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (66.67%) (P < 0.05). After treatment, the degree of improvement in TCM syndrome score, clinical signs, VAS score, BASDAI, BASFI, and the levels of CXCL16, TNF-α, IL-17, DKK-1, SOST, and BMP-2 in the observation group were significantly higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion. Warming Yang, tonifying kidney, and removing arthralgia therapy had a good effect on the treatment of cold-dampness arthralgia type AS, and it could effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs, relieve pain, improve spinal motion, and relieve inflammation of patients.

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupoint application for sleep disorders in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and to contribute evidence for multimodal strategies in managing sleep-vestibular comorbidities within an integrative medicine model. A total of 120 patients with BPPV and comorbid sleep disorders were randomly assigned, using a random number table, to 1 of 3 groups (n=40 per group): (1) control group, which received canalith repositioning maneuvers alone, (2) acupoint application group, which received canalith repositioning combined with acupoint therapy, and (3) the combined treatment group, which received acupoint therapy along with CBT. Primary outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), and total traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month post-intervention. The combined treatment group demonstrated significantly greater overall clinical efficacy compared with both the acupoint application and the control group (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups in baseline PSQI, DHI, and TCM syndrome scores (P>0.05). Post-treatment evaluations revealed significant reductions in PSQI, DHI, and TCM syndrome scores in the combined treatment group compared with the other 2 groups (P<0.05). The integration of CBT with acupoint application significantly improved sleep quality, vestibular function, and overall quality of life of patients with BPPV, highlighting the synergistic benefits of this multimodal therapeutic approach.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Jieyu decoction in treating generalized anxiety disorder with stagnation-heat in liver meridian type. Methods: There were 72 cases of generalized anxiety disorders outpatient and inpatient patients, and 36 in the control and treatment group. The control group was given oral Deanxit; the treatment group was given Jieyu decoction granules, and necessary psychological counseling was given to patients in both groups. Changes in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scoring scale, Hamilton scale (HAMA), dynamic electrocardiogram heart rate variability and other indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate of the control group was 76.5%, and the total effective rate of the treatment group was 80.0%. The curative effect of the treatment group and the control group was significantly higher than that before treatment (P &lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the overall curative effect between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). The HAMA scale score of the two groups was significantly lower than that before treatment (P &lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the reduction rate of HAMA score between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). The traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (P &lt; 0.05). The traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group after 8 weeks of treatment (P &lt; 0.05). Two groups of heart rate variability in 24 h period of standard deviation between the average normal R - R (SDNN), 24 h per 5 min normal R - R period between the standard deviation (SDANN), root mean square of phase difference between adjacent R - R (RMSSD) and the number of cardiac 50 ms accounted for the percentage of the total number of cardiac (PNN50) than before treatment significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05), 8 weeks after treatment the SDNN, SDANN than the control group no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05), RMSSD,PNN50 significantly difference compared with control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Jieyu decoction has good efficacy and high safety in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder of the type of liver meridian and heat stagnation, which is suitable for clinical promotion and application.