Review question Cochrane authors reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture or acupressure in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Background We wanted to know whether using acupuncture or acupressure therapy was better than receiving sham acupuncture, no treatment or currently recommended pharmaceutical medications for PMS such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs – a type of anti-depressant). Study characteristics We found five randomised...Weiterlesen

Abstract BACKGROUND: Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) is a common and debilitating side effect. Our pilot study demonstrated that acupuncture is safe and can decrease total neuropathic symptoms. However, there is lack of knowledge in which individual BIPN symptoms benefited from acupuncture. PURPOSE: To characterize individual symptoms reduced by acupuncture in patients with BIPN. METHODS: Patients with multiple myelomatreated with bortezomib who developed BIPN grade 2...Weiterlesen

Abstract Objective: Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes. In patients with PDN, greater pain intensity leads to poorer quality of life, sleep, function, and work productivity (1–3). According to the clinical practice guideline, electrical stimulation is probably effective and should be considered for the treatment of PDN (evidence level B) (4). The aim of this study is...Weiterlesen

Abstract Objective: The Department of Veterans Affairs trained primary-care providers to deliver Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a subset of auricular acupuncture, to patients. However, little is known about BFA effectiveness in group or individual sessions or repeated administrations versus singular use. The aim of this study was to examine the use and effectiveness of BFA for back pain and four pain-comorbid conditions in group and individual...Weiterlesen

Abstract Auriculotherapy has been extensively used for chronic spontaneous urticaria in China. However, the evidence of its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria is insufficient. Hence, we conducted this study to compare auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment with western medicine for the cure of chronic spontaneous urticaria. This meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment was significantly...Weiterlesen

Abstract Objective: Nail biting leads to a variety of health issues. Habit reversal treatment is a major approach to cease nail biting, but is often ineffective since patients continue to suffer from anxiety, a major trigger. This study investigated whether the potential anxiety relief provided by auricular acupressure could improve the efficacy of habit reversal treatment, as evidenced by improved stomatological and other outcomes. Methods:...Weiterlesen

Key Points Question Does acupuncture reduce joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors among postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer? Findings In this multicenter randomized clinical trial of 226 women with early-stage breast cancer, patients in the acupuncture group, compared with those in the sham acupuncture group or the waitlist control group, had significant reductions in changes in joint pain scores from baseline to 6 weeks...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the efficacy of a laser acupuncture protocol developed and applied by nurses in arterial hypertension patients. Method: randomized, multicenter, triple-blind and two-armed clinical trial. The sample consisted of 102 participants, 51 per arm, both sexes, aged between 30 and 75 years, undergoing drug therapy for a year or more, with difficulty to control blood pressure, maintaining regular measures >140×90 mmHg. Participants...Weiterlesen

Quote J. McDonald: „A recently published review on treatment guidelines and clinical practice guidelines has identified a significant surge in the number of new positive recommendations for acupuncture from a total of over 870 in 2015 to 2,189 in August 2017. These recommendations come from around the world but particularly from North America, Europe and Australasia“ Abstract INTRODUCTION: As positive evidence emerges for the use...Weiterlesen

Objectives To assess the effects of non‐pharmacological therapies for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Patients and Methods We performed a comprehensive search using multiple databases, trial registries, grey literature and conference proceedings with no restrictions on the language of publication or publication status. The date of the latest search of all databases was August 2017. We included randomised controlled trials. Inclusion criteria were men...Weiterlesen