In vivo studies have shown that anti-oxidant phytochemicals from Gou Qi Zi (Lycium barbarum fructus, aka Chinese wolfberry or goji berry) can protect eye tissues from oxidative damage. American researchers studying type-2 diabetic mice observed that wolfberry extract could protect retinal pigment epithelial cells from the oxidative stress caused by hyperglycaemia. The researchers have previously shown that goji berries contain high levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, polysaccharides and polyphenolics, all of which demonstrate anti-oxidant activity in vitro. On a molecular level, the extract was shown to activate AMPK (a key metabolic enzyme involved in glucose uptake and cellular energy homeostasis) and...Weiterlesen

A sham-controlled feasibility trial has found that electro-acupuncture given concurrently with radiotherapy can significantly reduce xerostomia (dry mouth) symptoms and improved quality of life. Twenty-three patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy of the head and neck were randomised to receive verum acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Patients were treated three times per week during the course of radiotherapy. Subjective xerostomia symptom scores for the acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the sham control group, starting in week three of treatment and lasting through one-month follow-up. Clinically significant differences in favour of verum acupuncture were seen at week six and...Weiterlesen

Electro-acupuncture (EA) at Zusanli ST-36 can affect oesophageal motility, report Brazilian investigators. Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent an oesophageal function test using high-resolution manometry. The test was performed in three phases: basal measurements, and 20 min after acupuncture stimulation of either Zusanli ST-3, or a sham point (five centimetres medial to ST-36), in a crossover design. The results showed that both verum and sham acupuncture resulted in a subtle change in the wave velocity of the oesophageal contraction pattern. Verum acupuncture at Zusanli ST-36, but not sham, was observed to significantly decrease lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure, suggesting a potential...Weiterlesen

A study by authors from the US Air Force has shown that battlefield auricular acupuncture (BFA) can reduce throat pain and decrease need for pain medication in patients with acute sore throat. BFA is a specific auricular acupuncture technique for acute pain, which involves placing semi-permanaent needles in five specific points on the ear: Cingulate Gyrus, Thalamus, Omega 2, Point Zero and Shenmen. In a pragmatic RCT, 54 patients received either standard treatment alone (STD) or standard treatment plus BFA. Patients receiving BFA reported lower pain scores and reported taking fewer cumulative doses of pain medication than the STD group....Weiterlesen

Akupunktur hilft Glaukompatienten durch Senkung des Augendruckes und einer verbesserten Blutzirkulation hinter dem Auge nach einer Behandlung. In der ersten Studie dieser Art haben japanische Forscher elf Patienten mit Offenwinkelglaukom behandelt und die Hämodynamik im Auge vor, während und nach Akupunktur oder nur Ruhephase untersucht. Die Akupunktur wurde einmalig für 15 min. durchgeführt, ohne Nadelmanipulation, bilateral an den Punkten Blase 2, Taiyang, Magen 2, Magen 36, Milz-Pankreas 6, Niere 3, Leber 3, Gallenblase 20, Blase 18 und Blase 23. Alle Patienten nahmen ihre bisherige Medikation weiter. Die Forscher fanden heraus, dass der Augendruck signifikant sank nach der Akupunktur. Ebenso sank...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture that elicits the sensation of deqi can improve facial muscle recovery, disability and quality of life for patients with Bell’s palsy. In a randomised controlled trial, Chinese researchers compared the efficacy of weak versus strong acupuncture stimulation in a group of 338 patients presenting with unilateral facial-nerve weakness within 168 hours of symptom onset. Patients were randomly assigned to a deqi or control group. Both groups received acupuncture based on TCM principles. Acupoints included Yangbai GB-14 (affected side), Dicang ST-4 (affected side), Jiache ST-6 (affected side), Xiaguan ST-7 (affected side), Yifeng SJ-17 (affected side) and Hegu L.I.-4 (contralateral). In...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture out-performs artificial tears in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, according to South Korean researchers. The team enrolled 150 patients with moderate to severe dry eye in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either acupuncture treatment (at Zanzhu BL-2, Yangbai GB-14, Sizhukong SJ-23, Chengqi ST-1, Fengchi GB-20, Hegu L.I.-4, Quchi L.I.-11, Yintang N-HN-3 and Shangxing DU-23), or to an active control group that received treatment with artificial tears (sodium carboxymethylcellulose), for four weeks. At the end of the treatment period both groups showed similar improvement in subjective dry eye symptom scores and quality of...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture may be effective at reducing symptom intensity in people suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS). In a preliminary single-arm trial carried out in Brazil, eight patients received 11 weekly treatments with acupuncture. Body acupoints were chosen for their effect on TCM patterns related to BMS (tonifying Kidney, clearing heat from the Blood, regulating qi and Blood, eliminating Liver fire and regulating the Spleen and Stomach), and on reducing facial pain and muscle tension. Other points were added according to individual patient presentation. These were combined with auricular points, also chosen according to TCM principles (Shenmen, Heart, Kidney, Stomach, Spleen,...Weiterlesen

Intraoperative acupuncture results in reduced pain and earlier return to eating for children undergoing tonsillectomy, according to American researchers. Fifty-nine children were randomised to receive verum or sham acupuncture during anesthesia for tonsillectomy. Home surveys of patients revealed significant improvements in pain control in the acupuncture treatment-group post-operatively and oral intake of food also occurred significantly earlier in the acupuncture treatment group. Intraoperative acupuncture for posttonsillectomy pain: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Laryngoscope. 2015 Apr 7. doi: 10.1002/lary.25252. An Israeli team has also concluded that acupuncture, as an adjunct to analgesic treatment, is an effective treatment for post-tonsillectomy pain in...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture appears to benefit glaucoma patients by decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) and improving blood circulation behind the eye. In the first study of its type, Japanese researchers enrolled eleven patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and measured eye haemodynamics before, during and after either acupuncture or rest. Acupuncture was performed once, for 15 minutes, without needle manipulation, at bilateral Zanzhu BL-2, Taiyang M-HN-9, Sibai ST-2, Zusanli ST-36, Sanyinjiao SP-6, Taixi KID-3, Taichong LIV-3, Fengchi GB-20, Ganshu BL-18 and Shenshu BL-23. All patients continued to take their medication. The researchers found that IOP decreased significantly after acupuncture. Acupuncture also resulted in decreased...Weiterlesen