ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of functional constipation (FC). METHODS The literature was searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture with medical treatment; no medical treatment, placeboacupuncture, and sham acupuncture in patients with FC were searched. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using standard data extraction forms. Risk of bias for each RCT was assessed using a modified Oxford 5-point quality scale. Data were pooled according to intervention andtreatmentcourse.Parametersevaluatedincluded effectiveness/invalidity, Cleveland Clinic score (CCS), colontransittime (CTT) and adverse effects. RESULTS Nineteen studies involving 1679 participants were eligible for inclusion; of these studies, 16...Weiterlesen

A Hong Kong study has found that electroacupuncture can reduce the discomfort of rectal distension, suggesting that it may be useful during colonoscopy procedures. Forty subjects scheduled for a colonoscopy were randomised to receive 45 minutes of either electroacupuncture (EA) or sham electroacupuncture (SA) (using a short stud instead of a needle) at Hegu L.I.-4, Neiguan P-6 and Zusanli ST-36. A balloon catheter attached to a barostat machine was then inserted into the subjects‘ rectum. Colorectal discomfort after each incremental pressure (4 mmHg) rise was assessed by visual analog and a four-point subjective discomfort scale. Blood beta-endorphin level was measured...Weiterlesen

Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases the clinical effective rate of the drug cefodizime for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). Xining Haihu Hospital researchers combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving both drug therapy and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients using only drug therapy. The drug control group achieved a total effective rate of 50.0%. The acupuncture plus drug treatment group achieved a total effective rate of 98.0%. The addition of acupuncture to the administration of cefodizime increases the total effective rate by 48%. The...Weiterlesen

Hunan University of Chinese Medicine researchers find acupuncture effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (indigestion). Results from the investigation demonstrate that acupuncture is effective for alleviating upper abdominal pain and burning, nausea, and belching. In a semi-protocolized clinical trial, two primary acupuncture points were proven effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (abdominal discomfort or pain with no known organic cause identifiable with endoscopy). Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture techniques were used to obtain treatment success. The total effective rates were 91.3% for upper abdominal pain, 90.62% for postprandial excess fullness, 95.45% for premature fullness, 93.33% for upper abdominal burning...Weiterlesen

Researchers find acupuncture effective and safe for the treatment of intractable hiccups (IH). In a controlled clinical trial, a total of 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received acupuncture therapy and the control group received antitussive, anesthetic, and glucocorticoid medications. The total effective rate of the acupuncture treatment group was 93.3%. The total effective rate for the drug control group was 73.3%. The total effective rate reflects all patients achieving significant positive patient outcomes. Perhaps more importantly, acupuncture produced a significantly higher complete recovery rate. Acupuncture produced a 73.33% recovery...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture relieves gastritis and is more effective than the drug ranitidine, an antihistamine. Researchers from Chenzhou First People’s Hospital investigated the efficacy of acupuncture and ranitidine for the treatment of chronic gastritis, a digestive disorder characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis causes indigestion with burning pain of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, bloating, hiccups, or tarry stools. The results of the investigation reveal that acupuncture produces significantly greater positive patient outcomes than the antihistamine medication. Acupuncture is more effective than ranitidine for reducing or eliminating gastric mucosal lesions and inflammation for patients with chronic gastritis. Gastroscopy confirms that acupuncture...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture reduces intestinal inflammation in patients with Crohn’s disease, reverses tissue damage, and improves the quality of life. Until now, how acupuncture achieves these results has gone unanswered. Researchers sought to solve this mystery and came up with concrete answers. With the help of immunohistochemistry, researchers discovered how acupuncture works for these patients. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal obstructions, abdominal masses, fatigue, nausea, mouth ulcers, and many other disruptions of the gastrointestinal system. Demographically, it disproportionately affects Scandinavians and Ashkenazim Jewish people. Crohn’s disease often affects the colon, anus, and terminal ileum...Weiterlesen

Researchers find acupuncture and herbal medicine effective for the reduction of abdominal fluid retention due to liver cirrhosis. Researchers document that acupuncture combined with moxibustion and herbal medicine enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy for patients with cirrhotic ascites (CA). Patient benefits include reduced fluid retention, improved liver function, and lower relapse rates. In addition, hospitalization durations are significantly reduced. Let’s take a look at the results and how they are achieved. Acupuncture plus moxibustion is a potent modality of therapeutic care for the alleviation of cirrhotic ascites. Researchers tested the efficacy of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to...Weiterlesen

Researchers demonstrate that acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of GERD and associated gastrointestinal diseases. Researchers conclude that acupuncture significantly reduces instances of heartburn, acid regurgitation, chest pain, and indigestion. Additionaly, the acupuncture and electroacupuncture techniques used to achieve the positive patient outcomes are easily implemented in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Acupuncture alleviates gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Based on research, investigators conclude that acupuncture produces positive patient outcomes for patients with a special type of GERD, called non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). The researchers determined that acupuncture is successful in the treatment of NERD and associated esophageal dysmotility (Liu et...Weiterlesen

Now a study has shown that electrical non-needle stimulation of Neiguan P-6 can reduce the rate of LES relaxation by 40%. Fourteen healthy (no heartburn) volunteers were treated either at Neiguan P-6 or a sham point on the hip. A separate study ruled out endorphins or enkephalins as the mechanism of action of the point stimulation by giving the volunteers naloxone, which blocks the effect of these chemicals. (Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2005; 289: G197-G201). Quelle: www.jcm.co.ukWeiterlesen