Allergies
Brinkhaus, B.,
Witt, C.M.,
Jenam, S.,
Liecker, B.,
Wegscheider,
K., Willich, S.N.
(2008). Acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis: a pragmatic randomized
trial. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology, 101, 535-543.
METHODS:
Patients with allergic rhinitis were randomly allocated to receive up to 15 acupuncture
sessions during a period of 3 months or to a control group receiving no
acupuncture. All patients were allowed to receive usual medical care. RESULTS:
The results of this trial suggest that treating patients with allergic rhinitis
in routine care with additional acupuncture leads to clinically relevant and
persistent benefits.
Ng, D.K., Chow, P.Y., Ming, S.P., Hong, S.H., Lau, S., Tse,
D., Kwong, W.K., Wong, M.F., Wong, W.H., Fu, Y.M., Kwok, K.L., Li, H. & Ho,
J.C. (2004). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled
trial of acupuncture for the treatment of childhood persistent allergic
rhinitis. Pediatrics, 114, 1242-7.
METHODS: 85
children with persistent allergic rhinitis were recruited from the pediatric
outpatient clinic. They were randomized to receive either active acupuncture or
sham acupuncture. Main outcome measures included daily rhinitis scores,
symptom-free days, visual analog scale scores for immediate effects of
acupuncture, daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE
levels, nasal eosinophil counts, patients' and parents' preferences for
treatment modalities, and adverse effects. Acupuncture was performed twice per
week for both groups. RESULTS: There were significantly lower daily
rhinitis scores and more symptom-free days for the group receiving active
acupuncture, during both the treatment and follow-up periods. The visual analog
scale scores for immediate improvement after acupuncture were also
significantly better for the active acupuncture group. Numbness, headache, and
dizziness were found in both the active and sham acupuncture groups, with no
difference in incidence, and the effects were self-limiting.
Kwon, Y., Pittler, M., & Ernst, E. (2006). Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology, 45,
1331-7.
REVIEW: Systematic searches were conducted to evaluate the evidence
for the effectiveness of acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. Ten
studies demonstrated greater pain reduction in the acupuncture groups.
Wang R,
Jiang C,
Lei Z,
& Yin K.
(2007). The role of different therapeutic courses in
treating 47 cases of rheumatoid arthritis with acupuncture. Journal of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, 27, 103-105.
METHODS:
Forty-seven patients were treated with acupuncture for 6 courses and at the end
of the third and sixth course of treatment, the therapeutic effects of acupuncture
on morning rigidity, swelling and pain of joints as well as rheumatoid factor
(RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were
observed. RESULTS: More acupuncture therapeutic courses can bring about
better therapeutic results on rheumatoid arthritis.
Witt, C., Jena, S., Brinkhaus, B., Liecker, B., Wegscheider,
K., Willich, S. (2006). Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee
or hip: a randomized, controlled trial with an additional non-randomized arm. Arthritis and Rheumatology, 54, 3485-93.
METHODS: In a
randomized, controlled trial, patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis
of the knee or hip were randomly allocated to undergo up to 15 sessions of
acupuncture in a 3-month period or to a control group receiving no acupuncture.
All patients were allowed to receive usual medical care in addition to the
study treatment. Clinical OA severity (Western Ontario and McMaster
Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and health-related quality of life (Short Form
36) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months and 6 months. 357 were
randomized to the acupuncture group and 355 to the control group. RESULTS:
At 3 months, the WOMAC had improved more in the acupuncture group than the
control group. Similarly, quality of life improvements were more pronounced in
the acupuncture group versus the control group.
Hope-Allan, N., Adams, J., Sibbritt, D. & Tracy, S.
(2004). The use of acupuncture in maternity care: a pilot study evaluating the
acupuncture service in an Australian hospital antenatal clinic. Complementary Therapy and Nurses Midwifery, 10, 229-32.
METHODS: 52
women were given a questionnaire, and 71% were completed and returned. Of the
37 women who attended the acupuncture clinic, 49% had previously used at least
one form of complementary medicine/therapy. The most common reason for
treatment was physiological symptoms including back pain, symphysis pubis
dysfunction and sciatica. RESULTS: All 37 women stated that acupuncture
improved their well-being and this finding was statistically significant. These
findings are offered as a means of identifying potential issues for future
investigation in this under-researched area.
Lewis, K., & Abdi, S.
(2010). Acupuncture for lower back pain: a review. The Clinical Journal of
Pain, 26, 60-69.
METHODS: Pubmed
online search was conducted on all articles in the past 50 years related to
acupuncture efficacy in low back pain. RESULTS: Although newer studies
seem to show promise, effectiveness has not been clearly demonstrated. Further
research is needed to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying acupuncture and
to justify its clinical application.
Ratcliffe, J., Thomas, K.J., MacPherson,
H., & Brazier, J. (2006) A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture care
for persistent low back pain: cost effectiveness analysis. BMJ, 23, 626
METHODS: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of acupuncture in the
management of persistent non-specific low back pain, ten individualized
acupuncture treatments were given over three months or usual care only. RESULTS: A short course of traditional
acupuncture for persistent non-specific low back pain in primary care conferred
a modest health benefit for minor extra cost as compared with usual care.
Lu, W.,
Dean-Clower,
E., Doherty-Gilman,
A., & Rosenthal,
D.S. (2009). The value of acupuncture in
cancer care. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 22,
631-648.
REVIEW: The
evidence currently available has suggested that acupuncture is a safe and
effective therapy to manage cancer and treatment related symptoms, while giving
patients the ability to actively participate in their own care plan. The
article explains the potential benefits of acupuncture and describes the
difficulties in studying its effectiveness
Nedstrand, E., Wyon, Y., Hammar, M. & Wijma, K. (2006). Psychological well-being improves in women with breast
cancer after treatment with applied relaxation or electro-acupuncture for
vasomotor symptom. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and
Gynecology, 27, 193-9.
METHODS:
Thirty-eight breast cancer-treated postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms
were included in the study. They were randomized to either treatment with
electro-acupuncture or applied relaxation over a 12-week study period with six
months follow-up. Vasomotor symptoms were registered daily. Estimation of
general well-being was made using the Symptom Checklist, and mood using the
Mood Scale. These were applied during treatment and at follow-up. RESULTS:
Hot flushes were reduced by more than 50%. Climacteric symptoms significantly
decreased during treatment and remained so six months after treatment in both
groups. Psychological well-being significantly improved during therapy and at
follow-up visits in both groups. Mood improved significantly in the
electro-acupuncture treated group.
Taspinar, A. & Sirin, A. (2009). Effect
of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic
cancer patients in Turkey. European Journal of
Oncology Medicine, In Press.
METHODS: 34
patients with gynecologic cancer were given acupressure wristbands. RESULTS:
The findings suggested that acupressure applied to the P6 acupuncture point
with wristbands may be effective in reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and
may decrease the antiemetic use after chemotherapy.
Korinenko, Y.,
Vincent, A.,
Cutshall, S.M.,
Li, Z.,
Sundt III,
T.M. (2009). Efficacy of acupuncture in prevention of postoperative nausea in cardiac
surgery patients. The Annals of Thoracis Surgery, 88,
537-542.
METHODS: Cardiac
surgery patients were randomly assigned to receive one preoperative acupuncture
plus standard postoperative care or solely standard postoperative care.
RESULTS: The
acupuncture group had a lower incidence of nausea.
Liu, Z., Pan, P. & Ma, M. (2007). Effects of acupuncture on quality of life
in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Zhongguo
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 27, 214-6.
METHODS: One
hundred Spastic Cerebral Palsy children, 2 to 7 years old, were randomly
assigned to two groups equally. The control group was treated with
rehabilitation training using Bobath and Vojta physical training methods and
the acupuncture group treated also with the same training but with acupuncture
conducted additionally. The therapeutic course was 3-12 months arranged
according to the state of illness. RESULTS: The total effective rate,
development quotient (DQ), improvement rate of brain hypogenesis and atrophy
showed by skull CT, and recovery rate of cerebral emission computed tomography
(ECT) were all higher in the acupuncture group than those in the control group.
Wu, X., Bai, G., Wen, J. & Yang, J. (2005). Evaluation on the therapeutic effects of
digital acupoint pressure for obstetric spastic cerebral palsy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 25, 247-51.
METHODS:
Spastic cerebral palsy was treated with digital acupoint pressure therapy. Ten
indexes including intelligence, language, salivation, hand-grasping,
thumb-adduction, turnover, sitting, standing, walking, and scissors-gait were
divided into the 4 grades of normal, mild abnormal, moderate abnormal, and
severe abnormal (dysfunction), The ranges were recorded and evaluated before
and after the treatment on shoulder-abduction, elbow-extension,
wrist-extension, forearm-backward-rotation, hip-abduction,
straight-leg-lifting, knee-extension, and ankle-dorsiflexion. RESULTS: There
were significant differences before and after the treatment in the 18 items
under observation except for intelligence, with obvious improvement shown after
the treatment (P<0.01), the effective rate being 92.5%.
Wu, Y.,
Jin, Z.,
Li, K.,
Lu, Z.L.,
Wong, V.,
Han, T.L.,
Zheng, H.,
Caspi, O.,
Liu, G.,
Zeng, Y.W.,
& Zou, L.P.
(2008). Effect of
acupuncture on the brain in children with spastic cerebral palsy using
functional neuroimaging (FMRI). Journal of Child
Neurology, 23,
1267-1274.
METHODS: fMRI were performed in children with cerebral
palsy and healthy children during stimulation of a common acupoint on the left
foot. RESULTS: Signal increase and
decrease in various regions of the brain were found in both groups of children.
However, the pattern was different for the 2 groups.
Tkahashi, T. (2006). Acupuncture for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of Gastroenterology, 41, 408-17.
METHODS: 240
women at 33-35 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus in breech presentation were
randomized to receive active treatment (acupuncture plus moxibustion) or to be
assigned to the observation group. Bilateral acupuncture plus moxibustion was
applied at the BL67 acupoint (Zhiyin). The primary outcome of the study was
fetal presentation at delivery. RESULTS: At delivery, the proportion of cephalic version was lower in the
observation group than in the active-treatment group. Thus, the proportion of
Cesarean sections indicated for breech presentation was significantly lower in
the treatment group than in the observation group.
METHODS:
Participants were recruited from a nursing home caring specifically for
patients with dementia. All the subjects were assigned to an experimental
protocol and had a six-week acupressure treatment program. Baseline data were
collected in the first week. Individual treatment sessions began at the second
week of the study and lasted 15 minutes, twice a day, five days a week for four
weeks. After a treatment-free period of one week, all the subjects served as
controls undergoing a four-week control protocol consisting of companionship
and conversation. RESULTS: Comparison between the
control and experimental phases indicated significant differences between the
two groups on all outcome measures (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, daily
agitation records about physical attack, verbal and non-verbal attack and
non-physical attack) with better results found during the acupressure phase.
METHODS:
Randomized control trials were in included in which either manual acupuncture
or electroacupuncture was compared with any control procedure in subjects with
depression. Data were extracted for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven randomised comparative trials involving 509 patients were
included. The evidence is inconsistent on whether manual acupuncture is
superior to sham, and suggests that acupuncture was not superior to waiting
list. Evidence suggests that the effect of electroacupuncture may not be
significantly different from antidepressant medication. There is inconclusive
evidence on whether acupuncture has an additive effect when given as an adjunct
to antidepressant drugs.
METHODS:
Acupuncture effects were assessed in patients with diabetic bladder dysfunction.
RESULTS: Bladder compliance, maximal bladder capacity, bladder volume at desire
to void and urge to void improved over the 15-day acupuncture period.
METHODS:
Patients suffering chronic headache were randomly assigned to an acupressure
group or a muscle relaxant medication group RESULTS: Pain
scores at post-treatment assessment were significantly lower in the acupressure
group and quality of life ratings were higher and the differences remained at
6-month follow-up.
METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial plus non-randomized cohort, patients
with headache were allocated to receive up to 15 acupuncture sessions over 3
months or to a control group receiving no acupuncture during the first 3
months. RESULTS: At 3 months, the number of days with
headache decreased in the acupuncture group. Similarly, intensity of pain and
quality of life improvements were more pronounced in the acupuncture vs.
control group. Treatment success was maintained through 6 months.
METHODS: 175 patients with migraine were randomized into 3 groups. One group
received real acupuncture while subjects in the other 2 groups were treated
with sham acupuncture. Each patient received 1 session of treatment and was
observed over a period of 24 hours. The main outcome measure was the
differences in visual analog scale (VAS) scores before treatment and 0.5, 1, 2,
and 4 hours after treatment. RESULTS: Most patients in
the acupuncture group experienced complete pain relief and did not experience
recurrence or intensification of pain Real acupuncture is more effective than
sham acupuncture based on either Chinese or Western acupoints in reducing the
discomfort of acute migraine. These findings support the contention that there
are specific physiological effects that distinguish genuine acupoints from
nonacupoints.
METHODS: This pilot study used a standardized set of well-known acupuncture
points over a predetermined time interval on 26 subjects suffering from chronic
daily headache, the majority being migraines. Headache calendars and validated
measurements were compared 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after the acupuncture
intervention. RESULTS: Results showed continued
improvements 12 weeks after the last treatment. Traditionally, acupuncture
treatments are individualized at each visit. However the absence of a
standardized treatment regimen obstructs data reproducibility across the
discipline. A standardized approach may be useful.
METHODS:
Activity in the prefrontal cortex caused by real acupuncture and sham
acupuncture was measured with optical topography. RESULTS: Analysis of heart rate variability revealed a decrease of the LF/HF ratio, and an increase of the HF power by real acupuncture,
indicating a shift to parasympathetic dominancy. Acupuncture also caused
cerebral blood oxygenation changes in both directions, that is, an increase
and/or a decrease of oxyhemoglobin in the bilateral prefrontal cortex.
METHODS: This
review included randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for insomnia. RESULTS: Meta-analyses showed a beneficial effect of acupuncture compared with
no and real acupressure compared with sham on insomnia. Acupuncture plus
medications had better effects than medications alone on total sleep duration.
METHODS: 209
women were assigned to one of three groups SP6 acupressure, SP6 touch, and
control group. For 30 minutes, the SP6 acupressure group received SP6
acupressure and the SP6 touch group received SP6 touch for the duration of each
uterine contraction. The Control group was encouraged to deep
breath and relax for the duration of each uterine contraction for 30
minutes. RESULTS: The rates of cesarean section were
13%, 30%, and 22% for the SP6 acupressure group, SP6 touch group, and control
group respectively. Cesarean section rates were significantly different between
the SP6 acupressure and non-SP6 acupressure group.
METHODS:
Healthy full-term parturients in the active phase of first-stage labor were
randomly assigned to either TENS on four acupuncture points (n=52) or the TENS
placebo (n=53). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain before
and 30 and 60 min after treatment. The primary outcome was the rate of VAS
score decrease in each group. A questionnaire was given at 24h post-partum to
evaluate the satisfaction of the pain relieving method and the willingness to
have the same treatment again. Mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes were
measured as secondary variables. RESULTS: The
TENS group experienced greater VAS score reduction than the TENS placebo group.
Willingness to use the same analgesic method for a future childbirth was also
significantly different.
METHODS: 127 parturient women were randomly assigned to three groups. Each group
received only one of the following treatments, LI4 and BL67 acupressure, light
skin stroking, or no treatment/conversation only. Data collected from the VAS
and external fetal monitoring strips were used for analysis. RESULTS: there was a significant difference in decreased labor pain during the
active phase of the first stage of labor among the three groups. There was no
significant difference in effectiveness of uterine contractions during the
first stage of labor among the three groups. Results of the study confirmed the
effect of LI4 and BL67 acupressure in lessening labor pain during the active
phase of the first stage of labor. There were no verified effects on uterine
contractions.
METHODS: Forty-five (45) patients receiving acupuncture were compared to
127 historical controls matched for maternal age, gestational age, parity, and
use of oxytocin (augmentation and induction were matched separately). RESULTS Acupuncture patients underwent significantly fewer cesarean sections.
Acupuncture during labor and delivery is well tolerated by patients and medical
staff. It should be further evaluated for its promise in potentially reducing
the incidence of cesarean section
METHODS: Seventy-five women in labor were randomly assigned to either the SP6
acupressure or SP6 touch control group. The participants were matched according
to parity, cervical dilation, labor stage, rupture of amniotic membrane, and
husband's presence during labor. There was no additional oxytocin augmentation
or administration of analgesics during the study period. Labor pain was
measured four times using a structured questionnaire, a subjective labor pain
scale before intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 30 and 60
minutes after the intervention. Length of delivery time was calculated in two
stages: from 3 cm cervical dilation to full cervical dilatation, and full cervical
dilatation to the delivery. RESULTS: There were
significant differences between the groups in subjective labor pain scores at
all time points following the intervention: immediately after the intervention;
30 minutes after the intervention; and 60 minutes after the intervention. The
total labor time was significantly shorter in the SP6 acupressure intervention
group than in the control group.
METHODS: fMRI was performed with two different paradigms including tactile
stimuli and electrical stimulation. RESULTS:
Tactile stimulation in both patients and controls produced significant
activation in primary and secondary sensory and motor cortical areas and the
cerebellum. Greater activation was present in patients than controls in the
somatosensory cortex with both the tactile task and the acupuncture point
(acupoint) stimulation. Activation was greater during the tactile than the
acupuncture stimulation in both the patients and the normal controls.
METHODS: Different durations of needle insertion have been evaluated using
functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The
stimulation of manual acupuncture with different durations induced different
effects on the central nervous system. The longer duration manual acupuncture
had the most effect.
METHODS: Patients with delayed menstrual cycle were randomly divided into a
treatment group (treated by the mind-tranquilizing and menstruation-regulating
acupuncture method) and a control group (treated by the routine acupuncture
method for delayed menstrual cycle). RESULTS: After
treatment, the therapeutic effect of the mind-tranquilizing and
menstruation-regulating acupuncture method is significantly superior to that of
the routine acupuncture method for delayed menstrual cycle.
METHODS: One
hundred fourteen migraine patients were randomized to treatment over 12 weeks
either to acupuncture (8 to 15 sessions) or metroprolol (100 to 200 mg daily).
The main outcome measure was the difference in the number of migraine days
between baseline and the weeks 9 to 12 after randomization (derived from a
headache diary). RESULTS: The proportion of responders
(reduction of migraine attacks by > or =50%) was 61% for acupuncture and 49%
for metoprolol. Both physicians and patients reported fewer adverse effects in
the acupuncture group.
METHODS: This review was designed to summarize and to evaluate the available
evidence of acupuncture for neurological disorders. RESULTS: No firm conclusion could be drawn on the use of acupuncture for
epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ataxic disorders, multiple
sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Schröder, S.,
Liepert, J., Remppis, A., & Greten, J.H. (2007). Acupuncture
treatment improves nerve conduction in peripheral neuropathy, European
Journal of Neurology, 14, 276-281.
METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two consecutive patients with PN as diagnosed by
nerve conduction studies (NCS) were evaluated over a period of 1 year. Of 47
patients who met the criteria for PN of undefined etiology, 21 patients
received acupuncture therapy according to classical Chinese Medicine as defined
by the Heidelberg Model, while 26 patients received the best medical care but
no specific treatment for PN. RESULTS: Sixteen patients
(76%) in the acupuncture group improved symptomatically and objectively as
measured by NCS, while only four patients in the control group (15%) did so.
Three patients in the acupuncture group (14%) showed no change and two patients
an aggravation (10%), whereas in the control group seven showed no change (27%)
and 15 an aggravation (58%).
METHODS:
Patients suffering myofascial shoulder pain were randomly assigned to either
needle-free or conventional needle injection acupuncture groups. RESULTS: Shoulder pain was significantly reduced by the treatment in both
groups. Patients treated by needle-free acupuncture reported less anxiety, less
discomfort and fewer adverse events.
Kelly, R.B. (2009). Acupuncture for
pain. American Family Physician, 80, 481-484.
REVIEW: Acupuncture
benefits patients with low back pain, neck pain, migraine headaches and knee
osteoarthritis.
METHODS:
Patients received either 12 sessions of acupuncture or minimal (sham)
acupuncture (superficial needling of non-acupuncture points) over an 8 week
period. Patients were asked at baseline whether they considered acupuncture to
be an effective therapy in general and what they personally expected from the
treatment. RESULTS: A significant association
was shown between better improvement and higher outcome expectations.
METHODS: Children with acute pain received two 10- to 15-minute sessions of
acupuncture 24-48 hours apart. RESULTS: In follow-up
interviews, both parents and patients believed acupuncture helped the child's
pain.
METHODS:
Patients with Parkinson’s received scalp-acupuncture and
Madopa, or Madopa alone. RESULTS: PET
scans before and after 5 weeks of acupuncture showed increased glucose
metabolism in parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, the thalamus, and the
cerebellum in the light-diseased hemisphere, and in parietal and occipital
lobes of the severe-diseased hemisphere. No changes were observed in the
Madopa-only group.
METHODS: Laboratory findings were reviewed on acupuncture effects on Parkinson's
disease. RESULTS: Acupuncture treatments in animal
experiments showed that acupuncture therapy increased neuroprotective including
brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
and cyclophilin A. In addition, acupuncture decreased cell death processes and
attenuated oxidative stress to substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons.
METHODS:
samples of 356 specimens (287 from 48 adult and 2 newborn cadavers and the
remaining 69 from living patients) were taken at three different levels: (1)
beneath acupoints; (2) between meridians; (3) at a distance from meridians.
Seven different stainings were performed to show the distribution of collagen
fibers, reticular fibers, mucopolysaccharides (MPS), connective tissue, nerve
threads, and blood vessels in specimens obtained from different areas. RESULTS: Some structural and biochemical discrepancies associated with acupoints
and meridians included: (1) collagen fibers; (2) nerve endings.
METHODS:
Reviews were found on postoperative sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting, and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: Results for postoperative nausea and vomiting show the most consistent
results with showing the superiority of stimulation over sham and for both
nausea and vomiting. Stimulation seemed to be superior to antiemetic medication
for nausea and equivalent for vomiting. Results for chemotherapy-induced nausea
and vomiting showed that electroacupuncture, but not manual acupuncture, was
beneficial for first-day vomiting. Acupressure was effective for first-day
nausea but not vomiting. Results for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting were
mixed.
METHODS: Healthy pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain received acupuncture
treatment from gestational week 20 (group 1) or week 26 (group 2) for a period
of 6 weeks divided into eight sessions of 30 minutes each. RESULTS: The results of POM-VAS, SF-MPQ and SF-36 showed a relief of pain in
both groups.
METHODS:
Studies were reviewed on acupuncture during pregnancy and birthing. RESULTS: Acupuncture reduced nausea during pregnancy as well as back and pelvic
pain. In addition, it induced change in breech presentation and pain relief
during labor.
METHODS:
Pregnant women with major depressive disorder were randomized to receive either
acupuncture specific for depression or one of two active controls: control
acupuncture or massage. Treatments lasted 8 weeks (12 sessions). RESULTS: Women who received acupuncture specific for depression experienced a
greater rate of decrease in symptom severity compared with the combined
controls or control acupuncture alone. They also had significantly greater response
rate than the combined controls and control acupuncture alone.
METHODS:
Smokers received real acupuncture or sham acupuncture for 2 consecutive days
after quitting smoking. RESULTS: The real
acupuncture group showed less bias towards smoking cues. The real acupuncture
group also had fewer withdrawal symptoms.
METHODS: Patients having dental extractions were randomized to auricular
acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, and intranasal midazolam and compared with a
no-treatment group. RESULTS: The auricular acupuncture
group and the midazolam group were significantly less anxious at 30 minutes
after the treatment as compared with patients in the placebo acupuncture group.
In addition, patient compliance assessed by the dentist was significantly
improved if auricular acupuncture or application of intranasal midazolam had
been performed.