Acupuncture mitigates adverse effects resulting from chemotherapy. Chongqing Tumor Institute (Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine) researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial consisting of rectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Acupuncture significantly reduced the severity of hand-foot syndrome, a known side effect of chemotherapy characterized by redness, swelling, tingling, numbness, itching, and pain of the palms and soles.
Acupuncture alleviates test anxiety. Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a clinical trial consisting of undergraduate students with test anxiety, a type of performance anxiety. The results demonstrate that acupuncture reduces pre-examination anxiety and reduces sleep disturbances. [1]
Acupuncture potentiates coronary heart disease drug therapy. Patients receiving acupuncture combined with usual care had greater positive patient outcomes than patients receiving only drug therapy. In a clinical trial conducted at Nanyang First People’s Hospital, acupuncture combined with drug therapy produced an 85% total effective for the treatment of coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease). Patients receiving only drug therapy had a 62.5% total effective rate. The researchers note that the application of acupuncture “can significantly improve blood lipids, blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram indicators in CHD patients while reducing coronary artery plaques.” [1]
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find acupuncture effective for the alleviation of post-stroke depression and the restoration of neurological functions. The research, conducted at the university’s Shuguang Affiliated Hospital, compared outcomes from two groups: acupuncture and control. Both groups received treatment according to the China Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease. This included medications to control blood pressure, improve cerebral circulation, reduce inflammation, promote neuronal regeneration, and for secondary complications such as respiratory infections and pressure sores. In addition, the acupuncture group received a pre-selected set of acupuncture points.
Research demonstrates that acupuncture plus herbs outperform hormone drugs for the treatment of irregular menstruation. A study conducted at the People’s Hospital of Zhangwu County (Liaoning) tested the efficacy of a modified version of the herbal formula Xiao Yao San combined with acupuncture. In a controlled clinical trial, the results of the combined acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy were compared with patients receiving hormonal medications.
Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find true acupuncture more effective than sham acupuncture for the relief of claustrophobia (fear in enclosed spaces). During an MRI, claustrophobia may cause severe nervousness or panic attacks and result in termination of the procedure. Usual care approaches to avoid claustrophobia include psychological methods and sedatives. [1] This study examines an integrative approach to care by using acupuncture to address this concern. The results indicate that acupuncture prior to an MRI procedure mitigates claustrophobia.
Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. Researchers at the Fujian Provincial Research Institution of Traditional Chinese Medicine conclude that acupuncture reduces myocyte (muscle cell) apoptosis while promoting the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells. Satellite cells help to repair and regenerate muscle fibers. Morgan and Partridge note that skeletal muscle satellite cells “are normally quiescent in adult muscle, but act as a reserve population of cells, able to proliferate in response to injury and give rise to regenerated muscle and to more satellite cells.” [1]
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, University of Hong Kong researchers reveal that electroacupuncture improves core functions in children with ASD, especially language comprehension and self-care ability. True acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture and only true acupuncture provided significant clinical outcomes. Based on the evidence, University of Hong Kong researchers conclude that “acupuncture might be a useful adjunctive therapy in early interventional programs for children with ASD.” [1]
Acupuncture and herbs outperform ibuprofen for menstrual pain relief. Jiangxi Maternal Health Hospital researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial comparing the effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine versus ibuprofen for the relief of menstrual related abdominal and lumbosacral pain. Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine produced a 91.7% total effective rate. Herbal medicine monotherapy produced an 86.7% total effective rate. Ibuprofen monotherapy produced a 73.3% total effective rate. The findings indicate that acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine is more effective than ibuprofen for the relief of dysmenorrhea. [1]
Acupuncture outperforms drug therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared the efficaciousness of acupuncture with donepezil drug therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [1] Acupuncture produced superior patient outcomes compared with the drug therapy. In addition, acupuncture did not produce any serious adverse effects.
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of gastric ulcers and chronic atrophic gastritis. Two independent research teams examined these digestive conditions and determined that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment modality. Let’s take a look at the first investigation.
Acupuncture combats attention deficits in insomnia patients. One of the most significant problems for people with insomnia is daytime drowsiness and inattention, leading to an increased risk of mistakes and accidents. Researchers find that acupuncture has the potential to attenuate these symptoms, as well as improving overall sleep quality. [1]
Acupuncture improves in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) success rates. Qingdao University researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial and confirmed that acupuncture reduces failed embryo implantation rates using transvaginal ultrasonography. Findings include increases in good-quality embryo rates, endometrial receptivity, improvements in serological sex hormone levels, and the addition of acupuncture to standard ovulation stimulation drug therapy reduced the adverse effect rate of the drug therapy. [1]
Acupuncture aids swallowing for post-stroke dysphagia patients. Researchers at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenyang, China) found combining acupuncture with standard functional training improves outcomes for patients with dysphagia and other symptoms following a stroke. The study outcomes included overall neurological function scores, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, water swallowing test scores, and overall efficacy. Although both groups showed improvements following four weeks of treatment, outcomes were superior across all areas in the acupuncture group. [1]
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed SB 6666, a workers acupuncture treatment bill that passed both the state senate and assembly. The bill included provisions for implementing acupuncture in the state’s workers compensation system. The bill would have allowed licensed acupuncturists to provide acupuncture treatments to injured workers.
Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases the total effective rate of drug therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 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 receiving only drug therapy. The researchers conclude that the addition of acupuncture to standard drug therapy is effective for the alleviation of relevant symptoms and the regulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) related laboratory indices (rheumatoid factor, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet, fibrinogen, and D-dimer). [1] The study was approved and funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Researchers conclude that acupuncture improves pain relief outcomes in patients receiving pain-relieving drugs after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving both pain-relieving drugs and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only pain-relieving drugs. The researchers conclude that the addition of acupuncture to a traditional drug treatment regimen significantly reduces pain intensity and frequency, the total dosage requirements for pain-relieving drugs, and mitigates relevant complications. [1]
Dangyang City Chinese Medicine Hospital researchers conclude that the addition of acupuncture and herbs to usual care improves outcomes for spinal injury paraplegia patients. The researchers assessed several parameters. Eighty-five patients with spinal injury related paraplegia were assessed based on activities of daily living, limb mobility, and factors including nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as overall clinical efficacy. The results indicate that the addition of acupuncture and herbal medicine to usual care protocols produces significantly better outcomes than usual care alone. [1]
Acupuncture and herbs improve outcomes for premature ovarian failure patients. Chongqing Banan People's Hospital researchers conclude that the addition of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) protocols significantly improves outcomes. The hospital researchers confirm that a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and HRT significantly alleviates premature ovarian failure symptoms, regulates hormone levels, and increases endometrial thickness. Based on the data, the researchers conclude that the combination of TCM therapies with HRT produces greater outcomes than HRT monotherapy.
Acupuncture increases the efficacy of drug therapy for the relief of trigeminal neuralgia by 20%. Researchers from the Affiliated Huzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University conclude that acupuncture combined with carbamazepine delivers consistent positive clinical outcomes for patients with trigeminal neuralgia, a pain disorder of the face involving the 5th cranial nerve.
