Anatomical and Clinical Characteristics of Scalp Acupuncture Systems: a Scoping Review and Synthesis

Svetlana Wise^1,*, Ava Lorenc²

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(5): 159-175 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.5.159

Scalp acupuncture is a therapeutic procedure that involves inserting needles into the scalp to treat various medical conditions, including pain and neurological and psychological disorders. The inter-system variability of scalp acupuncture limits secondary analysis and evidence synthesis, delaying its inclusion into evidence-based healthcare policies and establishment as a treatment intervention recognized by Western medicine. This scoping review aimed to identify the range of scalp acupuncture systems, systematically collect and summarize information on their general, anatomical, and clinical characteristics, and build a framework for understanding scalp acupuncture systems. This review included all English-language publications on scalp acupuncture applied to treat any health condition in humans. Extensive searches were conducted across bibliographic databases, journals, trial registries, and supplementary sources. The detailed general, anatomical, and clinical application characteristics of 19 scalp acupuncture systems were extracted. Data were collected and analyzed using charting and image manipulation software. Framework synthesis was performed using the Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature Scalp Acupuncture as an a priori framework. The review revealed that the heterogeneity related to scalp acupuncture methods can be attributed to the high variability among the theoretical bases of different systems, intersystem mismatch in anatomical locations of treatment points and areas on the scalp, and inconsistencies in the methods used for locating them. These discrepancies in anatomical and clinical features have limited the synthesis and development of a framework for scalp acupuncture. Discussion and agreement on the anatomical locations of scalp stimulation areas, identification of methods for precise positioning of acupuncture areas on the scalp, and further exploration of theoretical bases will aid in the standardization of scalp acupuncture and improve the quality of research in this area.

Effect of Acupressure on Pain during Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Injection in Children Aged 5-10 Years Old - An Experimental Study

Ayushi Shashikant Gurharikar, Devendra Nagpal*, Prabhat Singh Yadav, Purva Chaudhari, Kavita Hotwani, Gagandeep Lamba

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(4): 127-132 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.4.127

Background: Acupressure, which is related to acupuncture, is a noninvasive therapy suitable for use in children. However, data examining acupressure’s effects on the pain of local anesthetic injection in children are sparse.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate acupressure’s effects on the pain of local anesthetic injection in children.Methods: This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical study included 37 5- to 10-year-olds who had an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for a mandibular extraction and were randomized to one of two groups: acupressure (study group) or non-acupressure (control group). The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) and the Sound, Eye, Motor (SEM) scale were utilized for subjective and objective pain assessment during injection.Results: The objective and subjective assessment of pain during injection significantly differed between the groups, with the acupressure group displaying lower scores.Conclusion: Acupressure at the extra one point (EX-HN1) reduced pain during IANB injection in 5- to 10-year-olds and can be used as an adjunct to conventional measures like topical anesthesia to reduce pain.

Investigation of the Effects of Acupuncture on Post-Operative Chest Pain after Open Heart Surgery

Sharareh Roshanzamir¹, Yas Haririan¹, Rezvan Ghaderpanah², Leila Sadat Mohamadi Jahromi^1,*, Alireza Dabbaghmanesh³

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(4): 133-138 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.4.133

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) accounts for more than half of all adult cardiac surgeries worldwide. Post-operative chest pain is a common CABG complication and can cause significant discomfort.Objectives: Because taking large amounts of analgesics can have many side effects, we evaluated whether acupuncture effectively reduces pain and the use of analgesics by CABG patients.Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 patients who had recently undergone CABG were randomly allocated to two groups. For both groups, exercise therapy and routine analgesics were recommended. The intervention group underwent bilateral acupuncture in distinct acupoints, including the HT3, HT4, HT5, HT6, HT7, PC3, PC5, PC6, and PC7 for 10 daily sessions constantly. Visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic use were evaluated in both groups at baseline and after completing the 10-day treatment.Results: Our analysis revealed significant decreases in the mean VAS scores in both the intervention and the control group, and that the reduction was more significant in the acupuncture group (p < 0.001). Moreover, analgesic use was significantly lower in the acupuncture group when compared with the control group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our findings highlight acupuncture as an alternative method of controlling CABG-associated post-operative chest pain and reducing the use of analgesics, which might have many side effects.

Dry Needling for Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition of Quadriceps Femoris in Patients after Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament: a Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Milad Zarrin^1,2, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari^1,3,*, Soofia Naghdi¹, Scott Hasson⁴, Bijan Forogh⁵, Mehdi Rezaee⁶

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(5): 193-202 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.5.193

Background: Dry needling (DN) is recommended as a therapeutic modality for various neuromusculoskeletal disorders. No study has been performed on the impact of DN on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study protocol is aimed to investigate the impacts of DN on AMI of quadriceps femoris, corticomotor, and spinal reflex excitability in patients with ACLR. Methods: A double-blind, between-subject, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted to measure changes in AMI after DN. Twenty-four subjects with ACLR will be recruited to receive a DN or a sham DN, providing that they met the inclusion criteria. Three sessions of DN on the quadriceps femoris will be applied during a one-week period. The primary outcome measures are the active motor threshold, motor evoked potential, and H_max – M_max ratio. The secondary outcomes are the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form questionnaire score and maximum quadriceps isometric torque. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the first session, after the third session, and at the one-month follow-up visit. Discussion: The results of this study will provide preliminary evidence regarding the effects of DN on AMI of quadriceps femoris in patients with ACLR.

Effectiveness of Pharmacopuncture Therapy in Adhesive Capsulitis: a Study Protocol for a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Hui Yan Zhao^1,2,†, Chang-Hyun Han^1,2,†, Changsop Yang², Yoon Jae Lee³, In-Hyuk Ha³, Kyoung Sun Park^4,*

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(2): 70-78 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.2.70

Background: Adhesive capsulitis is a progressive, idiopathic disorder that significantly impacts individuals̓ daily lives and increases their medical burden. Pharmacopuncture therapy, which combines acupuncture techniques with herbal medicine, involves injecting herbal extracts into specific acupoints. This study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture therapy in comparison to physiotherapy (PT) for treating adhesive capsulitis.Methods: This research protocol outlines a two-arm, parallel, multi-center, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Fifty participants will be randomly allocated to either the pharmacopuncture therapy or PT group, and they will receive 12 sessions of their respective therapies over a 6-week period. The primary outcome measure is the numeric rating scale for shoulder pain. Secondary outcomes include the visual analog scale score for shoulder pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Patients̓ Global Impression of Change score, Short Form-12 Health Survey Version 2 score, and EuroQol-5 Dimension. Statistical analysis will be conducted based on the intention-to-treat principle.Discussion: This trial may offer high-quality and reliable clinical evidence for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture therapy compared to PT in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Furthermore, this study will serve as a valuable guideline for practitioners when making clinical decisions and managing adhesive capsulitis.

Effect of Single Acupuncture Point (Liver 7) on Pain and Range of Motion on Osteoarthritis of Knee

M. Periyachishreepriya¹, P. Kumaresan^2,*, A. Naveena³, P. Prabu², M. Sendhilkumar⁴

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(1): 38-43 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.1.38

Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) is a chronic degenerative musculoskeletal disorder that strongly affects the elderly population and decreases their quality of life. Pain, stiffness, and restricted knee movements are the major characteristic features of OAK. There are no studies available on the effect of the liver 7 (LR 7) acupuncture point on pain and range of motion. Objectives: To study the effectiveness of the LR 7 acupuncture point on pain and range of motion in chronic OAK patients. Methods: Thirty-five subjects aged between 40 and 65 years were recruited from Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College, Chennai. Participants were included in the study after they fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The duration of acupuncture was 20 minutes (5 days/week) for 2 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments were performed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the degree of knee flexion and extension was measured using a goniometer. Results: Pre- and post-trial outcomes were compared using paired t-tests. LR 7 acupuncture reduced the WOMAC score from 49 to 30 (p < 0.001), indicating that pain was alleviated. Treatment increased the range of knee flexion from 110 to 115 degrees and reduced knee extension (p < 0.01) from 16 to 9 degrees (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that acupuncture treatment improved the range of knee movement. Conclusion: The present study showed that 10 sessions of LR 7 acupuncture for people with OAK significantly reduced pain and increased range of motion. We conclude that LR 7 acupuncture is an adjuvant therapy for alleviating pain and managing OAK.