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  • Perspective Article2024-12-31

    Acupuncture Points in Medieval European Medicine to Treat Pain and Inflammation

    Alexandr Ivanov*, Ivan Dylevský, Aleš Příhoda
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 187-195 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.187
    Abstract

    In the previous article, the author demonstrated the close relationship between bloodletting practices in medieval Europe and acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study aimed to explore how acupuncture-based treatment was applied in medieval Europe. The author hypothesizes that the physical stimulation of acupuncture points associated with bloodletting was one of the main methods of pain management at that time. The study examined the indications for phlebotomy as depicted in the original illustration from Practica Medicinalis written by the 15th-century Archbishop of Prague, Sigismundus Albicus, supplemented by two other European medieval medical manuscripts. A total of 76 distinct symptoms (corresponding to 25 bloodletting acupuncture points) from the Practica Medicinalis illustration were assembled into four groups: 1) Pain and inflammation symptoms; 2) Symptoms commonly associated with pain and inflammation; 3) General symptoms affecting various organs and functions; and 4) Conditions unrelated to pain or inflammation. Among the 76 symptoms and 25 acupuncture points, only nine symptoms and a single bloodletting point were not associated with the treatment of pain or inflammation. This suggests that acupuncture-based therapy was an effective method for managing pain and inflammation in the Middle Ages and that such treatment could still be valuable from a modern clinical perspective.

  • Research Article2024-12-31

    Acupressure as an Effective Method for Improving Sexual Function in Depressant Women Treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor: a Randomized Clinical Trial

    Nazir Hashemi Mohammad-Abad1, Sahar Zafari2, Seyed-Abdolvahab Taghavi2,*, Fatemeh Zafari2, Elahe Karimi2, Arezoo Hosseini2, Fatemeh Rezaei2, Marcello Iriti3, Fatemeh Bazarganipour4,*
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 196-205 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.196
    Abstract

    Importance: Sexual dysfunction in individuals suffering from depression may be both a symptom of the disorder and a side effect of antidepressants. To date, and to our knowledge, no randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupressure on sexual function in women of reproductive age who take antidepressants.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupressure on sexual function in women of reproductive age taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Methods: A randomized clinical trial with a control group. In total, 115 women taking antidepressants and suffering from sexual dysfunction were recruited from Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Yasuj, Iran. They were enrolled based on the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to either the acupressure (intervention) or control group. Pressure was applied to subjects in the intervention group at the PC6 and SP6 acupoints, and at placebo points P1 and P2 in the control group. Treatments were administered in a sitting position, twice weekly, for two months. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period.Results: The acupressure group showed significant improvements in desire, orgasm intensity, satisfaction, and total sexual function score compared with the control group (p< 0.05).Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides important evidence for supporting the use of acupressure at these specific points to improve sexual function in women taking SSRIs. Acupressure may be a practical and effective intervention for mitigating antidepressant-induced sexual function.

  • Abstract

    Importance: Auricular acupuncture (AA) regulates the function of systems or organs by stimulating specific regions of the body via efferent pathways in the central areas through the auricle. This case aims to investigate the causes of facial contractions observed during AA.Case presentation: A female patient, diagnosed with depression and refusing medication, was referred for AA. She presented to our clinic with a complaint of right-sided facial contraction triggered by high-intensity sound during AA.Conclusions and Relevance: After evaluation, a decrease in acoustic reflex thresholds of 0.5 and 1 kHz, along with right-sided facial contractions at the same sound frequencies, were detected. This case offers a new perspective on the neural pathways and connections through the auricle.

  • Clinical Study Protocol2024-12-31

    Effectiveness and Safety of Polydioxanone Thread Embedding Acupuncture Compared with Acupuncture Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: a Protocol for a Pilot, Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

    Hyun Jin Jang1,†, Chang-Hyun Han2,3,†, Ju Hyun Jeon1, Jeong Kyo Jeong1, HuiYan Zhao2,3, Changsop Yang2, Bok-Nam Seo4, Ojin Kwon2, WenShan Sun5, JinChuan Ran5, Hong Xu6, Young Il Kim1,*
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 210-220 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.210
    Abstract

    Importance: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease in aging populations. Knee OA is difficult to cure and requires ongoing management. Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a popular Korean medical treatment for knee OA. However, clinical evidence of its effectiveness and safety is insufficient.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TEA compared with acupuncture for knee OA.Design, Setting, and Population: A two-group, two-arm, parallel, single-center, randomized, controlled, and assessor-blinded pilot trial will be conducted. A total of sixty patients aged between 40 and 85 years old will be recruited.Exposures: The TEA group will receive four sessions of TEA treatment over 4 weeks. The acupuncture group will receive eight sessions of acupuncture treatment over 4 weeks. A follow-up assessment will be conducted in week 8 for both groups.Main Outcomes and Measures: Assessments will be performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be the mean change in the visual analog scale between the two groups at 4 weeks. The secondary outcomes will be the mean change in the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, knee range of motion, EuroQol 5-Dimension, patient global impression of change, and dosage of rescue medication. Statistical analysis will be conducted and the level of significance will be achieved in each variables.Results: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides a rationale for the effectiveness and safety of TEA for knee OA by comparing TEA treatment with acupuncture.

  • Clinical Study Protocol2024-12-31

    Effects of Face and Body Acupuncture on Glabellar Frown Lines in Women Aged 30-59: a Study Protocol for a Double-Arm Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial

    Hossein Haghir1,2,3, Mohammad Javad Yazdanpanah4, Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan5, Farshid Bidouei1,6, Hoda Azizi1,*
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 221-228 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.221
    Abstract

    Importance: As average life expectancy increases, the role of beauty in quality of life (QOL) becomes more important. Invasive rejuvenation methods, such as cosmetic surgery and botulinum toxin injections, do not address the underlying causes of facial aging, are expensive, and carry inherent risks. Acupuncture, as a holistic alternative, may offer a safer method for facial rejuvenation by addressing the overall health of the body.Objective: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of facial and body acupuncture in reducing frown lines in women aged 30-59 in Mashhad, Iran.Design, Setting, and Population: A total of 72 participants will be randomly allocated to intervention and control groups.Exposures: The intervention group will receive 12 sessions of face and body acupuncture over six weeks, while the control group will receive no treatment.Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome will be the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) assessed using standardized photographs. Secondary outcomes include the Subject Satisfaction Scale (SSS) and the QOL scores.Results: Outcomes will be measured at three time points: baseline (week 0), posttreatment (week 7), and follow-up (week 12).Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this trial will provide robust evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in reducing frown lines.

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Aims & Scope

The Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, open access journal featuring high-quality studies related to basic and clinical acupuncture and meridian research. of integrative biomedical research and.… + more

Journal Info

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
Vol.17 No.6
December, 2024

pISSN 2005-2901
eISSN 2093-8152

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Announcement

We are pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2025, Innovations in Acupuncture and Medicine (IAM), formerly known as the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (JAMS), will be launched. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to evolving with the academic landscape and ensuring that our journal's title accurately represents its scope and mission. As of November 1, 2024, we are no longer accepting manuscript submissions for JAMS. For future submissions to IAM, please visit our website or the BMC website. We will provide more information once the website is complete. Thank you for your continued interest in our journal.

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Most Popular Articles

    • Brief Report2023-12-31
      Abstract

      Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is an important public health issue in India. This study was performed to determine the impact of acupuncture at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 points on hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in people with IDA. One hundred women with IDA were randomly allocated to the acupuncture group (AG) or placebo control group (PCG). For 30 minutes per day, daily for 2 weeks, the AG received acupuncture at GB39, BL17, and LR13, while the PCG received needling at non-acupuncture points. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. We found a significant increase (p < 0.001) in hemoglobin level (AG 10.39-11.38 g/dl, effect size 0.785; PCG 10.58-10.40 g/dl, effect size 0.191), MCH (AG 25.69-27.50 fl, effect size 0.418; PCG 27.43-27.23 fl, effect size 0.058), and RDW (AG 15.12-16.41 fl, effect size 0.626; PCG 14.91-14.94 fl, effect size 0.017) in the AG compared to the PCG. Results suggest that needling at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 acupuncture points is more effective in treating people with IDA than needling at non-acupuncture points.

    • Review Article2023-12-31
      JAMS

      Acupuncture in Sports Medicine

      George G.A. Pujalte1,2,*, Michael Malone3, Akhil Mandavalli1, Davong David Phrathep4, Neil P. Shah5, Adam I. Perlman6
      J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(6): 239-247 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.6.239
      Abstract

      Acupuncture is gaining popularity and wider acceptance as a treatment modality within the field of sports medicine. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature pertaining to acupuncture in sports medicine to shed light on approaches utilized in acupuncture while revealing its personalized nature and its impact on athletes’ preparation, performance, and recovery. We evaluated acupuncture research in the context of medicine and sports-related injury treatment, assessing its impact on athletic performance across demographics of athletes. Athletes participating in most sports have shown positive outcomes from acupuncture interventions. Acupuncture improves peak oxygen levels, maximum heart rate, delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain, swelling, explosive force production, and joint mobility. Furthermore, the efficacy of acupuncture appears to be similar regardless of age and sex. Lastly, the acceptance of acupuncture is influenced by cultural factors, with Western and traditional East Asian cultures exhibiting distinct perspectives on its rationale and mechanisms of action. Traditional East Asian acupuncturists typically employ qi and meridian theories in their acupuncture practices, with the recent incorporation of Western concepts. Acupuncture shows promise as an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain and neuropathies in athletes across different age groups and for addressing injuries in various sports. Our comprehensive review will enhance our understanding of acupuncture’s potential as a complementary or distinct therapeutic approach compared to conventional therapies. Additionally, our review explores its specific applications within different sports and delves into the cultural dimensions involved in integrating this practice into modern sports medicine.

    • Case Report2023-04-30

      Integrative Strategy with Ayurveda and Electro-Acupuncture in Hemifacial Spasm: a Case Report

      Akshatha K Bhat1,*, Venugopalan Krishna kumar2, Jim Daniel Johnson3
      J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(2): 65-69 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.2.65
      Abstract

      We report a primary hemifacial spasm that started four years ago with sudden twitching of the face towards the right side. It was diagnosed as a hemifacial spasm by a neurologist and prescribed with Zeptol 100 mg 0.5 tablet BID for two weeks, followed by two sittings of Botox injection in a gap of 1 year. A year later, it reappeared more severely, driving her towards an integrative treatment modality. Ayurveda treatments including Nasya, Ksheera dhooma, internal medications, and Rasona navaneetha prayoga were administered. GV20, GB14, EX-HN5, ST3, ST4, ST6, TE17, LI4, and GB34 were selected for electro-acupuncture. The scores of hemifacial spasm grading and quality of life scale were 9 and 20 (before), 6 and 16 (after treatment), and 4 and 10 (follow-up after six months), respectively. This integrative approach was safe and has shown an improvement in hemifacial spasm.

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    • Review Article2023-12-31
      JAMS

      Acupuncture in Sports Medicine

      George G.A. Pujalte1,2,*, Michael Malone3, Akhil Mandavalli1, Davong David Phrathep4, Neil P. Shah5, Adam I. Perlman6
      J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(6): 239-247 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.6.239
      Abstract

      Acupuncture is gaining popularity and wider acceptance as a treatment modality within the field of sports medicine. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature pertaining to acupuncture in sports medicine to shed light on approaches utilized in acupuncture while revealing its personalized nature and its impact on athletes’ preparation, performance, and recovery. We evaluated acupuncture research in the context of medicine and sports-related injury treatment, assessing its impact on athletic performance across demographics of athletes. Athletes participating in most sports have shown positive outcomes from acupuncture interventions. Acupuncture improves peak oxygen levels, maximum heart rate, delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain, swelling, explosive force production, and joint mobility. Furthermore, the efficacy of acupuncture appears to be similar regardless of age and sex. Lastly, the acceptance of acupuncture is influenced by cultural factors, with Western and traditional East Asian cultures exhibiting distinct perspectives on its rationale and mechanisms of action. Traditional East Asian acupuncturists typically employ qi and meridian theories in their acupuncture practices, with the recent incorporation of Western concepts. Acupuncture shows promise as an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain and neuropathies in athletes across different age groups and for addressing injuries in various sports. Our comprehensive review will enhance our understanding of acupuncture’s potential as a complementary or distinct therapeutic approach compared to conventional therapies. Additionally, our review explores its specific applications within different sports and delves into the cultural dimensions involved in integrating this practice into modern sports medicine.

    • Brief Report2023-12-31
      Abstract

      Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is an important public health issue in India. This study was performed to determine the impact of acupuncture at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 points on hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in people with IDA. One hundred women with IDA were randomly allocated to the acupuncture group (AG) or placebo control group (PCG). For 30 minutes per day, daily for 2 weeks, the AG received acupuncture at GB39, BL17, and LR13, while the PCG received needling at non-acupuncture points. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. We found a significant increase (p < 0.001) in hemoglobin level (AG 10.39-11.38 g/dl, effect size 0.785; PCG 10.58-10.40 g/dl, effect size 0.191), MCH (AG 25.69-27.50 fl, effect size 0.418; PCG 27.43-27.23 fl, effect size 0.058), and RDW (AG 15.12-16.41 fl, effect size 0.626; PCG 14.91-14.94 fl, effect size 0.017) in the AG compared to the PCG. Results suggest that needling at the GB39, BL17, and LR13 acupuncture points is more effective in treating people with IDA than needling at non-acupuncture points.

    • Research Article2023-06-30

      Ziwuliuzhu Acupuncture Modulates Clock mRNA, Bmal1 mRNA and Melatonin in Insomnia Rats

      Ao Huang1, Gefang Xiao2, Yiliu Chen1, Zuying Hu1, Pin-Hsuan Lee1, Yusen Huang1, Zifeng Zhuang1, Yuling Zhang1, Peng Qing2,*, Canghuan Zhao2,*
      J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(3): 109-118 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.3.109
      Abstract

      Background: In clinics, Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture is widely considered an effective method of treating insomnia; however, there is currently limited information available regarding its possible mechanisms. Although the method of Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture possesses a unique rhythmic pattern.Objectives: In this study, we have creatively combined the traditional Chinese medicine of Ziwuliuzhu with a modern biological rhythm to investigate the internal mechanism of insomnia.Methods: Pathological tissue from the hypothalamus was analyzed using hematoxylin–eosin staining. The level of TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α in the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) area of the hypothalamus was detected in situ using the TUNEL fluorescence staining assay. The concentration of hypothalamic melatonin was detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression of Clock and Bmal1 was measured using RT-qPCR.Results: In the Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture groups, the structural damage in the hypothalamic neurons was alleviated compared to the model group and the expression of inflammatory factors was reduced. The mRNA expression levels of Clock and Bmal1 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The concentration of melatonin was significantly increased (p < 0.001). Although there were no significant differences between the treatment groups (diazepam group, Nazi group, Najia group, and routine group) (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture alleviated neuronal damage and modulated the inflammatory reaction in the hypothalamus of rats with insomnia. Moreover, Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture increased the expression levels of Clock and Bmal1 mRNA, and MT content. This study has potentially highlighted one of the mechanisms through which Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture can be used to treat insomnia.

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