Articles
ONLINEARTICLES 1,108
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Perspective Article2024-12-31
Acupuncture Points in Medieval European Medicine to Treat Pain and Inflammation
Alexandr Ivanov*, Ivan Dylevský, Aleš PříhodaJ Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 187-195 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.187AbstractIn 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.
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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.2024.17.6.196AbstractImportance: 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.
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Case Report2024-12-31
Auricular Acupuncture Effect on Facial Contraction via Middle Ear Muscles Reflexes
Didem ŞAHİN CEYLAN*J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2024; 17(6): 206-209 https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.206AbstractImportance: 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.
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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.2024.17.6.210AbstractImportance: 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.
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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.2024.17.6.221AbstractImportance: 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.
