OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS: Fifty-six indivi...OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS: Fifty-six individuals (16 males and 40 females), aged 60 to 82 years (mean age 72.4 + 5.0), who were experiencing pain in the shoulder, low back, or knee, participated in the study. NK cell activity, leukocyte differentiation (granulocytes and lymphocytes), pulse rate, and blood pressure values were obtained. Pain intensity was evaluated by using the visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze NK cell activity, leukocytes (granulocyte counts and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio), and the VAS score in accordance with the location of pain complaints before and after acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: NK cell activity decreased after acupuncture treatment for pain in the shoulder-pain and knee-pain groups. Further, the lymphocyte and granulocyte counts increased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain group. Pulse rate decreased for the shoulder-pain, low-back- pain, and knee-pain groups after acupuncture treatment. The VAS score decreased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain, low-back-pain, and knee-pain groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that in older adults, acupuncture treatment decreases pulse rate, relieves pain in the shoulder, low back, and knee, and reduces NK-cell activity.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the acceptability and effectiveness of acupuncture for persistent musculoskeletat pain in the elderly and assessed the conditions for a future controlled trial. METHODS: A total of...OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the acceptability and effectiveness of acupuncture for persistent musculoskeletat pain in the elderly and assessed the conditions for a future controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 60 patients, hospitalized in a geriatric hospital were enrolled. The intervention consisted of eight acupuncture sessions. The main outcome was the patient's participation rate. Regarding pain, the evaluation was based on pre- and post-treatment variations. As a high proportion of the patients had cognitive impairment, the behavioral pain scale DOLOPLUS-2 was chosen although self evaluation was used wherever possible. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 83 years. The acceptance rate was very high (89.6%) and 90% of the patients completed the entire course of treatment. After five weeks, the mean DOLOPLUS score had decreased significantly (P〈0.01). The patients reported improved sleep quality and a reduction in their anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, caregivers noticed a decrease in patient aggressiveness making care easier. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that acupuncture is highly acceptable and could be very useful in the management of chronic pain when performed in very old frail people with chronic physical and mental disability. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: NCT01043692 ClinicalTrials.gov.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the reliability of an instrument that measures disability arising from episodic abdominal pain in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD).METHODS:Although several treatments have bee...AIM:To evaluate the reliability of an instrument that measures disability arising from episodic abdominal pain in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD).METHODS:Although several treatments have been utilized to reduce pain and associated disability,measurement tools have not been developed to reliably track outcomes.Two pilot studies were conducted to assess test-retest reliability of a newly developed instrument,the recurrent abdominal pain intensity and disability(RAPID) instrument.The RAPID score is a 90-d summation of days where productivity for various daily activities is reduced as a result of abdominal pain episodes,and is modeled after the migraine disability assessment instrument used to measure headache-related disability.RAPID was administered by telephone on 2 consecutive occasions in 2 consenting populations with suspected SOD:a pre-sphincterotomy population(Pilot Ⅰ,n = 55) and a post-sphincterotomy population(Pilot Ⅱ,n = 70).RESULTS:The average RAPID scores for Pilots Ⅰ and Ⅱ were:82 d(median:81.5 d,SD:64 d) and 48 d(median:0 d,SD:91 d),respectively.The concordance between the 2 assessments for both populations was very good:0.81 for the pre-sphincterotomy population and 0.95 for the post-sphincterotomy population.CONCLUSION:The described pilot studies suggest that RAPID is a reliable instrument for measuring disability resulting from abdominal pain in suspected SOD patients.展开更多
Objective:Preterm infants are subjected to numerous painful procedures during their neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)hospitalization.Despite advancements in pain alleviation,nurses remain challenged to provide timely...Objective:Preterm infants are subjected to numerous painful procedures during their neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)hospitalization.Despite advancements in pain alleviation,nurses remain challenged to provide timely and effective pain management for preterm infants.Greater understanding of the lived experience of nurses caring for preterm infants in pain could provide novel insights to improve pain management for this vulnerable population.The aim of this meta-ethnography was to synthesize and interpret qualitative findings of nurses’experiences of taking care of preterm infants in pain.Methods:An extensive literature search in PubMed,CINAHL,PsycINFO,Scopus,BIOSIS and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Database was conducted,including studies within the past 10 years.Two nursing researchers conducted data extraction and analysis independently.Inclusion criteria were applied to search for qualitative studies of nurse participants who worked in the NICU taking care of preterm infants.Studies published in a language other than English,articles that did not include qualitative data and qualitative data that could not be extracted from the findings or did not discuss nurses’experiences were excluded.Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used for literature quality evaluation.Results:Eight studies remained after further screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.These eight studies were conducted from 2013 to 2018 and totally enrolled 205 nurses from Iran,Canada,the United States,Finland,Sweden,Switzerland,and Australia.Five themes emerged on the nurses’perspectives of taking care of preterm infants in pain:1)They sense the neonatal pain;2)Adverse consequences of unrelieved pain;3)Barriers of managing pain;4)Concerns of available approaches for pain relief;5)Failure to work with parents.Conclusions:This meta-ethnography identified nurses’understanding of pain in preterm infants that can be assessed,and they acknowledged that unrelieved pain could cause developmental deficits in infants.The barriers are lack of training and support on pain assessment and intervention in preterm infants.Optimizing workload and environment,developing age-specified pain assessment and intervention,receiving emotional support and training,and building up a rapport with parents are urgent needs for nurses to provide better care to infants having pain.展开更多
Purpose: Pain assessment is a key component of good pain management in hospitalized infants.This study aimed to translate and adapt a version of pain measurement in infants,the Premature Infant Pain Profile Revised (P...Purpose: Pain assessment is a key component of good pain management in hospitalized infants.This study aimed to translate and adapt a version of pain measurement in infants,the Premature Infant Pain Profile Revised (PIPP-R) into Indonesian.Method: The adaptation process of the measuring instrument used a modified Brislin method which included forward translation,back translation 1,group discussion 1,back translation 2,group discussion 2,and pilot testing on neonatal nurses: feasibility test,inter-rater reliability using intraclass correlation (ICC),and internal consistency using Cronbach's α coefficient.Results: The PIPP-R version in English has been translated into Indonesian.In general,nurses assessed this measuring instrument as feasible.The inter-rater reliability showed a high agreement (ICC =0.968,P=0.001) and this measuring instrument had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.856).Conclusion: The Indonesian version of PIPP-R is easy to use and shows good psychometric properties.The use of this measuring instrument will help nurses and researchers obtain accurate infant pain intensity measurement values.展开更多
Background: Pain perception may result from orthodontic treatment and should be considered in clinical management. Its assessment should not be limited to the intensity of perceived pain but should also consider the p...Background: Pain perception may result from orthodontic treatment and should be considered in clinical management. Its assessment should not be limited to the intensity of perceived pain but should also consider the psychosocial and behavioral aspects involved. Objective: The aims of this study were to adapt and validate the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) for orthodontic patients, and present a proposal to calculate an overall score of the pain-related aspects and compare these scores with the usual methodology used. Methods: Face validity of the MPI was estimated and orthodontic version (MPI-Orthodontic) was developed. Factorial validity was evaluated by confirmatory analysis. Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability were estimated. The fit of Second-Order Hierarchical Models was estimated. Concurrent validity of MPI-Orthodontic was evaluated against the Visual Analogue Scale. Invariance of the factorial models was evaluated for independent samples and according to sex and age. Overall score was calculated using the matrix of regression weights and compared to simple arithmetic mean. Results: 507 individuals (63.3% women;age: 26.32 (SD = 11.70) years) participated. For the fit of Part I (psychosocial aspects) of the MPI-Orthodontic, it added correlation between two items and excluded one item;for Part II (behavioral aspects) two items were excluded. The models presented adequate fit to the sample. Reliability was adequate. MPI-Orthodontic presented invariance for independent samples and adequate concurrent and divergent validity. Score obtained with the simple arithmetic mean was overestimated for Part I and underestimated for Part II. Conclusion: MPI-Orthodontic was valid, reliable and invariant for the evaluation of the orthodontic pain. It is recommended to calculate overall weighted scores for pain assessment.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous cervus and cucumis polypeptides for treating avascular necrosis of the femoral head(ANFH) in regard to pain and hip function in a randomized clinical tr...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous cervus and cucumis polypeptides for treating avascular necrosis of the femoral head(ANFH) in regard to pain and hip function in a randomized clinical trial.METHODS: A total of 96 subjects with ANFH who were recruited at the Orthopaedic Hospital Affiliated with Hebei United University and Qian Hai Femoral Head Hospital of Beijing were assigned by lottery to an intervention group(n = 48) or a control group(n = 48). All subjects underwent physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. In addition,subjects in the intervention group were given intravenous infusions of cervus and cucumis polypeptides. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Harris hip score,and radiography or magnetic resonance imaging were applied to assess all subjects at the beginning of treatment and 3, 6, and 9 months afterward. All the subjects were followed up for 2 years.RESULTS: At the beginning of treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the general condition of patients or the VAS and Harris hip scores(all P > 0.05). At 3, 6, and 9 months after treatment,however, the VAS score decreased and the Harris hip score increased in all patients, with the improvement of intervention group significantly greater than that of the control group(P < 0.05).The total effectiveness rates for the intervention and control groups were 89.58% and 70.83%, respectively, with the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the safety of the injections(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of cervus and cucumis polypeptides relieved pain and improved hip function of subjects with ANFH.Thus, the intravenous infusion of cervus and cucumis polypeptides was a safe, effective treatment for ANFH.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of honey mouthwash 12.5% and chlorhexidine solution 0.2% to reduce the rate of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients.METHODS: This study was a rand...OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of honey mouthwash 12.5% and chlorhexidine solution 0.2% to reduce the rate of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients.METHODS: This study was a randomized, single blind, phase Ⅲ controlled clinical trial. Sixty patients newly admitted to internal and trauma Intensive Care Units of the two educational hospitals of Sanandaj city affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenience sampling and allocated to two groups of 30 patients using random blocks design. In each group,the mouthwash was applied twice a day for four consecutive days. Swab samples were taken from the mouth and throat of all patients three times a day(pre-intervention, two days, and four days after the intervention) and then the samples were transferred onto the blood agar and eosin methylene blue(EMB) culture plates and investigated for bacterial growth and colonization after 24-48 h.RESULTS: The findings showed that oropharyngeal colonization was not significantly different between the two groups, pre-intervention, two days,and four days after the intervention(P > 0.05). Rinsing with honey mouthwash 12.5% led to the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the fourth day of the intervention in all samples.CONCLUSION: None of the studied solutions contributed to the reduction of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization. It seems that the growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the honey 12.5% mouthwash in mechanically-ventilated patients need further investigation.展开更多
BACKGROUND: An increasingly aging population implies an increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of hip or knee. It has been ascertained that unspecific hydrotherapy of OA according to Sebastian Kneipp not only...BACKGROUND: An increasingly aging population implies an increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of hip or knee. It has been ascertained that unspecific hydrotherapy of OA according to Sebastian Kneipp not only improves the range of mobility but also reduces pain significantly and increases the quality of life of the patients affected. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of hydrotherapy in comparison to conventional physiotherapy, and to analyze the feasibility of the study design under clinical circumstances. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The study design is a prospective randomized controlled three-arm clinical pilot trial, carried out at a specialist clinic for integrative medicine. Thirty patients diagnosed with symptomatic OA of hip or knee and radiologic findings were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups and a control group: hydrotherapy (group 1), physiotherapy (group 2), and both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy (group 3, control group) of the affected joint. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: pain intensity of the affected joint in the course of inpatient treatment; secondary outcome: health-related quality of life, joint-specific pain and mobility in the course of the study. RESULTS: Concerning the main outcome, intervention group 1 showed most beneficial effects in the course of inpatient treatment, followed by groups 3 and 2, and also the indirect flexion ability of hip or knee together with the general patient mobility through the "timed up and go" test were mainly improved within group 1 followed by groups 3 and 2. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study demonstrate beneficial effects of hydrotherapy. The study design is feasible. For statistically significant evidence and a robust conclusion of efficacy of Kneipp's hydrotherapy, a larger sample size is necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT 00950326.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the fatigue severity of patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue(ICF) and to compare the severity of this group with that of healthy subjects.METHODS:one hundred and nine ICF patients and 98 healt...OBJECTIVE:To analyze the fatigue severity of patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue(ICF) and to compare the severity of this group with that of healthy subjects.METHODS:one hundred and nine ICF patients and 98 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.Fatigue severity was measured using the Korean-translated Chalder fatigue severity questionnaire.All subjects scored each item on a 10-point scale as a self-rating numeric scale(NRS),and additionally rated their feeling of general fatigue by visual analogue scale(VAS).RESULTS:The total NRS scores of patients with ICF was 53 ± 15 compared with 25 ± 14 of healthy subjects(2.4 folds for physical symptoms vs.1.7 folds for mental symptoms respectively).The VAS scores of patients with ICF were 2.7 times as high as those of healthy subjects.CONCLUSION:This report is the first to compare the severity of fatigue between ICF patients and healthy subjects.This study contains reference data applicable for the management of this disorder in field of complementary and alternative medicine.展开更多
Objective:To determine whether specific neuroreflex points exist on the auricles of subjects suffering from idiopathic chronic low back pain(icLBP).Methods:Using the pressure pain test(PPT),we tested both auricles of ...Objective:To determine whether specific neuroreflex points exist on the auricles of subjects suffering from idiopathic chronic low back pain(icLBP).Methods:Using the pressure pain test(PPT),we tested both auricles of 100 patients with icLBP[as low back pain(LBP)group]and those of 100 healthy subjects[as healthy control(HC)group].Results:The average number of painful points,in the 17,18,and 19 sectors of ROMOLI M’s sectogram,and in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae(AH9),Hip(AH_(5)),and Heart of Posterior Surface(P_(1))areas according to the Chinese standardized paper,was significantly higher in the LBP group compared to the HC group(P<0.05).In particular,in the LBP group,painful points could be clearly clustered into two main areas based on anatomy,which we called L_(1) and L_(2).In all other areas and sectors of the auricle,the average number of painful points did not differ significantly between the two groups.In the LBP group,94.7%of patients had at least one painful point in the two areas.Conclusion:L_(1) and L_(2) are two specific points on the auricle that can reflect icLBP.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy in treating chronic non-specific low back pain(CNLBP).Methods:A total of 65 CNLBP patients were divided ...Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy in treating chronic non-specific low back pain(CNLBP).Methods:A total of 65 CNLBP patients were divided into two groups by the random number table method.Thirty-three cases in the treatment group were intervened by sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy;32 cases in the control group were intervened by medium-frequency electrotherapy plus exercise therapy.Before and after treatment,visual analog scale(VAS),dynamic and static muscle endurance of low back,median frequency(MF)of surface electromyography(sEMG)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to evaluate the low back function.The therapeutic efficacy was estimated after treatment.Results:The two groups each had 2 dropouts during the study.The total effective rate was 90.3%in the treatment group versus 66.7%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the VAS score,dynamic and static muscle endurance of low back,MF of sEMG and ODI score all changed significantly in both groups(all P<0.05);all the items in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy can effectively release pain in CNLBP patients,increase muscle endurance of the low back and improve the quality of life,and its therapeutic efficacy is more significant than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy plus exercise therapy.展开更多
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to・severe cancer pain,and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain.Methods:A total o...Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to・severe cancer pain,and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for an algesia accordi ng to the stan dardized man agement prin ciples for cancer pain.In addition,the observati on group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone.The treatment was performed once a day,continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course,and a total of 2 courses were performed.The score of numerical rating scale(NRS)and 24 h eq ui vale nt morphi ne consumpti on was compared betwee n the two groups before treatment,after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment.The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment.Results:During the treatment,there were 3 dropouts in the control group,and 2 dropouts in the observation group.Before the treatme nt,there were no sign ificant differe nces in the NRS score and 24 h equivale nt morphine consumpti on betwee n the two groups(both P>0.05).The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period,and there was no significant differenee in the intra-group comparison after treatment(both P>0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(both P>0.05).In the control group,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on showed an in creasi ng trend.The dosage after 1 treatme nt course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group(both P<0.01).There was no significant cha nge in the mea n 24 h equivale nt morphi ne con sumpti on in the observati on group compared with that before treatme nt(both P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatme nt,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on in the observati on group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3:CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)between the two groups(all P>0.05).After treatment the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+Z CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)in the control group were lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05),while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment,and the levels of CD3+and CD4+were significantly different from those before treatment(both P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.展开更多
Objective: To observe the effect of point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions on residual back pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), thoracolumbar function and quality of life (QOL) in patient...Objective: To observe the effect of point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions on residual back pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), thoracolumbar function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods: A total of 72 patie nts with OVCF and residual back pain after PKP were in eluded and allocated into a treatme nt group (n=36) and a control group (n=36) by the random number table. Cases in the control group received salmon calcitonin injection (miacalcic), for 1 mL each time, once a day, and oral intake of calcium carbonate D3 pill, 600 mg each time, once a day, whereas cases in the treatment group received point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions and electroacupuneture (EA) for 30 min each time, once a day and 6 times a week on the basis of the treatment in the control group. Treatment in both groups lasted for 2 weeks. Therapeutic efficacy indicators including visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Barthel index (Bl) were evaluated before and after treatment and at follow-up visit (1 month after treatment). Results: The total effective rate was 94.4% and 88.9% in the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up visit, respectively, higher than 77.8% and 69.4% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). After treatment and at the follow-up visit, the VAS and ODI scores decreased, and Bl scores in creased in both groups, and the in tra-group differe nces were statistically sign ifica nt (all P<0.05). After treatme nt and at the follow-up visit, between-group differences of VAS, ODI and Bl scores were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of conventional medication treatment, point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions has a good therapeutic effect in relieving residual back pain after PKR improving thoracolumbar function and QOL, better than conventional medication treatment alone.展开更多
Objective:To observe the short-term and long-term efficacy of acupuncture and traction plus Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)in treating discogenic low back pain(DLBP).Methods:Sixty patients were divided into an obs...Objective:To observe the short-term and long-term efficacy of acupuncture and traction plus Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)in treating discogenic low back pain(DLBP).Methods:Sixty patients were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was intervened by acupuncture and traction,while the observation group was given additional Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)practice.The intervention lasted for a total of 1 month,with a follow-up study conducted 6 months later.The visual analog scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment,and the efficacy was compared at the end of the treatment between the two groups;the relapse rate was compared at the 6-month follow-up between the two groups.Results:The pain VAS and ODI scores decreased after treatment in both groups,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05);the pain VAS and ODI scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment with statistical significance(both P<0.05).At the 6-month follow-up,the relapse rate was 10.3%in the observation group versus 48.0%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of acupuncture,traction and Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)is an effective method for DLBP and patients who received this method are less likely to relapse.展开更多
Objective To examine the effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ACUTENS)on labor pain in nulliparous women.Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Qazvi...Objective To examine the effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ACUTENS)on labor pain in nulliparous women.Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Qazvin,Iran between January and July 2018.After the screening process,144 out of 184 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention group or a control group by the block randomization method.The intervention group received ACUTENS at Hegu(LI4),Shenmen(HT7),Sanyinjiao(SP6),and Neimadian(Extra)during various stages of delivery in addition to routine labor care at the delivery room.For the control group,the same routine labor care was performed alone.The severity of pain was assessed in the two groups using the visual analog scale(VAS).The data were analyzed using R software(ver.4.0.2)and repeated measurement analysis of variance.Results ACUTENS reduced the mean score of pain intensity in the first stage of labor in the intervention group more than that in the control group(P<0.001).Also,the mean scores of pain intensity in the second stage of labor,episiotomy,and one hour after delivery in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.001).Conclusion ACUTENS at Hegu(LI4),Shenmen(HT7),Sanyinjiao(SP6),and Neimadian(Extra)can decrease the intensity of labor pain in nulliparous women.It can be used as a non-pharmacological method for reducing pain in and after labor.展开更多
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients were selected and divided into an observation ...Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received Western medicine treatment,while patients in the observation group received additional auricular point sticking.Both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Numeric rating scale(NRS)and Karnofsky performance status(KPS)were adopted before and after treatment.The total time and times of flare-up pain in 24 h were recorded.The cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels were detected.The clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated after treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);after treatment,NRS scores of both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);KPS scores of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the total time and flare-up times of pain during 24 h of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and those of the observation group were significantly less than those of the control group(both P<0.05).After treatment,the COX-2 and TNF-αlevels of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain is valid.This combined treatment can alleviate cancer pain and improve patients'quality of life,which may be related to its ability to reduce COX-2 and TNF-αlevels.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy in treating low back pain. Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by usi...Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy in treating low back pain. Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy, while the control group was by the tendon-regulating manipulation alone. The lumbar lordosis was measured by X-ray (side view), the pain was evaluated by analgesy meter, the lumbar range of motion was by using goniometer, and the function was judged by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was also observed. Results: After treatment, the pain level was significantly reduced, lumbar lordosis was significantly increased, the lumbar range of motion was markedly improved, and the ODI score significantly dropped (all P^O.05) in both groups; the improvement of each item in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (all P〈O.05). The total effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 63.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P〈0.05). Conclusion" In the treatment of low back pain, tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy can mitigate topical pain, improve the motion of low back, enhance the quality of life, and produce a more significant therapeutic efficacy compared to tendon-regulating manipulation alone.展开更多
基金supported by Tsukuba University of Technology, Promotional Projects for Advanced Education and Researchapproved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Tsukuba University of Technologythe support from the staff of the Tsukuba City Kukizaki Public Health Center
文摘OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS: Fifty-six individuals (16 males and 40 females), aged 60 to 82 years (mean age 72.4 + 5.0), who were experiencing pain in the shoulder, low back, or knee, participated in the study. NK cell activity, leukocyte differentiation (granulocytes and lymphocytes), pulse rate, and blood pressure values were obtained. Pain intensity was evaluated by using the visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze NK cell activity, leukocytes (granulocyte counts and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio), and the VAS score in accordance with the location of pain complaints before and after acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: NK cell activity decreased after acupuncture treatment for pain in the shoulder-pain and knee-pain groups. Further, the lymphocyte and granulocyte counts increased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain group. Pulse rate decreased for the shoulder-pain, low-back- pain, and knee-pain groups after acupuncture treatment. The VAS score decreased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain, low-back-pain, and knee-pain groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that in older adults, acupuncture treatment decreases pulse rate, relieves pain in the shoulder, low back, and knee, and reduces NK-cell activity.
基金the Foundation de France (NGO) for granting this study
文摘OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the acceptability and effectiveness of acupuncture for persistent musculoskeletat pain in the elderly and assessed the conditions for a future controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 60 patients, hospitalized in a geriatric hospital were enrolled. The intervention consisted of eight acupuncture sessions. The main outcome was the patient's participation rate. Regarding pain, the evaluation was based on pre- and post-treatment variations. As a high proportion of the patients had cognitive impairment, the behavioral pain scale DOLOPLUS-2 was chosen although self evaluation was used wherever possible. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 83 years. The acceptance rate was very high (89.6%) and 90% of the patients completed the entire course of treatment. After five weeks, the mean DOLOPLUS score had decreased significantly (P〈0.01). The patients reported improved sleep quality and a reduction in their anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, caregivers noticed a decrease in patient aggressiveness making care easier. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that acupuncture is highly acceptable and could be very useful in the management of chronic pain when performed in very old frail people with chronic physical and mental disability. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: NCT01043692 ClinicalTrials.gov.
基金Supported by The development of the RAPID instrument was supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, No R03 DK069328-01
文摘AIM:To evaluate the reliability of an instrument that measures disability arising from episodic abdominal pain in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD).METHODS:Although several treatments have been utilized to reduce pain and associated disability,measurement tools have not been developed to reliably track outcomes.Two pilot studies were conducted to assess test-retest reliability of a newly developed instrument,the recurrent abdominal pain intensity and disability(RAPID) instrument.The RAPID score is a 90-d summation of days where productivity for various daily activities is reduced as a result of abdominal pain episodes,and is modeled after the migraine disability assessment instrument used to measure headache-related disability.RAPID was administered by telephone on 2 consecutive occasions in 2 consenting populations with suspected SOD:a pre-sphincterotomy population(Pilot Ⅰ,n = 55) and a post-sphincterotomy population(Pilot Ⅱ,n = 70).RESULTS:The average RAPID scores for Pilots Ⅰ and Ⅱ were:82 d(median:81.5 d,SD:64 d) and 48 d(median:0 d,SD:91 d),respectively.The concordance between the 2 assessments for both populations was very good:0.81 for the pre-sphincterotomy population and 0.95 for the post-sphincterotomy population.CONCLUSION:The described pilot studies suggest that RAPID is a reliable instrument for measuring disability resulting from abdominal pain in suspected SOD patients.
文摘Objective:Preterm infants are subjected to numerous painful procedures during their neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)hospitalization.Despite advancements in pain alleviation,nurses remain challenged to provide timely and effective pain management for preterm infants.Greater understanding of the lived experience of nurses caring for preterm infants in pain could provide novel insights to improve pain management for this vulnerable population.The aim of this meta-ethnography was to synthesize and interpret qualitative findings of nurses’experiences of taking care of preterm infants in pain.Methods:An extensive literature search in PubMed,CINAHL,PsycINFO,Scopus,BIOSIS and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Database was conducted,including studies within the past 10 years.Two nursing researchers conducted data extraction and analysis independently.Inclusion criteria were applied to search for qualitative studies of nurse participants who worked in the NICU taking care of preterm infants.Studies published in a language other than English,articles that did not include qualitative data and qualitative data that could not be extracted from the findings or did not discuss nurses’experiences were excluded.Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used for literature quality evaluation.Results:Eight studies remained after further screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.These eight studies were conducted from 2013 to 2018 and totally enrolled 205 nurses from Iran,Canada,the United States,Finland,Sweden,Switzerland,and Australia.Five themes emerged on the nurses’perspectives of taking care of preterm infants in pain:1)They sense the neonatal pain;2)Adverse consequences of unrelieved pain;3)Barriers of managing pain;4)Concerns of available approaches for pain relief;5)Failure to work with parents.Conclusions:This meta-ethnography identified nurses’understanding of pain in preterm infants that can be assessed,and they acknowledged that unrelieved pain could cause developmental deficits in infants.The barriers are lack of training and support on pain assessment and intervention in preterm infants.Optimizing workload and environment,developing age-specified pain assessment and intervention,receiving emotional support and training,and building up a rapport with parents are urgent needs for nurses to provide better care to infants having pain.
基金This study was supported by Ministry of Research,Technology and Higher Education of Republic of Indonesia.The authors declare that they have no competing interests
文摘Purpose: Pain assessment is a key component of good pain management in hospitalized infants.This study aimed to translate and adapt a version of pain measurement in infants,the Premature Infant Pain Profile Revised (PIPP-R) into Indonesian.Method: The adaptation process of the measuring instrument used a modified Brislin method which included forward translation,back translation 1,group discussion 1,back translation 2,group discussion 2,and pilot testing on neonatal nurses: feasibility test,inter-rater reliability using intraclass correlation (ICC),and internal consistency using Cronbach's α coefficient.Results: The PIPP-R version in English has been translated into Indonesian.In general,nurses assessed this measuring instrument as feasible.The inter-rater reliability showed a high agreement (ICC =0.968,P=0.001) and this measuring instrument had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.856).Conclusion: The Indonesian version of PIPP-R is easy to use and shows good psychometric properties.The use of this measuring instrument will help nurses and researchers obtain accurate infant pain intensity measurement values.
文摘Background: Pain perception may result from orthodontic treatment and should be considered in clinical management. Its assessment should not be limited to the intensity of perceived pain but should also consider the psychosocial and behavioral aspects involved. Objective: The aims of this study were to adapt and validate the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) for orthodontic patients, and present a proposal to calculate an overall score of the pain-related aspects and compare these scores with the usual methodology used. Methods: Face validity of the MPI was estimated and orthodontic version (MPI-Orthodontic) was developed. Factorial validity was evaluated by confirmatory analysis. Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability were estimated. The fit of Second-Order Hierarchical Models was estimated. Concurrent validity of MPI-Orthodontic was evaluated against the Visual Analogue Scale. Invariance of the factorial models was evaluated for independent samples and according to sex and age. Overall score was calculated using the matrix of regression weights and compared to simple arithmetic mean. Results: 507 individuals (63.3% women;age: 26.32 (SD = 11.70) years) participated. For the fit of Part I (psychosocial aspects) of the MPI-Orthodontic, it added correlation between two items and excluded one item;for Part II (behavioral aspects) two items were excluded. The models presented adequate fit to the sample. Reliability was adequate. MPI-Orthodontic presented invariance for independent samples and adequate concurrent and divergent validity. Score obtained with the simple arithmetic mean was overestimated for Part I and underestimated for Part II. Conclusion: MPI-Orthodontic was valid, reliable and invariant for the evaluation of the orthodontic pain. It is recommended to calculate overall weighted scores for pain assessment.
基金Supported by Tangshan Science and Technology Research Project(No.13130242b)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous cervus and cucumis polypeptides for treating avascular necrosis of the femoral head(ANFH) in regard to pain and hip function in a randomized clinical trial.METHODS: A total of 96 subjects with ANFH who were recruited at the Orthopaedic Hospital Affiliated with Hebei United University and Qian Hai Femoral Head Hospital of Beijing were assigned by lottery to an intervention group(n = 48) or a control group(n = 48). All subjects underwent physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. In addition,subjects in the intervention group were given intravenous infusions of cervus and cucumis polypeptides. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Harris hip score,and radiography or magnetic resonance imaging were applied to assess all subjects at the beginning of treatment and 3, 6, and 9 months afterward. All the subjects were followed up for 2 years.RESULTS: At the beginning of treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the general condition of patients or the VAS and Harris hip scores(all P > 0.05). At 3, 6, and 9 months after treatment,however, the VAS score decreased and the Harris hip score increased in all patients, with the improvement of intervention group significantly greater than that of the control group(P < 0.05).The total effectiveness rates for the intervention and control groups were 89.58% and 70.83%, respectively, with the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the safety of the injections(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of cervus and cucumis polypeptides relieved pain and improved hip function of subjects with ANFH.Thus, the intravenous infusion of cervus and cucumis polypeptides was a safe, effective treatment for ANFH.
基金Supported by the Doctoral Research Start-up Fund of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology(No.201308)。
文摘OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of honey mouthwash 12.5% and chlorhexidine solution 0.2% to reduce the rate of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients.METHODS: This study was a randomized, single blind, phase Ⅲ controlled clinical trial. Sixty patients newly admitted to internal and trauma Intensive Care Units of the two educational hospitals of Sanandaj city affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenience sampling and allocated to two groups of 30 patients using random blocks design. In each group,the mouthwash was applied twice a day for four consecutive days. Swab samples were taken from the mouth and throat of all patients three times a day(pre-intervention, two days, and four days after the intervention) and then the samples were transferred onto the blood agar and eosin methylene blue(EMB) culture plates and investigated for bacterial growth and colonization after 24-48 h.RESULTS: The findings showed that oropharyngeal colonization was not significantly different between the two groups, pre-intervention, two days,and four days after the intervention(P > 0.05). Rinsing with honey mouthwash 12.5% led to the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the fourth day of the intervention in all samples.CONCLUSION: None of the studied solutions contributed to the reduction of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization. It seems that the growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the honey 12.5% mouthwash in mechanically-ventilated patients need further investigation.
基金supported by grants from the OttoSchnfisch Foundation, Bad Wrishofen, Germany
文摘BACKGROUND: An increasingly aging population implies an increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of hip or knee. It has been ascertained that unspecific hydrotherapy of OA according to Sebastian Kneipp not only improves the range of mobility but also reduces pain significantly and increases the quality of life of the patients affected. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of hydrotherapy in comparison to conventional physiotherapy, and to analyze the feasibility of the study design under clinical circumstances. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The study design is a prospective randomized controlled three-arm clinical pilot trial, carried out at a specialist clinic for integrative medicine. Thirty patients diagnosed with symptomatic OA of hip or knee and radiologic findings were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups and a control group: hydrotherapy (group 1), physiotherapy (group 2), and both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy (group 3, control group) of the affected joint. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: pain intensity of the affected joint in the course of inpatient treatment; secondary outcome: health-related quality of life, joint-specific pain and mobility in the course of the study. RESULTS: Concerning the main outcome, intervention group 1 showed most beneficial effects in the course of inpatient treatment, followed by groups 3 and 2, and also the indirect flexion ability of hip or knee together with the general patient mobility through the "timed up and go" test were mainly improved within group 1 followed by groups 3 and 2. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study demonstrate beneficial effects of hydrotherapy. The study design is feasible. For statistically significant evidence and a robust conclusion of efficacy of Kneipp's hydrotherapy, a larger sample size is necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT 00950326.
基金supported by a grant from the Oriental Medicine R&D Project,Ministry of Health & Welfare(B100045),Republic of Korea
文摘OBJECTIVE:To analyze the fatigue severity of patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue(ICF) and to compare the severity of this group with that of healthy subjects.METHODS:one hundred and nine ICF patients and 98 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.Fatigue severity was measured using the Korean-translated Chalder fatigue severity questionnaire.All subjects scored each item on a 10-point scale as a self-rating numeric scale(NRS),and additionally rated their feeling of general fatigue by visual analogue scale(VAS).RESULTS:The total NRS scores of patients with ICF was 53 ± 15 compared with 25 ± 14 of healthy subjects(2.4 folds for physical symptoms vs.1.7 folds for mental symptoms respectively).The VAS scores of patients with ICF were 2.7 times as high as those of healthy subjects.CONCLUSION:This report is the first to compare the severity of fatigue between ICF patients and healthy subjects.This study contains reference data applicable for the management of this disorder in field of complementary and alternative medicine.
文摘Objective:To determine whether specific neuroreflex points exist on the auricles of subjects suffering from idiopathic chronic low back pain(icLBP).Methods:Using the pressure pain test(PPT),we tested both auricles of 100 patients with icLBP[as low back pain(LBP)group]and those of 100 healthy subjects[as healthy control(HC)group].Results:The average number of painful points,in the 17,18,and 19 sectors of ROMOLI M’s sectogram,and in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae(AH9),Hip(AH_(5)),and Heart of Posterior Surface(P_(1))areas according to the Chinese standardized paper,was significantly higher in the LBP group compared to the HC group(P<0.05).In particular,in the LBP group,painful points could be clearly clustered into two main areas based on anatomy,which we called L_(1) and L_(2).In all other areas and sectors of the auricle,the average number of painful points did not differ significantly between the two groups.In the LBP group,94.7%of patients had at least one painful point in the two areas.Conclusion:L_(1) and L_(2) are two specific points on the auricle that can reflect icLBP.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy in treating chronic non-specific low back pain(CNLBP).Methods:A total of 65 CNLBP patients were divided into two groups by the random number table method.Thirty-three cases in the treatment group were intervened by sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy;32 cases in the control group were intervened by medium-frequency electrotherapy plus exercise therapy.Before and after treatment,visual analog scale(VAS),dynamic and static muscle endurance of low back,median frequency(MF)of surface electromyography(sEMG)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were used to evaluate the low back function.The therapeutic efficacy was estimated after treatment.Results:The two groups each had 2 dropouts during the study.The total effective rate was 90.3%in the treatment group versus 66.7%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the VAS score,dynamic and static muscle endurance of low back,MF of sEMG and ODI score all changed significantly in both groups(all P<0.05);all the items in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Sinew-regulating bone-setting manipulations plus exercise therapy can effectively release pain in CNLBP patients,increase muscle endurance of the low back and improve the quality of life,and its therapeutic efficacy is more significant than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy plus exercise therapy.
文摘Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to・severe cancer pain,and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for an algesia accordi ng to the stan dardized man agement prin ciples for cancer pain.In addition,the observati on group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone.The treatment was performed once a day,continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course,and a total of 2 courses were performed.The score of numerical rating scale(NRS)and 24 h eq ui vale nt morphi ne consumpti on was compared betwee n the two groups before treatment,after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment.The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment.Results:During the treatment,there were 3 dropouts in the control group,and 2 dropouts in the observation group.Before the treatme nt,there were no sign ificant differe nces in the NRS score and 24 h equivale nt morphine consumpti on betwee n the two groups(both P>0.05).The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period,and there was no significant differenee in the intra-group comparison after treatment(both P>0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(both P>0.05).In the control group,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on showed an in creasi ng trend.The dosage after 1 treatme nt course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group(both P<0.01).There was no significant cha nge in the mea n 24 h equivale nt morphi ne con sumpti on in the observati on group compared with that before treatme nt(both P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatme nt,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on in the observati on group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3:CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)between the two groups(all P>0.05).After treatment the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+Z CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)in the control group were lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05),while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment,and the levels of CD3+and CD4+were significantly different from those before treatment(both P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.
文摘Objective: To observe the effect of point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions on residual back pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), thoracolumbar function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods: A total of 72 patie nts with OVCF and residual back pain after PKP were in eluded and allocated into a treatme nt group (n=36) and a control group (n=36) by the random number table. Cases in the control group received salmon calcitonin injection (miacalcic), for 1 mL each time, once a day, and oral intake of calcium carbonate D3 pill, 600 mg each time, once a day, whereas cases in the treatment group received point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions and electroacupuneture (EA) for 30 min each time, once a day and 6 times a week on the basis of the treatment in the control group. Treatment in both groups lasted for 2 weeks. Therapeutic efficacy indicators including visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Barthel index (Bl) were evaluated before and after treatment and at follow-up visit (1 month after treatment). Results: The total effective rate was 94.4% and 88.9% in the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up visit, respectively, higher than 77.8% and 69.4% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). After treatment and at the follow-up visit, the VAS and ODI scores decreased, and Bl scores in creased in both groups, and the in tra-group differe nces were statistically sign ifica nt (all P<0.05). After treatme nt and at the follow-up visit, between-group differences of VAS, ODI and Bl scores were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of conventional medication treatment, point-toward-point needling at points on the low back regions has a good therapeutic effect in relieving residual back pain after PKR improving thoracolumbar function and QOL, better than conventional medication treatment alone.
文摘Objective:To observe the short-term and long-term efficacy of acupuncture and traction plus Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)in treating discogenic low back pain(DLBP).Methods:Sixty patients were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was intervened by acupuncture and traction,while the observation group was given additional Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)practice.The intervention lasted for a total of 1 month,with a follow-up study conducted 6 months later.The visual analog scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment,and the efficacy was compared at the end of the treatment between the two groups;the relapse rate was compared at the 6-month follow-up between the two groups.Results:The pain VAS and ODI scores decreased after treatment in both groups,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05);the pain VAS and ODI scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment with statistical significance(both P<0.05).At the 6-month follow-up,the relapse rate was 10.3%in the observation group versus 48.0%in the control group,and the between-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of acupuncture,traction and Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)is an effective method for DLBP and patients who received this method are less likely to relapse.
文摘Objective To examine the effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ACUTENS)on labor pain in nulliparous women.Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Qazvin,Iran between January and July 2018.After the screening process,144 out of 184 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention group or a control group by the block randomization method.The intervention group received ACUTENS at Hegu(LI4),Shenmen(HT7),Sanyinjiao(SP6),and Neimadian(Extra)during various stages of delivery in addition to routine labor care at the delivery room.For the control group,the same routine labor care was performed alone.The severity of pain was assessed in the two groups using the visual analog scale(VAS).The data were analyzed using R software(ver.4.0.2)and repeated measurement analysis of variance.Results ACUTENS reduced the mean score of pain intensity in the first stage of labor in the intervention group more than that in the control group(P<0.001).Also,the mean scores of pain intensity in the second stage of labor,episiotomy,and one hour after delivery in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.001).Conclusion ACUTENS at Hegu(LI4),Shenmen(HT7),Sanyinjiao(SP6),and Neimadian(Extra)can decrease the intensity of labor pain in nulliparous women.It can be used as a non-pharmacological method for reducing pain in and after labor.
文摘Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received Western medicine treatment,while patients in the observation group received additional auricular point sticking.Both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Numeric rating scale(NRS)and Karnofsky performance status(KPS)were adopted before and after treatment.The total time and times of flare-up pain in 24 h were recorded.The cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels were detected.The clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated after treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);after treatment,NRS scores of both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);KPS scores of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(both P<0.05),and the score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the total time and flare-up times of pain during 24 h of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and those of the observation group were significantly less than those of the control group(both P<0.05).After treatment,the COX-2 and TNF-αlevels of both groups were significantly reduced(all P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking plus Western medicine for moderate gastric cancer pain is valid.This combined treatment can alleviate cancer pain and improve patients'quality of life,which may be related to its ability to reduce COX-2 and TNF-αlevels.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy in treating low back pain. Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy, while the control group was by the tendon-regulating manipulation alone. The lumbar lordosis was measured by X-ray (side view), the pain was evaluated by analgesy meter, the lumbar range of motion was by using goniometer, and the function was judged by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was also observed. Results: After treatment, the pain level was significantly reduced, lumbar lordosis was significantly increased, the lumbar range of motion was markedly improved, and the ODI score significantly dropped (all P^O.05) in both groups; the improvement of each item in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (all P〈O.05). The total effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 63.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P〈0.05). Conclusion" In the treatment of low back pain, tendon-regulating manipulation plus kinesiotherapy can mitigate topical pain, improve the motion of low back, enhance the quality of life, and produce a more significant therapeutic efficacy compared to tendon-regulating manipulation alone.