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An acupuncture research protocol developed from historical writings by mathematical reflections: a rational individualized acupoint selection method for immediate pain relief.

ABSTRACT: While balancing yin and yang is one basic principle of Chinese medicine, balancing methods for combination of meridians and acupoints had been described throughout the history of Chinese medicine. We have identified six historical systems for combinations of acupuncture points in historical writings. All of them represent symmetrical combinations which are defined by the steps in the Chinese Clock. Taking the historical systems as a basis, we calculated the possible combinations that fit into these systems they revealed, leading to a total of 19 systems offering new balancing combinations. Merging the data of these 19 systems, there are 7 combinatorial options for every meridian. On the basis of this data, we calculated 4-meridian combinations with an ideal balance pattern, which is given when all meridians balance each other. We identified 5 of these patterns for every meridian, so we end up with 60 patterns for all the 12 meridians but we find multiple overlapping. Finally, 15 distinct patterns remain. By combining this theoretical concept with the Image and Mirror Concept, we developed an acupuncture research protocol. This protocol potentially solves some problems of acupuncture trials because it represents a rational reproducible procedure independent of examiner experience, but the resulting treatment is individualized.

SUBMITTER: Schroeder S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3569893 | biostudies-other | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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An acupuncture research protocol developed from historical writings by mathematical reflections: a rational individualized acupoint selection method for immediate pain relief.

Schroeder Sven S Meyer-Hamme Gesa G Zhang Jianwei J Epplée Susanne S Friedemann Thomas T Hu Weiguo W

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM 20130129

While balancing yin and yang is one basic principle of Chinese medicine, balancing methods for combination of meridians and acupoints had been described throughout the history of Chinese medicine. We have identified six historical systems for combinations of acupuncture points in historical writings. All of them represent symmetrical combinations which are defined by the steps in the Chinese Clock. Taking the historical systems as a basis, we calculated the possible combinations that fit into th ...[more]

PMID: 23431334

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Project description:BackgroundDespite weak evidence, the use of acupuncture has increased in infantile colic. The only three randomized trials conducted evaluated standardized minimal acupuncture in one single point. Two showed effect but one did not so further research is necessary. The aims of the study are 1) to test if results in earlier trials conducted in private acupuncture clinics can be repeated at Child Health Centers (CHC) and 2) to compare the effect of two types of acupuncture and no acupuncture in infants with colic at CHC.Methods/designa multicenter randomized controlled three-armed trial for infantile colic conducted in four regions of Sweden. Alongside the standard program at their regular Child Health Center infants visit a study center twice a week for 2 weeks. The infants are randomly allocated into three groups. According to the power analysis, 144 otherwise healthy infants aged 2-9 weeks old, who - according to parents' registration in a diary - are crying and/or fussing more than three hours per day, more than 3 days per week will be included. Parents register daily in the diary during the baseline week, two intervention weeks, and one more week directly after the last study visit. At four study visits at the Child Health Center parents meet a nurse for 20-30 min to receive advice and support. The nurse and the parents are blinded for group allocation. Infants are carried to another room, where they spend five minutes with an acupuncturist. Infants randomized to group A receive standardized minimal acupuncture in LI4. Group B receive individualized acupuncture where, according to symptoms, the acupuncturist can choose between the points Sifeng, LI4, and ST36. Group C receives no acupuncture. The primary outcome is relative difference in crying, counted in minutes. Secondary outcomes are number of infants fulfilling the criteria for colic, and changes in sleep and stooling frequency. Adverse events and blinding are recorded. Recruitment started in January 2013. During the first 14 months 93 patients were included. Data collection continues until May 2015. No interim analyses have been conducted.DiscussionThe study will provide information about the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a complement to usual care in infants with colic.Trial registrationDecember 29, 2012: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01761331.

Project description:Background and Objectives: It is estimated that 28 million people in the UK live with chronic pain. A biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain is recommended which combines pharmacological interventions with behavioural and non-pharmacological treatments. Acupuncture represents one of a number of non-pharmacological interventions for pain. In the current climate of difficult commissioning decisions and constantly changing national guidance, the quest for strong supporting evidence has never been more important. Although hundreds of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses have been conducted, most have been inconclusive, and this has created uncertainty in clinical policy and practice. There is a need to bring all the evidence together for different pain conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesise SRs of RCTs evaluating the clinical efficacy of acupuncture to alleviate chronic pain and to consider the quality and adequacy of the evidence, including RCT design. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases were searched for English language SRs and meta-analyses on acupuncture for chronic pain. The SRs were scrutinised for methodology, risk of bias and judgement of efficacy. Results: A total of 177 reviews of acupuncture from 1989 to 2019 met our eligibility criteria. The majority of SRs found that RCTs of acupuncture had methodological shortcomings, including inadequate statistical power with a high risk of bias. Heterogeneity between RCTs was such that meta-analysis was often inappropriate. Conclusions: The large quantity of RCTs on acupuncture for chronic pain contained within systematic reviews provide evidence that is conflicting and inconclusive, due in part to recurring methodological shortcomings of RCTs. We suggest that an enriched enrolment with randomised withdrawal design may overcome some of these methodological shortcomings. It is essential that the quality of evidence is improved so that healthcare providers and commissioners can make informed choices on the interventions which can legitimately be provided to patients living with chronic pain.

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An acupuncture research protocol developed from historical writings by mathematical reflections: a rational individualized acupoint selection method for immediate pain relief.

Publications

An acupuncture research protocol developed from historical writings by mathematical reflections: a rational individualized acupoint selection method for immediate pain relief.

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