The work is aimed to compare the relative strength of dextroamphetamine and yogic meditation on the performance of 3 different groups of medical students to concentrate on the task to balance on a balance board. Group A subjects were mediators, group B subjects were given orally 5 and 10 mg of dextroamphetamine in a capsule, 1 hr prior to the test. Group C subjects were given same capsule but with lactose in place of the drug (placebo). This last groups served as control for the study. The balance index calculated taking into account their balance time and error score at each trial of 5 min duration showed that the performance of the group B (drug) had declined with overall percentile fall of 40.6% as compared to the performance of the controls (placebo) whereas, the performance of Group A (meditators) went on steadily and progressively increasing throughout the period of 10 trial days with overall percentile rise of 27.8%. The results were conclusive to confirm earlier reports that amphetamine is not of use for improvement of task rather, it deteriorates the task performance. Contrary to that, yogic meditation is of merit to achieve concentration for mental as well as physical task.

BACKGROUND: Many acne patients improve after exposure to sunlight and there are many reports about the efficacy of blue light phototherapy on acne lesions. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of blue light treatment versus topical benzoyl peroxide 5% formulation in patients with acne grades II and III. METHODS: Sixty volunteers with facial acne were included and evaluated in 5 visits: the first one for screening, another 3 held on days 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, and the last one after 14 days of the end of treatment. Thirty of them were irradiated with Blue Light (8 times, twice a week) and the other thirty were treated with topical Benzoyl Peroxide 5% formulation, auto-applied twice a day, every day. We assessed the severity of acne by counting the lesions and analyzing the photographs. RESULTS: The improvement achieved by the blue light was the same as the one with benzoyl peroxide, regardless of the type of lesion (p 0.05). Otherwise, the side effects were less frequent in the group treated with blue light. CONCLUSIONS: Blue light irradiation was as effective as benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment grades II and III but there were fewer side effects.

BACKGROUND: Elemental diet is considered an effective primary treatment for active Crohn's disease, but it is usually given by a feeding tube.

METHODS: Twenty-two patients (12 males, median age 30 years, range 18-60) with moderately active Crohn's disease were enrolled in a randomized study in which the efficacy of an elemental diet administered orally was compared to high-dose corticosteroids in achieving clinical and laboratory remission. Ten patients were treated by oral elemental diet (Peptamen, Clintec, USA) and 10 received corticosteroids. Both treatment regimens lasted 2 weeks. The two groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, body weight, location of disease, treatment or disease activity prior to the study. In all patients studied, simple Crohn's disease activity index, nutritional status (expressed as body mass index), percentage of ideal body weight, fat mass, fat free mass, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, intestinal permeability (expressed as permeability index), prealbumin, retinol binding protein and multiskin test were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS: After 2 weeks of treatment, there were significant improvements in simple Crohn's disease activity index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, permeability index, body mass index, prealbumin, retinol binding protein and multiskin test in the elemental diet group. There were significant improvements in simple Crohn's disease activity index and fat free mass in the corticosteroid group.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, in the short term, an oral elemental diet is at least as effective as steroids in inducing remission of mild-moderately active Crohn's disease, but it may be more effective in improving the nutritional status of these patients, probably through a more rapid restoration of normal intestinal permeability.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to treat patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with CTTH were equally divided into a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a 45-minute course of CTTM twice per week lasting 4 weeks while the control group was prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasting 4 weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated in week 2, week 4 and followed up in week 6 consisting of visual analog scale (VAS), tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in VAS pain intensity for the CTTM group at different assessment time points while a significant difference occurred in within-group and between-group comparison (P<0.05) for each evaluated measure. Moreover, the tissue hardness of the CTTM group was significantly lower than the control group at week 4 (P<0.05). The PPT and HRV of the CTTM group were significantly increased (P<0.05). CTTM could be an alternative therapy for treatment of patients with CTTHs.

Comparison between low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and clonazepam for treating burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients has never been documented; the aim of this study was to assess the effects of LLLT photobiomodulation versus medical therapy with clonazepam on BMS. Thirty-three patients (25 female, 8 male, mean age = 67.12) were randomly allocated to two different groups: the first one (group A, 18 patients) underwent two laser irradiation sessions weekly for 5 weeks, whereas the second one (group B, 15 patients) received topical clonazepam therapy [half a tablet (2 mg) in the mouth without swallowing for 3 min, three times a day for 21 days]. LLLT was delivered with a continuous wave 980-nm aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) diode laser and the output of 300 mW, delivering a Fluence of 10 J/cm(2), using a"spot technique,"with an average power density of about 1 W/cm(2). The laser probe was held perpendicularly at a distance of about 2 mm from the mucosa. Visual analogue scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire, present pain intensity (PPI), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) assessed sensation of pain. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale assessed levels of anxiety and depression. Twelve weeks after the end of treatment, patients treated with LLLT experienced a decrease in pain sensation reported for all the parameters analyzed: VAS (P = 0.004), McGill Pain Questionnaire (P = 0.002), PPI (P = 0.002),and OHIP-49 (P = 0.010). The group treated with clonazepam had less favorable results for VAS (P = 0.33), McGill Pain Questionnaire (P = 0.005), PPI (P = 0.013), and OHIP-49 (P = 0.25). Levels of anxiety and depression did not change statistically in any groups (P > 0.05). Comparing the two groups, LLLT appeared to be superior in improving pain perception, but statistically only at 8 weeks after the end of the protocol proposed (P = 0.026). Based on this preliminary trial, LLLT is capable of reducing the symptoms of patients with BMS with a constant andlong-lasting effect, experienced since the end of the first applications.

BACKGROUND:Acupuncture is often used for migraine prophylaxis but its effectiveness is still controversial. This review (along with a companion review on 'Acupuncture for tension-type headache') represents an updated version of a Cochrane review originally published in Issue 1, 2001, of The Cochrane Library.

OBJECTIVES:To investigate whether acupuncture is a) more effective than no prophylactic treatment/routine care only; b) more effective than 'sham' (placebo) acupuncture; and c) as effective as other interventions in reducing headache frequency in patients with migraine.

METHODS:

SEARCH METHODS:The Cochrane Pain, Palliative&Supportive Care Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register were searched to January 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA:We included randomized trials with a post-randomization observation period of at least 8 weeks that compared the clinical effects of an acupuncture intervention with a control (no prophylactic treatment or routine care only), a sham acupuncture intervention or another intervention in patients with migraine.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Two reviewers checked eligibility; extracted information on patients, interventions, methods and results; and assessed risk of bias and quality of the acupuncture intervention. Outcomes extracted included response (outcome of primary interest), migraine attacks, migraine days, headache days and analgesic use. Pooled effect size estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.

MAIN RESULTS:Twenty-two trials with 4419 participants (mean 201, median 42, range 27 to 1715) met the inclusion criteria. Six trials (including two large trials with 401 and 1715 patients) compared acupuncture to no prophylactic treatment or routine care only. After 3 to 4 months patients receiving acupuncture had higher response rates and fewer headaches. The only study with long-term follow up saw no evidence that effects dissipated up to 9 months after cessation of treatment. Fourteen trials compared a 'true' acupuncture intervention with a variety of sham interventions. Pooled analyses did not show a statistically significant superiority for true acupuncture for any outcome in any of the time windows, but the results of single trials varied considerably. Four trials compared acupuncture to proven prophylactic drug treatment. Overall in these trials acupuncture was associated with slightly better outcomes and fewer adverse effects than prophylactic drug treatment. Two small low-quality trials comparing acupuncture with relaxation (alone or in combination with massage) could not be interpreted reliably.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:In the previous version of this review, evidence in support of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis was considered promising but insufficient. Now, with 12 additional trials, there is consistent evidence that acupuncture provides additional benefit to treatment of acute migraine attacks only or to routine care. There is no evidence for an effect of 'true' acupuncture over sham interventions, though this is difficult to interpret, as exact point location could be of limited importance. Available studies suggest that acupuncture is at least as effective as, or possibly more effective than, prophylactic drug treatment, and has fewer adverse effects. Acupuncture should be considered a treatment option for patients willing to undergo this treatment.

BACKGROUND:Acupuncture is often used for migraine prophylaxis but its effectiveness is still controversial. This review (along with a companion review on 'Acupuncture for tension-type headache') represents an updated version of a Cochrane review originally published in Issue 1, 2001, of The Cochrane Library.

OBJECTIVES:To investigate whether acupuncture is a) more effective than no prophylactic treatment/routine care only; b) more effective than 'sham' (placebo) acupuncture; and c) as effective as other interventions in reducing headache frequency in patients with migraine.

METHODS:

SEARCH METHODS:The Cochrane Pain, Palliative&Supportive Care Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register were searched to January 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA:We included randomized trials with a post-randomization observation period of at least 8 weeks that compared the clinical effects of an acupuncture intervention with a control (no prophylactic treatment or routine care only), a sham acupuncture intervention or another intervention in patients with migraine.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Two reviewers checked eligibility; extracted information on patients, interventions, methods and results; and assessed risk of bias and quality of the acupuncture intervention. Outcomes extracted included response (outcome of primary interest), migraine attacks, migraine days, headache days and analgesic use. Pooled effect size estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.

MAIN RESULTS:Twenty-two trials with 4419 participants (mean 201, median 42, range 27 to 1715) met the inclusion criteria. Six trials (including two large trials with 401 and 1715 patients) compared acupuncture to no prophylactic treatment or routine care only. After 3 to 4 months patients receiving acupuncture had higher response rates and fewer headaches. The only study with long-term follow up saw no evidence that effects dissipated up to 9 months after cessation of treatment. Fourteen trials compared a 'true' acupuncture intervention with a variety of sham interventions. Pooled analyses did not show a statistically significant superiority for true acupuncture for any outcome in any of the time windows, but the results of single trials varied considerably. Four trials compared acupuncture to proven prophylactic drug treatment. Overall in these trials acupuncture was associated with slightly better outcomes and fewer adverse effects than prophylactic drug treatment. Two small low-quality trials comparing acupuncture with relaxation (alone or in combination with massage) could not be interpreted reliably.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:In the previous version of this review, evidence in support of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis was considered promising but insufficient. Now, with 12 additional trials, there is consistent evidence that acupuncture provides additional benefit to treatment of acute migraine attacks only or to routine care. There is no evidence for an effect of 'true' acupuncture over sham interventions, though this is difficult to interpret, as exact point location could be of limited importance. Available studies suggest that acupuncture is at least as effective as, or possibly more effective than, prophylactic drug treatment, and has fewer adverse effects. Acupuncture should be considered a treatment option for patients willing to undergo this treatment.

This study investigated the alleviating effects of aromatherapy massage and acetaminophen on menstrual pain in Korean high school girls. Subjects were divided into two groups: the aromatherapy massage (treatment) group (n = 32) and the acetaminophen (control) group (n = 23). Aromatherapy massage was performed on subjects in the treatment group. The abdomen was massaged once using clary sage, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger, and geranium in a base of almond oil. The level of menstrual pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale at baseline and twenty-four hours afterward. The reduction of menstrual pain was significantly higher in the aromatherapy group than in the acetaminophen group. Using multiple regression, aromatherapy massage was found to be more highly associated with reduction in the level of menstrual pain than acetaminophen. These finding suggest that aromatherapy massage may be an effective treatment for menstrual pain in high school girls. However, it could not be verified whether the positive effects derived from the aromatherapy, the massage, or both. Further rigorous studies should be conducted using more objective measures.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for treatment of menstrual headache of hyperactivity of"liver fire".

METHODS:A total of 85 menstrual headache patients with hyperactivity of"liver-fire"were randomly divided into control group (n = 42) and treatment group (n = 43). Patients of the control group were treated by oral administration of Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules (Sibelium, 5 mg/time, twice daily) for 5 days beginning at the headache attack in the first menstrual cycle, and for two weeks (except weekends) in the second and third menstrual cycles. Patients of the treatment group were treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of body acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Xiaxi (GB 43), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Hanyan (GB 4), Xuanlu (GB 5) and Shuaigu (GB 8) beginning from the headache attack, and otopoint-pellet pressure of otopoints unilateral Endocrine, Ovaries, Shenmen, Cortex, Liver, Spleen and Kidney (beginning 5 days before menstrual onset) and bilateral Shenmen, Nie, Liver, Gallbladder, Subcortex and Jiaogan during headache attack. Clinical symptom scores were assessed according to the"Guiding Principles for Clinical Research on New Chinese Herbal Drugs"issued by the Chinese Ministry of Health.

RESULTS:After the treatment, of the 42 and 43 cases in the control and treatment groups, 9 (21.43%) and 20 (46.51%) were cured, 12 (28.57%) and 14 (32.56%) had a marked improvement, 13 (30.95%) and 7 (16.28%) were effective, 8 (19.05%) and 2 (4.65%) invalid, with the effective rates being 80.95% and 95.35% , respectively. The curative effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The symptom score and VAS score after the treatment and 3 months post-treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The headache scores and VAS scores were significantly reduced following the treatment and 3 months after the treatment in both control and treatment groups (P<0.01). After the treatment for 2-3 therapeutic courses, the headache attack duration during menstruation was markedly and gradually shortened in both groups (P<0.01), and therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:Body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure treatment can effectively relieve menstrual headache in menstrual women with hyperactivity of"liver fire".

OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for treatment of menstrual headache of hyperactivity of"liver fire".

METHODS:A total of 85 menstrual headache patients with hyperactivity of"liver-fire"were randomly divided into control group (n = 42) and treatment group (n = 43). Patients of the control group were treated by oral administration of Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules (Sibelium, 5 mg/time, twice daily) for 5 days beginning at the headache attack in the first menstrual cycle, and for two weeks (except weekends) in the second and third menstrual cycles. Patients of the treatment group were treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of body acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Xiaxi (GB 43), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Hanyan (GB 4), Xuanlu (GB 5) and Shuaigu (GB 8) beginning from the headache attack, and otopoint-pellet pressure of otopoints unilateral Endocrine, Ovaries, Shenmen, Cortex, Liver, Spleen and Kidney (beginning 5 days before menstrual onset) and bilateral Shenmen, Nie, Liver, Gallbladder, Subcortex and Jiaogan during headache attack. Clinical symptom scores were assessed according to the"Guiding Principles for Clinical Research on New Chinese Herbal Drugs"issued by the Chinese Ministry of Health.

RESULTS:After the treatment, of the 42 and 43 cases in the control and treatment groups, 9 (21.43%) and 20 (46.51%) were cured, 12 (28.57%) and 14 (32.56%) had a marked improvement, 13 (30.95%) and 7 (16.28%) were effective, 8 (19.05%) and 2 (4.65%) invalid, with the effective rates being 80.95% and 95.35% , respectively. The curative effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The symptom score and VAS score after the treatment and 3 months post-treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The headache scores and VAS scores were significantly reduced following the treatment and 3 months after the treatment in both control and treatment groups (P<0.01). After the treatment for 2-3 therapeutic courses, the headache attack duration during menstruation was markedly and gradually shortened in both groups (P<0.01), and therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:Body acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure treatment can effectively relieve menstrual headache in menstrual women with hyperactivity of"liver fire".

OBJECTIVE:To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on infantile Tourette syndrome between the integrated therapy of acupuncture and pingganjianpi decoction and haloperidol tablets.

METHODS:Forty-seven children were randomized into an observation group (25 cases) and a control group (22 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. The needles were retained for 30 min. Acupuncture was given once a day and there were 5 days at intervals after 10 times of acupuncture. Additionally, pinggan jianpi decoction was prescribed. In the control group, haloperidol tablets were prescribed, starting from the small dose, 0. 05 mg/kg per day, twice a day. The treatment of 30 days made one session and 3 sessions were required. Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) was adopted to observe tic time, tic frequency and tic severity score before treatment and in 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after treatment in the two groups. The efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:The total effective rates were 40. 0% (10/25), 64.0% (16/25) and 76.0% (19/25) in the observation group and were 59.1% (13/22), 68.2% (15/22) and 77.3% (17/22) in the control group in 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after treatment respectively. The effect in 30 days after treatment in the control group was better than that in the observation group (P<0. 05). The differences at the other time points were not significant between the two groups (all P>0. 05). The tic time, tic frequency and tic severity score at the each time point after treatment were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment (all P<0. 05). Each item score in the control group was reduced obviously as compared with that in the observation group in 30 days after treatment (all P<0. 05). The differences at the other time points were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). The probability of adverse reaction in the observation group was less than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION:The integrated therapy of acupuncture and medicine achieves the similar effect on infantile Tourette syndrome to haloperidol tablets and the side effects of it are less.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on infantile Tourette syndrome between the integrated therapy of acupuncture and pingganjianpi decoction and haloperidol tablets.

METHODS:Forty-seven children were randomized into an observation group (25 cases) and a control group (22 cases). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied to Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. The needles were retained for 30 min. Acupuncture was given once a day and there were 5 days at intervals after 10 times of acupuncture. Additionally, pinggan jianpi decoction was prescribed. In the control group, haloperidol tablets were prescribed, starting from the small dose, 0. 05 mg/kg per day, twice a day. The treatment of 30 days made one session and 3 sessions were required. Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) was adopted to observe tic time, tic frequency and tic severity score before treatment and in 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after treatment in the two groups. The efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:The total effective rates were 40. 0% (10/25), 64.0% (16/25) and 76.0% (19/25) in the observation group and were 59.1% (13/22), 68.2% (15/22) and 77.3% (17/22) in the control group in 30 days, 60 days and 90 days after treatment respectively. The effect in 30 days after treatment in the control group was better than that in the observation group (P<0. 05). The differences at the other time points were not significant between the two groups (all P>0. 05). The tic time, tic frequency and tic severity score at the each time point after treatment were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment (all P<0. 05). Each item score in the control group was reduced obviously as compared with that in the observation group in 30 days after treatment (all P<0. 05). The differences at the other time points were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). The probability of adverse reaction in the observation group was less than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION:The integrated therapy of acupuncture and medicine achieves the similar effect on infantile Tourette syndrome to haloperidol tablets and the side effects of it are less.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy on vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) between auricular acupuncture therapy and oral administration of medicine.

METHODS:Sixty patients of VBI were randomized into an auricular acupuncture therapy group and a medicine group, 30 cases in each one. In the auricular acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied bilaterally to gan (CO12) and jiejie (HX8) on the ears and needles were retained for 15 min. After needle withdrawal, the vaccariae semen were fixed with plaster at naogan (AT3, 4i), zhen (AT3), jing (AH12), shen (CO10) and pi (CO13) on the ears. In the medicine group, flunarizine hydrochloride capsules (Sibelium), 5mg were prescribed for oral administration, once every night. The treatment lasted continuously for 2 weeks (14 days) in the two groups. In 2 weeks, the clinical efficacy was assessed and the transcranial doppler (TCD) examination was performed.

RESULTS:After treatment, the symptom scores were all apparently reduced in the patients of the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the medicine group, the reduced score was much more obvious in the auricular acupuncture group (P<0.05), indicating the significant difference. After treatment, with TCD examination, the blood velocity was increased to different degrees in the patients of low velocity type in the auricular acupuncture group and the medicine group; that was reduced to different degrees in the patients of high velocity type in the auricular acupuncture group and the medicine group. All of them were different significantly as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05). But the difference was not significant between the two groups (both P>0.05). In comparison of clinical efficacy between the two groups, the effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the acupuncture group and better than 76.7% (23/30) in the medicine group, indicating the significant difference in comparison (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:The auricular acupuncture therapy achieves the definite efficacy on VBI and the efficacy is better than flunarizine hydrochloride capsules.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of functional dyspepsia between acupuncture at the acupoints selected by pattern/syndrome differentiation and domperidone.

METHODS:Seventy cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (35 cases) and a western medication group (35 cases). In the acupuncture group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) were selected. Taichong (LR 3) and Neiting (ST 44) were added for excess syndrome while Gongsun (SP 4) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were added for deficiency syndrome. A pair of electrodes was attached to one acupoint and an assistant point (2 mm next to the acupoint centripetally) and stimulated with disperse-dense wave at 2 Hz/100 Hz, once a day. In the western medication group, domperidone was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day. In the two groups, the treatment of 5 days made one session and 4 sessions were required totally. Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) was compared after treatment, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months after treatment between the two groups respectively.

RESULTS:The score of symptom and score of life quality in NDI after treatment and at each follow-up time point were improved obviously in the acupuncture group as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). In the western mediation group, the score of symptom and the score of life quality in NDI after treatment and in follow-up of 1, 2 and 3 months were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), but the differences were not significant in follow-up of 4 and 5 months (both P>0.05). Compared with the western medication group, the symptom score of NDI was reduced obviously after treatment and in each time point of follow-up in the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the score of life quality was increased obviously (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:Acupuncture at the acupoints selected by pattern/syndrome differentiation and domperidone are effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Domperidone is unsatisfactory in the long-term effect, but acupuncture achieves the positive short-term and long-term effects on functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of functional dyspepsia between acupuncture at the acupoints selected by pattern/syndrome differentiation and domperidone.

METHODS:Seventy cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (35 cases) and a western medication group (35 cases). In the acupuncture group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) were selected. Taichong (LR 3) and Neiting (ST 44) were added for excess syndrome while Gongsun (SP 4) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were added for deficiency syndrome. A pair of electrodes was attached to one acupoint and an assistant point (2 mm next to the acupoint centripetally) and stimulated with disperse-dense wave at 2 Hz/100 Hz, once a day. In the western medication group, domperidone was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day. In the two groups, the treatment of 5 days made one session and 4 sessions were required totally. Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) was compared after treatment, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months after treatment between the two groups respectively.

RESULTS:The score of symptom and score of life quality in NDI after treatment and at each follow-up time point were improved obviously in the acupuncture group as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). In the western mediation group, the score of symptom and the score of life quality in NDI after treatment and in follow-up of 1, 2 and 3 months were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), but the differences were not significant in follow-up of 4 and 5 months (both P>0.05). Compared with the western medication group, the symptom score of NDI was reduced obviously after treatment and in each time point of follow-up in the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the score of life quality was increased obviously (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:Acupuncture at the acupoints selected by pattern/syndrome differentiation and domperidone are effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Domperidone is unsatisfactory in the long-term effect, but acupuncture achieves the positive short-term and long-term effects on functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for depression and to discuss its impact on the content of 5-HT in patients with depression.

METHODS:Eighty patients with depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a western medication group,40 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied in the acupuncture group,Siman(KI 14),Shenshu(BL 23),Guanyuan(CV 4),Dazhui(GV 14),Yinlingquan(SP 9), Zusanli(ST 36),Taichong(LR 3),Yanglingquan(GB 34) and Jingming(BL 1) were selected, the intensive moxibustion was applied at G(uanyuan(CV 4). Fluoxetine was treated with oral administration in the western medication group. The treatments of six weeks were required in each group. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) was applied to evaluate efficacy and serum 5-HT was detected before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTS:After treatment,the scores of HAMD were decreased obviously in the two groups compared with those before treatment (scores in the acupuncture group: 24. 48± 0. 28 vs 8. 95 ± 2. 24; scores in the western medication group: 24. 14±0. 24 vs 10. 29±1. 30),and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0. 05). Between the two groups,the scores of HAMD in the acupuncture group at the end of the lst,2nd,4th,6th weeks were superior to those in the western medication group (all P<0. 05). The content of serum 5-HT after treatment was increased markedly compared with that before treatment [the content in the acupuncture group: (26. 21 2. 36)pg/mL vs (52. 07± 0. 56)pg/mL, the content in the western medication group:(26. 26±2. 31)pg/mL vs (51. 70±0. 52)pg/ mL, both P<0. 05]. But there was no statistic significance between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:The efficacy of acupuncture for depression is superior to that of western medication with fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture for depression and to discuss its impact on the content of 5-HT in patients with depression.

METHODS:Eighty patients with depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a western medication group,40 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied in the acupuncture group,Siman(KI 14),Shenshu(BL 23),Guanyuan(CV 4),Dazhui(GV 14),Yinlingquan(SP 9), Zusanli(ST 36),Taichong(LR 3),Yanglingquan(GB 34) and Jingming(BL 1) were selected, the intensive moxibustion was applied at G(uanyuan(CV 4). Fluoxetine was treated with oral administration in the western medication group. The treatments of six weeks were required in each group. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) was applied to evaluate efficacy and serum 5-HT was detected before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTS:After treatment,the scores of HAMD were decreased obviously in the two groups compared with those before treatment (scores in the acupuncture group: 24. 48± 0. 28 vs 8. 95 ± 2. 24; scores in the western medication group: 24. 14±0. 24 vs 10. 29±1. 30),and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0. 05). Between the two groups,the scores of HAMD in the acupuncture group at the end of the lst,2nd,4th,6th weeks were superior to those in the western medication group (all P<0. 05). The content of serum 5-HT after treatment was increased markedly compared with that before treatment [the content in the acupuncture group: (26. 21 2. 36)pg/mL vs (52. 07± 0. 56)pg/mL, the content in the western medication group:(26. 26±2. 31)pg/mL vs (51. 70±0. 52)pg/ mL, both P<0. 05]. But there was no statistic significance between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:The efficacy of acupuncture for depression is superior to that of western medication with fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on Alzheimer's disease between acupuncture and medicine.

METHODS:One hundred and forty-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (72 cases) and a medicine group (69 cases). In the acupuncture group, the needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence was used at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhangwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36). The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was given once a day and 6 treatments were required for a week. In the medicine group, the choline sterase inhibitor, donepezil (aricept) was prescribed for oral administration, 1 tablet (5 mg) each time, once every night. Four weeks later, the dose was increased to 2 tablets (10 mg) each time. In the two groups, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session and 4 sessions were required. The changes of scores before and after treatment in the minimum mental state examination (MMSE), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the digit span (DS) were observed.

RESULTS:After treatment, scores of MMSE and DS were increased as compared with those before treatment (both P<0.05) and scores of ADL and ADAS-cog were reduced as compared with those before treatment. The score differences in MMSE, ADL, ADAS-cog and DS before and after treatment were significant in the two groups (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:The needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence significantly improves the overall function, cognition and activity of daily life in the patients of Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy is better than donepezil.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on Alzheimer's disease between acupuncture and medicine.

METHODS:One hundred and forty-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (72 cases) and a medicine group (69 cases). In the acupuncture group, the needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence was used at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhangwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36). The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was given once a day and 6 treatments were required for a week. In the medicine group, the choline sterase inhibitor, donepezil (aricept) was prescribed for oral administration, 1 tablet (5 mg) each time, once every night. Four weeks later, the dose was increased to 2 tablets (10 mg) each time. In the two groups, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session and 4 sessions were required. The changes of scores before and after treatment in the minimum mental state examination (MMSE), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the digit span (DS) were observed.

RESULTS:After treatment, scores of MMSE and DS were increased as compared with those before treatment (both P<0.05) and scores of ADL and ADAS-cog were reduced as compared with those before treatment. The score differences in MMSE, ADL, ADAS-cog and DS before and after treatment were significant in the two groups (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:The needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence significantly improves the overall function, cognition and activity of daily life in the patients of Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy is better than donepezil.

OBJECTIVE:To determine the comparative effectiveness of exercise versus drug interventions on mortality outcomes.

DESIGN:Metaepidemiological study.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:Meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials with mortality outcomes comparing the effectiveness of exercise and drug interventions with each other or with control (placebo or usual care).

DATA SOURCES:Medline and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, May 2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Mortality.

DATA SYNTHESIS:We combined study level death outcomes from exercise and drug trials using random effects network meta-analysis.

RESULTS:We included 16 (four exercise and 12 drug) meta-analyses. Incorporating an additional three recent exercise trials, our review collectively included 305 randomised controlled trials with 339 274 participants. Across all four conditions with evidence on the effectiveness of exercise on mortality outcomes (secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, rehabilitation of stroke, treatment of heart failure, prevention of diabetes), 14 716 participants were randomised to physical activity interventions in 57 trials. No statistically detectable differences were evident between exercise and drug interventions in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and prediabetes. Physical activity interventions were more effective than drug treatment among patients with stroke (odds ratios, exercise vanticoagulants 0.09, 95% credible intervals 0.01 to 0.70 and exercise v antiplatelets 0.10, 0.01 to 0.62). Diuretics were more effective than exercise in heart failure (exercise v diuretics 4.11,1.17to 24.76). Inconsistency between direct and indirect comparisons was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS:Although limited in quantity, existing randomised trial evidence on exercise interventions suggests that exercise and many drug interventions are often potentially similar in terms of their mortality benefits in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, rehabilitation after stroke, treatment of heart failure, and prevention of diabetes.