Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression.
Methods: By random number table, 85 patients with postpartum depression were divided into a treatment group and a control group. Forty-three cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture plus psychological intervention, once every day, five sessions per week, and rest at weekend. Forty-two cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, 20 mg, once per day. The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. The change of the score in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was observed and the therapeutic effect was summarized.
Results:The total effective rate was 90.7%in the treatment group and 90.5% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the intra-group comparisons of HAMD scores two, four and six weeks after treatment in both groups with those before treatment, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In comparison between the two groups at the same time point, the differences in HAMD scores were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Regarding the adverse events, 5 cases had nausea, 3 cases had dizziness, and 6 cases had poor appetite in the control group; no obvious adverse events happened in the treatment group.
Conclusion:Acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression is as same as oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride in therapeutic effects, but it does not have adverse reaction.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of tuina manipulations for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
Methods:Sixty eligible FMS patients were randomized into two groups, 30 in each group. Patients in the observation group were intervened by tuina manipulations to the corresponding segment of the spine based on the detection of disorders of the spine-related bones and tendons;patients in the control group were directed to practice functional exercises. Before and after intervention, the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted for evaluation.
Results:After intervention, the FIQ and VAS scores dropped significantly in both groups (all P<0.05), and there were significant differences between the two groups (both P<0.05). The total effective rate was 86.7%in the observation group versus 63.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion:Spinal tuina manipulations are effective and safe in treating FMS, for significantly promoting the quality of life of the FMS patients.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina plus ultrasonic therapy in treating infantile muscular torticollis.
Methods:Seventy kids with muscular torticollis were intervened by tuina plus ultrasonic therapy, and the efficacy was evaluated after 8-month treatment.
Results: After 8-month treatment, 41 subjects were cured, accounting for 58.6%, 27 were improved, occupying 38.6%, 2 failed, occupying 2.8%, and the total effective rate was 97.2%.
Conclusion: Tuina plus ultrasonic therapy can produce a significant efficacy in treating infantile muscular torticollis, without adverse effects.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Methods: Forty-eight eligible AD patients were enrolled to receive acupuncture plus herb-partitioned moxibustion. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was adopted for evaluation before and after intervention, and the therapeutic efficacy was observed.
Results: After intervention, the MMSE score changed significantly (P<0.01), and the total effective rate was 83.3%.
Conclusion: Acupuncture-moxibustion can significantly improve the cognitive function of AD patients, beneficial to the general promotion of the quality of life.

Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint massage in relieving pain after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy.
Methods: Ninety-two patients undergone ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were enrolled and randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 46 in each group. Patients in the control group were given regular nursing care, while patients in the treatment group were intervened by acupoint massage in addition to the regular nursing care. The pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after operation, and compared between the two groups.
Results:There was no significant difference in comparing the VAS score at 6 h after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS scores in the treatment group at 12 h and 24 h after operation were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Fewer patients in the treatment group used analgesics compared with those in the control group.
Conclusion: Acupoint massage can effectively relieve the pain after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, reduce the use of analgesics, and promote the recovery.

Objective: To observe the effect of balancing yin-yang needling manipulation on post-stroke upper limb spasticity and changes of electromyography (EMG) after treatment.
Methods: A total of 60 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 30 in each group. Based on routine medication, cases in the control group were treated with conventional needling manipulation, whereas cases in the observation group were treated with balancing yin-yang manipulation. After the courses of treatment were completed, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale and clinical spasticity index (CSI), coupled with the integrated electromyography (IEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of biceps in passive flexion of the elbow joint during isokinetic testing recorded with the surface EMG.
Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.7%, versus 53.3% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P < 0.05). After treatment, there was between-group statistical significance in severity of elbow spasticity (P<0.05); there were intra-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group (P<0.05) statistical significances in CSI index;and there were intra-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group (P<0.01, P<0.05) statistical significances in IEMG and RMS values.
Conclusion:Balancing yin-yang and conventional needling manipulations can both improve upper limb spasm and reduce CSI as well as IEMG and RMS values in stroke patients;however, balancing yin-yang manipulation is better than conventional manipulation in clinical effect.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking with Chinese herbs for edema due to chronic cardiac failure.
Methods: One hundred and seventy patients in conformity with the diagnostic criteria of edema due to chronic cardiac failure were randomly divided into two groups, 85 cases in each group. The observation group was treated by oral administration of diuretics plus acupoint sticking with Chinese herbs. The control group was treated just by oral administration of diuretics same as the observation group. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after continuous intervention for 14 d.
Results: The total effective rate was 90.6% in the observation group, remarkably higher than 67.1% in the control group. The difference of overall therapeutic effect between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking with Chinese herbs plus oral administration of diuretics is better than simple oral administration of diuretics in treatment of edema due to chronic cardiac failure.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion at Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) in treatment of urinary retention after gynecological surgery.
Methods: Forty patients with urinary retention after gynecological surgery were randomly divided into two groups by the randomized method, 20 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by warm needling moxibustion at Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36). Patients in the control group were treated by inductive urination. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were observed after one course of treatment.
Results:The total effective rate was 95.0%in the treatment group and 70.0% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion at Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) is more effective than inductive urination in treating urinary retention after gynecological surgery.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).
Methods: A total of 60 IBS-D patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8), whereas patients in the control group only received acupuncture treatment. Six days made up a course of treatment, and the clinical effects were statistically analyzed after 4 courses.
Results: The overall response rate in the treatment group was 96.7%, versus 76.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). In the intra-group comparison of the symptom scores after treatment, there were statistical differences in both groups (both P<0.01), and in the inter-group comparison, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque (CV 8) can obtain better effect for ISB-D than acupuncture alone.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of acupoint selection by meridian differentiation plus qi-guiding needling in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
Methods: By using the random number table, 549 patients with LDH were randomized into two groups. Two hundred and eighty participants in the observation group were intervened by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling method, and the other 269 participants in the control group were by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture. At the end of intervention, the changes of conduction velocities of the common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, and tibial nerve were observed, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared.
Results: The total effective rate was 87.5% in the observation group versus 86.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The recovery rate was 51.8% in the observation group versus 37.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling can produce a similar total effective rate to selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture, while its recovery rate is comparatively higher.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of‘setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation by Lu Shou-yan for cervical radiculopathy as well as the infrared thermographic changes of the cervical area before and after treatment.
Methods:A total of 120 eligible cases with cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 60 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with Lu Shou-yan’s ‘setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation, whereas cases in the control group were treated with even reinforcing-reducing manipulation. After two courses of treatment, the infrared thermographic changes and overall therapeutic efficacies in the two groups were compared.
Results: The recovery rate and total effective rate in the observation group were 68.3%and 98.3%respectively, versus 28.3%and 81.7%in the control group, showing statistical differences in recovery rate and total effective rate (both P<0.01). There was between-group statistical significance in comparing the infrared thermography after treatment (P<0.01).
Conclusion:‘Setting fire on the mountain’ manipulation by Lu Shou-yan is better than even reinforcing-reducing manipulation for cervical radiculopathy.

Objective:To observe the effect of Chinese herbal fumigation combined with three-step tuina manipulation on concentration of endothelin (ET) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vertigo in patients with vertebral artery cervical spondylosis (VACS).
Methods:A total of 120 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 60 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with Chinese herbal fumigation combined with three-step tuina manipulation, whereas cases in the control group were treated with oral Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules.
Results: After treatment, vertigo in both groups was alleviated; there were intra-group significant differences in ET decrease and CGRP increase (P<0.01, P<0.05);and there were also inter-group significant differences (both P<0.05).
Conclusion: Chinese herbal fumigation combined with three-step tuina manipulation can regulate the levels of ET and CGRP and improve vertigo in patients with VACS. Its therapeutic efficacy is superior to oral Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal fumigation plus beating with mulberry stick in treating heel pain.
Methods: Sixty patients with heel pain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by Chinese herbal fumigation plus beating with mulberry stick, and the control group was by orally taking Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets plus external use of She Xiang Zhen Tong Gao (Moschus Analgesic Plaster). After one treatment course, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to observe the change of pain, and the clinical efficacies were also evaluated.
Results: After intervention, the improvement of VAS score in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01).
Conclusion:Chinese herbal fumigation plus beating with mulberry stick can produce a higher clinical efficacy than orally taking Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets in treating heel pain.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by a randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Sixty cases with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated by warm needling moxibustion. The control group was treated by simple acupuncture. Ten sessions made one course and the two groups were treated for two courses. The scores of knee joint pain, stiffness and knee functions before and after the treatment were observed.
Results: The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) on pain, stiffness and joint functions before and after treatment in both groups were statistically different (all P<0.05). The comparisons of the scores in pain, stiffness and joint function after treatment between the two groups were all statistically different (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3%in the observation group and 80.0%in the control group. The differences of the clinical effects between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms and functions of the patients with KOA, and is better than ordinary acupuncture in the therapeutic effect.

In addition to conventional palpation method, examination on vertebral range of motion (ROM) and mobility can help to determine a pathological displacement and thus provide solid basis for spinal tuina manipulation.