Acupuncture Point Specificity

Xing, Jingjing; Zeng, Bai-Yun; Li, Juan; Yi, Zichuan; Liang, Fanrong

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-411545-3.00003-1

Cited by 48 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…A growing number of studies confirm acupoint specificity at different acupoints, but clinical research is still lacking [36.] Our trial is one of the few studies focusing on acupoint specificity research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Which Subtype of Functional Dyspepsia Patients Responses Better to Acupuncture? A Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Ma¹,

Zeng²,

Li³

et al. 2015

Complement Med Res

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Background: Whether subgroups of functional dyspepsia (FD) should be treated with different approaches is controversially discussed in research. As our previous study has demonstrated the effect of acupuncture in FD treatment, we now further analyze the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 465 eligible PDS patients and 241 EPS patients. 4 acupuncture groups (group A: specific acupoints along the stomach meridian; group B: non-specific acupoints along the stomach meridian; group C: alarm and transport acupoints; group D: specific acupoints along the gallbladder meridian) were compared with a non-acupoint sham acupuncture group and an itopride group. The patients were treated in 5 consecutive sessions per week for 4 weeks and were followed-up for 12 weeks afterwards. Primary outcome of the study was defined as response rate and symptom improvement as measured by the Symptom Index of Dyspepsia, while secondary outcome was designated as improvement in quality of life (QoL) as determined by the Nepean Dyspepsia Index. Results: Symptoms of dyspepsia and QoL were improved from baseline in all groups. In EPS patients, no statistically significant differences could be observed in response rate (p = 0.239) and symptoms improvement (p = 0.344 for epigastric pain; p = 0.465 for epigastric burning). In contrast, PDS patients of the acupuncture group A showed higher response rate (53.2% vs. 19.7%, p<0.001; 53.2% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.025) and score change in postprandial fullness (1.01 vs. 0.27, p<0.001; 1.01 vs. 0.57, p<0.001), early satiation (0.81 vs. 0.21, p<0.001; 0.81 vs. 0.39, p=0.001), and QoL (14.5 vs. 4.33, p<0.001; 14.5 vs. 8.5, p<0.001) compared to the sham acupuncture and itopride group. Conclusions: FD patients with PDS responded better to the acupuncture therapies, especially at the specific acupoints along the stomach meridian. The positive therapeutic effect of acupuncture on PDS was correlated with the improvement in postprandial fullness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT00599677.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Which Subtype of Functional Dyspepsia Patients Responses Better to Acupuncture? A Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Ma¹,

Zeng²,

Li³

et al. 2015

Complement Med Res

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“…Acupoint specificity is often considered as the foundation of the theory and treatment of acupuncture (57). Evidence derived from brain imaging and biological studies demonstrated that the point specificity does exist (58)(59)(60)(61).…”

Section: Principal Features Of Acupuncture Intervention Efficacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Is acupuncture no more than a placebo? Extensive discussion required about possible bias

Deng

Zhao

et al. 2015

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

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Abstract. Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture have been conducted in recent years. The results of several studies implied that acupuncture was only a powerful placebo; however, certain studies demonstrated that verum acupuncture had a greater effect than placebo and the mechanisms between a verum acupuncture group and a placebo/sham group were different. Researchers attempted to investigate the inherent factors that may potentially influence the results of trials. Certain problems observed in acupuncture RCTs also occurred in RCTs in other fields, including insufficient sample size, high dropout rates, inadequate follow-up and randomization. The study of acupuncture is so complex that specific methodological challenges are raised, which are frequently overlooked, including sham interventions, blinding, powerful placebo effects (even stronger than an inert pill) and variations in acupuncture administration. The aforementioned problems may contribute to bias, and researchers systematically attempt to solve these problems. The present review aimed to suggest techniques to design high-quality studies, minimize the placebo effect and optimize acupuncture administration in acupuncture studies. If these problems are addressed, then the results of acupuncture studies may be different.

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“…The research on acupuncture started off focusing on the meridian effects [8], which was one of the essential building blocks of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and acupuncture. In the recent years, specificity of meridian acupoint has also become a research hotspot [9–13]. As we progress from meridian studies to specificity of a meridian acupoint, we propose more research to study the variability of effects caused by different insertion depth on a selected point (Figure 2).…”

Section: Proposed Progression Of Research Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture and Depth: Future Direction for Acupuncture Research

Goh

Zhao

2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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The research on acupuncture has increased steadily over the years and regular review and revision of the direction of future acupuncture research are necessary. This paper aims to review and explore the significance of acupuncture depth in modern acupuncture research. Searches conducted in Science Direct and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases reflected a lack of focus on depth of acupuncture. We propose that the research trends of acupuncture should progress to the depth of insertion. It is suggested that future acupuncture research, especially randomized controlled trials (RCTs), should take into consideration the depth of insertion. Comparison between databases using different language of medium suggests the need for international collaboration of researchers from the same field. It is also crucial to inherit and innovate traditional medicine (TM) through modern technology. The use of bibliometric method is also suitable for development of TM research trends. Acupuncture and depth should be considered as one of the future directions of acupuncture research.

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Acupuncture Point Specificity

Cited by 48 publications

References 57 publications

Which Subtype of Functional Dyspepsia Patients Responses Better to Acupuncture? A Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Which Subtype of Functional Dyspepsia Patients Responses Better to Acupuncture? A Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Is acupuncture no more than a placebo? Extensive discussion required about possible bias

Acupuncture and Depth: Future Direction for Acupuncture Research

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