BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a common and serious chronic neurological disorder, and some patients suffer from cognitive dysfunction. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese herbal for primary epilepsy patients with cognitive impairment.
METHODS: To search the randomized control trials (RCTs) published before April 20, 2023 from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of science, and Wanfang Database. The risk of bias within each individual trial was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. RevMan5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. The odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each RCT before data pooling.
RESULTS: The primary outcomes involve changes in cognitive function and behavioral disturbances. The secondary outcomes focused on quality of life and adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review are expected to provide new guidelines for the treatment of primary epilepsy patients with cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND: This systematic review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (Registration number: CRD42023415355).

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that significantly impacts an individual\'s psychological and physical health, characterized by persistent difficulties in falling asleep, decreased sleep quality, and impaired daytime functioning. Traditional treatment approaches primarily rely on pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy, yet not all patients benefit from these methods, and they often come with certain side effects. Thus, identifying safe and effective alternative or adjunctive treatments is of paramount importance. The purpose of this paper is to review the research progress on acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia and to explore the mechanisms by which acupuncture may treat insomnia through regulating neurotransmitters and nervous system, anti-inflammatory actions, and improving neuroplasticity, providing evidence to support the broad application of acupuncture in clinical practice.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of acupoint embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine dialectical treatment regimen in improving clinical symptoms, promoting tumor regression, controlling adverse reactions and complications, and enhancing patient satisfaction by comparing and analyzing the clinical data of 120 breast tumor patients. One hundred twenty patients with breast cancer were divided into a treatment group (60 cases) and a control group (60 cases) according to different treatment plans. Patients in the treatment group received a combination of acupoint embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine dialectical treatment based on different time points of the menstrual cycle. Including the proportion of reduction in the number of breast masses, the proportion of reduction in mass size, changes in pain severity scores, tumor regression rate, regression time, incidence of adverse reactions and complications, and patient satisfaction. Statistical software was used to analyze the data to evaluate differences between the 2 groups. In terms of clinical symptoms, the proportion of reduction in the number of breast masses in the treatment group averaged 50%, significantly higher than the 25% in the control group; the proportion of reduction in mass size averaged 40%, also higher than the 15% in the control group; and the improvement in pain severity scores was also superior to the control group. Regarding tumor regression, the tumor regression rate in the treatment group reached 85%, with an average regression time of 6.2 weeks, both significantly better than the 55% and 9.8 weeks in the control group. In terms of adverse reactions and complications, the incidence rate in the treatment group was relatively low, and no serious adverse events occurred. Patient satisfaction surveys showed that the treatment group had significantly higher satisfaction with treatment effectiveness, treatment process, and physician service attitude compared to the control group. Based on clinical data from 120 breast tumor patients, the results of this study indicate that breast tumor patients treated with a specific treatment regimen have significant advantages in improving clinical symptoms, tumor regression, controlling adverse reactions and complications, and patient satisfaction. This treatment regimen has high clinical application value and deserves further promotion.

BACKGROUND: Dyskinesia is one of the most common complications of stroke. Acupuncture therapy (AT) and mirror therapy (MT) are promising rehabilitation measures for the treatment of post-stroke dyskinesia. Although some studies suggested that AT and MT are effective and safe for dyskinesia, the effects, and safety remain uncertain due to lacking strong evidence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of AT combined with MT in the treatment of post-stroke dyskinesia.
METHODS: We searched the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, China Knowledge Network, WANFANG, and China Biomedical Literature Database, from inception to 1 January 2023 to identify eligible studies. Total effective rate, the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) upper and lower limb scores, modified Barthel index scores, Berg balance scale, modified Ashworth scale, and adverse reactions were adopted as outcome indicators. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation system was used by 2 independent reviewers to assess the quality of evidence for the outcome indicators included in the study. The statistical analysis was conducted by RevMan V.5.4 software.
RESULTS: A total of 24 randomized controlled studies included 2133 patients with post-stroke dyskinesia were included. The total effective rate of AT combined with MT was more advantageous in the treatment of post-stroke dyskinesia (relative risk = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.22-1.42], Z = 6.96, P < .0001). AT combined with MT was more advantageous for FMA upper limb score (mean difference [MD] = 6.67, 95% CI [5.21-8.13], Z = 8.97, P < .00001) and FMA lower limb score (MD = 3.72, 95% CI [2.81-4.63], Z = 7.98, P < .00001). Meta-analysis showed that AT combined with MT for post-stroke dyskinesia had a more advantageous modified Barthel index score (MD = 9.51, 95% CI [7.44-11.58], Z = 9.01, P < .00001).
CONCLUSIONS: AT combined with MT is effective in improving motor function and daily living ability of patients, especially in improving muscle spasms. However, these results should be regarded with caution given the low quality of evidence for the evaluation results.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, which had an impact on the dentofacial system (pain, loose teeth and falling out of them) in patients who have had COVID-19, drew the close attention of specialists of different profiles. The pathogenesis of worsening post-COVID edentulism is insufficiently studied, as many issues of adequate therapy remain unsolved, in which the role of non-drug technologies in the treatment of dental patients who have suffered from COVID-19 is extremely high.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the mechanism of action and clinical effectiveness of the developed combined physiotherapy method, including the induced technique of piracetam iontophoresis on the frontooccipital technic and acupuncture laser therapy in dental patients with complaints of edentulism progression after COVID-19 on the basis of the analysis of single studies on the post-COVID loss of teeth treatment.
METHODS: A number of patients equal 120 who complained of tooth loss after COVID-19 during the past 6 months were examined. The following initial and end points were considered: dental bleeding and inflammation scores, vascular and endothelial dysfunction markers - levels of intercellular adhesion molecules and their receptors (SlCAM-1, SVCAM-1, VEGF-A, ET-1) before and after treatment.
RESULTS: Negative correlation between VEGF-A (pg/ml) concentration in peripheral blood serum and sVCAM-1 (ng/ml) level in the examined patients (r=0.4830, p<0.05) and strong inverse correlation between slCAM-1 (ng/ml) level and sVCAM-1 (r=0.7696, p<0.01) have been established. More significant effects after application of the combined induced method on the head\'s structures and laser acupuncture have been noted than after acupuncture laser exposure and after inducing technique separately, namely in the form of dental inflammation score correction by 1.76 times (p<0.001), decrease of bleeding score by 2.6 (p<0.05), decrease of concentration of SVCAM-1 by 1.7 times and SlCAM-1 by 2 times (p<0.001), increase of endothelin level by 1.7 times as well as the initial low VEGF-A (pg/ml) by 1.5 times (p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: The developed physiotherapeutic complex, which includes laser acupuncture physiotherapy and induced technique of 5% piracetam iontophoresis, can potentially be considered as a physioprophylactic and therapeutic model of post-COVID edentulism.
Функциональные нарушения системы пищеварения, отразившиеся на зубочелюстной системе (боль, шаткость, выпадение зубов) у пациентов, перенесших COVID-19, привлекли пристальное внимание специалистов разного профиля. Патогенез прогрессирующей постковидной адентии малоизучен, как и не решены многие вопросы адекватной терапии, в которой роль немедикаментозных технологий при лечении стоматологических пациентов, перенесших COVID-19, крайне высока.
UNASSIGNED: На основе анализа единичных исследований по лечению постковидной адентии описать механизм действия и клиническую эффективность разработанной сочетанной методики физиотерапии, включающей лекарственный электрофорез пирацетама по лобно-затылочной методике и лазеропунктуру у стоматологических пациентов с жалобами на прогрессирование адентии после COVID-19.
UNASSIGNED: Обследованы 120 пациентов, обратившихся с жалобами на выпадение зубов после COVID-19 на протяжении последних 6 мес. В качестве исходных и конечных точек учитывали: стоматологические индексы кровоточивости и воспаления, маркеры сосудисто-эндотелиальной дисфункции — уровни молекул межклеточной адгезии и их рецепторы (SlCAM-1, SVCAM-1, VEGF-A, ЭТ-1) до и после лечения.
UNASSIGNED: Установлена отрицательная корреляционная связь между концентрацией VEGF-A (пг/мл) в сыворотке периферической крови и уровнем sVCAM-1 (нг/мл) у обследуемых пациентов (r=0,4830, p<0,05) и сильная обратная корреляционная связь между уровнем slCAM-1 (нг/мл) и sVCAM-1 (r=0,7696, p<0,01). После применения комбинированной методики на структуры головы и лазеропунктуры отмечали более значимые эффекты, чем после пунктурного лазерного воздействия и после методики: в виде коррекции стоматологического индекса воспаления в 1,76 раза (p<0,001), снижения индекса кровоточивости в 2,6 раза (p<0,05), снижения концентрации SVCAM-1 в 1,7 раза и SlCAM-1 в 2 раза (p<0,001), возрастания уровней эндотелина в 1,7 раза, как и исходного низкого VEGF-A (пг/мл) в 1,5 раза (p<0,01).
UNASSIGNED: Разработанный физиотерапевтический комплекс, включающий лазеропунктуру и методику лекарственного электрофореза 5% пирацетама, потенциально можно рассматривать в качестве физиопрофилактической и лечебной модели постковидной адентии.

OBJECTIVE: To identify major contributors, current research status, and to forecast research trends and future development prospects on acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu, WanFang databases, and the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), PubMed, and Scopus databases. The search strategy included relevant terms for HZ, PHN, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The reference type was limited to articles or reviews, with a publication date from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2023. Data analysis was performed using CiteSpace software, focusing on author, institution, source, and keyword distributions, and temporal trends.
RESULTS: A total of 1612 publications were identified from both Chinese and English databases. The analysis revealed a rising trend in publication numbers in the English database, with a significant increase observed in 2020. In the Chinese database, publication activity exhibited two peaks in 2019 and 2023. Guohua Lin and Jingchun Zeng were the most prolific authors in the Chinese and English databases, respectively. The Chengdu University of TCM and Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University were the most active institutions. The keyword analysis revealed \"herpes zoster\" as the most frequent keyword in the Chinese database, while \"postherpetic neuralgia,\" \"acupuncture,\" and \"management\" were prominent in the English database. The study also identified several therapeutic approaches, including fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture, which have shown efficacy in treating HZ and PHN. Animal studies provided insights into the mechanisms of these therapies, suggesting potential modulation of neuroinflammatory markers and intracellular signaling pathways.
CONCLUSIONS: The bibliometric analysis underscores the growing interest in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for HZ and PHN. It highlights the contributions of key authors and institutions while pinpointing potential areas for future research. The study advocates for the necessity of large-scale, multi-center clinical trials and further basic mechanical research to optimize these therapies. Moreover, it also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration to strengthen the evidence base and expand the global impact of this traditional treatment modality.

BACKGROUND: Hot flashes are a common side effect of endocrine therapy (ET) that contribute to poor quality of life and decreased treatment adherence.
METHODS: Patients with breast cancer wo were receiving ET and experiencing hot flashes were enrolled through three parallel, randomized trials conducted in the United States, China, and South Korea. Participants were randomized to either immediate acupuncture (IA) or delayed acupuncture control (DAC). IA participants received 20 acupuncture sessions over 10 weeks, whereas DAC participants received usual care, then crossed over to acupuncture with a reduced intensity. The primary end point was a change in score on the endocrine symptom subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Endocrine Symptoms between baseline and week 10. Secondary end points included the hot flash score and the FACT-Breast score. A planned pooled analysis of individual patient data was performed using longitudinal mixed models.
RESULTS: In total, 158 women with stage 0-III breast cancer were randomized (United States, n = 78; China, n = 40; South Korea, n = 40). At week 10, IA participants reported statistically significant improvements in the endocrine symptom subscale score (mean change ± standard error: 5.1 ± 0.9 vs. 0.2 ± 1.0; p = .0003), the hot flash score (-5.3 ± 0.9 vs. -1.4 ± 0.9; p < .003), and the FACT-Breast total score (8.0 ± 1.6 vs. -0.01 ± 1.6; p = .0005) compared with DAC participants. The effect of the acupuncture intervention differed by site (p = .005).
CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture led to statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in hot flashes, endocrine symptoms, and breast cancer-specific quality of life in women undergoing ET for breast cancer in the United States, China, and South Korea.

UNASSIGNED: Poor sleep quality greatly impairs quality of life and accelerates deterioration in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), but current remedies remain limited. Acupuncture, used as an adjunctive therapy with anti-Parkinson medications, has shown positive effects in patients with PD. However, high-quality clinical evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with PD and poor sleep quality is lacking.
UNASSIGNED: To assess the safety and efficacy of real acupuncture (RA) vs sham acupuncture (SA) as an adjunctive therapy for patients with PD who have poor sleep quality.
UNASSIGNED: This single-center randomized clinical trial was performed at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China from February 18, 2022, to February 18, 2023. Patients with PD and sleep complaints were recruited and randomized (1:1) to receive RA or SA treatment for 4 weeks. Data analysis was performed from April 12 to August 17, 2023.
UNASSIGNED: Treatment with RA or SA for 4 weeks.
UNASSIGNED: The main outcome was the change in Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) scores measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at 8 weeks of follow-up.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 83 participants enrolled, 78 (94.0%) completed the intervention and were included in the analysis. Their mean (SD) age was 64.1 (7.9) years; 41 (52.6%) were men and 37 (47.4%) were women. A significant increase in PDSS scores from baseline was observed for both the RA group (29.65 [95% CI, 24.65-34.65]; P < .001) and the SA group (10.47 [95% CI, 5.35-15.60]; P < .001). Compared with the SA group, the RA group had a significant increase in PDSS scores after 4 weeks of treatment (19.75 [95% CI, 11.02-28.49]; P < .001) and at 8 weeks of follow-up (20.24 [95% CI, 11.51-28.98]; P < .001).
UNASSIGNED: In this randomized clinical trial, acupuncture proved beneficial in improving sleep quality and quality of life among patients with PD. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture could continue for up to 4 weeks.
UNASSIGNED: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2200060655.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is highly prevalent in stroke patients; however, there is no ideal intervention. This systematic review examined the effect and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture on sleep in adults with stroke.
METHODS: Six databases were searched from inception to June 2023 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. Risk of bias and evidence quality was assessed. A pairwise random-effect meta-analysis was performed.
RESULTS: A total of 54 RCTs published in 55 articles were finally included in the systematic review, including 35 of CHM and 19 of acupuncture therapies. Compared with placebo/sham procedure, CHM and acupuncture were more effective in improving PSQI scores. The evidence of moderate quality suggested that CHM outperformed benzodiazepine drugs (BZDs) while it presented an effect similar to that of non-BZDs in improving sleep quality. CHM and acupuncture also provided additional benefits to the patients treated with pharmacological agents alone. However, the evidence specific to individual CHM prescriptions lay in various factors and methodological quality, and the evidence on the comparative effectiveness between acupuncture and other therapies was conflicting or limited.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, CHM and acupuncture used alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy can safely improve sleep in stroke patients with insomnia. In the future, RCTs on outstanding CHM prescriptions and the comparative effectiveness research between acupuncture and other therapies are needed.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO No. CRD42020194029 and No. CRD42020194030.

BACKGROUND: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a rare disease and common type of autoimmune encephalitis. The prognosis of patients with comorbid disorders of consciousness is poor, and no such acupuncture treatment has been reported. We report a case of acupuncture in anti-NMDAR encephalitis with a high cerebrospinal fluid titer combined with impaired consciousness.
METHODS: A 13-year-old girl with anti-NMDAR encephalitis presented to our hospital with impaired consciousness.
METHODS: Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. According to the Chinese medicine theory, the diagnosis was Shenhun(phlegm obstructs the clear orifices).
METHODS: Depending on the patient\'s condition, we used the Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture therapeutic method.
RESULTS: After 16 weeks of acupuncture treatment, the patient awoke and resumed a normal life with no recurrence at one-year follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrated that acupuncture can be used as a complementary and alternative treatment for anti-NMDAR encephalitis.