[Comparison of the clinical therapeutic effects between electroacupuncture and warming needle moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis of kidney deficiency and marrow insufficiency pattern/syndrome].

Objective: To explore the actions of electroacupuncture (EA) and the warming needle moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of kidney deficiency and marrow insufficiency pattern/syndrome and compare the clinical effects between these two therapies.

Methods: Seventy-four cases of KOA were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a warming needle moxibustion (WNM) group, 37 cases in each one. The acupoints were Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc.

[Impact of acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function and life quality of patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma: a randomized controlled study].

Objective: To observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler.

Methods: Fifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest.

[Comparative research on effect of warm needling therapy on pulmonary function and life quality of patients with COPD in the stable phase].

Objective: To observe the effects on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the stable phase treated with warm needling therapy and Seretide. To make the comparison of improvements between two therapies in terms of the clinical symptoms and life quality.

Methods: Sixty cases were randomly divided into a warm needling group and a Seretide group, 30 cases in each one.

Effect of electro-acupuncture on tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor in peripheral blood and joint synovia of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in peripheral blood and joint synovia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to verify the clinical efficacy of EA.

Methods: Adopting randomized controlled principle, the 63 RA patients enrolled were assigned to two groups, the 32 patients in the EA group were treated with EA, and the 31 patients in the simple needling (SN) group treated with simple needling. According to the integral-local combining method, the acupoints were selected mainly from yang-meridian and local Ashi points (pain-point).

[Effects of electroacupuncture and simple acupuncture on changes of IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: In a randomized and controlled trial, sixty-three cases with RA were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (n = 32) and a simple acupuncture group (n = 31). Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected by coordination method combined whole and local acupoints.