The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Pulse analysis in bipolar disordered and nonpsychotic human subjects.
The research literature indicates that patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) differ from healthy individuals in various ways that are also recognized in traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the pulse spectra in BPD patients to determine any differences from nonpsychotic healthy individuals. Sphygmography was used to measure the radial arterial pulse waves in all subjects. ⋯ In this study, we objectively detected constitutional differences between BPD patients and healthy controls through arterial pulse analysis. The pulse spectrum analyzer is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be used to integrate scientific technology with traditional Chinese medicine. We plan further study in this field to improve the accuracy of diagnosis in Chinese medicine.
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Citrus Unshiu peel (CUP) has been traditionally used in East Asia as a drug for the treatment of vomiting and dyspepsia. However, its effects on inflammation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of CUP on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. ⋯ Additionally, CUP inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK, and suppressed IκBα degradation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Collectively, our results indicate that CUP inhibits the production of various inflammatory mediators via blockade of MAPK phosphorylation pursuant to the inhibition of IκBα degradation and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. These findings are the first to clarify the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect exerted by CUP in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated by inflammatory agents.
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The objective of this study was to assess evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of Chinese qigong exercise in rehabilitative programs among cardiac patients. Thirteen databases were searched through to November 2010, and all controlled clinical trials on Chinese qigong exercise among patients with chronic heart diseases were included. For each included study, data was extracted and validity was assessed. ⋯ In total, these studies covered 540 patients with various chronic heart diseases including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarct, valve replacement, and ischemic heart disease. Outcome measures emerged in these studies included subjective outcomes such as symptoms and quality of life; and objective outcomes such as blood pressure, ECG findings, and exercise capacity, physical activity, balance, co-ordination, heart rate, and oxygen uptake. Overall, these studies suggest that Chinese qigong exercise seems to be an optimal option for patients with chronic heart diseases who were unable to engage in other forms of physical activity; however, its efficacy and effectiveness in cardiac rehabilitation programs should be further tested.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Tai Chi on body balance: randomized controlled trial in elderly men with dizziness.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 18-week Tai Chi training on body balance in a dynamic trial among elderly men with dizziness. The study covered subjects aged 60 to 80 years. We identified 40 men who reported a history of dizziness. ⋯ The ability to perform specific tasks (maximal deflections in four directions) was measured on the posturographic platform. The variation in results obtained on the first and second date of tests in the experimental and control groups was confirmed statistically using four parameters, i.e. "8 foot up to and go test (H = 8.21;p = 0.003), forward deflection (H = 3.70;p = 0.050), backward deflection (H = 5.04;p = 0.024) and maximum sway area (H = 8.86;p = 0.002). Consequently, we found that the 18-week period of Tai-Chi exercises, with a frequency of twice a week for 45 minutes, is beneficial for dynamic balance, which is important for the reduction of fall risk factors among elderly men with dizziness.
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Previous work from our team and others has shown that manual acupuncture at LI4 (hegu), ST36 (zusanli), and LV3 (taichong) deactivates a limbic-paralimbic-neocortical brain network, and at the same time activates somatosensory regions of the brain. The objective of the present study was to explore the specificity and commonality of the brain response to manual acupuncture at LI4, ST36, and LV3, acupoints that are located on different meridians and are used to treat pain disorders. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor the brain responses to acupuncture at three different acupoints; we examined 46 healthy subjects who, according to their psychophysical responses, experienced deqi sensation during acupuncture. ⋯ We also noted differences in major sections of the medial prefrontal and medial temporal lobes, with LI4 predominating in the pregenual cingulate and hippocampal formation, ST36 predominating in the subgenual cingulate, and LV3 predominating in the posterior hippocampus and posterior cingulate. The results suggest that although these acupoints are commonly used for anti-pain and modulatory effects, they may mobilize the same intrinsic global networks, with substantial overlap of common brain regions to mediate their actions. Our findings showing preferential response of certain limbic-paralimbic structures suggests acupoints may also exhibit relative specificity.