Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Low-dose laser acupuncture for non-specific chronic low back pain: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.
To determine if infrared laser acupuncture (LA) may have a specific effect in reducing pain and disability in treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP). ⋯ LA using energy density range (0-4 J/cm(2)) for the treatment of chronic non-specific LBP resulted in clinical improvement unrelated to laser stimulation.
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Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a common and severe neuropathic pain syndrome arising after breast surgery. Since few effective allopathic treatments exist for PMPS, many patients may seek assistance from complementary and alternative medicine. Here, we report a case of a woman with severe and persistent PMPS who was successfully treated with acupuncture.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A sham-controlled trial of acupuncture as an adjunct in migraine prophylaxis.
Migraine is one of the most common types of headache, with significant socioeconomic effects. Prophylactic drugs are used to prevent migraine headaches but are unpromising. ⋯ Acupuncture is applicable as an adjunct to prophylactic drugs in migraineurs in whom the number of attacks does not fall with prophylactic medication.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Acupuncture with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) versus acupuncture or NSAIDs alone for the treatment of chronic neck pain: an assessor-blinded randomised controlled pilot study.
To investigate the feasibility and sample size required for a full-scale randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of acupuncture with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic neck pain compared with acupuncture or NSAID treatment alone. ⋯ This pilot study has provided the feasibility and sample size for a full-scale trial of acupuncture with NSAIDs for chronic neck pain compared with acupuncture or NSAID treatment alone. Further research is needed to validate the effects of acupuncture with NSAIDs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Are physiological changes experienced by healthy subjects during acu-TENS associated with acupuncture point sensations?
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupuncture points (acu-TENS) has been reported to improve clinical outcomes. The objectives of the present study were to investigate whether acupuncture point sensations were experienced during acu-TENS, and whether such sensations were associated with any concomitant changes in autonomic nervous system activity. ⋯ This study showed that 'acupuncture point sensations' were experienced during acu-TENS to LI4 and LI11, but such sensations were not associated with physiological responses induced during the stimulation.