Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research

Editor: Yoshiaki Omura
Volume 47, 2022

ISSN: 0360-1293; E-ISSN: 2167-9010
Softbound
4 numbers per volume

ICAT members apply discount code at checkout.

Due to the lack of reviewers, this journal is unable to accept submissions at this time. Please check back to this website for updates in the coming months.

Due to Covid-19 and reorganization of the Editorial Office of the journal, any paper submitted as of September 27, 2021 will have an unusually long delay before it can be reviewed.

We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

CiteScore 2020: 0.7
View CiteScore for Acupuncture & Electro-therapeutics Research

Journal Activity

Items viewed per month for this Journal through Ingenta Connect:
May 2022

Table of Contents: 991
Abstracts: 8,315
Full Text Downloads: 78

Shop for Active Titles & Books

View All Previously Published Journals

$400.00 – $450.00

Journal	Clear

Aims & Scope

Aims & Scope

The aim of the journal is to provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas and promotion of basic and clinical research in acupuncture, electro-therapeutics, and related fields. The journal was established in order to make acupuncture and electro-therapeutics a universally acceptable branch of medicine through multidisciplinary research based on scientific disciplines. The final goal is to provide a better understanding of both the beneficial and adverse effects of these treatments in order to supplement or improve existing methods of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in both Western and Oriental medicine.

The journal will accept original basic or clinical research papers, worthwhile reviews on safe and effective therapeutic methods, applications, limitations, theories, or principles of acupuncture and electro-therapeutics, including electro-analgesia or any method of treatment through the application of various types of electric or electromagnetic field stimuli as well as electrical and nonelectrical diagnostic methods. The journal will also consider serious research on any related methods of treatment such as Shiastsu, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and standard and experimental stages of Western medicine, with physiological and pharmacological studies. We accept clinical, experimental, and theoretical studies, particularly on the early diagnosis and safe and effective treatment of intractable medical problems, such as intractable pain, dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In general, submitted papers must be based either on the documentation of data through scientifically proven or accepted methods, or on the explanation of new theories in the field with critical evaluation of such ideas. For example, papers may present data such as the effects of acupuncture on the cardiovascular or nervous systems using blood chemistry, hemodynamics, enzymes, and other biochemical or pathophysiological, Bi-Digital O-Ring Test, nerve conduction velocity, threshold stimulation for pain, somatosensory evoked potentials or any other electro-physiological method that is scientifically acceptable. Papers not dealing directly with acupuncture, electro-therapeutics, or the related methods of diagnosis or treatment mentioned above will also be considered if they have important implications for either improving diagnostic methods or treatment, or elucidating the underlying principles or the history or medicolegal aspects of these fields.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief & Founder
Yoshiaki Omura, M.D., Sc.D., F.A.C.A., F.I.C.A.E., F.A.A.I.M., F.R.S.M., D.A.B.F., A.B.F.M.
Mailing address: 800 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
Phone (212) 781-6262, Fax (212) 923-2279
icaet@yahoo.com

President, International College of Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics; Director of Medical Research, Heart Disease Foundation; Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Community & Preventive Medicine, New York Medical College; Professor, Dept. of Non-Orthodox Medicine, Ukrainian National Medical University; Executive Board Member & Chairman of the Eastern Medicine Advisory Board of the American Association of Integrative Medicine (A.A.I.M.); Former Visiting Research Professor, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Manhattan College, New York, NY, USA; Former Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL, USA; Former Visiting Professor, Dept. of Psycho-physiology, University of Paris, Paris, France

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES:
Motomu Ohki, M.Sc (Applied Chemistry, Tokyo University), F.I.C.A.E. (Honor) &
Kamila Paluch, M.S. (Bioengineering, Columbia University

Main Editor Representing China
Haifa Qiao, MD, MM
Dean and Distinguished Professor, College of Acupuncture, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian Area, Shaanxi, China

EDITORS:

Andersson, Sven, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. of Neurophysiology, Dept. of Physiology, Univ. of Goteborg, Gotborg, Sweden
Araujo, M. Sanchez, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres., Latin Ameri-can Societies (FLASMA), & Integral Health & Therapeutics Research Inst. (INSIT), Caracas, Venezuela
Atsumi, Kazuhiko, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Dir.and Prof. Institute of Medical Electronics, Univ. of Tokyo, Hongo Bankyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
Becker, Robert O., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Consultant Biomed.Science, former Prof. Orthopedic Surgery, Upstate Med. Ctr., Starroute, Lowville, NY, USA
Beyens, Francais, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Ex-President, Belgian Assoc. of Med. Acupuncturists, Bruxelles, Belgium
Borrmann, Robert, Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./former Chairman, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Manhattan College, Bronx, NY, USA
Cao, Xiao-Ding, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Chairwoman, Dept. of Acupuncture Analgesia and former Dean of Basic Med. Science, Shanghai Med. Univ. Shanghai, PRC
Ceccherelli, Francesco, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Research Professor, Institute of Anesthesiology and Reanimation and Regulatory Center on Complementary Medicine, University of Padova, Via C. Battisti, 267-35121 Padova, Italy
Chang, Hsiang-Tung, Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Director, Shanghai Brain Research Institute Academia Sinica 319, Yo-Yang Road, Shanghai, PRC
Chen, Gong-Bai, M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E, former Prof. of Neurosurgery and Ex-President of Inst. of Neurology and of Hua Shan Hospital, Shanghai Med. Univ., PRC
Chen, Yemeng, C.M.D., L.A.C., F.I.C.A.E., Academic Dean, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola, NY, USA
Chun, Sae-il, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof & Director, Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Cohen, Marc, M.B.B.S. (Hons.), Ph.D., BmedSc (Hons.), F.A.M.A.S., DipAC, F.I.C.A.E., Head of Dept. of Complementary Medicine, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Crul, Jan, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Chairman, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Radabout Zickehuls Katholic Univ., Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Cyong, J., M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Chairman of Lab. Immunopharmacology, Oriental Med. Res. Ctr. of the Kitasato Inst., Tokyo, Japan
de Smul, Andre, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof., Dept. of Surgery, Pain Clinic, Akademisch Ziekenhuis, Vrije Univ., Brussels, Belgium
Doenicke, Alfred, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Director of the Institute for Anesthesiology, Polyclinic, Munich Univ., Munich, Germany
Farber, Paulo L., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Director/Coordinator, Acupuncture Research Dept., Div. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Univ. of Sao Paulo Med. School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Floter, Thomas, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., President, Schmerz Therapeutisches Kolloquium Pain Treatment Ctr., Frankfurt Main, Germany
Genazzani, Andrea R., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres., Intl. Soc. of Gynecological Endocrinology, E.I.C. Gynecological Endocrinology, Prof. Inst. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Univ. of Modena, Modena, Italy
Giron, Giampiero, P., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. and Director, Instituto Di Anesthesiologia E Rianimazione, and Regulatory Center on Complementary Medicine, University of Padova, Via C. Battisti, 267-35121 Padova, Italy
Gleditsch, Jochen, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Pres., German Physicians Acupuncture Assoc., Munchen 2, Germany
Greenfield, William, D.D.S., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Assoc. Dean for Hospital and Extramural Affairs, New York Univ. Dental Ctr., New York, NY, USA
Gunn, C. Chan, M.A., A.B., M.C., Chir., F.I.C.A.E., Prof., University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA & Gunn Pain Clinic, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hayhoe, Simon, B.S., M.B., M.R.C.S., I.C.R.P., F.I.C.A.E., Ex-Chairman & Treasurer, ICMA, British Med. Acupuncture Society, Dept. of Anesthetics, Essex County Hosp., Colchester, UK
Hegyi, Gabriella, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., Head of Dept of CAM, Pecs University, Health Science Faculty, Hungary
Hisamitsu, Tadashi, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Chairman, Dept. of Physiology, School of Med., Showa Univ., Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Hui, S. C., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Pres., Western Australian Med. Acupuncture Society, Nedlands, Western Australia
Iliev, Emil, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Chairman, Bulgarian Society of Traditional Chinese Med., Sofia, Bulgaria
Jojima, Takashi, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Pres., Brazilian Med. Acupuncture Assoc., Ave. Paes de Rarros, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Junnila, Seppo, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres., Finnish Med. Acupuncture Soc. and Mgr. of Salo District Health Care Center, Salo, Finland
Kaada, Birger, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. of Neurophysiology, Lab. of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
Kim, Ki Ho, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., F.A.A.P.M.R., Director, Kim Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Livingston, NJ, USA
Klaus, Wolfgang, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. and Chairman, Dept. of Pharmacology, Univ. of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Lee, Matthew, M.D., M.P.H., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Dir. of Rehabilitation Med., Goldwater Memorial Hospital, New York Univ. Med. Center, and Pres., American Academy of Acupuncture, New York, NY, USA
Lisenyuk, Victor, M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Chairman, Dept. of Non-Orthodox Med., Ukrainian National Med. Univ., Kiev, Ukraine
Lu, Dominic P., D.D.S., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof of Oral Medicine, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Director of Medical and Dental Externship Education and Chief of Special Care Dentistry, Lehigh Valley Hospital
Lundberg, Thomas, NI.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Physiology II, Karolinska Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
Mamtani, Ravi, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. of Clinical Preventive Med., Dir. of Med. Acupuncture Program, New York Med. College, Valhalla, NY, USA
Marcus, Paul, M.D., former Chairman, British Med. Acupuncture Soc., Admin., Newton House, Warrington, Cheshire, England
Maric-Oehler, Walburg, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres. German Med. Acupuncture Assoc., Bad Homburg, Germany
Mayroher, Otto, M.D., Dr. N.C. Mult., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. and Chairman, Inst. of Anesthesiology, Univ. of Vienna, Austria
Melzack, Ronald, Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. of Psychology, McGill Univ., Montreal, Canada
Muteki, Gousuke, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. Emeritus & Former Chairman, Dept. of Anesthesiology & Dir. of Emergency Intensive Care Unit, Kurume Univ., Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
Nappi, Giuseppe, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., E.I.C., Functiona Neurology, Prof. & Dir., 1st. Neurologic Ctr. Mondino, Univ. of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Negro, Francesco E., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres., 4th World Congress of Scientific Acupuncture of ICMART 90, Pres. of the Italian Acupuncture Soc., Rome, Italy
Needham, Joseph, F.R.S., F.A.B., F.I.C.A.E., Sometime Master of Gonville and Caius College and Dir., East Asian History of Sci. Library, Cambridge Univ., UK
NG, Lorenz, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Chairman of Intra-Mural Res. Lab., Natl. Inst. on Drug Abuse, Rockville, MD, USA
Niboyet, J., M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E., President of Mediterranean Acupuncture Assoc., Marseilles, France
Nissel, H., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres., Austrian Soc. of Acupuncture & Auricular Medicine, Ludwig Boltzmann Acupuncture Inst., Vienna, Austria
Nogier, Paul., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres. Groupe Lyonnais d’Etudes Medicales, E.I.C., Auriculo-Medecine, Lyon, France
Nordenstrom, Bjorn E. W., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Chairman, Nobel Committee, Karolinska Inst., Stockholm, Prof. Emeritus of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
Orkin, Louis, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., former Prof./former Chairman, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
Otsuka, Yasuo, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Dir. Oriental Med., Inst. Kampo Med., Dept., Kitasato Univ., 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Peng, Alfred, M.D,, F.I.C.A.E., former Pres. NY Society of Acupuncture for Physicians & Dentists, St Luke’s Hospital, New York, NY, USA
Pontinen, P. J., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres. Nordic Med. Acupuncture Soc. and Assoc. Prof. of Anesthesiology, Univ. of Kuopio, Finland
Procacci, Paolo, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. Univ. degli Studi di Firenze, Cattedra de Terapia Medica Sistematica, Viale G.B. Firenze, Italy
Qiao, Haifa, M.D., Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine College of Acupuncture, China
Rabischong, Pierre, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Chairman of Dept. of Anatomy and Dean of the Faculty of Med., Univ. of Montpellier, Dir. of Biomechanics, Res. Unit of INSERM at Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Redfearn, Edward, B.A., M.B.B., Chir. (Camb) DRCOG, F.I.C.A.E, Ex-Chairman, British Med. Acupuncture Soc., Birmingham, England
Samosyuk, Ivan A., M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof., Dept. of Neuropathology & Reflexotherapy, Kiev State Inst. for Post Graduate Studies of Physicians, Doragozhitskaya St. Kiev, Ukraine
Schnorrenberger, Claus C., M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Past Pres. of German Physicians Acupuncture Assoc., Frieburg, Germany
Shibutani, Kinichi, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. Anesthesiology & Dir. of Pain Clinic, Westchester County Med. Ctr., New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
Skokijev, Antonije, M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres. of the Yugoslavian Med. Acupuncture Society and Prof. and Dir of Clinic for Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Military Med. Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Soulairac, Andre, M.D., Sc.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. and Chairman, Dept. of Psycho-Physiology, Faculty of Sci., Univ. of Paris VI, Paris, France
Spiegel, Edward, D.D.S., F.I.C.A.E., Former Chairman, CME Courses of American Academy of Head, Neck and Facial Pain, Erie, PA
Studer, Elizabeth, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Pres. Med. Acupuncture Soc. of Switzerland, Lugond, Switzerland
Takeshige, Chifuyu, M.D., Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof. Emeritus and former Dean of Physiology Dept., School of Med., Showa Univ., Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tobler, Paul, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Dozent for General Med., Univ. of Zurich & Univ. of Bern Zurich, Switzerland
Travell, Janet, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Emeritus Clinical Prof. of Med., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC, USA
Trachtenberg, Alan I., M.D., M.P.H., Medical Officer, N.I.H. on Drug Abuse, 6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
Tsuchiya, Mitsuharu, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., President of the Federation of Portugese Acupuncture & Moxibusion Av. Colegio Militar, 20 A-r/c. DT-Loja-1500 Lisboa, Portugal
Xuetai, Wang, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof./Vice Dir., Expert Comm. of China, Academy of Traditional Chinese Med., Former President of China Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society, Bejing, China
Yamamura, Hideo, M.D,. H.D., F.I.C.A.E., Prof Emeritus, former Chairman, Dept. of Anesthesiology; former Dean, School of Med. Tokyo Univ.; Pres., All Japan Acupuncture Society Tokyo, Japan

CO-FOUNDER

Alfred L. Copley, M.D., Dr. Med.h.c. (Heidelberg Univ.) F.I.C.A.E. (deceased)

CORRESPONDING EDITORS

Beckman, Sandra, M.A. (Speech Pathology), M.A. (Educational Computer Science), Campus Coordinator for Distance Learning in Communicative Disorders, Dept. of Human Services, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA; Former Adjunct Assistant Prof., Dept. of Communication Disorders & Sciences, Adelphi University, Manhattan Center
Camp, Virginia, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Wycombe General Hosp., High Wycombe Bucks, England
Glennie-Smith, Keith, M.B., B.S., F.F.A.R.C.S., F.I.C.A.E., Consultant Anesthesist, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Poole General Hosp., Dorset, England
Grant, Alan, M.B., F.I.C.A.E., c/o Prof. Andre Soulairac, Dept. of Psychophysiology, Faculty of Science, Univ. of Paris VI, France
Jungck, Dietrich, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Vice-Pres., Schmerz-Theraputisches Kolloquium, Clinic for Pain Treatement, 2000 Hamburg I, Germany
Merrick, Pipsisewa, M.Sc., Ph.D., Dept. of Biology, Univ. of North Carolina, NC, USA
Nakajima, Hiroaki, M.D., Ph.D., Dir. of Pulmonary Div. & Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Med., School of Med., Showa Univ., Tokyo, Japan
Nihrane, Abdallah, Ph.D., F.IC.A.E. Visiting Associate Prof. Integrative Medicine, ICAET, Adjunct Associate Prof., Microbiology, New York City College of Technology, CUNY, New York, Former Assistant Prof., Dept. of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, Former Visiting Scientist, NIH, NIAID, Bethesda, MD, USA
Omura, Alexander K., M.D., Dir., Dept. of Anesthesiology, Benefis Hosp., 4631 Fox Farm Road, Great Falls, MT, USA
Shimotsuura, Tasuhiro, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Exec. Secretary, Japan Bi-Digital O-Ring Test Assoc., Dir., Dept. of Med., St. Maria Hospital, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
Sola, Anders, M.D., F.I.C.A.E., Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Anesthesiology, School of Med., Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (former Pain Specialist, U.S. Air Force)

Submitting Articles

Due to the lack of reviewers, this journal is unable to accept submissions at this time. Please check back to this website for updates in the coming months.

Due to Covid-19 and reorganization of the Editorial Office of the journal, any paper submitted as of September 27, 2021 will have an unusually long delay before it can be reviewed.

We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Submission Requirements

Authors are requested to submit the original manuscript (and revised manuscript if needed) electronically via email to inquiries@cognizantcommunication.com. The manuscript, including text, figures, tables and figure legends, should be prepared in Microsoft Word format. Articles should be single-spaced and pages should be numbered consecutively, centered at the bottom of each page.

Please view this sample of an article published in Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, Volume 45, #1, pp. 3-14 before sending in your submission: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/cog/aetr/2020/00000045/00000001/art00002

The paper should have the following sections:

1. Title of Article

2. Names of authors with academic degrees followed by institutional affiliation

3. Contact information of person to contact (name, academic degree, address, telephone #, fax #, and email)

4. Tentative date of manuscript received by editor’s office and tentative date of acceptance in parentheses

5. Abstract (preferably less than 250 words)

6. Keywords (6 pertinent keywords)

7. Introduction

8. Materials & Methods

9. Results

10. Discussion

11. Conclusion

12. Acknowledgment

13. References

Every paper must have this basic format. Any paper without experimental or clinical research setup shown by good schematic diagrams or actual photographs with captions that are easy to understand and that provide information about how the research was carried out will not be accepted. Materials & Methods should have enough information to reproduce the research by other scientists. For these materials and methods, if electrical or electromagnetic field stimulation is used, they should provide electrical parameters as well as electromagnetic field parameters and wave forms of the stimulating electrical pulses or electromagnetic field pulses.

After suggested revisions for improvement, once the paper is going to be officially accepted for publication, please adhere to the guidelines below:

Submission Requirements: Authors are requested to submit the original manuscript (and revised manuscript if needed) electronically via email to inquiries@cognizantcommunication.com The manuscript, including text, figures, tables and figure legends, should be prepared in Microsoft Word format.

Include a cover letter, and insert “Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research Submission” in the subject line of the email. The cover letter should contain the name, address, telephone #, fax # and email address of the author responsible for correspondence. Follow the General Manuscript Form guidelines below to prepare the manuscript, figures, and tables.

When the manuscript is accepted for publication, the author(s) will be required to provide a high-resolution PDF file. Manuscripts are accepted for consideration with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere except in abstract form and are not concurrently under review elsewhere. Material accepted for publication will not be released publicly prior to its appearance in the journal.

General Manuscript Form: Papers should be typed in English with at least 3-cm (1 1/8 in.) margins on paper approximately 22 × 28 cm (8 1/2 × 11 in.) in size. Please consult the most recent issue of the journal for style and format. Number all pages consecutively, beginning with the title page. Use metric units of measure; other units may be given in parentheses. Typically, only three levels of headings are recognized. The paper should be organized as follows:

Title Page: First, before the title of the article, leave a 2-inch margin from the top of the page (for publisher reference information). The title should be brief and specific. The title page should contain in the following order: title (centered in bold, size 14, font Times New Roman), a space, the name(s), academic degree(s) (in bold) and affiliation(s) of author(s) including city, state, postal code, and country should appear (not in bold, centered in size 12 font Times New Roman). Following this, each co-author should be listed in the same way with a space between each author. Also indicate the author to whom correspondence should be addressed, with complete mailing address, telephone #,
fax # and e-mail address. Please include “Date Received” (approximate date the manuscript is to arrive at the editorial office) & “Date Accepted” (approximately 3 months after the date received) in parentheses. These dates will be tentative and subject to change. Leave an empty space before the abstract.

Abstract: The subtitle “ABSTRACT:” should be bold and written starting in the left margin. An abstract of 300 words or less should follow below (as a separate line) and be lined up with the colon from “ABSTRACT:”. It should contain a concise summary of the methods, results, conclusions, and other significant points. Any unfamiliar abbreviated word should not be used without giving corresponding original word in parenthesis.

Key Words: For the purpose of proper covering of indexing periodicals, provide 6-8 key words immediately following the abstract, with a space in between, and margins lined up with the text of the abstract. Use a semi-colon in between the key words and the first letter of each key word should be capitalized.

Text: Arrange the text with main headings of Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, list of Conclusions, Acknowledgments (and source of funding), References, Tables, and Figures. Pages should always reach full margins. Place figures/tables as close to the text reference as possible, however they can be moved to the next page in order to avoid a page being too short. Use generic names of drugs. Give name, City, State, and Country of the manufacturer of any chemicals, equipment or software mentioned in the text. Define all nonstandard abbreviations the first time they appear in the text.

References/Reference List: Within the text references should be cited with sequential numbers in parentheses. The reference list should be numbered sequentially by order of appearance in the text. Follow the style samples given below. Journal citations in the reference list should contain the following: (a) surnames and initials of all authors (surnames precede initials); (b) title of article; (c) journal title should not be abbreviated; (d) volume, inclusive pages and year. Journal’s name and Book’s title should be underlined.

Journal Article:

1. Omura, Y., Pathophysiology of acupuncture treatment: Effects of Acupuncture on Cardiovascular and Nervous systems. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research,
The International Journal. Vol 1, pp. 55-141, 1975.

Book:

1. Sambrook, J.; Fritsch, E. F.; Maniatis, T. Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual,
2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 1989.

Chapter in Edited Book:

1. Den Otter, E.; Dullens Hub, F. J.; Van Govern, H.; Pels, E. Antitumor effects of macrophages injected into animals: A review. In: MacBride, J. K.; Stuart, A., eds.
The macrophage and cancer. Edinburgh: Econoprint; 1987:119–141.

Tables: Tables should be numbered and cited sequentially in the text. Avoid very wide or long tables that would not fit a printed page. Each table should have a title, and each column in the table should have a brief heading. Define all abbreviations in the table footnote at the bottom of the table. (Text within tables and figures should be font size 12; font size smaller than 11 will not be accepted.)

Figures: Figures should be numbered and cited sequentially in the text. Use figures/photos which are high-quality. Avoid light lettering and shading that will not reproduce well. Complex formulas should be prepared as illustrations. Care must be taken that letters and other symbols do not become so small that they are illegible when the figure is reduced (by 25%). All figures/photos will be printed in black & white unless otherwise noted by author. The author is required to bear the costs for the publication of color figures. An “Author Option” form will be provided upon acceptance for open access, color figures and offprint options. If no color will be used for the final print of the publication, there will be no cost to the author; as long as the figures are in black & white, the publisher will not charge any fees even if there are many figures (more than 10). However, please make sure that if there are more than 2 curves in a figure, you are able to differentiate between the 2 without color.

Figure Legends: The figure legend should be as clear as possible and should fully describe the contents of the figure. If the figure is from a previously published article, indicate that permission has been obtained from the original publisher. Center figure legend under figures.

Permissions: If data from any other source is used in tables or figures it is the responsibility of the author(s) to obtain permission to reproduce such material. Provide proof that permission has been granted from the original publisher and indicate the source.

Final Accepted Manuscript/Disk: The final manuscript file must be submitted to the Editorial office in a high-resolution pdf file. Ensure that the hard copy and electronic file match exactly.

Copyright: Publications are copyrighted for the protection of the authors and the publisher. A Transfer of Copyright Agreement will be sent to the author whose manuscript is accepted for publication. This form must be completed and returned to the Editor before the article can be published. Although every effort is made by the publisher and editorial board to see that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement appears in this Journal, they wish to make it clear that the data and opinions appearing in the articles and advertisments herein are the sole responsibility of the contributor or advertiser concerned. Accordingly, the publisher, the editorial board, editors, and their respective employees, officers, and agents accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement.

Online Fast Track Publication: Accepted manuscripts will be loaded to Fast Track with DOI links online. Fast Track is an early e-pub system whereby subscribers to the journal can start reading and citing the articles prior to their inclusion in a journal issue. Please note that articles published in Fast Track are not the final print publication with proofs. Once the accepted manuscript is ready to publish in an issue of the journal, the corresponding author will receive a proof from our Production Department for approval. Once approved and published, the Fast Track version of the manuscript is deleted and replaced with the final published article. Online Fast Track publication ensures that the accepted manuscripts can be read and cited as quickly as possible.

Peer Review Policy

Acupuncture & Electro-therapeutics Research (ACUP) Peer Review Policy

To maintain high peer reviewing standards, ACUPUNCTURE & ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS RESEARCH (ACUP) uses an open review process, whereby the identity of the reviewers is known to the authors and authors identities are known to the reviewers. Peer review is defined as the evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field to ensure the publication of high-quality scientific research.

The ACUP peer review process is as follows:

An article is first examined by the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) and 2-3 Editorial Board members to ensure the submission meets the Aims of the journal and formatting, etc. is in order.

The EIC selects at least 3 reviewers based on key words, article content and peer review track record. to provide a detailed assessment of the paper. The reviewers are always experts in their field and may be members of the ACUP Editorial Board. Reviewers will have no history of conflict with the authors of the paper and are in good standing, based on their scholarly track record.

The comments from the reviewers will be received within 2-3 weeks. They are delivered to the EIC who draws upon these comments to assess the merit of the manuscript, along with their own assessment. Special attention is given to declarations of potential conflict of interest. Where applicable, the EIC will verify statements about appropriate approvals received in the case of research using human subjects. Likewise, claims about the use of appropriate statistical testing are ensured.

On receipt of relevant and sufficient reviewer comments, the EIC will reach a decision based on a close examination and a determination is then conveyed to the authors. The authors receive detailed comments along with the final decision: accept, accept with minor revision, accept with major revision, or rejection.

Prospective ACUP reviewers have the opportunity to read and evaluate current research in their area of expertise when it is at an early stage, thereby contributing to the integrity of scientific exploration. Anyone interested in becoming a reviewer for ACUP is invited to contact Yoshiaki Omura, M.D., Sc.D., F.A.C.A., F.I.C.A.E., F.A.A.I.M., F.R.S.M., D.A.B.F., A.B.F.M.
Mailing address: 800 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
Phone (212) 781-6262, Fax (212) 923-2279
icaet@yahoo.com

Ethics Statement

ETHICS STATEMENT

The publishers and editorial board of Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research have adopted the publication ethics and malpractice statements of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/core-practices. These guidelines highlight what is expected of authors and what they can expect from the reviewers and editorial board in return. They also provide details of how problems will be handled. Briefly:

Author Responsibilities: Authors listed on a manuscript must have made a significant contribution to the study and/or writing of the manuscript. During revisions, authors cannot be removed without their permission and that of the other authors. All authors must also agree to the addition of new authors. It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that this occurs.

Financial support and conflicts of interest for all authors must be declared. Further information on this can be obtained from the International Committee for Medical Journal Editors (http://www.icmje.org/).

The reported research must be novel and authentic and the authors should confirm that the same data has not been and is not going to be submitted to another journal (unless already rejected). Statements made in the introduction and discussion should be supported by appropriate references and sufficient experimental detail should be provided to allow for repetition of the study by another group. Plagiarism of the text/data will not be tolerated and could result in retraction of an accepted article. Any text or figures reproduced for another source require the permission of the original copyright holders (normally the publishers).

Any manipulation of figures should be equally applied and described in the text including pseudo coloring and must not change the meaning of the figure.

When humans, animals or tissue derived from them have been used, then mention of the appropriate ethical approval must be included in the manuscript.

Reviewer Responsibilities: Reviewers are expected to not possess any conflicts of interest with the authors and research. They should review the science objectively and provide recommendations for improvements where necessary. When aware of relevant published work not being cited, the reviewers should recommend inclusion of these references. If the reviewer feels that they would be unable to repeat the study as described, then additional methodological details should be requested. Any unpublished information read by a reviewer should be treated as confidential.

Editorial Responsibilities: The section editors are expected to select an appropriate number of reviewers for the manuscript so that they can make an informed decision about whether to reject/accept a manuscript. Their decision must be based only on the paper’s importance, originality and clarity and whether it is suitable for the journal. They must not have a conflict of interest with the authors or work described. The anonymity of the reviewers must be maintained.

Should problems come to light after acceptance then the editors agree to promote the publication of corrections and/or retractions as deemed necessary.

NIH Public Access Policy: Cognizant Communication Corporation does not upload manuscripts on the authors’ behalf to PubMedCentral. The authors of NIH-funded manuscripts are granted permission to upload the final version of the manuscript themselves to PubMedCentral so that they remain in compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy. A PDF of the article is provided to the Corresponding Author for this purpose. Authors have the opportunity to download their articles from open access files http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/aetr

Publishing Responsibilities: The publishers agree to ensure that to the best of their abilities, the information that they publish is genuine and ethically sound. If publishing ethics issues come to light, not limited to accusations of fraudulent data or plagiarism, during or after the publication process, they will be investigated by the editorial board including contact with the authors’ institutions if necessary, so that a decision on the appropriate corrections, clarifications or retractions can be made. The publishers agree to publish this as necessary so as to maintain the integrity of the academic record.

Current Table of Contents / Abstracts

View All Abstracts

Access Current Articles (Volume 47, Number 2)

Table of Contents:

Volume 47, Number 2

An Experimental Study on Intestine Transmission Function in SD Rats With Slow Transit Constipation After Electro-acupuncture Treatment in BL32 Acupoints – 145
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16298112109493

Mu-Wen Qu, M.D.,* Ling-Ling Yuan, M.D.,† Fei Jia, M.D.,* and Jun-Yi Li, M.D.*

*Department of Colorectal Surgery, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
†Department of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100007, China

Objective: This study aims to use loperamide by gavage in SD rats to establish the model of STC, and evaluate the degree of similarity between the model and clinical diseases. Furthermore, the effect of electro-acupuncture when stimulating BL32 acupoints in SD rats with slow transit constipation were observed to determine changes in intestinal transmission function. Methods: Thirty SD rats were selected and divided randomly into three groups. Rats in the model group were given 2 mg/kg/d of loperamide tablets by gavage for 15 days. The morphology of the feces of rats was observed, and the dry weight of the feces and the time of first black feces movement with black ink by gavage after molding were measured. After 20 days of electro-acupuncture treatment at the BL32 acupoint, the time of first black feces movement, the ratio of black ink length of the entire length of the intestine, and contraction amplitude and frequency of contraction were measured. Results: The time of black feces movement in the two model groups was significantly prolonged (P<0.05). Furthermore, fecal grains, dry weight and moisture content were significantly reduced (P<0.05). On the 10th and 20th day of treatment, the time of black feces movement in the treatment group significantly decreased (P<0.05). The ratio of black ink length of the entire length of the intestine in the electro-acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05). Moreover, contraction amplitude was significantly higher than in the model control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Through loperamide gavage, the model of slow transit constipation in SD rats was successfully established in a relatively short period of time. Electro-acupuncture treatment had a rapid onset of action, and its mechanism might have been caused through strengthening the ability of intestinal smooth muscle contraction, and are independent with increased smooth muscle contraction frequency.

Key words: STC (slow transit constipation); Electro-acupuncture; BL32 acupoints; SD Rats; Experimental study

Clinical Application of TCM-Characteristic Rehabilitation Program after Total Knee Arthroplasty – 157
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16298112109484

Xin-Xia Gao M.B.,* Xiong Xiao B.D.,† Ying Chen M.B.,† Li Yang M.B.,† Yun-Xia Zhang B.D.,† Xue-Jiao Cui B.D.,† Shang-Quan Wang M.M.,† Ling-Hui Li M.D.,† Ming Chen M.M.,† and Jing Tian M.B.†

*Department of Nursing, Wangjing Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.6 Wangjing Zhonghuan South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing,100102, China
†Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Wangjing Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.6 Wangjing Central Ring Road South, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102, China

Objective: To evaluate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-characteristic rehabilitation program on levels of pain and swelling after total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A total of 72 in-patients who recovered from total knee arthroplasty in our department were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into two groups according to a random number table: the control group (n = 36) with routine nursing and the treatment group (n = 36) with TCM rehabilitation nursing. The pain scores and joint swelling were statistically analyzed. Results: The pain scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of a TCM rehabilitation program for patients after total knee arthroplasty can effectively and quickly reduce the pain and swelling of the affected limb, promote the local blood circulation, and promote the quality of life of patients after rehabilitation.

Key words: Total knee arthroplasty; Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); Rehabilitation nursing; Pain scores; Joint swelling

Improvement of Acupuncture Therapy on Relapse of Patients with Gouty Arthritis: A Pairwise and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis – 167
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16298112109457

Zhihui Li, M.S.,* Min Chen, Ph.D.,* and Chunzhi Tang, Ph.D.†

*Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
†Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of acupuncture therapy on relapse of patients with gouty arthritis (GA). Methods: “gout OR gouty arthritis” AND “acupuncture therapy OR acupuncture OR moxibustion OR electroacupuncture OR fire needle OR acupotomology OR blood-letting puncture OR plum blossom needle” were used as search strategies for searching related studies. Twenty-two studies involving 2394 patients were enrolled in this research through the analysis of databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Results: The results of pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis (NMA) indicated that patients with acupuncture therapy had a significantly lower relapse rate (RR) compared with those without acupuncture therapy (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.16-0.26, P < 0.00001); the follow-up time (TFU) and serum urate concentration (SUA) before treatment had no significant effect on the reduction of RR caused by acupuncture therapy (P > 0.05); and patients treated with acupuncture plus Western medicine (WM) had the lowest RR (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA] = 85.0%), followed by acupuncture plus traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, SUCRA = 73.5%), acupuncture only (SUCRA = 72.8%), fourthly acupuncture plus TCM and WM (SUCRA = 33.0%), then TCM (SUCRA = 28.7%), finally WM (SUCRA = 7.0%). Conclusion: Our finding may facilitate the application of acupuncture therapy in patients with GA. Our research also offered some information for the future research.

Key words: Acupuncture; Gouty arthritis; Relapse rate; Pairwise meta-analysis; Network meta-analysis; Subgroup analysis

Acupuncture Treatment for Insomnia and its Effect on Serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β Levels – 183
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16287835103453

Yangjia Lu§, M.D.,* Chun Lai, Postgraduate,† Pingang Lu, M.B.,‡ Yuewen Peng, M.B.§ Zhongming Bao, M.B.,¶ and Hongmin Luo, M.B.#

*Lecturer; College of Acupuncture and Massage, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530200, China
†Deputy Chief Physician; Department of Acumoxibustion and Massage, Wuzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 543000, China
‡Deputy Chief Physician; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 543002, China
§Deputy Chief Physician; Preventive Treatment of Disease, Wuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 543002, China
¶Deputy Chief Physician; Department of Neurology, Wuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 543002, China
#Deputy Chief Physician; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 543002, China

The incidence of insomnia is increasing, and acupuncture is known to have a favorable therapeutic effect on insomnia, but its treatment mechanism is unclear. Patients with insomnia were recruited and randomly divided into an acupuncture treatment group and a control group using a single-blind, random number table. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, sleep-related parameters (SE, SA, and TST), and levels of inflammatory response factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were analyzed. The baseline data of the two groups were not significantly different and were comparable. Acupuncture treatment significantly improved patient PSQI (P < 0.05) and ISI scores (P < 0.05), as well as SE, SA, and TST (P < 0.05). Levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased (all P < 0.05), while IL-6 levels were decreased (P < 0.05), lasting for at least 4 weeks. Acupuncture treatment can increase the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, decrease IL-6 levels, and improve insomnia symptoms. Key words: Acupuncture; TNF-α; IL-1β; IL-6; Insomnia

Management of the Pre-hospital Emergency Transport Strategy During the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic in Zhuzhou City, China – 195
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16298112109475

Yin Tao, M.D.,* Mi-duo Tan, M.D.† Tao-li Wang, M.D.‡ Xin-sheng Zheng, M.D.,§ Yin Chen, M.D.,§ Jing Zhou, M.D.,§ Jia-ying Huang, M.D.,§ Yi He, M.D.,¶ and Ri-hong Bin#

*Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou City of Hunan, 412000, China
†Breast surgeon, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, zhuzhou city of Hunan, 412000, China
‡Department of Pathology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan, 412000, China
§Pre-hospital Emergency Center, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Hunan, 412000, China
¶Cardiologist, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Hunan, 412000, China
#Department of Pre-hospital Emergency Center, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Hunan, 412000, China

Objective: Summarize the experience of transporting patients in the pre-hospital emergency center of our hospital from January 20, 2020 to May 2020 during the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Zhuzhou City, and formulate a series of transport strategies. Methods: During the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, review the relevant experience of the medical staff and drivers in the pre-hospital emergency center of Zhuzhou Central Hospital to improve the procedures for the transfer of patients during the epidemic. Results: As of the time when patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia in our city are cleared, none of the medical staff in the pre-hospital emergency center of Zhuzhou Central Hospital has been infected, and the city’s patients in need of pre-hospital emergency treatment have been treated in an orderly manner. In conjunction with our hospital’s epidemic prevention and control expert team, combined with the actual situation in the region, we jointly formulated a series of transfer procedures for Zhuzhou Central Hospital to comply with the region during the epidemic. Conclusion: During the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, all patients received by the pre-hospital emergency center of our hospital were transferred in a timely and safe manner, and a series of transfer procedures were developed.

Key words: Novel coronavirus pneumonia; During the epidemic; Pre-hospital emergency center; Transfer

Short-term Outcomes of Acupuncture Interventions on Uterine Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis – 203
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16304136917573

Qi Li, M.D.,*† Yun-xia Li, Ph.D.* Lu Fan, M.D.,*† and Su-e Yuan, Ph.D.*†‡

*Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University. Changsha, Hunan, P.R. 410013, China
†Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Changsha, Hunan, P.R. 410008, China
‡Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S.A

The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate for evidence of the association of acupuncture with relieving the symptoms of adenomyosis. We searched ten electronic databases and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in women with adenomyosis. The methodological quality was moderate evidence level by Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria. The results were analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 and expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD). Eleven RCTs (942 subjects) were included in this meta-analysis. Analysis with no heterogeneity showed that acupuncture group obtained a significant better effect (95% CI, -0.48 to -0.10; I2 = 0%) on reducing the size of the uterus and was superior in the shrink of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) level (95% CI, -1.13 to -0.44; I2 = 0%) than that in pharmacological medicine alone group. Moreover, acupuncture was significantly associated with improving patients’ dysmenorrheal symptoms after 3-month menstrual cycles treatment (95% CI, -1.25 to -0.13). The adverse events, especially the incidence of hot flashes, were less reported in acupuncture group compared to pharmacological medicine alone group (Odds Ratio, OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.35; I2 = 0%). Acupuncture therapy is a promising avenue for the development of alternatives to surgery and medicine in the treatment of adenomyosis. However, further rigorous trials are needed to confirm the claims of our results.

Key words: Acupuncture, Adenomyosis, Dysmenorrhea, Meta-analysis, Uterine diseases, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Therapeutic Effect of Changqiang Acupoint Injection on Children with Functional Fecal Incontinence – 215
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16298112109466

Changying Yi,* Jie Zhang,† and Meili Fan‡

*Clinical Diagnostic Department, Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shangdong Province, P.R. China
†Organization and Personnel Section, Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shangdong Province, P.R. China
‡Department of Acupuncture and Massage, Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shangdong Province, P.R. China

Objective: Functional fecal incontinence in children (FFIC), also known as functional fecal disorder in children, is a type of childhood diseases characterized by excretory dysfunction. In the study, we observed the clinical effect of Changqiang acupoint injection on functional fecal incontinence in children (FFIC) by randomized controlled clinical trials. Materials and methods: 140 children with functional fecal incontinence who met the screening criteria were respectively assigned into the treatment group (100 cases) and the control group (40 cases) according to the completely randomized controlled design. In the treatment group, Chuankezhi injection was administrated at the Changqiang acupoint once a week for three weeks (one course of treatment). In contrast, the subjects in the control group was instructed to receive sphincter exercise and defecation training, followed by an assessment on the therapeutic efficacy after one course of treatment. Results: The overall response rate of the two groups was 93.00% (93/100) and 57.50% (23/40), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The treatment group showed a performance superior to the control group based on the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score System (CCF-FI)—dry stool incontinence, liquid incontinence, gas incontinence, lifestyle change, necessity of using pads or antidiarrheals, the ability to delay defecation, and the total score. The inter-group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Changqiang acupoint injection has significant curative effect on FFIC as demonstrated by significant relief in the symptoms associated with fecal incontinence, and thus is considered as a useful approach to be widely applied in clinical practice.

Key words: Functional fecal incontinence; Acupoint injection; Children; Changqiang acupoint

Effect of Acupuncture Stimulation on Improving the Immunity of Synovial Tissue in Rheumatoid Joints via MAPK Pathway – 227
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16287835103462

Yunxi He, M.M.,* Yiyan Zhang, M.M.,† Yiqiang Zhou, M.M.,‡ Xiaoxiang Lin, M.M.,§ Zhuangming Zheng, M.M.,§ Jin Wen, M.M.,¶ and Jinchun Chen, M.B.†

*Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, P.R. China
†Department of Rheumatology, Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, P.R. China
‡Department of Orthopedics, Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, P.R. China
§General Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Community Health Service of Heshan street, Huli District, Xiamen, P.R. China
¶Department of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Fujian Energy General Hospital, P.R. China

Purpose: Acupuncture treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a long history and has been widely recognized in the medical community. However, its mechanism of action still is rarely uncovered. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on the immune function and MAPK pathway in synovial tissue of rats with RA were investigated; it aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on alleviating RA. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into control, model and acupuncture groups, 15 rats each group, and RA rat model was induced via bovine type II collagen in complete Freund’s adjuvant. The acupuncture group received “Zusanli” and “Shenshu” warm acupuncture treatment on the first day after modeling, acupuncture stimulation once a day for 21 days. The rat weight and degree of joint swelling were recorded and calculated. The ankle joint histopathology was observed by H&E staining. Serum inflammatory cytokines were detected using ELISA. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to test serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels. Transcription factors T-bet, GATA3, RORγT, Foxp3 mRNA were monitored through RT-qPCR technology. Further, the expression of key targets of MAPK signal or phosphorylation in synovial tissue were determined using Western blotting. Results: Acupuncture relieved the joint swelling and weight loss of RA rats, ameliorated the pathological damage of the ankle joint, significantly increased the serum IgG, IgM, IgA and T-bet, and Foxp3 levels, and reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, GATA3, and RORγT; down-regulated synovial tissue p-p38MAPK, p-JNK, and p-ERK1/2 levels and protein phosphorylation ratio (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation can improve the joint damage and promote the immune function of RA rats, possibly via blocking the expression of MAPK pathway in synovial tissue. This study provides a scientific and promising reference for acupuncture further in the clinical strategy of RA.

Key words: Acupuncture, Rheumatoid arthritis, Immune function, p38MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2

Digitalization and Tele-Health Care Concept of Complementary of Traditional Medical Practices by Using BIOCERAMIC Technique – 241
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16304136917618

Ting Kai Leung, M.D.,*† Ming Tse Lin, M.Sc.,‡ and Shu-Chen Lin, Ph.D.§

*Clinical Professor, Radiology Dept., Taoyuan General Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
†Associate Professor, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medica University, Taipei City & Health Industry Management, Kainan University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
‡Associate Professor, Dept., Bioengineering, Taitung University, Taipei, Taiwan
§Assistant Professor, Dept., Health Industry Management, Kainan University

Objective: Tele-health care service of alternative practice for chronic pain disease is worthwhile of developing, especially in the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Targeting on myofascial trigger points, this study was performed to assess the possible short-term pain relief and functional improvement in patients by applying the device of BIOCERAMIC material enhanced by frequencies of tempo sound and visible light spectrum (BioS & L). Methods: Fourteen patients who participated in the procedure for the selection of trigger points for the BioS &L treatment, assessment of pain levels using a visual analog scale (VAS) analysis, and detection of abnormal resonance of 12 harmonic frequencies using a quantum resonance spectrometer (QRS). Results: Comparing the pre- and post-treatment of BioS &L on pain score of 12 HFs (V1-V12) as measured by VAS estimated by mixed model showed 91.7% (11/12) improvement with statistically significant results. The distribution of differences in the QRS score estimated by the mixed model among participants with pre-test QRS level ≥ 2 showed 83.3% (15/16) of HFs with statistically significant results. Conclusion: Treatment of BioS &L at trigger points providing pain relief is explained by the hypothesis of microvascular physiology and physics of wave propagation. This study provides a workshop with a concept of digitalization of complementarity and traditional medical service and tele-health care, which fulfills distant data connection and remote practice. In the period of epidemic spread, it helps to decrease close contact on both health care providers and patients.

Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation at Acupoints of the Heart Meridian on Cognitive Function in Vascular Dementia Patients – 253
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16273277361786

Ju-Guang Sun, Jiang-Feng Shi, Chun-Hui Guo, Jin-Yi Hou, Guang-Hui Qi, Xue-Li Heng, Wei-Song Ban, Qian Shi, Zhen Li, Guang-Hui Ji, Jia-Yu Duan

Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou,Jiangsu 221003, China

Background: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian on vascular dementia (VD).Methods: A total of 120 VD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: The observation group, in which patients were treated with electroacupuncture stimulation; The control group, in which the patients were treated with oral medicine. Cognitive function was assessed by using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). Results: The total effective rate was 75% in the observation group and 73.33% in the control group, and the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores in these two groups significantly improved, when compared to scores before treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the differences in MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores between these two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: Electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian has a definite effect in improving the cognitive function of VD patients.

Key words: Vascular dementia; Heart related theory; Electroacupuncture

OPEN ACCESS

Acupuncture Treatment of Non-inflammatory Chronic Prostatitis with “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” Method: A Randomized Controlled Study – 265
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16304136917609

Zhang AJ, M.M.,* He Y, M.M.,† Chen F, B.M.,* Chen H, M.M.† Jiang B, M.M.‡ Zhang GY, M.M.† Guo L, M.M.,† Shi LH,B.M.,* and Ni LP, B.M.†

*Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, CN 314000, China
†Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, CN 314000, China

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, and tamsulosin to treat non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis (type IIIB CP). Methods: 105 patients were randomly divided into the “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture group, and tamsulosin group, 35 cases in each group. In the “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” acupuncture group, PC6 (Neiguan), PC7 (Daling), HT7 (Shenmen), RN6 (Qihai), RN4 (Guanyuan), ST28 (Shuidao), ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), and LR3 (Taichong) were selected; In the conventional acupuncture group, RN4 (Guanyuan), RN3 (Zhongji), KI3 (Taixi), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), BL54 (Zhibian) through ST28 (Shuidao), BL20 (Pishu), and BL23 (Shenshu) were set. Acupuncture was given once every other day, 30 minutes each time, three times a week, 12 times in a row as a course of treatment. Tamsulosin group took tamsulosin 0.2mg orally, once a day for four weeks. The three groups were observed for two methods. The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score were compared among the three groups. After one course of treatment and after two methods of treatment, and the recurrence rate and clinical efficacy were evaluated. Results: The NIH-CPSI total score, NIH-CPSI pain symptom score, HAMD and HAMA scores of the three groups after one course of treatment and two courses of treatment were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). After one course of treatment and two courses of treatment, the total NIH-CPSI score, NIH-CPSI pain score, HAMD, and HAMA score in the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group decreased more than those in the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group (all P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group was lower than that of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rates of the conventional acupuncture group and tamsulosin group were 78.13% (25/32) and 69.70% (23/33), respectively, which were lower than 97.06% (33/34) of the "Tiao Shen Jie Yu" acupuncture group. No severe adverse reactions occurred in the safety evaluation. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” Acupuncture on type III BCP is better than that of conventional acupuncture and tamsulosin, and it is better than that of traditional acupuncture and tamsulosin in relieving prostatitis symptoms, anxiety, and depression.

Key words: “Tiao Shen Jie Yu” method; Chronic prostatitis, type IIIB; Acupuncture; Randomized controlled study

OPEN ACCESS
The Plant Consciousness: Understanding and Developing Proto-Languages Between Plants and Humans – 279
https://doi.org/10.3727/036012921X16341481788230

Stefano Turini, MBioLSc, Ph.D.,* Momir Dunjic, MD, Ph.D., F.I.C.A.E., Cert MD-ORT (4DAN),† Biljana Vitosevic, Ph.D.,‡ Tatjana Novakovic, MD, Ph.D.,§ Marija Dunjic, MD,¶ Dejan Krstic, Ph.D.,# and Katarina Dunjic, MD¶

*Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Physiotherapy, AMEU-ECM University, Maribor, Koper, Project Manager UNIQUE Treatments, Main Researcher/Principal Investigator at BDORT Center of Functional Supplementation and Integrative Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia, Italy-Slovenia-Serbia
†Associate Prof of Ob/Gyn & Integrative Medicine at School of Medicine, University of Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty of Pharmacy, Novi Sad, Faculty of Health Science, AMEUECM Maribor, President of Serbian Association of Integrative Medicine, President Serbian Acupuncture Section of Serbian Medical Society, Slovenia-Serbia
‡Full Prof at Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Leposavic, University of Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
§Full Prof and Dean at School of Medicine, University of Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
¶PhD Student, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
#Full Prof at Faculty of Environmental Safety, University of Nis, President of Non-Ionizing Radiation Section of Serbian Association of Integrative Medicine, Serbia

Plants are among the oldest and most complex organisms on our world. The complexity lies, first of all, from the cellular point of view, which has a greater compartmentalization than the animal cell. Also evolved as terrestrial organisms, plants have developed complex forms of electrochemical communication, developed to the point of suggesting that plants possessed a sort of nervous system, similar to that found in the animal world and in organisms with a high degree of evolution. Over the course of history, numerous researchers, especially in the last century, have alternated trying to penetrate the functional complexity of plants, obtaining results that allowed to tip the scales towards the presence not only of a nervous system, but a complex processing capacity, comparable to a consciousness. The experiment described here, using a polygraphic apparatus connected to an artificial intelligence computerized processing system, made it possible to evaluate the physiopathological responses of a plant subjected to external stimuli of an invasive and non-invasive nature. The technique involved addressing the vegetable “directly” during the experimentation. The results obtained have highlighted a logical succession of responses, which have allowed us to conclude that plants possess an advanced capacity for processing external stimuli and also of the human voice.

Key words: Artificial intelligence; Polygraph; Primary perception; Global consciousness; Plant neurophysiology; Plant neurobiology; Tower buster

Full Text Articles

Back Issues/Back Volumes

Indexed

Publishing Information

Publishing Information

Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, The International Journal, now in its 30th year, bridges the gap between orthodox Western basic and clinical medicine and various aspects of alternative medicine. It also leads the field in reporting new and innovative science through documentation of research. As a quarterly multidisciplinary journal encompassing physics, electrical engineering, Western medicine, Oriental medicine, and newly developing diagnostic and therapeutic methods in both traditional Western medicine and non-orthodox medicine, it is indexed and abstracted in all major international reference sources (see list below). The journal is noted for its rapid handling of editorial contribution and short publication turn around time.

INDEX AND ABSTRACTING SERVICES that cover Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research: Current contents/Clinical Medicine, Excerpta Medica, Index Medicus, Index Vetenerius, CINAHL, Biological Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, Psychological Abstracts, Bioengineering Abstracts, Index to Dental Literature, Engineering Index Monthly and Author Index, Science Citation Index-Expanded (also known as SciSearch), Research Alert, PsycINFO, COMPENDEX, Current Advances in Life Sciences, SOFTLINE INFORMATION.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. By submitting a manuscript, the author(s) agree that the copyright for the article is transferred to the publisher, if and when the article is accepted for publication. The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the article, including reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of similar nature and translations. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

PHOTOCOPYING INFORMATION FOR USERS IN THE USA: The Item Fee Code for this publication indicates that authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by the copyright holder for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service provided the stated fee for copying beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Law is paid. The appropriate remittance of $60.00 per copy per article is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danver, MA 01923. The copyright owner’s consent does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific written permission must be obtained from the publisher for such copying. In case of doubt please contact Cognizant Communication Corporation.

The Item Fee Code for this publication is: 0360-1293/10 $60.00

Printed in the USA. ISSN 0360-1293

DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made by the publisher, editor(s), and editorial board to see that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinions, or statements appear in Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, they wish to make it clear that the data and opinions appearing in the articles and advertisements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the contributor or advertiser concerned. Therefore, the publisher, the editor(s) and editorial board, and their respective employees, officers, and agents accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the effect of any such inaccurate or misleading opinions, data, or statements.