Search

Background: We performed a systematic review of the efficacy of various types of acupuncture in the treatment of asthma in children. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to October 20, 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of children and adolescents (<18 years of age) with asthma were included. Data extraction was applied, and methodologic quality was assessed. Results: A total of 32 articles were assessed for eligibility, and seven studies comprising 410 patients were included in the systematic review. Two RCTs showed significant improvement in peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability for acupuncture (traditional and laser) vs. control, with one showing significant improvement in asthma-specific anxiety level, but no significant differences in other lung function parameters or quality of life. Another RCT reported significant benefits of laser acupuncture on lung function parameters but did not describe or report statistical analyses. One crossover RCT showed significant improvements in response to both acupuncture and placebo acupuncture, with better improvements with acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture (forced exhaled volume in 1 s [FEV1], PEF). Two additional crossover RCTs showed no significant differences between single sessions of laser acupuncture and placebo acupuncture on baseline, postacupuncture, and postinduced bronchoconstriction values (% predicted FEV1, maximum expiratory flow). A recent study showed a significant effect of acupuncture paired with acupressure on medication use and symptoms in preschool-age children. Methodologic and reporting variability remains an issue. However, the results suggest that acupuncture may have a beneficial effect on PEF or PEF variability in children with asthma. Conclusions: The efficacy of acupuncture on other outcome measures is unclear. Large-scale RCTs are needed to further assess the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of asthma in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare effects of far-infrared (FIR) meridian heat pad therapy and health education in subjects at high risk of developing diabetes mellitus. A total of 103 participants with at least one high-risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in either an experimental group (n =50) receiving FIR meridian heat pad therapy or an untreated group (n = 53) receiving a diabetes mellitus-related health education program combining traditional and Western medicine (TMWM). The experimental group was treated with FIR heat pads covering an area consisting of six acupuncture points on the hand: Yangxi, Yanggu, Yangchi, Shenmen, Daling, and Taiyuan. Waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and blood pressure were measured at baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention. The Chinese version of the SF-36 Health Survey for quality of life was completed post-intervention. Significant changes in waist circumference were shown between baseline and post-intervention in the TMWM group (P=0.003) and FIR group (P=0.002), with greater mean reduction in the TMWM group than the FIR group. Mean fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly in the TMWM group after intervention (P<0.05) but showed no significant increase in the FIR group. General health scores significantly decreased after intervention (P=0.015), while physical functioning scores increased (P=0.027) in the TMWM group but not in the FIR group post-intervention. FIR meridian heat pad therapy may reduce chances of elevating fasting blood glucose levels and a diabetes mellitus-related TMWM health education program may modulate quality of life in patients at high risk of diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Baduanjin exercise on oxidative stress, antioxidant status and quality of life in middle-aged women. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Subjects were 31 middle-aged women. Subjects completed a supervised and standardized Baduanjin exercise program 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured and determined by using a spectrophotometer for oxidative stress. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured for the antioxidant status. A 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate changes in quality of life. All outcome measures were collected before intervention and at the end of a 12-week intervention. The results suggest that there are significant differences in serum SOD level with Baduanjin exercise. SOD level was significantly increased after exercise (p < 0.05). Baduanjin exercise contributed significantly to antioxidant status on these samples. However, a reduction in MDA level was observed. The t-test value was 2.03 with a p-value of 0.052. The changes may be meaningful at a 5% level. There are significant improvements in quality of life after the exercise program. Subjects had greater improvements in 4 dimensions of SF-36, namely physical function, body pain, social function and general mental health (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Baduanjin exercise has beneficial effects on improving quality of life, increasing antioxidant enzymes and reducing oxidative stress in middle-aged women. Reduction of MDA level may be more attributable to the increase in the antioxidant enzyme SOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]