BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acupoint stimulation and Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are widely used in the treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), but the efficacy and safety remain controversial. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint stimulation and CHM for POI. METHODS: Seven databases were searched and collected studies comparing acupoint stimulation and CHM with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) from inception to July 31, 2019. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed in line with the criteria of the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. RESULTS: Meta-analysis was performed in 14 trials, which contained a total of 1030 women with POI. The acupoint stimulation and CHM presented advantages in normalizing of menstrual cycle (RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.62 to 2.61, P < 0.00001) and improving perimenopausal symptoms (RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.56, P < 0.00001) when compared with HRT. After treatment, compared with HRT, acupoint stimulation and CHM effectively decreased the level of follicle stimulating hormone (MD -2.88, 95% CI -5.00 to -0.76, P = 0.008) and increased the level of estradiol (SMD 0.88, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.71, P = 0.04). By contrast, there were no significant between-group differences in the level of luteinizing hormone (MD -3.24, 95% CI -6.77 to 0.29, P = 0.07) and adverse effects (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.54, P = 0.28). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggested that acupoint stimulation and CHM can serve as complementary therapies to alleviate menstrual disorders, perimenopausal symptoms, and serum sex hormone levels in POI females.
- Klíčová slova
- Acupoint stimulation, Chinese herbal medicines, Meta-analysis, Premature ovarian insufficiency,
- MeSH
- akupunkturní body * MeSH
- Asijci MeSH
- léky rostlinné čínské * terapeutické užití MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- primární ovariální insuficience * terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- metaanalýza MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- systematický přehled MeSH
- Názvy látek
- léky rostlinné čínské * MeSH
The common opinion is that in Europe acupuncture was introduced in China at the end of the XVII century. However there are some publications, which describe the similar treatment method in the Stone Age Europe. From ancient to late middle century theoretical and practical aspects of medieval medicine in Europe were very similar to the Tradition Chinese medicine. So it is possible that historical phlebotomy in Europe (bloodletting) played the same role as the acupuncture in the Chinese therapy and they had one scientific source. In this article we are comparing the modern acupuncture with some Bohemian medical tractates (Practica medicinalis by Sigismundus Albicus from 1408-1424, De sanguinis minucione by Cristannus de Prachaticz from 1430). We can see the close relationship between localizations and indications of medieval phlebotomy and modern acupuncture points. 40% of the bloodletting points have close localization with the modern acupuncture points and 57% of their indications are common or very similar. The similarity of two methods may be explained in two ways. First is a common scientific source and intensive interaction and crosscultural transmission of knowledge during medical development in China and Europe up to the beginning of the XV century. This possibility indicates also some linguistic coincidences. On the other hand, both methods could have been developed separately based on common clinical empire and objective neuro-physiological patterns of human body.
- MeSH
- akupunkturní body MeSH
- akupunkturní terapie dějiny MeSH
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- dějiny středověku MeSH
- flebotomie dějiny MeSH
- kultura MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pouštění žilou dějiny MeSH
- tradiční čínská medicína dějiny MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- dějiny středověku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Čína MeSH
- Evropa MeSH
On the epidermal surface there are inhomogeneities which manifest as, among other things, lower local impedance. These regions include Head's zones, sweat glands, and also the so-called acupuncture points. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of skin perfusion on epidermal impedance at the acupuncture points. When measuring epidermis impedance in the local (acupuncture) points the method of impedance plethysmography was applied. Both the method of four electrode measurement at the constant current and the method of two electrode measurement by means of the different and indifferent electrode as well were engaged. First, we had to uncover the size of the action skin points which was made by means of a different micro-electrode developed by us. The effect of some factors on the reproducibility and comparability of the values measured was evaluated. The attention was focused mainly on the questions of the pressure of the different electrode on the skin surface, magnitude and waveform of the exciting current, and so on. The authors demonstrate the impossibility to measure changes in skin impedance in the acupuncture points, in dependence on the blood perfusion--which was due to the high serial resistance between the point measured in the acupuncture place when the four-electrode measurement was applied, on the other side.
The analysis of the historical aspects of the development of the meridian system the curative points of which had been discovered in the course of centuries evidently shows the meridians to have been set up more as a methodological and didactic aid rather than as a result of exact research. Classical acupuncture then represents a therapeutic method in terms of Chinese philosophy it is based on, formulated and dependent on the integral idealistic thought of that time in which philosophy, medicine and other natural sciences constitute a closed system.
- MeSH
- akupunkturní body MeSH
- akupunkturní terapie dějiny MeSH
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- dějiny starověku MeSH
- filozofie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- tradiční čínská medicína dějiny MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- dějiny starověku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Čína MeSH
