Acupuncture reduces Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation

Acupuncture in Exeter: acupuncture reduces recurrence of atrial fibrillation . Acupuncture combined with amiodarone, a standard anti-arrhythmic drug, seems more effective at preventing the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation, than does the drug alone. A Chinese team randomised 85 patients into acupuncture and control groups. Both groups used the drug from day one after the ablation, but additionally the acupuncture group received daily needling for seven days afterwards.

After three months, the rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence in the acupuncture group was 12%, compared with 33% in the control group. Serum inflammatory markers were elevated in both groups after ablation but the acupuncture group displayed significantly lower levels.

(Effect of acupuncture at Neiguan point combined with amiodarone therapy on early recurrence after pulmonary vein electrical isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 24 March 2019.)

Acupuncture for Prostatitis

Acupuncture in Exeter: acupuncture for prostatitis. A Cochrane Database systematic review by Italian authors looking at acupuncture for prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, has concluded that based on short term follow up, acupuncture reduces prostatitis symptoms in an appreciable number of participants compared with sham procedure. In an appreciable number of patients, it probably also decreases prostatitis symptoms when compared with standard medical therapy. In all, the authors examined 38 studies covering 3300 men, which made 23 comparisons between different treatment and lifestyle interventions.

(Non-pharmacological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12 May 2018.)

Acupuncture benefits Prostatitis

Acupuncture in Exeter: acupuncture benefits prostatitis. A Chinese research team looking at whether acupuncture benefits prostatitis, has concluded it offers long-lasting and clinically significant improvements for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. A total of 68 men aged 18 to 50, were randomised to receive either eight weeks of acupuncture or eight weeks of non-insertive sham needling. Both groups were followed up for a further 24 weeks.

At weeks 8, 20 and 32, pain scores differed significantly between the two groups, with the acupuncture group exhibiting significant improvements. Most secondary outcome measures were also better in the acupuncture group.

(Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Randomized, Sham Acupuncture Controlled Trial. Journal of Urology, October 2018.)

Electro-acupuncture helps Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Acupuncture in Exeter: electro-acupuncture helps diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Authors of a study undertaken in Korea have concluded that electro-acupuncture should be recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for the pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A total of 126 patients with the condition were randomly assigned to either electro-acupuncture or to a non-treatment control group. Treatment was given twice a week for eight weeks. Both groups were given dietary and lifestyle advice, diabetes medication and painkillers (paracetamol) to use when required.

Patients in the treatment group showed significantly more improvement in pain scores compared to those in the control group: 16% of treatment group patients had a greater than 50% reduction in pain score, compared to only 6% in the control group. The treatment group also experienced significantly greater improvements in sleep and quality of life scores. By week 9, 82% of patients in the treatment group were reporting global improvements, compared with 34% in the control group. This was maintained through eight weeks of follow up.

(Electroacupuncture for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Multicenter, Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care, online ahead of print 30 July 2018.)

Acupuncture for Prostatitis

Acupuncture for prostatitis seems to be an effective intervention, according to the results of a Cochrane systematic review of non-pharmacological treatments for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Three of the studies included in the review, covering 204 patients, suggested that acupuncture reduces prostatitis symptoms in an appreciable number of patients, when compared against either standard interventions or a sham control procedure. Furthermore, the use of acupuncture resulted in little or no increase in adverse events, compared to standard medical therapy.

(Non-pharmacological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Cochrane Database Systematic Review, 26 January 2018.)