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Background Olfactory dysfunction is a common COVID-19 symptom, posing treatment challenges. Objectives We aimed to investigate the efficacy of frequency-controlled ear acupuncture in treating COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Methods A randomized, participant-blind clinical trial occurred at the Rasoul Akram Hospital (IRCT20210311050671N1). Forty patients were recruited, and 20 patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The primary outcome was the improvement in patients’ quality of smell. The olfactory dysfunction was confirmed using the Smell Identification Test. The intervention group received two sessions of acupuncture treatment according to auricular frequency treatment, with a one-week interval, while the control group received an equal number of switched-off laser sessions. Both groups were instructed to use nasal betamethasone drops. The patients were asked to rank their ability to smell before and after each intervention on a 10-point visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes were related side effects. Results Covariance analysis revealed a significant difference in adjusted scores between the groups (F [37, 1] = 37.463; p = 0.000, Eta 2 = 0.503). The smell quality improved from 2.80 ± 1.76 to 5.22 ± 3.40 after treatment in the intervention group ( p = 0.007), while the control group showed no significant change ( p = 0.184). Three patients reported short and transient side effects, such as nausea, headache, and dizziness, in the first hours after the intervention. Conclusion Frequency-controlled ear acupuncture is an effective option for treating COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. The study highlights the potential of alternative therapies in the treatment of this condition, and further research is warranted to investigate its long-term effects.

Acute lumbar sprain (ALS) is common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by severe low back pain and activity limitation, which significantly impacts the patient's work and life. Immediate relief of pain and restoration of mobility in a short period of time are the main needs of patients when they visit the clinic. This study aims to evaluate the immediate efficacy of this combined treatment for ALS within 10 minutes. This is a single-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial. 128 eligible patients with ALS will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the auricular acupuncture (AA) group or the sham auricular acupuncture (SAA) group. All patients will receive a single 10-minute treatment. The primary outcome will be the change in pain intensity after 10 minutes of treatment. The secondary outcomes include changes in pain intensity at other time points (2, 5 minutes), changes in lumbar range of motion (ROM) at different time points, blinded assessment, treatment effect expectancy scale evaluation, and treatment satisfaction scale evaluation. All participants will be included in the analysis according to the intention-to-treat principle. This is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the immediate efficacy of AA combined with active exercise for ALS. The findings of this study are expected to provide a simple and rapid treatment for ALS in clinical. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400083740. Registered 30 April 2024.

Introduction Newborn eye examination is a painful procedure. Untreated pain experiences in infants have both short-term and long-term consequences, and pain control is essential. Unfortunately, non-pharmacological pain strategies are usually ineffective for complex and protracted procedures, whereas many pharmacologic agents have adverse effects. Magnetic auricular acupuncture (MAA) is a new method of pain relief that is potentially safe and effective. The objective of this study was to conduct a large definitive triple blinded randomized controlled trial of MAA for reducing pain in neonates undergoing ophthalmic examination. The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ID number ChiCTR1900027474) on November 14, 2019. Methods This was a multi-center randomized controlled trial conducted at 16 tertiary hospitals in the People’s Republic of China. Infants were eligible for participation if they were born at 26 to 42 weeks gestational age (GA) and admitted to participating NICUs during the study enrollment period, and scheduled to receive an eye examination for the first time at <44 weeks’ corrected GA. Written informed consent was obtained from parents. Infants who were critically ill, dying or receiving sedatives were excluded. Infants randomized to the intervention (MAA) group received magnetic stickers applied prior to the ophthalmic procedure. Control group infants received placebo stickers with the magnets removed. We compared the primary outcome of Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) score during the procedure between the two groups. Results A total of 408 patients were randomized, but 14 patients in each of the placebo and intervention groups did not receive ophthalmic examination; leaving 190 patients in control group and 190 in intervention group. Infant characteristics were similar in the two groups, mean PIPP scores during eye exam were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (median (IQR): 10.00 (5.00,13.00) v 12.00 (7.00,14.00), p = 0.038). Conclusions MAA may offer an alternative or adjunct to current non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to alleviate neonatal pain. Future studies should assess combinations of pain interventions and long term outcomes.

Objective In recent years, acupuncture has gained attention as a safe and natural method in cosmetic medicine. Auricular acupuncture has been insufficiently studied in the field of facial aesthetics. Our previous clinical observations were associated with rapid facial tightening, lifting, and slimming following auricular acupuncture, which is characterized by its simplicity, safety, and convenience. Methods In this retrospective study, we collected data from 242 participants who received auricular acupuncture for facial cosmetic treatment. Participants received weekly treatments, with facial photographs taken before and after each session. Outcome measures included the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and FACE‐Q score. Evaluations were performed at three time points: before the first treatment, immediately after the first treatment, and following 3 months of continuous treatment. The safety assessment monitored adverse reactions during the trial period. Results A total of 217 participants were included in the statistical analysis as valid cases, of which 131 were assessed for immediate response and 86 for intermediate‐term response. Immediate results showed a statistically significant decrease in WSRS scores (from 2.49 ± 0.69 to 1.86 ± 0.87, p < 0.05) and a 77.10% improvement in GAIS. Efficacy observation at 3 months showed WSRS score decreased from 2.53 ± 0.66 to 1.67 ± 0.73 (p < 0.05) and GAIS improvement of 95.35%. Participants reported high overall satisfaction with their facial appearance. After immediate treatment, the improvement in nasolabial folds was the most effective, with a score of 3.59 ± 0.62 (out of 5.00); after intermediate‐term treatment, the improvement of the cheeks was the most effective, with a score of 3.78 ± 0.64 (out of 5.00). In both immediate and intermediate‐term treatments, improvements were observed in the lower face and jawline, with relatively high satisfaction. Minimal pain was noted, with 64.98% reporting slight discomfort and 35.02% reporting no pain. No severe events were observed, affirming the treatment's safety and comfort. Conclusions Auricular acupuncture was associated with improvements in both immediate and intermediate‐term evaluations. The immediate effects include facial slimming, lifting, reduction of nasolabial folds, and improvement of nasolabial lines. Intermediate‐term effects include tightening of the face, promotion of facial rejuvenation, overall facial enhancement, and an increase in participant satisfaction. Nonetheless, in view of multiple inherent limitations as a retrospective study, the findings should be regarded as preliminary and interpreted with caution, and future studies should employ prospective, adequately powered multicenter designs with longer follow‐up, validated patient‐reported outcomes, standardized image acquisition, and integration of objective imaging and biomechanical metrics.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess the effectiveness of auricular laser acupuncture in professionals from Psychosocial Care Centers regarding anxiety, stress, sleep quality, fatigue, trapezius muscle tension threshold, satisfaction with treatment and possible adverse reactions. Methods: a quasi-experimental pilot study conducted with 24 professionals. Five auricular laser acupuncture sessions were performed. Data were collected at the beginning and end of treatment, and in a period of 15 days after the end (follow-up), analyzed by paired Wilcoxon test. Results: auricular laser acupuncture was effective in reducing levels of anxiety, stress, fatigue and improving sleep latency. There was no statistically significant difference in muscle tension threshold. Professionals were satisfied with treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was not significant. Conclusions: auricular laser acupuncture triggered positive effects for all variables investigated, except for trapezius muscle tension threshold. RESUMEN Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad de la auriculoacupuntura láser en profesionales de Centros de Atención Psicosocial respecto a ansiedad, estrés, calidad del sueño, fatiga, umbral de tensión del músculo trapecio, satisfacción con el tratamiento y posibles reacciones adversas. Métodos: estudio piloto cuasiexperimental, realizado con 24 profesionales. Se realizaron cinco sesiones de ariculoacupuntura láser. Los datos fueron recolectados al inicio y al final del tratamiento, y en un período de 15 días posteriores a su finalización (follow-up), analizados mediante la prueba de Wilcoxon pareada. Resultados: la auriculoacupuntura láser fue efectiva para reducir los niveles de ansiedad, estrés, fatiga y mejorar la latencia del sueño. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el umbral de tensión muscular. Los profesionales quedaron satisfechos con el tratamiento y la aparición de reacciones adversas no fue significativa. Conclusiones: la auriculoacupuntura láser desencadenó efectos positivos para todas las variables investigadas, excepto el umbral de tensión del músculo trapecio. RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a efetividade da laser auriculoacupuntura em profissionais de Centros de Atenção Psicossocial quanto à ansiedade, estresse, qualidade do sono, fadiga, limiar de tensão do músculo trapézio, satisfação com o tratamento e possíveis reações adversas. Métodos: estudo piloto quase-experimental, realizado com 24 profissionais. Realizaram-se cinco sessões de laser ariculoacupuntura. Os dados foram coletados no início e no final do tratamento, e em um período de 15 dias após o encerramento (follow-up), analisados pelo teste de Wilcoxon emparelhado. Resultados: a laser auriculoacupuntura foi efetiva na redução dos níveis do estado de ansiedade, estresse, fadiga e melhora na latência do sono. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no limiar de tensão muscular. Os profissionais ficaram satisfeitos com o tratamento, e a ocorrência de reações adversas não foi expressiva. Conclusões: a laser auriculoacupuntura desencadeou efeitos positivos para todas as variáveis investigadas, exceto limiar de tensão do músculo trapézio.

Background Migraine is a ubiquitous condition affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide. Prophylactic first-line treatments are hindered by unsatisfactory tolerability, and the accessibility of second-line treatment is hampered by cost or regulatory provisions. Auricular acupuncture and auriculotherapy appear to be effective as prophylactic treatments for migraines but are based only on secondary outcome measures or case series. Auricular neuromodulation is a recent technique that uses the stimulation zones of the auricle described by these two methods but with a different rationale. No study has compared the efficacy of auricular neuromodulation in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraines with that of low-laser-level therapy (LLLT) with that of a placebo. Methods This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled two-arm study will include 106 adult patients suffering from episodic migraines, i.e., with the number of days of migraines ranging from 4–15 days per month. After randomization, patients benefit from three sessions of LLLT or sham LLLT on selected zones of the ear, one month apart. Efficiency will be assessed by measuring the number of days of migraine week 9–12 compared with the number of days of migraine 4 weeks before the first session. Discussion This study will assess whether three sessions of LLLT on selected zones on the ear, one month apart, increase the number of migraine-free days for patients suffering episodic migraine. This study is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of a noninvasive procedure in a placebo-controlled two-arm study. Trial registration This trial was registered in the US National Library of Medicine with the identifier NCT06623188. First registered: September 30, 2024. Last updated: October 2nd, 2024.

Background Frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) is a significant public-health concern. Scientific research has demonstrated that acupuncture can improve the clinical symptoms of FETTH. Purpose This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture and sham acupuncture in treating FETTH. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial. Participants with FETTH were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive auricular acupuncture or sham acupuncture for 4 weeks, with follow-up lasting for up to 24 weeks. The primary outcomes were measured using the headache index and visual analog scale (VAS) score. Secondary outcomes included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, blood flow velocity in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) (V ACA , V MCA , and V PCA , respectively), and the usage of acute headache medications. Adverse events were also recorded to assess safety. Results Compared with the sham acupuncture group, the auricular acupuncture group showed significant improvements in VAS score (2 (1.25, 2) vs. 3 (2, 3.5) at 24 h, P  < 0.001; 2 (1.25, 2) vs. 2 (2, 3) at the 2nd week, P  = 0.004; 2 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1.5, 3) at the 4th week, P  = 0.015), headache index (4 (2, 7) vs. 7 (4, 9) at the 4th week, P  = 0.016), HAMA score (11.69 ± 2.70) vs. (14.24 ± 3.20) at the 4th week, P  < 0.001; (9.83 ± 2.71) vs. (11.95 ± 2.59) at the 8th week, P  = 0.001; (9.67 ± 2.65) vs. (11.76 ± 3.00) at the 24th week, P  = 0.002), HAMD score ((14.25 ± 2.68) vs. (15.89 ± 3.48) at the 4th week, P  = 0.027,) V ACA (85.5 (85, 86) vs. 83 (83, 84) at the 4th week, P  < 0.001), V PCA (82 (81, 83) vs. 78 (77, 79) at the 4th week, P  < 0.001), and usage of acute headache medications (8 (7, 10) vs. 9 (8, 11) at the 4th week, P  = 0.030). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups ( P  = 1.000). Conclusion This study found that auricular acupuncture effectively improved the clinical symptoms of FETTH and had relatively fewer side effects. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry (ITMCTR2025000363) on January 20, 2025.

Purpose Previously, pain treatment following episiotomy has relied on non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs as analgesics, whose use during breastfeeding remains controversial due of their transfer to the child. Methods This was a pilot randomized parallel single-center study aiming to evaluate the effects of auricular acupuncture on pain relief after episiotomy. The primary outcome was reduction of pain intensity using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores during the first three postpartum days. The patients were allocated to either of the groups by using a heads–tails binary result coin toss method and the allocation was not masked. The study was completed after including 60 healthy women that underwent mediolateral episiotomy performed during vaginal delivery, with 29 receiving acupuncture therapy and 31 not receiving acupuncture therapy for pain relief. Oral analgesic therapy was made available per request for all patients. Results This study showed that subjective experience of pain was significantly reduced in the acupuncture group on the second and third postpartum days ( P  = 0.004, P  = 0.005, P  = 0.22). There were no adverse effects of acupuncture noted. Conclusions Our findings confirm that auricular acupuncture therapy may be a valuable adjunct to analgesic therapy in patients undergoing episiotomy during vaginal delivery. The results prompt a question whether our current ‘best practice’ may yet be improved.