Traditional therapies are crucial in maintaining and improving human well-being. China’s healthcare policymakers are attempting to use health technology assessment (HTA) as a decision-making supportive tool. The value assessment framework for Chinese patent medicine (CPM) has been developed and is being adopted and validated widely by research institutions. Subsequently, the healthcare decision-makers particularly hanker for the value framework of traditional non-pharmacological therapies.

To construct a practical value framework for traditional non-pharmacological therapies, a scoping review methodology was adopted to identify the evaluation domains and obstacles. A search, screening, and analysis process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Evidence was retrieved from scientific databases and HTA agencies’ websites.

The search strategy identified 5 guidelines records and 17 acupuncture HTA reports. By synthesizing the valuable reports of CPM and acupuncture evaluation in representative countries, this study found that Mainland China was promoting the comprehensive value assessment of CPM, whereas the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, the United States, and Malaysia had carried out the HTA evaluation of acupuncture for various conditions among which chronic pain was the most common. UK and Singapore applied the HTA results to support acupuncture reimbursement decisions. Three domains, including safety, effectiveness, and economy, were commonly adopted. The identified biggest challenge of evaluating traditional non-pharmacological therapies is the scarce high-quality clinical evidence.

This study identified value domains and issues of traditional therapies, and pointed out future research implications, to promote the development value framework of traditional therapies.

Tension-type headaches is the most common type of headache among adults and it rises a challenge in findig an effective and safe treatment method.

The study aims to evaluate the corporal acupuncture therapy efficacy in patients with chronic tension-type headaches undergoing a complex treatment plan.

The study involved 132 patients (74% female and 26% men) aged 18-65 years, who were divided into two groups. Patients reported their pain lasted 0.4-12 years. All the patients received conventional treatment (central muscle relaxants and antidepressants). The study group additionally received classical corporal acupuncture 3 times per week, a course of 12 sessions. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by measuring pain intensity using a subjective visual analogue scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ).

Most of the patients (79% and 88% of study and control groups respectively) demonstrated moderate cervical musculoskeletal dysfunctions. At admission pain intensity was 4.2±1.5 and 3.8±1.7 VAS points in the control and study groups respectively, MPQ sensory rank pain index (RPI) was 5.92±1.49 points, affective RPI 3.41±0.84, the total RPI – 7.12±2.56 in the control group, and 6.22±1.74; 2.98±0.62 and 7.14±1.65 points in the study group. 4 weeks after treatment measurements showed following pain intensity changes: 4.21±0.74 vs 3.1±0.95 points in the control and study groups respectively. 3- and 6-month period revealed 3.1±0.57, 2.4±0.74 points and 2.1±0.62, 1.1±0.49 points in the control and study groups respectively.

Classical corporal acupuncture course may benefit chronic tension-type headaches patients providing an effective treatment in a safe way.

No significant relationships.

Insomnia is a common, distressing, and impairing psychological outcome experienced by informal caregivers (ICs) of patients with cancer. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and acupuncture both have known benefits for patients with cancer, but such benefits have yet to be evaluated among ICs. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of CBT-I and acupuncture among ICs with moderate or greater levels of insomnia.

Participants were randomized to eight sessions of CBT-I or ten sessions of acupuncture.

Results highlighted challenges of identifying interested and eligible ICs and the impact of perception of intervention on retention and likely ultimately outcome.

Findings suggest preliminary support for non-pharmacological interventions to treat insomnia in ICs and emphasize the importance of matching treatment modality to the preferences and needs of ICs.

L’acupuncture est une technique de plus en plus utilisée dans la prise en charge des patients consommateurs de substances. Notre étude permet d’évaluer les bienfaits subjectifs de l’acupuncture chez ces patients en utilisant les échelles visuelles analogiques (EVA) avant et après les séances.

Ces évaluations ont été proposées à l’ensemble des patients venus faire une séance d’acupuncture (auriculothérapie ou corps entier) durant les mois de juillet 2012 et mai 2013. Ils ont côté sur une échelle entre 0 et 10 leur fatigue, bien-être, stress/anxiété, détente, douleur physique avant et après les séances.

Cent quatre vingt-quatre fiches anonymes avant/après ont été analysées. Cinquante sujets ont participé. Au niveau déclaratif : 24,5 % d’abstinents, 22,2 % en sevrage, 40,2 % consomment régulièrement une ou plusieurs substances (42 % alcool, 58 % de tabac, 20 % de crack, 38 % de cannabis). Les bienfaits ressentis sont multiples dans les jours qui suivent une séance : 64 % ont un meilleur sommeil, 48 % moins anxieux, 54 % disent avoir moins envie de consommer, 16 % remarquent une meilleure gestion de leurs émotions. L’ensemble des patients ont rapporté une diminution de leurs anxiété/stress (p = 0,0001), sensation de fatigue (p = 0,001) et douleur physique (p = 0,0001). Ils signalent également une amélioration de leur détente (p = 0,001) et de leur bien-être (p = 0,001). Nous avons également observé que les effets de l’acupuncture semblent être supérieurs chez les patients consommateurs par rapport aux patients qui déclarent être abstinents et que les bienfaits étaient supérieurs avec l’acupuncture corps entier versus auriculothérapie.

Dans notre population, les séances d’acupunctures semblent améliorer les ressentis des patients dans plusieurs domaines. L’étude se poursuit afin de mieux étudier non seulement les biais liés à la relaxation et aux croyances magico-religieuses mais aussi en étudiant différents paramètres objectifs comme la diminution de la consommation.

L’acupuncture est de plus en plus utilisée en addictologie [1,2]. Au CHU de Martinique, les patients présentant des addictions aux substances en bénéficient depuis une quinzaine d’années. Notre étude permet d’évaluer les bienfaits subjectifs de l’acupuncture chez ces patients en utilisant les Échelles Visuelles Analogiques avant et après les séances.

Ces évaluations ont été proposées à l’ensemble des patients venus faire des séances d’acupuncture durant le mois de juillet 2012. Les patients ont côté sur une échelle entre 0 et 10 leurs fatigue, bien-être, stress/anxiété, détente, douleur physique avant et après les séances.

Cent six fiches anonymes avant/après ont été analysées. Trente-cinq patients déclarent être abstinents, 53 déclarent être consommateurs réguliers d’une ou plusieurs substances (42 % alcool, 58 % tabac, 20 % crack, 38 % cannabis) et 18 sont données manquantes. L’ensemble des patients ont rapporté une diminution de leurs anxiété/stress (p = 0,0001), sensation de fatigue (p = 0,001) et douleur physique (p = 0,0001). Ils signalent également une amélioration de leur détente (p = 0,001) et de leur bien-être (p = 0,001).

Dans notre population, les séances d’acupuncture semblent améliorer les ressentis des patients dans plusieurs domaines. Il sera intéressant de poursuivre cette étude en étudiant non seulement les biais liés à la relaxation et aux croyances magico-religieuses mais aussi en étudiant différents paramètres objectifs comme la diminution de la consommation et le cardio feedback.

Like any therapy, acupuncture is effective for some patients, while not helpful for others. Understanding from a patients' perspective what makes one respond or not to acupuncture can help guide further intervention development. This study aimed to identify factors that influence the perception of acupuncture's therapeutic effect among cancer survivors with insomnia.

We conducted post-treatment semi-structured interviews with cancer survivors who were randomized to the acupuncture group in a clinical trial for the treatment of insomnia. Survivors were categorized into Responders and Non-Responders to acupuncture treatment based on the change in the Insomnia Severity Index with a reduction of eight points or greater as the cut-off for the response. An integrated approach to data analysis was utilized by merging an a priori set of codes derived from the key ideas and a set of codes that emerged from the data through a grounded theory approach. Codes were examined for themes and patterns.

Among 28 cancer survivors interviewed, 18 (64%) were classified as Responders. Participants perceived the ability to respond to acupuncture as dependent on treatment that effectively: (1) alleviated co-morbidities contributing to insomnia, (2) supported sleep hygiene practices, and (3) provided a durable therapeutic effect. Acupuncture treatment that did not address one of these themes often detracted from positive treatment outcomes and diminished perceived benefit from acupuncture.

We identified patient-perceived contributors to response to acupuncture, such as co-morbid medical conditions, adequate support for sleep hygiene practices, and temporary therapeutic relief. Addressing these factors may improve the overall effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia.

The aim was to identify similarities and differences between private practice and the National Health Service (NHS) in practitioners’ experiences of delivering acupuncture to treat pain. We wished to identify differences that could affect patients’ experiences and inform our understanding of how trials conducted in private clinics relate to NHS clinical practice.

Acupuncture is commonly used in primary care for lower back pain and is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's guidelines. Previous studies have identified differences in patients’ accounts of receiving acupuncture in the NHS and in the private sector. The major recent UK trial of acupuncture for back pain was conducted in the private sector.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 acupuncturists who had experience of working in the private sector (n = 7), in the NHS (n =3), and in both the sectors (n = 6). The interviews lasted between 24 and 77 min (median=49 min) and explored acupuncturists’ experiences of treating patients in pain. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify similarities and differences across private practice and the NHS.

The perceived effectiveness of acupuncture was described consistently and participants felt they did (or would) deliver acupuncture similarly in NHS and in private practice. In both the sectors, patients sought acupuncture as a last resort and acupuncturist–patient relationships were deemed important. Acupuncture availability differed across sectors: in the NHS it was constrained by Trust policies and in the private sector by patients’ financial resources. There were greater opportunities for autonomous practice in the private sector and regulation was important for different reasons in each sector. In general, NHS practitioners had Western-focussed training and also used conventional medical techniques, whereas private practitioners were more likely to have Traditional Chinese training and to practise other complementary therapies in addition to acupuncture. Future studies should examine the impact of these differences on patients' clinical outcomes.

Acupuncture has been claimed to be associated with activation of the endogenous antinociceptive system. The analgesic effects of acupuncture have been ascribed to β-endorphin interacting with opioid receptors. However, firstly, the release of β-endorphin into the blood has been proven to be induced by stress, i.e. under dysphoric conditions, and, secondly, if released under stress, β-endorphin has been shown not to be analgesic. Our aim was to test whether β-endorphin immunoreactive material is released into the cardiovascular compartment during acupuncture comparing the most frequently used types of acupuncture with standard pain treatment under apparently low stress conditions.

This prospective study included 15 male patients suffering from chronic low back pain. β-Endorphin immunoreactive material and cortisol were measured in the plasma of patients who underwent, in randomorder, therapy according to a standard pain treatment, traditional Chinese acupuncture, sham acupuncture, electro acupuncture and electro acupuncture at non-acupuncture points before, at and after the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures.

A decrease in plasma cortisol concentration measured over the five treatment protocols was highly significant (P < 0.001). The β-endorphin immunoreactive material concentrations in plasma were minimal at all times and in all treatment conditions. The influence of treatments by various acupuncture procedures on cortisol and β-endorphin immunoreactive material plasma concentrations over the three time points was not significantly different.

β-endorphin immunoreactive material in blood is not released by any type of acupuncture as tested under low stress conditions.