To observe and compare the clinical effects of different electroacupuncture waveforms on primary dysmenorrhea.

This was a prospective, randomized, three-group, parallel-controlled trial. Participants with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into dense-sparse wave, continuous wave, and discontinuous wave groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Two lateral Ciliao (BL 32) points were used. All three groups started treatment 3–5 days before menstruation, once a day for six sessions per course of treatment, one course of treatment per menstrual cycle, and three menstrual cycles. The primary outcome measure was the proportion with an average visual analog scale (VAS) score reduction of ≥50% from baseline for dysmenorrhea in the third menstrual cycle during treatment. The secondary outcome measures included changes in dysmenorrhea VAS scores, Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale scores and the proportion of patients taking analgesic drugs.

The proportion of cases where the average VAS score for dysmenorrhea decreased by ≥50% from baseline in the third menstrual cycle was not statistically significant (P > .05). Precisely 30 min after acupuncture and regarding immediate analgesia on the most severe day of dysmenorrhea, there was a statistically significant difference in the dense-sparse wave group compared with the other two groups during the third menstrual cycle (P < .05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between the dense-sparse wave and discontinuous wave groups 24 h after acupuncture (P < .05).

Waveform electroacupuncture can alleviate primary dysmenorrhea and its related symptoms in patients. The three groups showed similar results in terms of short- and long-term analgesic efficacy and a reduction in the number of patients taking analgesic drugs. Regarding achieving immediate analgesia, the dense-sparse wave group was slightly better than the other two groups.

To explore the function of cluster needling at scalp points therapy on regulating differential protein's expression at different time points in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats.

Fifty-four rats were divided into three groups randomly and 18 rats in each group. The groups respectively were the model group (group M, n = 18), cluster needling at scalp points group (group C, n = 18), false operation group (group F, n = 18). Each group was then assigned in three subgroups, including 24-h, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups. Six rats in each subgroup. Acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and 2 points beside Baihui, which was 3–4 mm away from the midline. Longa score was used to evaluated neurological effects. Proteomics methods were used to identify differentially expression proteins with a standard of fold change greater than 1.5 and P < .05 at different times.

1. Nerve function scoring: The nerve function scores at 7 and 14 days decreased in group C, which showed better neural function than group M (P < .05). 2. Fold change in proteins: Group M showed 932 differentially expressed proteins compared with group F, and among them, 414 proteins showed significant changes in expression after acupuncture. The expression levels of Cdc42 and GFAP were increased, and Mag, Shank2, and MBP levels were decreased. In the Gene Ontology analysis, the cellular component consisted of the terms cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosome, and plasma membrane. The main related biological processes were cell–cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion. Many synaptic and metabolic pathways were found by KEGG analysis.

Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can improve the nerve function score and improve dyskinesia in MCAO model rats. Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can regulate the expression of 414 proteins, including Cdc42, GFAP, Mag, Shank2, and MBP, which are related to cerebral ischemia. The differential proteins are major concentration in cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosomes, and plasma membrane, participate in cell–cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion, and act through multiple synaptic and metabolic pathways to exert their biological functions.

Cluster needling at scalp acupoints has showed satisfying effects with acute cerebral ischemia in clinic whereas the mechanisms are not yet clear completely. This study investigated the influence of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on neurological function, as well as on neurofilament protein 200 (NF200) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression, in rats with acute cerebral ischemia.

Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned in equal numbers to the false operation (group F), model (group M), or cluster needling scalp acupuncture (group C) groups. Each group was divided into three subgroups, of six rats each, by acupuncture treatment time (24 h, 7 days, and 14 days). The rat local cerebral ischemia model was prepared using a modified suture occlusion method. Group C rats were treated by cluster needling scalp acupuncture, while groups F and M did not receive acupuncture treatment. Neurological effects were evaluated using the Longa score. NF200 and STAT3 expression were measured by western blotting.

At 24 h, there were no statistical difference between group C and group M in nerve function (P > .05). On days 7 and 14, nerve function scores in group C were significantly lower than that in group M (respectively were P < .05 and P < .01). In addition, on days 14, expression of NF200 was significantly higher in group C compared with group M (P < .05). Compared with group M, STAT3 expression was also higher in group C on days 7 and 14, although these differences were not statistically significant (both P > .05).

Cluster needling scalp acupuncture were efficient in improving nerve function scores in rats with cerebral ischemia, and promoting the recovery of motor function. These improvements were associated with increases in NF200 and STAT3 expression.