Randomized Trial of Trigger Point Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Preliminary Study

Kazunori Itoh,Shingo Saito,Shunsaku Sahara,Yuki Naitoh,Kenji Imai,Hiroshi Kitakoji 사단법인약침학회 2014 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.7 No.2

There is evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for chronic shoulder pain, but it remains unclear which acupuncture modes are most effective. We compared the effect of trigger point acupuncture (TrP), with that of sham (SH) acupuncture treatments, on pain and shoulder function in patients with chronic shoulder pain. The participants were 18 patients (15 women, 3 men; aged 42e65 years) with nonradiating shoulder pain for at least 6 months and normal neurological findings. The participants were randomized into two groups, each receiving five treatment sessions. The TrP group received treat- ment at trigger points for the muscle, while the other group received SH acupuncture treatment on the same muscle. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS) and shoulder function (ConstanteMurley Score: CMS). After treatment, pain intensity between pretreatment and 5 weeks after TrP decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Shoulder function also increased significantly between pretreatment and 5 weeks after TrP (p < 0.001). A comparison using the area under the outcome curves demonstrated a significant difference between groups (p Z 0.024). Compared with SH acupuncture therapy, TrP therapy appears more effective for chronic shoulder pain.

Effects of Trigger Point Acupuncture Treatment on Temporomandibular Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial

Kazunori Itoh,Sayo Asai,Hideaki Ohyabu,Kenji Imai,Hiroshi Kitakoji 사단법인약침학회 2012 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.5 No.2

We compared the effects of trigger point acupuncture with that of sham acupuncture treatments on pain and oral function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This 10-week study included 16 volunteers from an acupuncture school with complaints of chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain for at least 6 months. The participants were randomized to one of two groups, each receiving five acupuncture treatment sessions. The trigger point acupuncture group received treatment at trigger points for the same muscle, while the other acupuncture group received sham treatment on the trigger points. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale) and oral function (maximal mouth opening). After treatment, pain intensity was less in the trigger point acupuncture group than in the sham treatment group, but oral function remained unchanged in both groups. Pain intensity decreased significantly between pretreatment and 5 weeks after trigger point (p < 0.001) and sham acupunctures (p < 0.050). Group comparison using the area under the curve demonstrated a significant difference between groups (pZ0.0152). Compared with sham acupuncture therapy,trigger point acupuncture therapy may be more effective for chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain.

On the Superconducting Symmetry of Fe-based Systems - Impurity Effect Studies and Neutron Scattering Measurements-

Masatoshi Sato,Yoshiaki Kobayashi,Takayuki Kawamata,Yukio Yasui,Kazunori Suzuki,M. Itoh,Ryoichi Kajimoto,Kazuhiko Ikeuchi,M. Arai,Phillipe Bourges 한국물리학회 2013 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.62 No.12

To identify the superconducting symmetry of Fe-based superconductors, we studied effects ofnonmagnetic-impurities on Tc, magnetic excitation spectra 00 and NMR 1/T1 − T curve, whichare sensitive to the relative signs between the order parameters on the disconnected Fermi surfacesin reciprocal space, because the symmetry is closely connected with the pairing mechanism:If the signs are opposite (symmetry S±), the mechanism is considered to be a magneticone, but when the signs are the same (symmetry S++), a novel mechanism is plausible becausethe ordinary phonon mechanism cannot realize the Tc value as high as 55 K found in Ln1111(Ln=lanthanide). Results are as follows: (a) The very small rates of Tc-suppression by impurityatoms M of LnFe1−yMyAs0.89−xF0.11+x (M=Ni, Co, Ru) can be explained only by S++. (b) The00-data for Ba(Fe, Co)2As2 (Tc 23 K) and Ca-Fe-Pt-As crystals seem to be well explained byS++ rather than by S±. (c) The nuclear magnetic resonance data can be consistently understoodby S++, too. These results suggest the S++ symmetry and a novel pairing mechanism, which canbe considered to be related to the elastic softening of C66 induced by the orbital fluctuation of thesystem.

Trigger Point Acupuncture and Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adult: a Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial

Minakawa Yoichi,Miyazaki Shogo,Waki Hideaki,Yoshida Naruto,Iimura Kaori,Itoh Kazunori 사단법인약침학회 2022 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.15 No.2

Background: Exercise therapy is the first choice non-pharmacotherapeutic approach for musculoskeletal pain; however, it often interferes with the implementation and continuation of exercise due to fear-avoidance behaviors. Trigger point acupuncture (TrPAcp) has been reported to reduce musculoskeletal pain. Objectives: To examine the efficacy of exercise combined with TrPAcp compared to exercise alone for older patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the most common subjective symptom reported by old people of both sexes in Japan. Methods: In this single-center randomized controlled trial conducted at Teikyo Heisei University, 15 men and women aged ≥ 65 years with low back pain for at least 3 months who met the eligibility criteria were included. The Ex+TrPAcp group received exercise and trigger point acupuncture, while the Ex group received only exercise for 3 months. The main outcome, pain intensity, was measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Improvement was defined as a decrease in NRS of ≥ 2 or less than moderate (NRS < 4). Results: The analysis included 7 of 8 cases in the Ex+TrPAcp group and 7 of 7 cases in the Ex group. NRS improved in 6 of 7 and 1 of 7 patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively, with a significant difference between groups (p = 0.03, φ = 0.71). Regarding adverse events due to acupuncture, one patient (14.3%) complained of heaviness after acupuncture. Nothing specific was reported with exercise. Conclusion: Compared with Ex alone, Ex+TrPAcp may be more effective therapy for older people with CLBP who do not have an exercise habit.

Report of the 3rd Japan-Korea Workshop on Acupuncture and EBM;Protocol development for the acupuncture trial on the osteoarthritis of the knee

Jang, Jun-Hyouk,Kenji, Kawakita,Hahn, Seo-Kyung,Park, Hi-Joon,Lee, Seung-Deok,Kim, Yong-Suk,Norihito, Takahashi,Toshiyuki, Shichidou,Kazunori, Itoh,Eiji, Sumiya,Eiji, Furuya,Hitoshi, Yamashita,Hiroshi The Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2006 대한침구의학회지 Vol.23 No.6

The 3rd Japan-Korea Workshop on Acupuncture and EBM was held at Kanazawa on June $16^{th}$. From Korea team, 4 papers were presented. Dr. Hahn introduced a new approach of data analysis on series of n-of-1 trials using the Bayesian statistics. It offered important information for the future n-of-1 trials. Dr. Park clearly demonstrated the significance of various sham devices proposed and stressed the importance of research questions when we choose the control intervention in RCT. Dr. Lee reported the results of survey in Korean Medical Doctors (KMD) for their point selection and techniques to the distal and local points. Dr. Kim presented the results of face to face survey on the KMD with 28 items for acupuncture treatment on the knee OA. Finally, a draft of protocol was introduced by Dr. Kim. The title was "multi-center, a randomized, single blinded, two arms, parallel-group study to compare the effectiveness and safety of 'individualized acupuncture' and 'standardized minimal acupuncture' in Korean and Japanese patients with knee osteoarthritis (Phase IV)". From Japan team, 7 speakers presented their comments and proposals on the protocol. Dr. Takahashi introduced several issues regarding n-of-1 trials and pointed out the importance of obtaining generalizability from n-of-1 trials. Dr. Shichidou pointed the importance of research design, selection of outcome measures and reduction of biases. Dr. Itoh presented the results of point selection for the knee OA based on the literature survey. Dr. Sumiya introduced several differences between KMD and Japanese acupuncturists based on the questionnaire used in KMD survey. Dr. Furuya demonstrated a result of press tack needle and its sham device on shoulder stiffness. Dr. Yamashita introduced the results of literature survey regarding adverse events occurred by acupuncture on knee OA. Dr.Tsukayama stressed the importance of responsibility of Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the conduction of clinical trials. After several issues were discussed, the need of continued meeting for final protocol development was agreed, then the workshop was closed.

Study protocol for clinical trial to Compare the Effectiveness of 'Individualized Acupuncture' with 'Standardized Acupuncture' in Korean patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Lee, Seung-Deok,Seo, Jung-Chul,Lee, Sang-Hoon,Kim, Yong-Suk,Jang, Jun-Hyouk,Park, Hi-Joon,Choi, Sun-Mi,Park, Ji-Eun,Shin, Leem-Hee,Hahn, Seo-kyung,Norihito, Takahashi,Eiichi, Sumiya,Itoh, Kazunori,Tos Society for Meridian and Acupoint 2008 Korean Journal of Acupuncture Vol.25 No.4

Background : One of the characteristics of acupuncture, a popular modality for treating musculoskeletal pain, is a plurality in diagnosis and treatment that can profoundly influence the treatment outcome. This multiplicity in treatment modality has to be considered in any research on the effectiveness of acupuncture. Many practitioners stress the necessity for individualized patient treatment, including acupuncture point selection and manipulation technique. However, the importance of individualization in acupuncture treatment, compared with standardization, has received little attention in clinical trials. The aim of the future study described here is therefore to compare the effectiveness of individualized acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with standardized acupuncture and no acupuncture in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods : A total of 195 patients aged 50 years and over with knee pain, will be randomly divided into three treatment groups: individualized acupuncture, standardized acupuncture, and waiting list. Outcome data will be collected through patient.completed questionnaires before randomization, and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after randomization. The questionnaires will be investigated demographic details as well as information on pain, movement and function of the affected knee, general health and quality of life. Discussion : This paper presents details on the rationale, design, and methods of the trial.