Atlas of Acupuncture

9 Scientific Research

at L.I.-11on uraemic pruritus. The results of the pruritus score

questionnaires demonstrated that only true acupuncture at L.I.-11

resulted in a significantly reduced pruritus lasting for a period of

three months. Uraemia levels remained unchanged. Che-yi et al,

Nephro Dial Transplant 2005

A German prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-

blinded experimental trial (n
22) investigated the effect of

L.I.-11on the phagocytic immune system. Based on laboratory

parameters, the activity of neutrophilswas significantly higher

in the study group. Karst et al, Complement Ther Med 2003

A Swedish prospective, non-randomised, placebo-controlled,

single-blinded experimental longitudinal trial investigated the

influence of electro-acupuncture at L.I.-11and L.I.-4on sym-

pathetic nerve activity and the pain threshold. Only electro-

acupuncture at L.I.-11 and L.I.-4 increased the pain threshold in

combination with increased sympathetic nerve activity. Knar-

dahl et al, Pain 1998

A Swedish prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-

blinded trial (n
58) investigated the effect of laser acupunc-

ture at L.I.-11and L.I.-12for lateral humeral epicondalgia

(tennis elbow)compared to laser application on the painful

area. There were no significant differences between the laser and

placebo treatments after the treatment period. Haker et al, Arch

Phys Med Rehabil 1991

L.I.-15A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, controlled, non-

blinded trial (n
150) investigated the effect of electro-

acupuncture at L.I.-15, G.B.-21and Ex-UE jianneilingwith or

without regional nerve block (RNB) (stellate ganglion and

suprascapular plexus) for ‘frozen shoulder’ (adhesive capsuli-

tis). This was compared to RNB treatment alone. The combina-

tion of electro-acupuncture and RNB produced the most

significant reduction of pain and duration of pain relief as well

as improvement of range of motion. Lin et al, Acta Anaesthe-

siol Sin 1994

A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled, non-blinded trial

(n
63) investigated the effect of acupuncture at L.I.-15, L.I.-11,

L.I.-4, G.B.-30, G.B.-34, G.B.-37, LIV-3, G.B.-20, ST-25, ST-

40 , ST-36, SP-6and KID-3on symptoms of cerebral infarction

compared to the treatment with the calcium channel blocker vera-

pamil. The effectiveness in the acupuncture group was 94%, in the

verapamil group 84%. This difference is statistically significant.

However, the choice of a calcium channel blocker seems unusual

for this indication. Zou et al, Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1990

L.I.- 12 1 cun

L.I.-11

L.I.-12
L.I.-11; L.I.-10

A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n
64)

investigated the effect of electro-acupuncture at L.I.-12, T.B.-5,

G.B.-30and ST-36accompanied by medication for acute cere-

bral infarctionwith regard to the plasma and CSF somatostatin

levels. The control group received medication only. Both plasma

and CSF somatostatin levels increased significantly in the

acupuncture group. Zhang et al, J Tradit Chin Med 1999

A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n
64)

investigated the effect of electro-acupuncture at L.I.-12, T.B.-5,

G.B.-30and ST-36 on the plasma and CSF levels of VIP

(vasoactive intestinal peptide), somatostatin and pancreatic

polypeptide in patients with acute cerebral infarction. The

CSF VIP level dropped significantly while the plasma pancre-

atic polypeptide level increased significantly. In patients with a

good response both plasma and CSF somatostatin levels

increased significantly after acupuncture. Zhang et al, Zhen Ci

Yan Jiu 1996

Acromio

clavicular

joint

T.B.-14

L.I.-15

L.I.-20 Nasolabial groove

Midpoint of the lateral border

of the ala nasi

L.I.-20
G.B.-14

A British prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n
20)

investigated the effect of a 30 second massage at L.I.-20on

nasal airflowcompared to an untreated control group. Symp-

toms improved significantly in the massage group. Takeuchi

et al, Am J Rhinol 1999

Stomach channel

Infraorbitalmargin ST-2

ST-2
G.B.-14

A prospective, non-randomised experimental trial (n
33)

investigated the effect of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture at

ST-2, L.I.-4and ST-44on experimentally induced tooth pain.