9 Scientific Research
leukocyte circulationin healthy young subjects. There was a sig-
nificant decrease in leukocyte and lymphocyte values in the
acupuncture group while cortisol and norepinephrine plasma lev-
els remained unchanged. Kou et al, Brain Behav Immun 2005
A US prospective, non-randomised, placebo-controlled, single-
blinded trial (n7) investigated if electro-acupuncture at ST-36,
SP-6, ST-34and L.I.-4before and during induction of general
anaesthesia (desflurane) influenced the anaesthetic requirement
compared to a control group. There was no reduction in pain in the
treatment group. Chernyak et al Anesth Analg 2005
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, sin-
gle-blinded experimental cross-over study (n15) investigated
if electro-acupuncture (EA) at ST-36can normalise atropine-
induced gastric dysrhythmia. While there was a significant
increase in the percentage of normal frequency, atropine-
induced gastric dysrhythmia was not normalised by EA (no sig-
nificant differences in the EGG). Chang et al, Dig Dis Sci 2002
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, controlled experimental
trial (n15) investigated the effect of ST-36on gastric myo-
electrical regularity. There was a significant decrease in the
tachygastric and bradygastric rhythm during electro-acupunc-
ture on ST-36. Chang et al, Digestion 2002
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, sham-controlled trial
(n100) investigated the effect of electro-acupuncture at ST-36
on postoperative pain and opioid-related side effects. The
postoperative pain, the requirement for morphine (via PCA) and
the incidence of nausea and dizziness were all significantly
reduced. Lin et al, Pain 2002
A US prospective, randomised, double-blinded, sham-con-
trolled experimental trial (n14) investigated if electro-
acupuncture at ST-36, G.B.-34and BL-60could reduce the
anaesthetic requirement (desflurane) for experimental pain
stimuli. Electro-stimulation of these points did not reduce des-
flurane requirements compared to the control group. Morioka
et al, Anesth Analg 2002
A Taiwanese prospective case study (n15) investigated the
effect of bilateral electro-acupuncture at ST-36on gastric slow
waves in diabetic patientswith symptoms suggesting gastric
motor dysfunction. Changes of gastric activity were measured
by EGG. During and after acupuncture there was a significant
increase in the percentages of normal frequency. In addition the
percentage of tachygastric frequency was decreased significantly
during and after acupuncture. Chang et al, Digestion 2001
A Chinese case study (n104) reports the successful injection-
acupuncture at ST-36for chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.
Yin et al, J Tradit Chin Med 2001
A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled, non-blinded
trial (n26) investigated the effect of acupuncture at ST-36
plus auricular plaster therapy on peristalsisfor postoperative
recovery of intestinal function after abdominal surgery. 92% of
patients in the treatment group showed recovery of normal peri-
stalsis within 72 hours, while in the control group only 46%
patients recovered within the same time-period. Wan et al,
J Tradit Chin Med, 2000A US prospective, randomised, controlled pilot study (n17)
investigated the effect of acupressure at ST-36and P-6on the
intensity and frequency of nauseain patients undergoing
chemotherapy due to breast cancer. Both the frequency and
intensity of the nausea was significantly lower in the treatment
group than in the control group. Dibble et al, Oncol Nurs
Forum 2000
An Italian prospective, randomised, controlled experimental
trial (n120) investigated the effect of acupuncture at ST-36
and L.I.-4regarding changes in the levels of beta-endorphins
and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and
monocyte phagocytosis) in patients suffering from various
painful disorders. These changes were compared to an untreated
control group. Only in the acupuncture group were the endor-
phin levels, the CD3 and CD4 values and monocyte phagocyto-
sis increased for at least 24 hours after treatment. At the
same time there was an increase of the CD8 values. Petti et al,
J Tradit Chin Med 1998
A Chinese retrospective case study reports good results in treat-
ing leukopeniawith acupuncture at ST-36. Wei, J Tradit Chin
Med 1998
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, sham-controlled experi-
mental trial (n18) investigated the effect of acupuncture at ST-36
and L.I.-4on central nervous system pathways with functional
MR imaging of the brain. Besides a significant reduction of the
heart rate frequency, acupuncture at both points resulted in activa-
tion of the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens (structures of
the descending antinociceptive pathway) and deactivation of the
rostral part of the anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala formation,
and hippocampal complex (limbic areas of pain recognition).
Therefore this study provides explanations for the pain-reducing
effectof acupuncture. Wu et al, Radiology 1999
A prospective, sham-controlled, single-blinded experimental
longitudinal trial (n13) investigated the effect of acupuncture
at ST-36 only, compared to acupuncture at ST-36 plus L.I.-10
on auditory endogenous potentials(P300). The effect of the dif-
ferent forms of acupuncture was identical. In contrast to the sham
group, it led to a decrease of P300 amplitude in the acupuncture
group. Hsieh et al, Am J Chin Med 1998
A US prospective, randomised, sham-controlled, single-blinded
trial (n100) investigated the effect of transcutaneous electric
nerve stimulation (TENS) at ST-36 on opioid analgesic
requirementby PCA following hysterectomy or myomectomy
compared to peri-incisional dermatomal stimulation by TENS.
TENS applied at the dermatomal level of the incision is as effec-
tive as stimulation at ST-36, and both were more effective than
stimulation at a sham location. Chen et al, Anesth Analg 1998
A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n69)
compared the so-called immunotherapy at ST-36to conven-
tional desensitisation therapy in patients suffering from anaphy-
lactic asthma. Results in the acupuncture group were
significantly better, regarding both clinical and immunohisto-
chemical parameters. Chen et al, Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie
He Za Zhi 1996