9.2 Scientific Research According to Channelsdiseaseand impaired cerebral blood flow capacityled to a
significant improvement of blood flow capacity. Qie et al,
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1991
patients. Clinical symptoms were observed and scales such as
HDS-R, ADL and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ)
used for assessment. The group additionally treated with Du-20
and HE-7showed marked improvement of memory, orientation
and reaction. At the same time mental rigidity and trance
decreased. Du-20on its own improved understanding, calculat-
ing and social adaptation, while Du-26was helpful in treating
mental retardation, failure to perform daily activities, trance and
poor memory. The combination of the three points showed over-
all the best results in improving intelligence and social adapta-
tion. The particular design of this trial – combining a standard
protocol used in both groups with the actually relevant points in
the verum group – presents an interesting model for eliminating
persistent problems regarding placebo methods and blinding.
However, in this particular trial the number of participants (5
groups of 10 subjects) was too low to determine if the results
were statistically significant. Lai et Huang, Chin J Integr Med
2005
A German prospective, non-blinded, pair-matched, controlled
trial (n121 pregnant women between 30 and 39 weeks of
gestation) investigated the effect of acupuncture at Du-20and
ST-36on fetal and maternal cardiotocographic parameters
and maternal circulation. The main difference was a transient
increase of the Fisher score in the treatment group compared to
the control group, with a persistent increase of the Fisher score.
Scharf et al, Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2003
A Croatian prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
(n57) investigated the effectiveness of Du-20, L.I.-4, Ren-3,
Ren-4, Ren-6, G.B.-34, BL-23, SP-6and HE-7on primary
dysmenorrhoeacompared to placebo-acupuncture. Subjects
were observed for a period of two years. After one year, 93.3%
of acupuncture patients were symptom-free and/or not taking
medication compared to only 3.7% of the placebo patients.
Habek et al, Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch 2003
A Polish prospective, randomised, controlled, non-blinded trial
(n69) investigated the effect of acupuncture at Du-20, Ren-
12 , ST-36, ST-21, ST-25, LIV-3, LIV-13, P-6and HE-7in addi-
tion to a low calorie diet in the treatment of obesity (BMI
approximately 33 kg/m^2 ). This diet consisted of a daily intake of
about 1200–1500 kcal, which was about 1000 kcal below the
daily energy requirement of the patients. The acupuncture group
showed a significantly better result after only 12 treatments over
a period of 6 weeks. The mean body weight decreased from
85.5 kg to 72.7 kg, while it only decreased to 77.1 kg in the diet
group. Wozniak et al, Ginekol Pol 2003
A German prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial (n56) investigated the effect of acupuncture at
Du-20, Ex-HN-6, HE-7, P-6and BL-62in the treatment of
depressionand generalised anxiety. Results were assessed
using questionnaires. After 10 treatments, the verum acupunc-
ture group showed a significantly larger clinical improvement
compared to the placebo group (61% vs 21%). Eich et al,
Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2000
DU-26G.B.-4; Du-20Spinous process C7 Du-14Base of the
scapular spineDU-14L.I.-4, ST-8; ST-36
A Chinese experimental trial (n40) investigated the effect of
acupuncture at Du-14and P-6on driving performance during a
three-hour driving simulator test. The acupuncture group
showed a significantly better driving performance and a
decrease in driving fatigue, compared to the untreated control
group. Li et al, Accid Anal Prev 2004
A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled, non-blinded
trial (n40) investigated the effect of acupuncture at Du-14
and P-6on heart rate and driving performance during a three-
hour driving simulator test. The acupuncture group showed a
significantly decreased activation of the sympathetic nervous
systemand increased parasympathetic activitycompared to
the untreated control group. Li et al, Eur J Appl Physiol 2003
A Chinese retrospective case study (n25) investigated the
effect of cupping at Du-14, BL-13, BL-20and BL-23on
bronchial asthmawhile reducing orally administered corti-
sone. The author reports that 56% of patients showed a marked
improvement after 30 treatments. Hu, J Tradit Chin Med 1998
A Chinese prospective case study (n50) reports the success-
ful treatment of perennial allergic rhinitisby applying 10%
Cantharidesextract at Du-14and P-6. The results showed an
effective rate of 88%. The allergic nasal mucosa provocative test
of the treated group improved after the treatment, the number of
eosinophils and basophils in nasal secretion decreased and the
serum total IgE also reduced significantly. Tang et al, Zhongguo
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1995
DU-15T.B.-8; Du-4
DU-16Du-11
Du-205 cunApex of
the earApex of
the earDU-20T.B.-8; G.B.-4, ST-8; Du-4; LIV-3; HE-7, L.I.-4
A Chinese prospective randomised controlled single-blinded
group-comparison trial (n50) investigated the effect of a stan-
dardised acupuncture protocol, used either on its own or accom-
panied by needling of Du-20, Du-26andHE-7(either singly or
in combination) on vascular dementia in hemiplegic