Month: June 2009

Acupuncture for Insomnia

Acupuncture for insomnia may be more effective than benzodiazepines. Researchers in Hong Kong have carried out a systematic review of twenty randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of acupuncture for insomnia. The majority of trials concluded that traditional acupuncture was significantly more effective for helping insomnia, than benzodiazepines, the mean effective rates being 91% and 75% respectively.

The authors conclude that acupuncture looks a promising intervention but methodological shortcomings in the studies reviewed mean the need now for large scale, high-quality trials.

(Traditional Needle Acupuncture Treatment for Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. Sleep Medicine, August 2009.)

Acupuncture for Hayfever and Allergic Rhinitis

Acupuncture for hayfever and allergic rhinitis.

A German study has assessed the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for hayfever and allergic rhinitis, the former being the most common type of allergic rhinitis. A total of 981 patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups: one received usual care alone, whilst the second received usual care plus ten sessions of acupuncture.

Quality of life, and direct and indirect costs, were all assessed at baseline and again after three months. The study concluded that acupuncture in addition to routine care was both beneficial and cost-effective.

(Cost-effectiveness of Acupuncture in Women and Men with Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomised Controlled Study in Usual Care. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1 March 2009.)

Acupuncture during IVF Preparation Regulates Hormones

Acupuncture during IVF. American researchers have investigated the effects of acupuncture during IVF on cortisol and prolactin levels in patients undergoing the associated drug treatment. Sixty-seven women were randomised to receive either standard IVF alone or IVF plus acupuncture. Levels of cortisol and prolactin in the blood,  were measured regularly during the treatment cycle. Cortisol levels in the acupuncture group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 13, compared with the control group. Prolactin levels  in the acupuncture group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 5 ,6, 7 & 8, compared with the control group.

The authors of the study conclude that acupuncture appears to achieve beneficial regulation of these hormones during the medication phase of the IVF process, and a trend towards more normal fertile cycle characteristics. They add “With the data presented in this study, there does appear to be biochemical changes associated with the use of acupuncture in IVF that may explain the demonstrated improvements in reproductive outcomes. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, and while modern technology has assisted many couples to create families, we can expect even greater outcomes when both Eastern and Western medicines are combined.”

(Changes in serum cortisol & prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer treatment. Fertility & Sterility, December 2009.)