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[CNKI]) were searched up to May 20, 2020. Eight eligible randomized controlled trials were included the present study. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager software. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and a subgroup analysis was performed to detect the sources of heterogeneity, identify the selection of acupuncture methods and explore its contributions to the weight loss effects. Results: Among 8 trials, 5 trials used auricular acupuncture and 2 trials used auricular acupressure, 1 trial used both types of intervention. Most commonly selected acupoints were Shenmen (TF4) and stomach (CO4). Treatment duration was six to twelve weeks, and total treatment session was six to twelve. Compared to the control groups, auricular acupuncture significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) and ghrelin. For the selection of acupuncture methods, both methods performed similarly in most outcome except waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BFP), and triglycerides (TG). Conclusions: We found that auricular acupuncture can be effective for weight loss and controlling appetite. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneity. So further vigorous and well-designed studies should be conducted to strengthen the evidence of the use of auricular acupuncture for obesity.

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacoacupuncture treatment of coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. Two patients were diagnosed as coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome which pain was within the anatomical field of the nerve, worsened by pressure-inducing posture, no objective sensory loss and in presence of pin-point tenderness. They were treated by pharmacoacupuncture at perforating cutaneous nerve region penertrating the sacrotuberous ligament and local tenderness point of coccyx. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by pain intensity numerical rating scale (PI-NRS), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) index. After treatment, their PI-NRS was decreased, PPT and EQ-5D index were increased. The pharmacoacupuncture therapy at entrapment point of perforating cutaneous nerve could be an effective way to treat coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2019;29(3):149-156)

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Pathological laughing and crying (PLC) is a condition defined by relatively uncontrollable episodes of laughter, crying or both. PLC is an uncommon symptom usually caused by cerebral lesions. Midbrain involvement causing PLC is extremely unusual and the exact mechanism by which this condition develops is poorly understood. We recently experienced a 51-year-old woman who were diagnosed as PLC after midbrain infarction. She was treated by acupuncture, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT). After 6 weeks treatment, Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale (PLACS), Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) are decreased and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) is increased. Treatment of traditional Korean Medicine could be effective for stoke rehabilitation including post-stroke PLC. And we have considered mechanism of PLC associated with midbrain lesion, dysfunction of cortex-thalamus-hypothalamus-basal ganglia-mesencephalon and faciorespiratory nuclei pathways, cerebro-ponto-cerebellar pathways and damaged serotonergic neurotransmission can cause this based on recent neurobiology of emotion. To define exact mechanism and find effective treatment, further studies are needed.