Acupuncture benefits for Flammer syndrome in individuals with inherited diseases of the retina

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with inherited diseases of the retina (IRD) often exhibit signs and symptoms of Flammer syndrome (FS). Acupuncture treatment has shown its positive effect on visual function in patients with IRD. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of acupuncture on signs and symptoms of FS in a cohort of patients suffering simultaneously FS and IRD.Patients and methodsA prospective pilot study was performed on 17 patients with FS and IRD: rod-cone dystrophy, Nr: 12 (RCD); cone-rod dystrophy, Nr: 3 (CRD) and inherited macular dystrophy, Nr: 2 (IMD; 12♀, 5♂; mean age: 44.19 y; SD ±17.09 y). Acupuncture treatment was done applying needle acupuncture of the body and the ears. The treatment was scheduled at 10 half-hour sessions over 5 weeks. Primary outcome was evaluation of the post-acupuncture effect on the signs and symptoms of FS in IRD patients using multiple-choice questionnaires.ResultsFollowing acupuncture, we found improvement in signs and symptoms of FS in patients suffering simultaneously IRD, as for instance (Nr. patients: improvement/suffering/total): a reduced tiredness (10/11/17), shorter sleep onset time (10/11/17), warmer feet and hands (10/10/17) and reduced frequency of headache attacks (9/11/17). Surprisingly, in four RCD patients and in one IMD patient, a reduction of macular edema was documented.ConclusionsThe applied acupuncture protocol for FS in IRD patients showed improvement in FS signs and symptoms and was tolerated well. Nevertheless, the objective evaluation of this complementary therapy on FS in IRD patients remains to be elucidated.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Activity in Switzerland. A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

“…Randomized clinical trials, systematic literature reviews, and meta-analyses have provided evidence to support the efficacy of several TCM modalities in managing various diseases. [4][5][6][7] Moreover, TCM has the potential to provide relief for certain health conditions, which conventional medicine yet struggles to treat or yield medication sideeffects. [8,9] However, it is important to note that most of the studies and evidence for TCM treatment effects originate from China and substantial differences in TCM education, access to Chinese herbs, use of TCM therapies or limited access to the Chinese literature might limit the transferability and generalizability of TCM therapy effects across the globe.…”

The Changes in Blood Flow Seen in the Eye after Foot Acupuncture Treatment in Mice

“…Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for over 5,000 years [1]. It has a variety of effects on degenerative and psychosomatic diseases involving cerebral or peripheral ischemia [2][3][4][5][6]. In previous studies, acupuncture stimulation increased the blood flow in several organs by modulating the central circulatory system and autonomic nervous system dysfunction [7,8].…”