Current Research Trend on the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Pancreatitis

Abstract

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current research trend on the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Methods : Through nine search engines, articles were collected, which had involved the use of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis. Data were extracted from the selected articles regarding the year, country, type of pancreatitis, study design, evaluation variable, intervention, point for acupuncture and moxibustion, and effectiveness of treatment. Results : Total 56 articles were reviewed. The number of studies increased gradually every ten years. Fifty-one studies(91%) were conducted in China. Most of clinical studies and animal experimentations reported on acute pancreatitis. Thirty-nine studies were randomized controlled trials(RCTs), but most of them were assessed as uncertain in the risk of bias evaluation. The degree of overall improvement(79%) was used mainly as evaluation variable of clinical studies. In animal experimentations, the examination of pancreatitis tissue(77%) and blood test(77%) were used the most. Most of studies were conducted with the acupuncture, one with moxibustion. Among them, electroacupuncture was the most common intervention of treatment group. ST36 was the most frequently used acupuncture point in the included studies. Effective rate increased and serum amylase, clinical symptoms, recovery time of gastrointestinal function decreased statistically significantly in the treatment group of clinical studies. Conclusions : The result of this study could be used for the future practice and research about the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pancreatitis.

Trends in the Development of Acupuncture-Related Technologies Based on Patents in South Korea

“…Moreover, other patents included assistive techniques for simplifying the acupuncture procedure from the operator's perspective, including an ultrasound-guided technique for accurate intramuscular needle insertion [ 12 ]; an endoscopy-guided technique for inserting the acupuncture needle into the nose [ 13 ]; and a robotic system for performing acupuncture treatment, which was developed to improve the convenience, accuracy, and effectiveness of the procedure [ 14 ].…”