Effects of acupuncture treatment on natural killer cell activity, pulse rate, and pain reduction for older adults: an uncontrolled, observational study

Mori, Hideki; Kuge, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Tim Hideaki; Taniwaki, Eiichi; Hanyu, Kazuyo; Morisawa, Tateyuki

doi:10.3736/jintegrmed2013012

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…A literature review reported that acupuncture enhances immune function through NK cell activity [113], based on stimulation of the acupoints, also known as "immuno-enhancing acupoint," thus enhancing nitric oxide production which promotes secretion of β-endorphin [113,114]. This peptide further reaches different locations of the body, and binds to opioid receptors expressed on surface of NK cells, which stimulates NK cells to release interferon-gamma (IFNγ), further inducing expression of NK cell receptors and secretion of cytokines from other immune cells, promoting anticarcinogenic immune functions [113][114][115][116]. Additionally, acupuncture may help breast cancer patients with menopausal symptoms via altering the autonomic nervous system [117].…”

Section: Acupuncturementioning

confidence: 99%

Stress reduction strategies in breast cancer: review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic based strategies

et al. 2020

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. It is associated with multiple symptoms in both patients and caregivers, such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Stress appears to promote cancer progression via activation of the sympathetic nervous system releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine as well as activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis releasing cortisol. These stress hormones have been shown to promote the proliferation of cancer cells. This review focuses on stress-reducing strategies which may decrease cancer progression by abrogating these pathways, with a main focus on the β-adrenergic signaling pathway. Patients utilize both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies to reduce stress. Non-pharmacologic stress-reduction strategies include complementary and alternative medicine techniques, such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, exercise, use of natural products, support groups and psychology counseling, herbal compounds, and multivitamins. Pharmacologic strategies include abrogating the β2-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway to antagonize epinephrine and norepinephrine action on tumor and immune cells. β-Blocker drugs may play a role in weakening the pro-migratory and pro-metastatic effects induced by stress hormones in cancer and strengthening the anti-tumor immune response. Preclinical models have shown that non-selective β1/2-blocker use is associated with a decrease in tumor growth and metastases and clinical studies have suggested their positive impact on decreasing breast cancer recurrence and mortality. Thus, non-pharmacological approaches, along with pharmacological therapies part of clinical trials are available to cancer patients to reduce stress, and have promise to break the cycle of cancer and stress.

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Section: Acupuncturementioning

confidence: 99%

Stress reduction strategies in breast cancer: review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic based strategies

et al. 2020

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“…A recent literature review reported evidence that acupuncture improves the immune function through the modulation of NK cell activity. 55 A hypothetic model has been proposed to explain how acupuncture stimulates the immune response based on the stimulation of the acupoint ST36. 55,56 This point is known as the “immuno-enhancing acupoint,” as it is capable of improving the functioning of the immune system.…”

Section: Complementary Therapies In Breast Cancer: Support For Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…55 A hypothetic model has been proposed to explain how acupuncture stimulates the immune response based on the stimulation of the acupoint ST36. 55,56 This point is known as the “immuno-enhancing acupoint,” as it is capable of improving the functioning of the immune system. Its stimulation induces the release of nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter that stimulates, through sensory nerves, the lateral area of the hypothalamus, promoting the secretion of opioid peptides, such as β-endorphin.…”

Section: Complementary Therapies In Breast Cancer: Support For Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary Therapies as a Strategy to Reduce Stress and Stimulate Immunity of Women With Breast Cancer

Abrahão

Bomfim

Lopes-Júnior

et al. 2019

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med

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The stress associated with cancer development leads to disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and suppresses important facets of the immune response. The use of complementary therapies in the treatment of women with breast cancer has demonstrated therapeutic benefits that entail improvements in the patients’ quality of life. The objective of this article is to present evidence on the use of complementary therapies as a stress reduction strategy and on its stimulating effects on the immune system of women with breast cancer. This is a reflexive updating article that will support the health professionals’ understanding on the use of complementary therapies in breast cancer care. The use of complementary therapies in the treatment of women with breast cancer has significantly improved these subjects’ stress, depression, fatigue, anxiety, and, consequently, their quality of life, as well as their immune response, which is mainly illustrated by the increased number and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells. Clinicians, health professionals, and patients need to be cautious about using complementary therapies and fully understand the real benefits and risks associated with each therapy. Little or no supporting evidence is available to clarify the effects on the immune system of women with breast cancer, and the consequent therapeutic benefits obtained through the use of these practices.

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“…Hal yang sama juga disampaikan dalam Coeytaux and Garland (2013) bahwa terapi akupunktur sangat baik untuk menangani berbagai macam nyeri terutama nyeri kronis. Penelitian di Jepang yang dilakukan oleh Mori et al, (2013) mengungkapkan jika terapi akupunktur selain dapat menurunkan nilai VAS juga dapat me-ningkatkan jumlah limfosit dan granulosit pada penderita nyeri bahu, punggung bawah dan nyeri lutut. Hal ini disebabkan oleh penusukan titik akupunktur dapat mempengaruhi jalur saraf nosiseptif, proprioseptif dan otonom.…”

Section: Pembahasan 1 Pengaruh Terapi Akupunktur Ter-unclassified

Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Infrared Therapies for Reducing Musculoskeletal Pain in the Elderly

2017

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Background: According to the World Health Organization, the most frequent health problems experienced by the elderly is musculoskeletal pain. The common treatment for musculoskeletal pain is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) drugs. These drugs, however, give undesireable side effects such as disorders in digestion, renal function, and increased blood pressure. Acupuncture and infrared therapies have been widely known as cheap and safe for musculoskeletal pain. However, their relative effectiveness are not yet clear. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and infrared therapies for reducing musculoskeletal pain in the elderly. Subjects and Method: This was an experiment study with randomized controlled trials design. The study was conducted at the elderly integrated health post Klodran, Karanganyar, Central Java, in May, 2016. A total sample of 60 elderlies was selected for this study using random sampling technique. This sample was randomized into 4 groups, each consisting of 15 study subjects: (1) acupressure; (2) acupuncture; (3) infrared; (4) acupuncture and infrared. The dependent variable was musculoskeletal pain. The independent variable was type of pain relief therapy. The data was analyzed by Kruskall Wallis Test, and post-hoc test using Mann-Whitney. Results: Kruskall Wallis Test showed mean differences in the reduction of musculosceletal pain between the four groups, and they were statistically significant, as follows: acupressure (mean= 1.3; SD= 0.5), acupunture (mean= 2.3; SD= 0.5), infrared (mean= 1.6; SD= 0.6), and acupuncture and infrared (mean= 3.9; SD= 0.4). Mann-Whitney test showed the most effective treatment for reducing musculoskeletal pain was acupunture and infrared combination therapy (mean difference= 2.53; p<0.001). Conclusion: Acupunture and infrared combination is the most effective treatment for reducing musculoskeletal pain in the elderly.

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Effects of acupuncture treatment on natural killer cell activity, pulse rate, and pain reduction for older adults: an uncontrolled, observational study

Cited by 14 publications

References 17 publications

Stress reduction strategies in breast cancer: review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic based strategies

Stress reduction strategies in breast cancer: review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic based strategies

Complementary Therapies as a Strategy to Reduce Stress and Stimulate Immunity of Women With Breast Cancer

Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Infrared Therapies for Reducing Musculoskeletal Pain in the Elderly

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