OBJECTIVE Buprenophrine is a synthetic opioid with micro-agonist properties currently pending Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a maintenance agent for treating heroin-addicted individuals. Unlike methadone, a widely used opioid maintenance agent, buprenorphine is a kappa-receptor antagonist. Research linking the effects of acupuncture to the release of dynorphin, the endogenous li...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of abdominal obesity is on the rise worldwide. Previous studies have indicated the higher diagnostic value of body fat distribution pattern compared with general body in abdominal obesity assessments. Several non-pharmacological methods have been suggested for obesity management, of which acupuncture has gained a great deal of research interest with promising results. ...

abstract background: polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders with a prevalence of 5-10% in women. this syndrome is one of the major causes for menstrual disorders and is treated by medicational and non-medicational methods. this study aimed to define the effect of auriculotherapy on menstruation disorders in girls with polycystic ovarian syndrome. materials and...

The auricular acupuncture microsystem has been clinically proven to be an effective tool for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. The auricular acupuncture microsystem provides a clear mapping of all the body organs and structures including that of the various brain structures. Some of the brain structures known to be involved in pain perception and pain modulation can be directly trea...

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact and acceptability of providing continuous auricular electroacupuncture as an adjunct to conventional medications for patients with depression. Ten patients with a mean age ± SD of 43.3 ± 10.4 years were able to provide informed consent. The quantitative and qualitative outcome measures were heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and differ...

This study examined the feasibility of recruiting of participants and retention to an auricular acupuncture intervention for smoking cessation at a residential spiritual recovery program for a chemically dependent population in the mid-Atlantic region. The association between beliefs about acupuncture and smoking cessation were also assessed. This was an intervention study guided by the princip...

OBJECTIVES To provide an in-depth analysis of seven well-reported studies that examined electrodermal activity (EDA) at acupuncture points with regard to three commonly held tenets of acupuncture: (1) EDA at pathology-related acupuncture points is distinguishable from non-pathology-related acupuncture points; (2) EDA at acupuncture points can assist in diagnosing and monitoring therapeutic prog...

Auricular therapies have been applied to diseases since ancient times. Inspired by auricular acupuncture of TCM, and to overcome the disadvantages classic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), we developed transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). It was applied to neurological and mental disorders, and also shows a bright prospect to these diseases.

BACKGROUND Sore throat is a common cause of pain in outpatient encounters. Battlefield auricular acupuncture (the placing of needles in specific points in the ear) is a modality used to treat acute pain associated with a variety of ailments. The aim of our study was to determine whether auricular acupuncture reduces pain, medication usage, and missed work hours when added to standard therapy in...

Auricular acupuncture is an accessible, non-confrontational therapy that appears to be effective when used in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, hospitals and prisons in the UK, Europe and the USA. Despite being popular, research evidence on its effectiveness is lacking, and as a result services are underfunded and risk being withdrawn. There are methodological problems in researching auric...