PMID: 

Explore (NY). 2020 Jan – Feb;16(1):26-34. Epub 2019 Aug 12. PMID: 31488342

Abstract Title: 

Traditional Chinese acupressure massage ameliorates systemic inflammatory responses and joint mobility limitation after acute repeated jumping exercise.

Abstract: 

CONTEXT: Alternative medical and training approaches to accelerate recovery among athletes are growing in popularity. The potential benefits of acupressure massage on attenuating muscle soreness and promoting post-exercise recovery capacity are still unclear.OBJECTIVE: This study compares the effects of traditional Chinese acupressure massage (TCAM) and active recovery, on subject recovery capacity after acute repeated jumping exercise.DESIGN: Twenty healthy male athletes were randomly assigned to traditional Chinese acupressure massage (TCAM; N = 10) or active recovery (AR; performing low-intensity exercise during post-exercise recovery; N = 10) groups. TCAM and AR intervention were applied after repeated jumping exercise. Pain scale, knee active/passive range of motion (AROM/PROM), jumping performance, quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction force, creatine kinase, and leukocyte subpopulations were measured at baseline, after and 48 h after exercise.RESULTS: No significant interaction effects were observed between the jumping performance, quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force, power-to-weight ratio for the two groups before the exercise, after the exercise, and 48 h post exercise. However, the knee flexion AROM/PROM was greater in the TCAM group than that for the AR group (p = 0.005). There were no differences in the VAS, MVC, and jumping performance between treatments. The white blood cell (p = 0.024), and monocytes (p = 0.023) responses were lower in the TCAM group.CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that TCAM generates beneficial effects on attenuating joint mobility limitations and lowering systemic inflammatory responses after acute exercise in athletes. These findings suggest that TCAM may be a practical alternative approach for athletes participating in consecutive competitions containing eccentric elements.

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PMID: 

J Pediatr Nurs. 2020 Mar – Apr;51:e57-e63. Epub 2019 Sep 9. PMID: 31514977

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Korean Children Who are Obese.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of auricular acupresure on reducing obesity in children who are obese.DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design was a randomized controlled trial design. Participants aged between 9 and 11 years were 65 children who are obese, divided into the experimental group (n = 31) and control group (n = 34). The sessions continued for 8 weeks. The participants in the experimental and control groups received auricular acupressure using ear pellets (seeds) on 5 acupoints known to beeither effective in obesity treatment or ineffective. Outcome measures included body image score, children's depression inventory, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and anthropometric indices (waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, etc.).RESULTS: Children in the experimental group showed significant improvement in waist circumference and hip circumference after 8 weeks compared with those in the control group (p 

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PMID: 

J Nurs Res. 2020 Feb ;28(1):e68. PMID: 31524645

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Massage and Acupressure on Relieving Labor Pain, Reducing Labor Time, and Increasing Delivery Satisfaction.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have documented the effects of massage and acupressure in reducing labor pain and labor time and in satisfaction with the delivery. However, few studies have investigated the comparative effects of these two therapies.PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of massage and acupressure on labor-related pain management, duration, and satisfaction with delivery.METHODS: This randomized controlled trial (n = 120) included three intervention groups (massage only, acupressure only, and massage + acupressure) and one control group, in which patients received no massage or acupressure treatment. A personal information form, Pregnant Watch Form, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to collect data. Frequency and percentage calculations, chi-square test, Student's t test, Tukey's honestly significant difference test, and one-way variance analysis were used for data analysis.RESULTS: In the latent phase of labor, the mean VAS scores of the massage-only group and massage + acupressure group were lower (4.56± 1.36 and 4.63 ± 1.52, respectively) than that of the control group (6.16 ± 1.46; p

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PMID: 

Acupunct Med. 2019 Nov 13:964528419883269. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31718229

Abstract Title: 

Self-administered acupressure for knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To test the acceptability and feasibility of self-administered acupressure as an intervention for knee pain among middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).METHODS: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 35 participants with KOA were randomized to receive self-administered acupressure (n = 17, two self-administered acupressure training sessions followed by self-practice for 6 weeks) or knee health education (n = 18, two health education sessions about KOA management followed by self-care for 6 weeks). Current pain intensity (primary outcome) was measured using a NumericRating Scale (NRS) at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6 (post-intervention). Secondary outcome measures included worst and least pain intensity, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), range of motion (ROM) of the knee joints and Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) scores for health-related quality of life.RESULTS: Participants in both groups attended all training sessions. In the self-administered acupressure group, all subjects mastered the acupressure technique and passed a consistency check. Both groups showed a decreasing trend in current knee pain intensity measured using NRS post-intervention. A medium between-group effect size (0.40) was found, but between-group differences were not statistically significant. The other secondary outcome measures were also comparable between both groups post-intervention (all p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: A two-session self-administered acupressure training was acceptable to and feasible in participants with KOA. The data generated allowed for calculation of a sample size for a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) to confirm whether self-acupressure is effective for pain management in KOA. Furthermore trials with adequate power and longer follow-up periods are warranted.

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PMID: 

West J Nurs Res. 2019 Dec 5:193945919890552. Epub 2019 Dec 5. PMID: 31802723

Abstract Title: 

Acupuncture and Acupressure for Dementia Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms: A Scoping Review.

Abstract: 

Due to the dangers associated with psychotropic medications, there is an urgent need for non-pharmacologic therapies to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Acupuncture and acupressure are safe and well-tolerated non-pharmacologic therapies for this population, but currently no review has explored acutherapy for management of distressing dementia symptoms. This review synthesizes research on acupuncture and acupressure for BPSD. Upon searching five databases, 15 studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Nine examined acupressure, six acupuncture, and eight were randomized controlled trials. The percent of studies demonstrating statistically significant improvements in symptoms were: activities of daily living (ADLs; 75%), agitation (100%), anxiety (67%), depression (100%), mood (100%), neuropsychological disturbances (67%), and sleep disturbances (100%). Variations in study design, intervention procedures, and outcomes limit interpretations about effectiveness. It is recommended that further research be done to examine the efficacy of these therapies and promote generalizability.

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PMID: 

Appl Nurs Res. 2019 Nov 20:151175. Epub 2019 Nov 20. PMID: 31831270

Abstract Title: 

The effect of acupressure on quality of life among female nurses with chronic back pain.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain is one of the most common work-related diseases and most important of musculoskeletal disorders in nursing professionals and because of the physical and psychological effects, has a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). Acupressure is a holistic form of complementary medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on QOL among female nurses with chronic back pain.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 50 nurses with chronic back pain working at the selected hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. After convenient sampling, the subjects were randomly allocated, through lottery, to the two groups of experimental (n = 25) and sham (n = 25). In the experimental group, acupressure techniques were performed during 9 sessions, 3 times a week for 14 min for each patient. In the sham group, points within 1 cm of the main points were only touched. Data were collected using the SF36 questioner, before, and immediately, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.RESULTS: Independent t-test showed that the mean total score of QOL before the intervention was not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention (P = .68). However, it was significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the Sham group, immediately, 2 weeks, and 1 month after the intervention (P 

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PMID: 

BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2019 Dec 13. Epub 2019 Dec 13. PMID: 31836594

Abstract Title: 

Auricular acupressure for cancer-related fatigue during lung cancer chemotherapy: a randomised trial.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of auricular acupressure (AA) on cancer-related fatigue (CRF), sleep disturbance and anxiety in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from the respiratory department of a general hospital and were randomised into three groups. A 9-week course of AA using Semen Vaccariae (SV) (Group A)/AA using magnetic beads (Group B)/routine care (Group C) was implemented. CRF scores were used as the primary outcome while the sleep and anxiety scores were the secondary outcomes. Analysis of variance and least significant difference t-test were used to determine the intergroup differences and paired-sample t-test was used for the intragroup comparison.RESULTS: 100 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. Compared with Group C, AA could significantly alleviate CRF (F:24.63, p

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2018 Sep 19 ;9(9):4948-4958. PMID: 30182113

Abstract Title: 

Effect of lactoferrin on taste and smell abnormalities induced by chemotherapy: a proteome analysis.

Abstract: 

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy often experience taste and smell abnormalities (TSA). To date, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this frequent side-effect have not been determined and effective treatments are not available. This study assessed the feasibility of lactoferrin (LF) supplementation as a treatment for TSA and investigate the related mechanisms through salivary proteome analysis. Nineteen cancer patients with established TSA following chemotherapy administration were enrolled in this study. Cancer patients and additional 12 healthy subjects took LF supplements, 3 tablets per day (250 mg per tablet), for 30 days. Saliva was collected at three timepoints: baseline, 30-day LF supplementation, and 30-day post-LF supplementation. Patient's TSA level, salivary proteome, and salivary minerals at each LF treatment stage were analyzed. High TSA level was associated with high concentration of salivary Fe and loss of critical salivary immune proteins. LF supplementation significantly decreased the concentration of salivary Fe (P = 0.025), increased the abundance (P

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PMID: 

Pharmacol Rep. 2010 Nov-Dec;62(6):1139-47. PMID: 21273671

Abstract Title: 

Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of nasal polyp fibroblasts.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lactoferrin (LF) on the growth of fibroblasts derived from nasal polyps. We showed that the proliferation of fibroblasts was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by both native and recombinant LF. The greatest inhibition of proliferation was caused by human milk-derived, iron-saturated LF. The inhibition of fibroblast proliferation was not species specific because bovine LF also was active. The interaction between LFs and a putative cell receptor did not depend on the sugar composition of the glycan moiety of the LF molecule because lactoferrins of different origins were active and the addition of monosaccharides to the cultures did not block proliferation. However, the treatment of fibroblasts with sodium chlorate (an inhibitor of glycosaminoglycan sulfation) or the addition of heparin abolished the inhibitory effect of LF, suggesting that LF binds heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans. The significance of LF in nasal excretions in controlling polyp formation is discussed.

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PMID: 

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2020 Feb ;20(1):e5-e12. Epub 2020 Mar 9. PMID: 32190364

Abstract Title: 

Association between Bioactive Molecules in Breast Milk and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: 

The association between breastfeeding and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is controversial. However, several recent studies have established a link between these two factors, necessitating a need to review this subject to raise public awareness. Current research indicates that breast milk contains a variety of bioactive substances including immunoglobulins, oligosaccharides, insulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, cytokines, epidermal growth factors, leukocytes, nucleotides, beneficial bacteria and vitamins. Such substances strengthen the breastfeeding infant's immune system, both directly, by increasing gut microbiota diversity and attacking harmful bacteria and pro-inflammatory molecules, and indirectly, by increasing thymus performance. Accordingly, a lack of or inadequate breastfeeding may predispose infants to several autoimmune disorders, including T1DM. Nursing mothers and caregivers are therefore advised to follow optimal breastfeeding practices prior to introducing complementary foods.

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