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Message from the Presidents
Welcome! In this issue, we are sharing a summary of our SAR/RCMI PolyU conference that was held recently in Hong Kong. The conference was an intellectually stimulating gathering of about 300 participants from around the world. In addition to the high-quality scientific content, we were very pleased with the active participation and connections that everyone made.
Now on the horizon is our 2025 conference, “Cultivating Interconnections of Traditional East Asian Medicine Research,” April 3-6, 2025, in Newport Beach, CA. The conference is co-sponsored by the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute within the University of California at Irvine. Be on the lookout for the Call for Abstracts and Call for Symposia, which we will announce in August or September this year.
Also in this issue, read about the neuroprotective role that auricular acupuncture plays in Parkinson’s disease in rats; find out about acupuncture and sleep quality among patients with Parkinson’s disease; and get to know SAR member Ryan Smith, MS, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM)®, LAc, C.SMA.
Best,
Jun J. Mao, MD, MSCE, and Rick Harris, PhD
Co-Presidents, SAR
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| SAVE THE DATE! |
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| SAR’S 2025 CONFERENCE: APRIL 3-6, 2025 (NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, USA) |
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SAR/RCMI PolyU Conference Summary, Hong Kong, May 23-26, 2024
We asked the conference organizers, as well as acupuncture practitioners and researcher attendees from around the world, to share their key takeaways from the recent conference in Hong Kong. Below is an introduction from the conference organizers, as well as a few excerpts from replies we received. These and other perspectives will be presented in full, in a Turning Points column planned for December publication.
Dr. Jerry WF Yeung: “The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) collaborated to organize a Research Conference titled “Bridging the two worlds: Engaging Traditional Chinese Medicine in Modern Health Care” at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China, from 23 to 25 May 2024. The three-day event attracted more than 300 participants from 19 countries and regions. The primary goal of the Conference was to establish a strong connection between Eastern and Western medicine to advance the scientific understanding and evidence-based clinical applications of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It served as a platform for researchers from different healthcare professions and disciplines to exchange ideas, explore new research hypotheses, and develop strategies for acupuncture and TCM. In addition to the keynote speeches, the program included symposiums, roundtable discussions, and over 160 presentation sessions, where participants shared their insights and perspectives on bridging Eastern and Western methods, precision medicine, and Chinese medicine to improve overall health and address various health issues, such as chronic diseases, insomnia, pain, etc.”
Dr. Kristen Sparrow: “So many topics were discussed. For example, autonomic activity is tightly correlated with inflammation. From PCOS to anti-hypertension, to pain, to brain, lung, gut, and heart health, this correlation was a treasure trove of insights and future studies, not to mention practical applications for acupuncture practice. The role of the α7nAChR receptor, triggered by the vagus nerve, continues to be a key mechanism for understanding acupoints and acupuncture's effectiveness. Vagal activity was also featured in a TAVNS (Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation) session that included a presentation on the possibilities of home-based stimulation devices. Acupressure studies also explored the possibilities of patient-empowered treatment. The specifics of stimulation are coming into focus, not only which fibers to stimulate but how and with what frequency electroacupuncture is used to achieve which effect. Different frequencies lead to various physiological effects, so in one stunning example, one frequency affects the edema portion of the CFA-induced mouse foot swelling, and another is analgesic. In another, combining two different approaches for treating hypertension, one for inflammation and one for inhibiting sympathetic activity, resulted in a more pronounced reduction in blood pressure. We were presented with mind-bending specifics about messengers involved in acupuncture's and moxibustion's mechanisms, from cFos to ADP, to Il-6 and TNF, Il-1B, Il-10 to AMPK, and adiponectin, just to mention a few. This detail can only lead to better and more reliable results, rich potential for further studies, and promise for the practice of acupuncture.”
Dr. Afua Bromley: “In a smaller discussion group in one of the symposia, both of my team members were data analysts and bioinformaticians. Our discussion, and indirectly many of the discussions and topics throughout the conference, highlighted the challenges and opportunities within our field. For me, as a practitioner, the conversations reinforced the power of data collection and emphasized how much more education we need to do with practitioners (in school and beyond) to see themselves as scientists and researchers. “Bridging the Two Worlds” was not just about figuring out how to use technology innovatively, such as ultra-sound guided acupuncture (who knew?!), or harnessing AI to work through predictive models with tongue diagnosis (fascinating!!). We must continue to create, adapt and innovate research design tools, methods, and models that fit acupuncture and herbal medicine.”
Dr. LiMing Tseng: “The 2024 SAR/RCMI Conference’s AI in acupuncture symposium, led by Dr. Ye-Seul (Jennifer) Lee of the AI in Acupuncture SIG, showcased the application of machine learning in acupuncture, as seen in digitizing classical texts compiling case studies to analyzing tongue diagnoses with clinical data with Dr. Harry Qin. It was fascinating to see the use of “big data” from real world clinical evidence to support personalized patient care in Dr. Xuezhong Zhou’s presentation.”
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To the Point: SAR Research Update
BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Auricular acupuncture plays a neuroprotective role in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats.
What is this study about? In this study, a rat Parkinson’s disease (PD) model was created after bilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the dorsal striatum (caudate-putamen complex). The purpose was to assess the effects of auricular electroacupuncture (EA) administered at CO 15 (heart) and CO 12 (liver) points, as both are positioned within the distribution area of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The PD model-affected rats received 12 treatments of EA at either 2-Hz (PD+EA2) or 15-Hz (PD+EA15), three times a week for four consecutive weeks. Comparisons were made to the no treatment PD model (PDM) and normal control (C) rat groups. Motor and cognitive abilities along with biomarkers associated with PD were assessed including dopaminergic neuron tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neuron/fibre density and TH expression (decreased in PD); α-synuclein expression (indicative of abnormal neuronal aggregates); glial fibrillary acidic protein levels (associated with the development of PD); and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), serum Levodopa (L-DOPA), dopamine, glutamine, and serotonin levels.
What is the main finding? When compared to the C and PDM groups, EA conducted at 15-Hz significantly improved motor and cognition indicators: latency to fall (p<[SC1] ; 0.001), rest time (p< 0.05) and object recognition time (p< 0.01). In addition, TH-positive neuron/fiber density (dorsolateral striatum and substantia nigra [SN], p< 0.05), TH expression (SN, p< 0.05), and L-DOPA levels (striatum, p< 0.05) increased, while α-synuclein expression decreased (SN, p< 0.05). The only significant finding identified for EA at 2-Hz was the time taken during the object recognition task (p< 0.05). Overall findings suggest that EA performed at 15-Hz at CO 12 and 15 was neuroprotective and improved both motor and cognitive behaviors.
What is the significance for practicing acupuncture? These findings support existing evidence that auricular acupuncture may be of benefit for various conditions related to vagal nerve function. While findings in animal models are cautiously interpreted for clinical settings, they do provide some potential understanding of possible mechanisms underlying acupuncture effects. This study suggests further clinical consideration of electro auricular acupuncture (15-Hz), for conditions related to efferent and afferent vagal projections.
Reference: Nguyen H-M, Lee D-Y, Hsieh C-L. Auricular acupuncture plays a neuroprotective role in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats. 2024. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, journal pre-proof. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.008.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.008
This research highlight was contributed by Simone Ormsby, PhD on behalf of the Basic Science Special Interest Group (SIG)
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To the Point: SAR Research Update
CLINICAL RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Yan M, et al. Acupuncture and Sleep Quality Among Patients with Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
What is this study about?
The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in combination with the herbal formula Ningshen for the treatment of climacteric insomnia compared with Western medicine. Primary outcomes assessed before and after a two-month intervention included clinical efficacy, levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxtryptamine and beta-endorphin, TCM syndrome assessment, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and relapse rate.
Participants: A total of 82 patients with typical climacteric symptoms, aged 49 to 60 years, were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to two intervention groups.
Treatment: The Western medicine group (n=41, 36m/5f, 51.24 ± 3.96 years) received oral Estazolam at a dosage of 1.0 mg once daily for two months. The other group (n=41, 38m/3f, 51.07 ± 3.54 years) received acupuncture combined with Ningshen (orally at a dose of 30 mL, three times a day) for two months. The acupuncture intervention consisted of Taixi, Shenmen, Xinshu, and Shenshu. Needles were retained for 30 minutes with intermittent needle stimulation.
What is the significance for practicing acupuncture?
The results show that acupuncture combined with Ningshen had a significant therapeutic effect, even three months after the treatment, and high safety in climacteric insomnia patients. Despite being a prospective study with limited sample size and single source, the authors note the safety and clinical application value of acupuncture combined with Ningshen. They highlight how it can effectively improve neurotransmitter levels, clinical symptoms, and sleep quality, and reduce the recurrence rate of climacteric insomnia.
Reference: Cai Y, Zhang X, Li J, Yang W. Effect of acupuncture combined with Ningshen mixture on climacteric insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Apr 26;103(17):e37930. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037930. PMID: 38669364; PMCID: PMC11049734.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000037930
This research highlight was contributed by Katharina Rhein, Cand.Med. on behalf of the Women’s Health Research Special Interest Group (SIG).
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SAR MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ryan Smith, MS, Dipl Ac (NCCAOM)®, LAc, C.SMA
Founder and Director at 5 Point Acupuncture and 5 Point App
Ryan Smith, former Acupuncture Lead at New York University Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, has 16 years of experience in oncology acupuncture. He taught at Pacific College of Health Sciences and Tristate College of Acupuncture and offers online acupressure classes for cancer-supportive nonprofits. His company, 5 Point App, Inc., received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop EnergyPoints, a mobile app improving access to acupressure for symptom management.
What is the primary focus (or multiple areas of focus) of your professional endeavors?
My mission is to make integrative medicine standard care for cancer patients and survivors. While my primary focus is on patient treatment, EnergyPoints expands this mission. The app teaches evidence-based acupressure protocols, collects user data (including PROMIS measures), and integrates with fitness trackers to link acupressure use with sleep and activity. Users can share anonymized data, foster community, and learn about integrative medicine. After a successful feasibility study, we plan a phase II decentralized clinical trial to refine EnergyPoints and assess its effectiveness. Longterm, EnergyPoints aims to provide real-world data for research, revealing optimal methods and the impact of elements like aromatherapy or music.
What are your thoughts about the role acupuncture research plays in healthcare?
Acupuncture research is vital for increasing patient access and enhancing quality of life. It fosters communication between traditional East Asian and Western medical communities and advances our understanding of the human body, improving patient outcomes. Demonstrating acupuncture’s efficacy and mechanisms allows better integration into modern healthcare.
Tell us about a research study that most excited you and why.
I am excited about our study, Feasibility and Usability of EnergyPoints: A Mobile Health App for Cancer Symptom Management. Over three sprints, participants used the app for self-acupressure and provided feedback, showing over 80% found it user-friendly and effective. The app syncs with fitness trackers, collecting valuable real-world data for research, which can help establish effective acupressure doses. This leads to better symptom management and quality of life for cancer survivors. The study highlights that mHealth apps offer scalable, affordable solutions, paving the way for innovations in integrative medicine.
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We offer our deepest gratitude to the following organizations who
have chosen to support the unique and important mission of SAR by
becoming Institutional Members.
To join SAR as an Institutional Member, visit:
https://www.acupunctureresearch.org/membership
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Upcoming Events
SAR International Research Conference
- April 3-6, 2025 (Newport Beach, CA, USA) In-person conference
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