Rich Tyvin, Porter Gerald W, Ricks-Santi Luisel, Milshtein Tzvi, Corbin Thomas
Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, Hampton, VA.
Hampton University Cancer Research Center, Hampton, VA.
Med Acupunct. 2017 Oct 1;29(5):313-321. doi: 10.1089/acu.2017.1236.
The hot flash is a common vasomotor disorder that causes distress in menopausal women and that can be debilitating in men with prostate cancer who are treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The utility of auricular electroacupuncture (AEA) was tested exclusively for a small cohort of men with ADT-induced vasomotor symptoms while the men underwent a course of curative radiotherapy. Prior to and during radiotherapy treatment, men with vasomotor symptoms were given repeated questionnaires regarding severity and frequency of hot flashes, quality of life (QoL), and sleep over a 6-week span of an AEA protocol. Each subject's heart rate variability (HRV) was obtained repeatedly every week in an ambulatory setting with a BlueCardio device (BlueCardio, Miami, FL). The AEA intervention was given with a Neurova device (Nunka Corporation, CM Wellness Clinic, Pompano Beach, FL) that used three needles at Master points Sympathetic, , and Point Zero, which were located precisely with a bipolar point finder. Intermittent microcurrent stimulation was given every other week for 96 hours, using a cyclic programmed output of 2 hours on and 2 hours off. Of 10 men completing the 6-week protocol, all responded with significantly lower frequency, duration, and severity of vasomotor symptoms; QoL and sleep scores improved significantly. The HRV analysis showed significantly lower low-frequency/high-frequency power ratios in each individual, compared to baseline, that were consistent with the subjective responses. Vasomotor disturbance, caused by gender hormone withdrawal-either naturally or in patients treated with ADT, as in this study-is a well-defined neurophysiologic condition. This disorder is a constellation of findings that reflect autonomic disturbances of excessive sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic activity. AEA intervention with the Neurova device is simple to administer, is well-tolerated, and appears to be effective for restoring autonomic balance. Further evaluation of AEA for vasomotor disturbances could provide more insight into the mechanisms of AEA neuromodulation and potentially lead to approaches for treating not only these symptoms but also other neurologic conditions with components of autonomic disturbances.
潮热是一种常见的血管舒缩障碍，会给绝经后女性带来困扰，对于接受雄激素剥夺疗法（ADT）治疗的前列腺癌男性患者而言，这种症状可能会导致身体虚弱。耳针电刺激疗法（AEA）的效用仅在一小群接受ADT治疗并出现血管舒缩症状的男性患者接受根治性放射治疗的过程中进行了测试。在放射治疗之前和期间，有血管舒缩症状的男性患者在为期6周的AEA治疗方案中，会多次收到关于潮热严重程度和频率、生活质量（QoL）以及睡眠情况的问卷。每周在动态环境中使用BlueCardio设备（BlueCardio，迈阿密，佛罗里达州）反复获取每个受试者的心率变异性（HRV）。AEA干预使用Neurova设备（Nunka公司，CM健康诊所，庞帕诺比奇，佛罗里达州）进行，该设备在交感神经、[此处原文缺失一个穴位名称]和零点等主穴位使用三根针，并通过双极穴位探测器精确定位。每隔一周进行96小时的间歇性微电流刺激，采用2小时开启、2小时关闭的循环编程输出。在完成6周治疗方案的10名男性中，所有人的血管舒缩症状频率、持续时间和严重程度均显著降低；生活质量和睡眠评分显著改善。HRV分析显示，与基线相比，每个个体的低频/高频功率比显著降低，这与主观反应一致。如本研究中所示，无论是自然的性激素撤退还是接受ADT治疗的患者所经历的性激素撤退所引起的血管舒缩障碍，都是一种明确的神经生理状况。这种疾病是一系列反映过度交感神经活动和副交感神经活动减少的自主神经紊乱的表现。使用Neurova设备进行AEA干预操作简单，耐受性良好，似乎对恢复自主神经平衡有效。对AEA治疗血管舒缩障碍的进一步评估可能会更深入地了解AEA神经调节机制，并有可能不仅为治疗这些症状，还为治疗其他具有自主神经紊乱成分的神经系统疾病提供方法。
