RECENT RESEARCH
Jinglei J, Tao YU, Yulin Q, Meng W. Understanding the role of microglia in Alzheimer’ s disease: insights into mechanisms, acupuncture, and potential therapeutic targets. J Tradit Chin Med. 2025; 45( 4): 922-936. doi: 10.19852 / j. cnki. jtcm. 20250327.002. PMID: 40810239; PMCID: PMC12340599.
Microglia( MG) are immune effector cells in the central nervous system( CNS) and play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various CNS diseases. Alzheimer’ s disease( AD) is defined as a severe chronic degenerative neurological disease in humans. The amyloid cascade hypothesis is a hypothesis on the pathogenesis of AD that suggests that abnormal extracellular aggregation of β-amyloid( Aβ) peptides is the main cause of the disease. Although this hypothesis has been found to be convincing, a growing body of evidence suggests that it does not fully explain the pathogenesis of AD. Neuroinflammation is a crucial element in the pathogenesis of AD, as evidenced by elevated levels of inflammatory markers and the identification of AD risk genes associated with innate immune function. This paper will first summarize the impact of microgliamediated neuroinflammation on AD, exploring the phenotypic changes that follow microglia activation. Secondly, the interactions between microglia, Aβ, microtubule-associated protein, apolipoprotein E and neurons are thoroughly investigated, with particular focus on the interactive mechanisms. Furthermore, the recent progress and prospects of microglia as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for AD are analysed. A review of the literature on the mechanisms regulating MG for AD at home and abroad revealed that acupuncture modulation of microglia could help to delay the progression of AD. This was followed by an extensive discussion of the clinical possibilities and scientific validity of acupuncture treatment for AD, with the aim of providing new insights for acupuncture modulation of MG targeting for the treatment of AD.
Jianfei S, Zhengyuan Q, Xinlu GU, Yan Z, Xingrui LI. Efficacy of acupuncture combined with upper limb rehabilitation robot-assisted training for neuroplasticity and functional recovery of patients with stroke: a prospective cohort study based on functional nearinfrared spectroscopy technology. J Tradit Chin Med. 2025; 45( 4): 860-866. doi: 10.19852 / j. cnki. jtcm. 2025.04.015. PMID: 40810232; PMCID: PMC12340582.
Objective: To investigate the effects of acupuncture combined with upper limb rehabilitation robot on neural remodeling and functional recovery in post-stroke patients.
Methods: There were 50 stroke patients were randomly divided into an experimental group( acupuncture combined with upper limb rehabilitation robot assisted training) and a control group( upper limb rehabilitation robot assisted training). Various assessments were conducted to compare the effects of the two treatments on neural remodeling and functional recovery. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology was used to assess the effects of different treatments on neural plasticity and their impact on upper limb function and activities of daily living.
Results: The experimental group showed significantly higher concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin in specific brain regions compared to the control group( P < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group had significantly lower concentrations of deoxygenated hemoglobin( P < 0.05). After treatment, both groups showed improvements in various measures, but the experimental group had significantly greater improvements( P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with upper limb rehabilitation robot can effectively improve upper limb function and neural remodeling in stroke patients. This study supports the integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in improving limb dysfunction post-stroke.
Aromatherapy
Us SA, Taşcı S, Demirtaş AO. The effect of lavender essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and fatigue in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: randomized controlled trial. Explore( NY). 2025; 21( 5): 103233. doi: 10.1016 / j. explore. 2025.103233. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40795547.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of lavender essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and fatigue levels in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator( ICD).
Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Conducted in the cardiology outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Weekly home visits were made to both groups for data collection and follow-up.
Sample: Eighty-six ICD patients were randomly assigned to intervention( n = 43) or control( n = 43) group.
Interventions: Participants were randomized weekly to intervention or control weeks, with age and gender balance achieved through weekly matching. The intervention group inhaled lavender essential oil for two minutes every night before bedtime for four weeks. The control group received only routine care.
Measurements: Data were collected using a patient identification form, Piper Fatigue Scale( PFS), Spielberger State- Trait Anxiety Inventory short forms( STAIS-5 and STAIT-5), and Visual Analog Scale( VAS) for fatigue. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Analyses were performed using SPSS 25 and G * Power.
Results: No significant difference was found between the groups at the beginning. However, at follow-up at weeks 2, 3, and 4, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in anxiety and fatigue scores, except for the emotional and cognitive PFS subdimensions( p < 0.05).
JATMS | Spring 2025 | 177