https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18592 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:08:02 GMT 2026-04-07T13:08:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101548 Title: An evidence-based literature review : Masters dissertation in acupuncture and depression Abstract: Acupuncture which is a branch of the Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating conditions related to emotional dysfunctions such as depression from time immemorial. Only recently depression became the subject of various studies based on randomized control trials formulas aimed to prove the efficacy of this mode of treatment. It was the objective of this overview to analyse some of these randomized control trials in order to evaluate various acupuncture treatment modalities and report the strengths and limits of such modalities. Although the search for such trials was extensive 21 randomized control trials were selected to be included in this overview. In reviewing these trials data was collected regarding subjects, intervention modalities, outcome measures and results. The heterogeneity of the studies reviewed was such that there was quite a big diversity in study populations, treatment interventions and the control arm used. The majority of the trials under consideration came out with a positive outcome reporting that acupuncture had significantly decreased the severity of depression. This overview however found out also that most of the trials presented certain limitations in the control aspect, in their overall quality and in the number of samples selected. In those trials were acupuncture was compared to antidepressants the results showed that both modalities had similar effects. The picture proved to be shadier in those trials were acupuncture was compared to control interventions. Notwithstanding this the reviewed trials can serve as an impetus for future researchers to embark on more research adopting better tools thus ensuring more reliable randomized control trials. Description: M.CHINESE MED. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101548 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29665 Title: A literature review of an ancient science with modern implications : the effectiveness of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation Abstract: Stroke is the number one cause of mortality and morbidity. However, thus who survive stroke, make up the largest group of patients needing rehabilitation therapy. Albeit, more than of stroke survivors remain with some degree of impairment, conventional stroke rehabilitation therapy is a very important role in motor function recovery. Several studies suggest that acupuncture might be beneficial in post-stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this dissertation is to explore the use of alternative care, such as acupuncture, in an attempt to further improve the therapeutic effect in stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation, who possess motor impairment. Moreover, the objective of this dissertation is to carry out a literature review involving evidence based studies such as randomized control trials (RCTs), which revolve around the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for stroke rehabilitation. Research question: Do the addition of acupuncture result in improved motor function, in adults undergoing conventional stroke rehabilitation therapy? A literature search was conducted on HyDi, via the University of Malta Library to identify the available and relevant research evidence in order to answer the proposed research question. Included studies were limited to papers written in English, which were published between 2002 and 2017 and addressed acupuncture in addition to conventional stroke therapy in adults who suffer from stroke. Studies addressing acupuncture and conventional stroke therapy but focusing on other outcomes rather than motor function restriction were excluded. Search outcome: Eight RCTs studies met the inclusion criteria. Method of appraisal: To critically appraise the selected studies, the CASP tool for randomised control trials with an additional checklist was used. Results: Findings from these studies imply that both WM and TCM (include full terms here followed by the abbreviations as it is the first time being mentioned in text) treatments separately are significantly effective in improving sensorimotor function restrictions. However, the addition of acupuncture to conventional stroke therapy is effective but not significantly. Conclusion: Findings shows that acupuncture is effective as conventional stroke therapy in improving sensorimotor function restrictions. Implications: 1. Raising awareness of the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy post-stroke rehabilitation; 2. Detecting gaps in the currently available studies; 3. Encouraging the goal of stroke rehabilitation, which is to enable the survivor to achieve maximal potential by utilising all available resources. Description: M.CHINESE MED. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29665 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29662 Title: Traditional chinese medicine practices in the clinical management of acne vulgaris : a review Abstract: Background: Current pharmaceutical drugs used in the management of acne carry a risk of numerous adverse-effects of varying severity, leading to decreased patient treatment adherence. Given the high prevalence of acne vulgaris, there exists a significant demand for alternative treatment modalities. Numerous studies have suggested that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be effective and safe adjunctive treatments which may be considered in patients who are not benefitting or are unable to be treated by conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Objective: The aim of this review was to discuss the efficacy and safety of TCM therapies – including acupuncture, cupping, auricular acupuncture and herbal medicine – in the treatment of acne vulgaris; proposing a future prospective open study to investigate the efficacy of bleeding-cupping therapy in the clinical management of acne. Design: An evidence-based review of literature (June 1997 – June 2017) from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Science Direct and Hydi. Only abstracts/literature in the English language was included. A combination of the following keywords was used: ‘acne’, ‘TCM’, ‘acupuncture’, ‘cupping’, ‘auricular’, ‘herbal medicine’. Patients: Diagnosis of acne vulgaris (i.e. papulopustular/inflammatory acne); regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Main outcome measures: Significantly reduced acne lesion counts and/or significantly improved acne severity with various TCM treatments. Results: Sixteen studies were included in this review; the methodological quality of which was generally poor in terms of randomization, blinding and outcome measures. All studies show TCM therapies may reduce acne lesion counts and/or improve acne severity. Conclusions: TCM therapies appear to be effective and safe in the management of acne vulgaris. They may be used as stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other established therapeutic methods. However, further large-scale rigorously designed trials are necessary in order to confirm these findings and integrate TCM therapies more widely. Description: M.CHINESE MED. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29662 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18847 Title: Acupuncture as a method of pain relief during labour Abstract: Acupuncture is being introduced in maternity care. It is used for analgesia, induction of labour, relaxation, unfavourable cervical dilatation and placental retention. This theory-based dissertation aims to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain relief during labour and its safety. Moreover the objectives of this research are, to identify acupuncture points used for pain relief during labour, to learn whether acupuncture improves the birth experiences of labouring mothers, to learn about the effectiveness of acupuncture as pain relief, to identify whether there are any known side effects of acupuncture during childbirth, to learn whether acupuncture reduces the need for further pain relief, such as pethidine or epidural, and to explore the possible influences of acupuncture on the process of labour. An evidence-based literature review was carried out, in order to reach the aims and objectives of the study. Acupuncture is known as an effective pain relief during labour, it lessens the need for further pain relief such as epidural analgesia and enhances mothers’ birth experience. Acupuncture could be time consuming; however it is a simple and cheap method of analgesia. Most importantly it does not have any adverse effects on both the mother and baby, which makes it a preferred option on pharmaceutical pain relief, such as pethidine and epidural. Further research is required in this area. In fact, a proposal for a study trying to eliminate limitations experienced by previous researchers was designed. Recommendations for practice might include, that health care professionals should carry out acupuncture safely and recommend acupuncture for their mothers. Research shows that even though mothers knew about the benefits of acupuncture they did not ask for it themselves, but accepted it when offered by midwives. Recommendations for education include training courses for midwives and doctors on acupuncture treatment, as to carry out this treatment one should be qualified. Moreover, mothers should be given information regarding acupuncture during pregnancy, so they would be able to give informed consent during labour. Description: M.CHINESE MED. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/18847 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z