daily for 7 days. Group 3 was the
control group and therefore was
not treated. After treatment, the
distal parts of crushed nerve were
examined under light microscope,
the densities of normal myelinated
fibers in 0.126 mm 2 were counted,
and the diameters of 20 normal
myelinated fibers were measured
for each rabbit. The results showed
that the mean densities were 176.2
+/-
5.953
in
the
electro-
acupuncture group, 118.2 +/-
10.878 in the Diclofenac group, and
101.4 +/- 8.548 in the control
group. The mean values were
significantly different between the
electro-acupuncture and Diclofenac
groups; highly significant difference
between the electro-acupuncture
and control groups; and there was
no significant difference between
the Diclofenac and control groups.
There were more small myelinated
fibers (0-9 microns) in the electro-
acupuncture group than in the
Diclofenac and control groups.
These results showed that electro
-acupuncture promotes nerve
regeneration.
Pfab et al evaluated the effects of
acupuncture and cetirizine on type
I hypersensitivity itch and skin
reaction in atopic dermatitis using a
patient-
and
examiner-blinded,
randomized,
placebo-controlled,
crossover trial. Allergen-induced itch
was evaluated in 20 patients with
atopic dermatitis after several
interventions in separate sessions:
pre-induction
acupuncture,
concurrent acupuncture, cetirizine
10 mg, placebo pre-induction
acupuncture, placebo concurrent
acupuncture,
placebo
cetirizine
10 mg, and no intervention control.
Itch was induced on the forearm and
temperature modulated over 20
minutes.
Outcome
parameters
included itch intensity, wheal and
flare size, and the D2 attention test.
Mean itch intensity was significantly
lower
following
concurrent
acupuncture compared with all other
groups. There was no significant
difference between pre-induction
acupuncture and cetirizine 10 mg,
although both therapies were
significantly superior to their
respective placebo interventions.
Flare size following pre-inductive
acupuncture
was
significantly
smaller than that following its
respective placebo. D2 attention test
score
was
significantly
lower
following cetirizine 10 mg compared