Introdução: a acupuntura, uma das práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde mais populares no Brasil, ainda não ocupa a posição que merece no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A acupuntura consiste em recurso terapêutico que utiliza agulhas ou outras formas de estimulação de determinadas regiões do corpo para manter, promover ou restabelecer a saúde. Objetivo: descrever e interpretar as experiências de pessoas que receberam tratamento de acupuntura. Método: o método da narrativa foi desenvolvido e os dados coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais em profundidade feitas com 20 pessoas de ambos os sexos que receberam tratamento de acupuntura em um serviço de saúde vinculado ao SUS. As narrativas dos depoentes foram submetidas à análise temática. Resultados: Nove categorias temáticas foram elaboradas e levadas ao conhecimento de cinco depoentes. As categorias temáticas validadas foram: 1- A acupuntura ainda é desconhecida por muitas pessoas; 2- Diversas foram as motivações para buscar o tratamento de acupuntura; 3- Dificuldades permeiam o acesso ao tratamento de acupuntura; 4- As demandas são maiores que as ofertas de tratamento de acupuntura; 5- Temores relativos ao procedimento de acupuntura foram superados; 6- A acupuntura produz efeitos positivos em várias dimensões; 7- As percepções relativas à abordagem terapêutica e de relacionamento interpessoal foram positivas; 8- Os profissionais buscavam uma visão abrangente do depoente; 9- As orientações dadas pelos profissionais foram além do procedimento da acupuntura. Considerações finais: o atendimento de acupuntura oferecido por este serviço vinculado ao SUS foi considerado satisfatório para os depoentes deste estudo. Estes anseiam pela ampliação da oferta da acupuntura e a continuidade do tratamento por um período mais amplo. Os resultados indicaram a necessidade de implementação de políticas públicas visando ampliar a oferta da acupuntura nos serviços vinculados ao SUS. / Introduction: The acupuncture, one of the most popular integrative and complementary health practices in Brazil, still does not occupy the position it deserves in the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). The acupuncture consists on a therapeutic resource of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses needles or other forms of stimulation of certain regions of the body to preserve, promote or restore health. Objective: To describe and interpret the experiences of people who have received acupuncture treatment. Method: The narrative method was developed, and the data were collected through individual in depth interviews done with 20 people of both sexes, who have received acupuncture treatment in a healthcare unit of SUS. The narratives of the study participants were submitted to thematic analysis. Results: Nine thematic categories were elaborated and presented to five study participants. The validates thematic categories were: 1- The acupuncture is still unknown by several people; 2- The motivations to seek acupuncture treatment were diverse; 3- Difficulties permeate the access to acupuncture treatment; 4- The demands are greater than the offer of acupuncture treatment; 5- Fears concerning acupuncture procedure were overcome; 6- The acupuncture produces positive effects on several dimensions; 7- The perceptions regarding the therapeutic and interpersonal relationship were positive; 8- The professionals sought a comprehensive view of the person; 9- The guidelines given by the professionals went beyond the acupuncture procedure. Final considerations: The acupuncture care offered by this service of SUS was considered satisfactory for the participants of this study. There interest in expanding the offer of acupuncture and continuing the treatment for a longer period. The results indicated the need to implement public policies aimed at increasing the offer of acupuncture in services linked to SUS.

O termo odontalgia engloba várias doenças dentárias capazes de causar dor, entre elas a pulpite irreversível sintomática (PIS), caracterizada por um pico inflamatório que afeta irreversivelmente as células da polpa dental, gerando uma dor excruciante. Os medicamentos são capazes de gerar analgesia parcial, porém com uma parcela de efeitos colaterais e contraindicações. O tratamento definitivo é realizado preferencialmente através da pulpectomia ou na impossibilidade, através da exodontia. A acupuntura apresenta poucas contraindicações, baixo risco e efetividade analgésica comprovada em diversas condições álgicas. De acordo com os livros texto, vários pontos de acupuntura apresentam efetividade analgésica nas odontalgias, entre elas a PIS. Entretanto, não foram encontrados estudos que suportassem essas conclusões. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo é verificar a existência de tendência de analgesia da acupuntura através de dois pontos de fácil acesso e aplicação: estomago 6 (ST6) e estômago 7 (ST7), em indivíduos portadores exclusivamente de PIS, em apenas um dente. O estudo foi realizado no Serviço de Urgências Odontológicas da FOUSP, seguindo delineamento cross-over em sessão única, randomizado e duplo-cego. Observa-se que os pontos ST6 e ST7 apresentam tendência a reduzir a dor da PIS independentemente de serem utilizados antes ou depois de seu respectivo placebo. Desponta-se assim a necessidade de mais estudos que confirmem essa eficácia, de forma a possibilitar a indicação precisa e o alento para os portadores de uma das odontalgias mais intensas que se tem conhecimento. / The term odontalgia emcompasses several diseases capable to cause pain, including symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP), characterized by an inflammatory peak which irreversibly affects the cells of the dental pulp, causing excruciating pain. The drugs are capable of generating partial analgesia, but with a quota of side effects and contraindications. The definitive treatment is preferably carried out by pulpectomy, or on the inability of it, through the exodonty. Acupuncture has few contraindications, low risk and proven analgesic efficacy in several algic conditions. According to the textbooks, many acupuncture points bring forward analgesic effectiveness in odontalgias, including the SIP. However, no studies that supported these conclusions were found. The aim of this study is to verify the existence of propensity of acupuncture analgesia through two points of easy access and application: stomach 6 (ST6) and stomach 7 (ST7), exclusively in individuals of SIP in just one tooth. The study was conducted in the Department of Emergency Dental FOUSP, following cross-over design in a single session, randomized, double-blind. It is observed that ST6 and ST7 points have a tendency to reduce the pain of SIP whether used before or after the respective placebo. Thus it suggests the need for further studies confirming its effectiveness, in order to enable the precise diagnostic and the breath for patients with one of the most intense odontalgias that are known.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is associated with many cardiovascular conditions including hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia. The decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide and increased oxidative stress are the hallmarks of ED. Apart from the mainstream Western medicine treatment, Chinese medical interventions have also demonstrated their capacity in dealing with a great variety of cardiovascular conditions. The effectiveness of acupuncture on hypertension has been recognized by the World Health Organization but the underlying mechanisms have hitherto remained largely obscure. A commonly prescribed Chinese herb, the Root of Rhodiola rosea has been used to treatment a wide range of cardiovascular conditions but its effect on ED is also unclear. In this thesis, we have explored the effects and the underlying mechanism of these two important Chinese medical interventions. / In the first part, we have performed an acupuncture study on hypertensive animals. Eighteen weeks old adult Wistor Kyoto Rats (WKYs) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) were divided into WKY control, SHR control, Sham-acupuncture and real acupuncture groups. Electroacupuncture was performed on acupoints ST36 and LR3 in the real acupuncture group for 6 weeks. The blood pressure at the end of the treatment was lowered in acupuncture group when compared with SHR control and sham-acupuncture group. Serum angiotensin II level in SHR controls was higher than that in WKY control and acupuncture treatment significantly attenuated it. Dihydroethidium (DHE) imaging showed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was reduced in the aortas and carotid arteries of acupuncture treated SHR. Biochemical assays showed that acupuncture inhibited the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity and enhanced antioxidant capacity. In functional studies, the endothelial dependent relaxation of aorta rings and carotid arteries to acetylcholine were improved in acupuncture group. SHRs received acupuncture also expressed a elevation of eNOS and peNOS level and inhibition of nitrotyrosine level in Western blotting assay. The nitrate/nitrite level in aortic tissue was also increased by acupuncture. The findings concluded that one of the possible mechanisms of acupuncture in lowering blood pressure involved the improvement of oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelium functions. / In the second part, we have studied the effects of salidroside, an active ingredient of the root of Rhodiola rosea with documented antioxidative, antihypoxia and neuroprotective properties on homocysteine induced ED. Functional studies on the rat aortas were performed to delineate the vascular effect of salidroside. Exposure to homocysteine attenuated endothelium-dependent relaxations in rat aortas while salidroside pretreatment rescued it. DHE imaging revealed that salidroside inhibited homocysteine-induced elevation in ROS production in both aortas and cultured endothelial cells. Western blot analysis showed that salidroside increased the phosphorylation of eNOS which was diminished by homocysteine in endothelial cells. Moreover, salidroside inhibited the NOX2 expression which was promoted by homocysteine in aorta tissue. The findings suggested that salidroside was effective in preserving the NO bioavailability and reducing ROS level, thereby protecting against homocysteine-induced impairment of ED. / We have successfully demonstrated the two Chinese medicine modalities, i.e. acupuncture and salidroside, a naturally occurring chemical compound isolated from Rhodiola rosea, delivered beneficial effects on ED, and both of them exert anti-oxidative effects for their action. Our experimental findings have enhanced the prospective of using Chinese medical interventions to manage oxidative stress-associated cardiovascular conditions and also helped put the clinical use of Chinese medical interventions on a more scientific footing. / 內皮功能失調與很多心血管系統疾病，包括高血壓和高半胱氨酸過高症有著十分密切的關系，一氧化氮供應減少與氧化應激增加均為這病理現象的一個特徵。除了主流的西方醫學治療方法外，中醫藥也一直表現出對各種心血管系統疾病有著明顯的療效。其中以針灸治療高血壓雖然己被世界衛生組織認可為一有效之療法，然而其療效原理卻並未被完全了解。另外，中草藥當中的紅景天，其對心血管疾病的療效亦非常顯著，唯其對內皮功能失調之影響卻仍有待查証。在這部論文當中，作者將會對以上兩項中醫藥治療方法的原理作出深入探討。 / 在第一部份的實驗當中，作者對自發性高血壓的大鼠施行了針灸治療。把十八週歲的自發性高血壓大鼠與京都種大鼠分為1)京都種大鼠對照組 2)自發性高血壓大鼠對照組 3)假針組針針刺組。針刺組中所使用的方案乃於足三里和太沖施行為期六週的電針治療。治療後針刺組的血壓相對於高血壓大鼠對照組和假針組均有明顯下降。同時針刺組大鼠血液中的血管緊張素II亦明顯降低。顯微鏡螢光造影發現於主動脈與頸動脈組織中，超氧化因子數量於針刺後均低於另外兩組高血壓大鼠對照組與假針組。另外實驗結果亦發現尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶的活動於針刺後下降，而抗氧化總容量則有所提升。另一方面，血管功能測試則顯示在針刺組內，由乙酰胆碱所引發的血管舒張比對照所產生的有所增加。而內皮一氧化氮酶和磷化皮內皮一氧化氮酶於血管中的表達則於針刺治療後有所增加，反觀硝基酪氨酸的含量則於針刺後減少。針刺對於血管組織中的亚硝酸盐/硝酸盐含量均有刺激作用。綜合而言，針刺能透過抑制氧化應激從而增加血管中一氧化氮的含量，最後達至內皮功能改善而降低血壓。 / 在第二部份，作者對中藥紅景天內其中一種活性成份紅景天苷對半胱氨酸所引起的內皮功能損傷進行研究。血管功能測試顯示半胱氨酸抑制了由乙酰胆碱所引發的血管舒張，而紅景天苷則能有效逆轉該抑制作用。顯微鏡螢光造影則發現紅景天苷能壓制由半胱氨酸所刺激的超氧化因子，另一方面能增加由半胱氨酸所抑制的磷化皮內皮一氧化氮酶的表達。尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶為超氧化因子的其中一個主要來源，半胱氨酸被發現會對其當中NOX2亞組的表達有刺激作用，而紅景天苷則能減少其表達。實驗結果顯示紅景天苷對半胱氨酸所引起的內皮功能損傷有顯著保護作用，其原理則與減少氧化因子從而增加一氧化氮的含量有密切關系。 / 整體而言，本論文成功顯示針灸與紅景天苷兩項中醫藥治療方案均能夠透過抑制超氧化因子而改善內皮功能捐傷。實驗結果加強了中醫藥於治療氧化應激相關的心血管疾病的應用，為中醫藥發展提供堅實的科學基礎。 / Leung, Sin Bond. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 01, November, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

A xerostomia é um efeito adverso comum e frequentemente irreversível decorrente da radioterapia de neoplasias malignas da região de cabeça e pescoço, afetando, sobremaneira, a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Diferentes métodos para solucionar tal problema são propostos, de resultados, todavia questionáveis. Este estudo avaliou a eficácia clínica da acupuntura como método de tratamento preventivo e curativo de tais condições. Os pacientes foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, em três grupos: grupo preventivo, constituído de 12 indivíduos, sem queixa de secura bucal, tratados com 12 a 16 sessões de acupuntura, antes e durante a radioterapia; grupo curativo, constituído de 12 indivíduos, diagnosticados, clinicamente, com xerostomia severa, tratados com 12 aplicações de acupuntura após concluído o tratamento oncológico, e grupo controle, formado pelos mesmos indivíduos do grupo curativo no momento da primeira consulta, precedente à terapêutica com acupuntura. O tratamento foi conduzido de acordo com os princípios da medicina tradicional chinesa e medicina ocidental ortodoxa, realizado de forma padronizada para todos os pacientes, duas vezes por semana, por um período de 20 minutos cada sessão. A avaliação da eficácia terapêutica fundamentou-se na mensuração da xerostomia, conduzida sob duas formas: objetiva, através da sialometria, com o registro quantitativo dos índices de fluxo salivar em repouso e estimulado (IFSR e IFSE), e subjetiva, por intermédio dos questionários Xerostomia Inventory (XI) modificado, Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS), mensurando o grau de severidade dos sintomas. Os resultados obtidos no grupo preventivo foram estatisticamente significativos quanto as avaliações objetivas e subjetivas, evidenciados por índices de fluxo salivar mais elevados tanto para o IFSR (P<0.001) como para o IFSE (P<0.001) e pela menor intensidade dos sintomas (P<0.001), quando comparadas ao controle. Para o grupo curativo, resultados também significativos foram constatados em ambas as avaliações, demonstrados pelo aumento dos IFSR (P<0.05) e IFSE (P<0.05) e redução da sintomatologia (P<0.05), comparados aos valores iniciais. Constatamos também que houve efeito de grupo e os pacientes que se beneficiaram do método preventivo, obtiveram médias estatisticamente mais significativas (P<0.001), para ambas as respostas clínicas, objetivas e subjetivas. É lícito concluir que a acupuntura mostrou-se um importante método de tratamento de xerostomia decorrente da radioterapia, visto ter alcançado uma confiabilidade significativa de eficácia, que nos faz indicá-la e sugerir a disponibilização do método preventivo nos centros de tratamento. / Xerostomia is a common and usually irreversible radiotherapy side effect in patients with head and neck cancer, affecting the patients’ quality of life. Many attempts have been suggested to manage this condition nevertheless of questionable results. This study evaluated the acupuncture treatment efficacy as a preventive and curative method for radiation-induced xerostomia. The patients were randomly assigned in three groups: preventive, composed of 12 individuals, without complaints of dry mouth, treated with 12-16 acupuncture sessions, before and concomitant radiotherapy; curative, composed by 12 individuals, diagnosed with severe xerostomia, treated with 12 acupuncture sessions after radiation therapy, and control, comprised of the curative’s group patients at the moment of the first visit, preceding this therapy. Acupuncture treatment, according to traditional Chinese medicine and occidental orthodox medicine concepts was performed twice a week, lasting 20 minutes each session, following standardize techniques for all patients. Acupuncture efficacy was evaluated, based upon objective and subjective methods of xerostomia measurements, performed by sialometry, measuring the resting and stimulated salivary flow rates (RSFR and SSFR), and by means of questionnaires such as Xerostomia Inventory (XI) modified, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS), which evaluated referred symptoms. Results obtained in preventive group, evidenced RSFR (P<0.001) and SSFR (P<0.001) significantly increased, and improvement of symptoms (P<0.001), compared with control. Within curative group, after acupuncture treatment, the results showed statistically significant improved for both resting and stimulated salivary flow rates (P<0.05) and reduces of referred symptoms (P<0.05). There were statistically differences between groups, being the patients in preventive group those who evidenced the most significant improved of values (P<0.001) for objective and subjective evaluations. We concluded that acupuncture plays an important role in xerostomia’s treatment, as shown by the results, reaching a significant confiability of efficacy, indicating and suggesting the preventive method at oncology centers.

Conclusions. The retractable non-invasive needle seems to have reasonably good capability of blinding patients and is more successful in acupuncture-naive subjects than in experienced ones. The failure to produce similar sensation of stimulation in the sham acupuncture group may be the major reason for incomplete blinding. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Design, participants and outcomes. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 398 acupuncture-naive subjects and 197 acupuncture-experienced subjects who were recruited from the outpatients clinic of a university hospital in China. Acupuncture-naive and experienced subjects were randomized separately to receive the real acupuncture treatment or the placebo acupuncture at acupoint Hegu on the left hand. After the intervention, the percentage of patients who thought they had received real acupuncture was compared between the real and sham acupuncture groups. We defined the degree of blinding as 100% minus the difference in the percentage between the two groups. The score of pain, soreness, numbness, heaviness and distension during the treatment was also compared between the two groups. / Introduction. The newly designed retractable needle which can be used to produce non-invasive placebo or (sham) acupuncture seems promising and has been used in clinical trials. Several studies investigated the credibility of the retractable needle in blinding patients. These studies are generally small and mostly in acupuncture-naive patients and mainly focused on the difference in acupuncture-related sensations rather than the successfulness of blinding. / Objectives. To quantify the degree of blinding of the retractable non-invasive placebo needle in blinding both acupuncture-naive and experienced subjects in clinical trials and to explore possible reasons for incomplete blinding of the sham needle. / Results. In acupuncture-naive subjects, the percentage of those who thought they had received real acupuncture was 70.4% and 42.7% respectively in the real and sham acupuncture groups. The degree of blinding was 72.3% (95% CI: 62.9%, 81.7%). In acupuncture-experienced subjects, the degree of blinding was 58.9 (95% CI: 46.2%, 71.6%). The difference in degree of blinding between acupuncture-naive and experienced subjects was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). The score of pain, soreness, numbness, heaviness and distension in the real acupuncture group was all statistically significantly higher than that in the sham acupuncture group in both acupuncture-naive and experienced subjects (P&lt;0.001). / Zhang Hongwei. / "February 2005." / Adviser: Jin Ling Tang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0161. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-102). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

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No description available.

O termo odontalgia engloba várias doenças dentárias capazes de causar dor, entre elas a pulpite irreversível sintomática (PIS), caracterizada por um pico inflamatório que afeta irreversivelmente as células da polpa dental, gerando uma dor excruciante. Os medicamentos são capazes de gerar analgesia parcial, porém com uma parcela de efeitos colaterais e contraindicações. O tratamento definitivo é realizado preferencialmente através da pulpectomia ou na impossibilidade, através da exodontia. A acupuntura apresenta poucas contraindicações, baixo risco e efetividade analgésica comprovada em diversas condições álgicas. De acordo com os livros texto, vários pontos de acupuntura apresentam efetividade analgésica nas odontalgias, entre elas a PIS. Entretanto, não foram encontrados estudos que suportassem essas conclusões. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo é verificar a existência de tendência de analgesia da acupuntura através de dois pontos de fácil acesso e aplicação: estomago 6 (ST6) e estômago 7 (ST7), em indivíduos portadores exclusivamente de PIS, em apenas um dente. O estudo foi realizado no Serviço de Urgências Odontológicas da FOUSP, seguindo delineamento cross-over em sessão única, randomizado e duplo-cego. Observa-se que os pontos ST6 e ST7 apresentam tendência a reduzir a dor da PIS independentemente de serem utilizados antes ou depois de seu respectivo placebo. Desponta-se assim a necessidade de mais estudos que confirmem essa eficácia, de forma a possibilitar a indicação precisa e o alento para os portadores de uma das odontalgias mais intensas que se tem conhecimento. / The term odontalgia emcompasses several diseases capable to cause pain, including symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP), characterized by an inflammatory peak which irreversibly affects the cells of the dental pulp, causing excruciating pain. The drugs are capable of generating partial analgesia, but with a quota of side effects and contraindications. The definitive treatment is preferably carried out by pulpectomy, or on the inability of it, through the exodonty. Acupuncture has few contraindications, low risk and proven analgesic efficacy in several algic conditions. According to the textbooks, many acupuncture points bring forward analgesic effectiveness in odontalgias, including the SIP. However, no studies that supported these conclusions were found. The aim of this study is to verify the existence of propensity of acupuncture analgesia through two points of easy access and application: stomach 6 (ST6) and stomach 7 (ST7), exclusively in individuals of SIP in just one tooth. The study was conducted in the Department of Emergency Dental FOUSP, following cross-over design in a single session, randomized, double-blind. It is observed that ST6 and ST7 points have a tendency to reduce the pain of SIP whether used before or after the respective placebo. Thus it suggests the need for further studies confirming its effectiveness, in order to enable the precise diagnostic and the breath for patients with one of the most intense odontalgias that are known.

Introdução: a acupuntura, uma das práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde mais populares no Brasil, ainda não ocupa a posição que merece no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). A acupuntura consiste em recurso terapêutico que utiliza agulhas ou outras formas de estimulação de determinadas regiões do corpo para manter, promover ou restabelecer a saúde. Objetivo: descrever e interpretar as experiências de pessoas que receberam tratamento de acupuntura. Método: o método da narrativa foi desenvolvido e os dados coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais em profundidade feitas com 20 pessoas de ambos os sexos que receberam tratamento de acupuntura em um serviço de saúde vinculado ao SUS. As narrativas dos depoentes foram submetidas à análise temática. Resultados: Nove categorias temáticas foram elaboradas e levadas ao conhecimento de cinco depoentes. As categorias temáticas validadas foram: 1- A acupuntura ainda é desconhecida por muitas pessoas; 2- Diversas foram as motivações para buscar o tratamento de acupuntura; 3- Dificuldades permeiam o acesso ao tratamento de acupuntura; 4- As demandas são maiores que as ofertas de tratamento de acupuntura; 5- Temores relativos ao procedimento de acupuntura foram superados; 6- A acupuntura produz efeitos positivos em várias dimensões; 7- As percepções relativas à abordagem terapêutica e de relacionamento interpessoal foram positivas; 8- Os profissionais buscavam uma visão abrangente do depoente; 9- As orientações dadas pelos profissionais foram além do procedimento da acupuntura. Considerações finais: o atendimento de acupuntura oferecido por este serviço vinculado ao SUS foi considerado satisfatório para os depoentes deste estudo. Estes anseiam pela ampliação da oferta da acupuntura e a continuidade do tratamento por um período mais amplo. Os resultados indicaram a necessidade de implementação de políticas públicas visando ampliar a oferta da acupuntura nos serviços vinculados ao SUS. / Introduction: The acupuncture, one of the most popular integrative and complementary health practices in Brazil, still does not occupy the position it deserves in the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). The acupuncture consists on a therapeutic resource of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses needles or other forms of stimulation of certain regions of the body to preserve, promote or restore health. Objective: To describe and interpret the experiences of people who have received acupuncture treatment. Method: The narrative method was developed, and the data were collected through individual in depth interviews done with 20 people of both sexes, who have received acupuncture treatment in a healthcare unit of SUS. The narratives of the study participants were submitted to thematic analysis. Results: Nine thematic categories were elaborated and presented to five study participants. The validates thematic categories were: 1- The acupuncture is still unknown by several people; 2- The motivations to seek acupuncture treatment were diverse; 3- Difficulties permeate the access to acupuncture treatment; 4- The demands are greater than the offer of acupuncture treatment; 5- Fears concerning acupuncture procedure were overcome; 6- The acupuncture produces positive effects on several dimensions; 7- The perceptions regarding the therapeutic and interpersonal relationship were positive; 8- The professionals sought a comprehensive view of the person; 9- The guidelines given by the professionals went beyond the acupuncture procedure. Final considerations: The acupuncture care offered by this service of SUS was considered satisfactory for the participants of this study. There interest in expanding the offer of acupuncture and continuing the treatment for a longer period. The results indicated the need to implement public policies aimed at increasing the offer of acupuncture in services linked to SUS.

One out of every 8 couples experiences infertility. Few publications exist examining the association between the addition of adjunctive therapies when applied to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure and pregnancy outcome. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 types of adjunct acupuncture exposures on IVF outcomes by applying the concept of the epidemiology triad. The association between the type of adjunct acupuncture exposure received (the independent variable) and pregnancy (the outcome) was determined via binary logistic regression using SPSS software. Medical records of women having received the IVF procedure along with adjunct acupuncture were eligible for analysis. A total of 444 qualifying patient records were collected from participating acupuncture clinics. Analysis of the data showed there was no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes between the two types of adjunct acupuncture reviewed. However, an increase in pregnancy outcomes was noted in the adjunct acupuncture groups when compared with pregnancy outcomes in IVF protocols without the addition of adjunct acupuncture. Additionally, there was no significant difference between pregnancy outcomes when accounting for various race or age groups. This study has implications for positive social change in the form of both providing data to women undergoing the IVF procedure to allow for more informed decision making and ultimately with hopes of improving the odds of success to the nearly 165,000 IVF procedures undergone in America each year.