Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Zhang Zhang-Jin is a Tenured Professor and Associate Director of the School of Chinese Medicine, Honorary Professor of Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Primary Care and Anatomy in the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He serves as a Vice-President of the Hong Kong Association for Integration of Chinese-Western Medicine, Deputy Director of Specialty Committee of Mental Diseases of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), and Deputy Director of Sleep Medicine Specialty Committee of WFCMS. He received his Chinese medicine, Acupuncture and Western medicine training and earned his PhD in Neuroscience in China. During 1994-2006, he moved to USA to continue his research work in Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University and then Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). His long-term research interest has focused on seeking novel psychotropic agents and developing effective treatment strategies from acupuncture and herbal medicine for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including pain, anxiety, mood disorders, dementia and schizophrenia. He is also interested in investigating neural mechanisms of acupuncture. He has directed numerous clinical studies. He has authored over 100 original papers, reviews and book chapters.

Abstract:

There have been numerous psychological and psychiatric terms recorded in ancient TCM bibliographies, developing a TCM specialty called mental-emotional diseases, in which symptomatology, etiology, psychopathology and various therapeutic approaches have been well established. In TCM practice, herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, scraping, massage, dietary therapy, psychological consultant, aromatic therapy, exercise therapy (such as tai-qi), meditation and mindfulness, humor therapy, and folk music therapy are often applied in the management of mental symptoms and wellbeing. These TCM therapies also have been increasingly introduced into today’s clinical practice aimed to enhance the clinical efficacy, reduce adverse effects caused by conventional treatment and comorbid symptoms. This fact is further reflected in an increasing number of research publications, showing the potential benefits of herbal medicine, acupuncture and TCM-based exercise therapy in the treatment of various psychiatric symptoms, in particular sleep, anxiety, and mood disorders. This talk will provide an overview of the use of TCM in the management of mental-emotional symptoms and related research results.

Biography:

Angela K Doolan is pursuing her Law degree from the School of Law at University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Her presentation is from her Honours in Law Thesis “The Right to Health, Traditional and Complementary Medicine and Naturopathy” which was awarded a high distinction. She is also a university trained and experienced Naturopath, having graduated from the Bachelor of Naturopathy program at Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia and worked as a naturopath for 6 years. She was the foundational Chair of the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) www.aronah.org and is the national Coordinator of the advocacy group of Naturopaths for Registration

Abstract:

In international human rights law, art 12(1) of the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (ICESCR) provides a definition of right to health as the right of everyone to attain standard physical and mental health. Despite millions of people using traditional (T) and complementary medicine (CM) this paper identifies a general gap in international law and discourse regarding the right to health, traditional and complementary medicine. This paper uses persuasive interpretative methodology to determine whether the scope of right to health in international law includes a right to traditional and complementary medicine. It also considers whether the scope of the recently proposed legally binding framework convention on global health (FCGH) should address T and CM and if so, how. This paper also finds a specific gap in international law regarding T and CM. Although not expressly provided in the legally binding treaties, there is substantial evidence available to enable a right to T and CM to be inferred from the body of soft international law. In addressing the identified gaps in international law, this paper concludes by offering a draft article for inclusion in the proposed FCGH that codifies an express and legally binding right to T and CM.

Biography:

Wen-Long Hu is the Vice Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Assistant Professor at Fooyin University, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Chang Gung University. He has the experiences of clinical practice in low level laser therapy (LLLT) for 20 years and in acupuncture for 25 years. He is invited speaker for lectures in LLLT at many symposiums held by some medical associations. Recently, he is invited to instruct physicians to practice LLLT in workshops. He is also involved in researches in LLLT and acupuncture, e.g. obesity, metabolic syndrome, stroke, dementia, Parkinsonism, myofascial pain, arthralgia, radiculopathy, autism, etc.

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of laser acupuncture therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after ineffective previous treatments. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in 29 treatment-resistant TMD patients (25 women, 4 men; age range 17‒67 years). Subjects were treated 3 times per week for 4 weeks with the Handylaser Trion (GaAlAs laser diode, 810 nm, 150 mW, pulsed waves), which delivered 0.375 J of energy (5 s) to ST7, ST6, and LI4 and 3 J (40 s) to each Ashi point, 7.5‒26.25 J/cm2 in total. The visual analog scale (VAS) and maximal mouth opening (MMO) were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: VAS analysis showed that the patients were free of pain at rest (endpoint) after 5.90±6.08 sessions of laser acupuncture for acute TMD and after 16.21±17.98 sessions for chronic TMD. The VAS score on palpation of the temporomandibular joint reduced to 0.30±0.67 for patients with acute TMD (p=0.005) and to 0.47±0.84 for those with chronic TMD (p<0.001). The MMO significantly increased in patients with acute TMD (7.80±5.43 mm, p=0.008) and in patients with chronic TMD (15.58±7.87 mm, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our patients suffering from treatment-resistant TMD symptoms improved after laser acupuncture therapy. Long-term follow-up and further studies with a larger patient sample and an appropriate design are needed to examine the efficacy.

Biography:

Luat Le completed his MD in 2010 and MD-MSc in 2014 from University of Medicine and Pharmacy, HoChiMinh City, Vietnam. He is working as a Lecture and Doctor in Traditional Medicine Faculty. He researched, manufactured and applied electro-acupuncture and laser-acupuncture. He has published 8 papers in medical journals and attended many medical conferences.

Abstract:

Background: Shenshu acupoints in acupuncture effect as same as internal organ soma theory. However, the influence of Shenshu acupoints on experiment is needed to know. Objectives: To examine the influenced skin regions of Shenshu acupoints on human body. Method: Basic study and experimental analysis was done on pain threshold at examined points of whole body’s dermatomes before and after using anesthesia acupuncture at Shenshu acupoints. 31 healthy volunteers used electronic stimulus parameter with two phases of symmetric thorn pulse, 160 Hz for 20 minutes, cathode on the left acupoint and anode on the right acupoint. Data analysis was done with SPSS16.0 software. Results: Pain threshold was increased symmetrically from dermatome T6 to dermatome S1 on two sides of dorsal body. The highest was at dermatome L2 (p=0.000), the edge ones were dermatome T6 and dermatome S1 (p<0.05). The diastolic blood pressure was increased significantly (p=0.003). This study is a safe procedure and has no side effects. Conclusion: The influenced regions of anesthesia acupuncture at Shenshu acupoints are dermatomes from T6 to S1 and symmetrically on two sides of dorsal body.

Biography:

Mohammad A Randhawa graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore in 1973, completed his Master of Philosophy from University of Punjab Lahore and obtained PhD from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. He also got post-graduate fellowship from Clinical Pharmacology Unit of St Bartholomews Hospital London, UK. Currently, he is appointed as Professor and Head of Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia. He has published more than 40 research articles in reputed scientific journals and has reviewed numerous research projects and manuscripts related to Nigella sativa (Black seed).

Abstract:

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed, commonly known as ‘Black Seed’ in English and ‘Al-Habba Al-Sauda’in Arabic, has been frequently used as a folk medicine for a large number of diseases since ancient times. N. sativa was shown to contain many active components, e.g., thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine-N-oxide, nigellicine, nigellidine and alpha-hederin. In addition, N. sativa seed, its oil, various extracts and active components are known to possess very useful pharmacological effects to include: immune stimulation, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic; and effects on neurological and psychiatric disorders. Some authors have reviewed these pharmacological activities in general but their neuropsychiatric effects are not separately and adequately described. The literature search has revealed a lot of publications pertaining to the actions of N. sativa in neurological and psychiatric problems, e.g., the control of pain, Parkinsonism, epilepsy and anxiety, as well as improvement of memory, alertness, elevation of mood and feeling of good health, etc. Moreover, because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects was shown to provide neuroprotection from spinal cord injury and prevent damage to brain cells from various nerve toxins in experimental animal models. The present article is intended to briefly review the valuable efforts of scientists to investigate the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of this precious natural herb pertaining to the neuropsychiatric disorders. It is hoped that our manuscript would be of particular interest to the neurologists and psychiatrists, and the information provided would also benefit general physicians, medical students and the community.

Biography:

Xiaochun Yu, BMed, MMed and PhD, is a Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Doctoral tutor. His research interest is to explore the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion and acupoint specificity as well as joint administration of acupuncture and drugs. So far, totally 7 research projects including National Basic Research Programs of China are/were granted by Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (as the principal investigator). He published more than 90 articles in total in SCI and Chinese journals.

Abstract:

Our previous study showed that the cardiac arrhythmias induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion were attenuated by the pretreatment of acupuncture. The present study explored further, whether intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and connexin 43 (Cx43) are involved in the mediation of the anti-arrhythmic effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) pretreatment in the rats subjected to simulative global ischemia and reperfusion (SGIR). SGIR was made in the isolated heart by a low flow perfusion followed by restoration of the flow to the control level. Adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely, normal control group, SGIR group, EA group and EA plus 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (EAG) group. For EA pretreatment, bilateral Neiguan acupoints (PC6) of the rats were stimulated for 30 min, once a day for 3 consecutive days. Cx43 antagonist was given to the rats in EAG group 30 minutes before the pretreatment of EA. The resting [Ca2+]i concentration, calcium oscillation, the contents of total Cx43 and non-phosphrylated Cx43, and arrhythmia score were compared among different groups. The results showed that EA pretreatment could produce anti-arrhythmic effect in the rats subjected to SGIR. The anti-arrhythmic effect of EA pretreatment may be due at least partly to the inhibition of SGIR-induced calcium overload and [Ca2+]i oscillations, reduction of non-phosphorylated Cx43 and the enhancement of the corresponding phosphorylated Cx43 in the cardiac cells.

Biography:

Wendy Wong has completed her PhD from the University of Hong Kong and Post-doctoral studies from the same University. She is working as an Assistant Professor of Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine and School of Chinese Medicine. She has published more than 25 papers in international peer reviewed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.

Abstract:

Background: There is a global trend of Integrative Medicine (IM) to pursue the best interest of the patients by merging the conventional with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the communication between the 2 disciplines had not been well explored. To bridge the medical practice from the east to the west, the mapping of diagnoses between the 2 disciplines in Hong Kong serves the ideal platform for investigation. Aims & Objectives: To determine the mapping of diagnoses between conventional and TCM in primary care of Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional study of prospective recording of all clinical encounters that presented to 260 Chinese Medicine Practitioners (CMP) were collected in 2012. All health presenting problems were coded by International Classification of Primary care (ICPC) and the National Classification of disease (NCCD) and Zheng (NCCZ) of TCM. Results: 55,312 encounters were collected from 260 CMPs. Most subjects (64.0%) consulted for chronic problems. Respiratory (24.9%) and musculoskeletal (22.7%) problems were the most common, and specifically cough (11.7%) and low back symptom/complaint (6.6%) being the commonest complaints. The most common TCM diagnoses in the form of NCCD was internal medicine (65.1%). By NCCZ (i.e. syndrome differentiation), Zang Fu & Meridian syndrome (40.5%) was the most common Zheng found by CMP. The top 3 categories of NCCD were tendon injury (9.4%), influenza (8.8%) and cough (6.2%). Tendon injury was mainly diagnosed as injury, Meridian syndrome (14.7%). Influenza was mostly diagnosed as wind-cold syndrome (31.5%). Cough was mainly diagnosed as wind-heat syndrome (25.9%). Conclusion: This was the first study to investigate the mapping between conventional and TCM by means of a morbidity patterns with the parallel coding from ICPC-2, NCCD and NCCZ (i.e. syndrome differentiation). To facilitate the goal of integrative medicine, this study allows a broad spectrum of understanding of terminology used between 2 disciplines.

Biography:

Pei-Jing Rong is a Professor of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. She received her Bachelor’s, Master and PhD degrees from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Hong Kong Baptist University, before she finished two-year Post doctoral visiting study at Faculty of Neurosciences in Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals. She is one of the academic leaders in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the secretary general of Academic Committee for China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

Abstract:

Depression presents a significant burden to both patients and society. The treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is far from satisfactory. One treatment that has emerged is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), a FDA approved physical treatment for depressive disorders. However, the application of this intervention has been limited by the involvement of surgery and potential side effects. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of stimulating the superficial branches of the vagus nerve to treat MDD. To investigate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a solo treatment for depression, the first cohort 91 patients only received taVNS for 12 weeks. In the second cohort 69 patients first received 4 weeks of sham taVNS, followed by 8 weeks of taVNS. All treatments were self-administered by the patients at home after they received training from the hospitals. The primary clinical outcome measurement was the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale measured at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. After four weeks of treatment, MDD patients in the taVNS group showed greater improvement than that of sham taVNS groups as indicated by both Hamilton score changes as well as rates of good responders. In addition, we also found that the clinical improvements continued until week 12. Our study demonstrated that taVNS is a promising, safe and cost-effective neuromodulation method for MDD treatment.