HIV/AIDS RESEARCH (© JCM Ltd)

ACUPUNCTURE HELPS COUNTER AIDS DRUGS SIDE-EFFECTS
In a study of 50 HIV-infected adults (half with full-blown AIDS) taking HIV medicines, all initially complained of at least two digestive side-effects: gas (80%), bloating (40%), cramps (50%), appetite loss (50%) and loss of weight (10%). All participants received six weeks of acupuncture – the first three weeks at acupuncture points designed to treat digestive symptoms and the last three weeks at non-points near actual points not indicated for digestive disorders. After the first three weeks of treatment only 60% still complained of two or more digestive symptoms, and although both types of acupuncture appeared to benefit symptoms, the ‘true’ acupuncture was more effective in controlling loss of appetite, abdominal cramps and bloating. (3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 24-27, 2005).

ACUPUNCTURE AND HIV PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Although both acupuncture and the antidepressant amitriptyline are used to treat pain due to HIV-related nerve damage, neither treatment has been found to be effective. More than 30% of patients infected with HIV develop peripheral neuropathy. 250 HIV-positive patients with peripheral neuropathy were tested over the course of 14 weeks. Some received true acupuncture on acupuncture points recommended by a panel of eight acupuncturists, while others received fake acupuncture on the wrong points. Another group was given 75 milligrams of amitriptyline daily; and a different group received a placebo instead. Four additional groups of patients received combinations of the above: either acupuncture plus amitriptyline; fake acupuncture plus amitriptyline; acupuncture plus placebo; or fake acupuncture plus placebo. Throughout the study, all patients kept daily pain diaries. While patients in all groups reported a decline in pain over time, there was no significant difference in pain relief between those receiving real acupuncture and those receiving fake acupuncture, or between those taking amitriptyline and those taking placebo. The researchers speculate that the fact that all patients reported a decline in pain scores over time suggests that this pain relief was either the result of the placebo effect, or occurred because patients started the study at a time when their symptoms were flaring up and at their worst. (The Journal of the American Medical Association 1998;280:1590-1595. 5).

CHINESE MEDICINE AND AIDS
Research carried out at the American College of TCM's HIV clinic programme, based on quarterly health surveys, demonstrated that the following symptoms were most responsive to treatment by Chinese medicine: weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal pain, nausea and headaches. For other symptoms such as neuropathy, sore throat and common cold, the findings were more ambiguous. The research will help the programme to i. prioritise treatment of patients presenting with those symptoms identified as being most responsive to treatment, and ii. set clear objective outcome goals for treatment directed at alleviation of the identified symptoms (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, July 1996, Vol. 2 No. 4).