title: Efficacy of near-infrared irradiation on intractable hiccup in custom-set acupoints: evidence-based analysis of treatment outcome and associated factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The condition intractable hiccup (IH) is generally an incapacitating disorder indicating neurologic or non-neurologic disorders. Linearly polarized, near-infrared irradiation (SL) is shown to be effective in the treatment of IH where it is applied on custom-set acupoints. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment efficacy of IH by SL on the acupoints and to survey the relationship between IH and comorbid-related factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A total of 35 patients with IH were enrolled prospectively and divided into central and non-central groups. All patients received SL using an SG-type lens unit on the relevant acupoints and were followed-up for up to 6 months for efficacy of the novel therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between patients with IH produced by central or non-central origins (p=0.7105) regarding the therapeutic effect of SL; however, the effects of age, bed-shaking, gun-waving motion and nasogastric (NG)-tube placement were significant. The severity index of IH was analyzed and found to be associated with the seasons. For those patients with elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) after therapy, it took a significantly shorter (p=0.0029) period of time to treat IH with this novel therapy (p=0.0029). Thirty-four patients had complete resolution of IH within a few days of beginning SL, with partial resolution in 1 patient only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Without potential side effects, SL on custom-set acupoints could be a complementary therapy for patients with IH regardless of central or non-central origins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Chiang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yue-Cune
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shin-Tsu
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Wei-Kuo
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsiao-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Liang-Cheng
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Heng-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Min-Hsin
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ming-Fu
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Kao-Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006606:Hiccup / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome