Introduction: Auricular Acupuncture (AA) is both a diagnostic method and a treatment used to relieve pain and alleviate addictions. The effects and biological mechanisms of AA on the human body have been increasingly observed in clinical and experimental studies based on the gate control theory and the endogenous opioids theory. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in facial pain thresholds among healthy volunteers after applying AA to acupoints on both auricles. Methods: This was a pilot study with a crossover randomized controlled trial design. 66 healthy volunteers with normal hemodynamic indexes were randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive AA treatment at the Shenmen point, Sympathetic point, Adrenal gland point, Jaw point, and Tooth point of either the left or right auricle (phase 1). 7 days later, participants received sham acupuncture at the same points (phase 2). Results: In phase 1, the results showed that AA at these points in either auricle increased the pain threshold of the facial skin statistically significantly (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected in the sham acupuncture phase. Conclusions: This suggests that AA can be used as a non-pharmacological adjunct to facial pain relief.

Introduction: Removing the third molar is a common dental surgery that often results in swelling and discomfort, impacting the patient's wellbeing. Previous studies have shown that auricular acupuncture (AA) can effectively alleviate pain after surgery. This study aimed to assess the pain-relieving benefits of AA for patients undergoing third molar surgery. Methods: A clinical trial using a split-mouth design and double-blind methodology was conducted at the Dental Clinic of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city between March 2022 and March 2023. Participants had both sides of their third molars extracted, with one side receiving AA in combination with postoperative pain relief medication, and the other side receiving sham AA along with postoperative pain relief medication. Pain levels at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery, and the amount of pain medication used was recorded. Additionally, any side effects resulting from the AA treatment were also evaluated. Results: The pain levels measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) decreased over time for both intervention periods after surgery, with statistically significant lower VAS scores observed in the AA time compared to the sham AA time. The amount of 500mg/tablet paracetamol used after the intervention also decreased over time for both periods. At all-time points, the amount of paracetamol used in the AA group was lower than the sham AA group. No adverse effects were reported in either group. Conclusions: AA was effective for relieving pain after madibular third molar surgery and reducing amount of paracetamol tablets.

Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder; however, no study has investigated adolescent and late-life depression in Vietnam, and little has been done to compare the clinical characteristics among age groups of patients with this condition in the literature. Therefore, the study aims to examine the differences in symptom presentation among adolescents, adults, and the elderly with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: A total of 238 patients diagnosed with MDD according to the DSM-5, including 43 aged 10 to 17 years old, 74 aged 18 to 59 years old, and 121 aged 60 and older, were recruited in a cross-sectional study from March to August 2022 at three psychiatric clinics in Ho Chi Minh City. The eligible participant completed an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: All participants exhibited depressed mood, and 58.8% admitted to having suicidal ideation, with an alarming rate among adolescents (72.1%). Adolescents were less likely to experience the symptoms of interest decrease, appetite problems, insomnia, fatigue, and anxious distress than these other groups (p < 0.05). The pattern of symptom profiles in depressed adults largely remained the same in the older patients, except for psychomotor retardation and concentration problems, in which the latter were less likely to exhibit these symptoms compared to the first one (p<0.001). Conclusion: Adolescents appear to experience fewer depressive symptoms than adults and the elderly, while the two later groups show similar clinical presentations. Therefore, the differences in symptoms across age groups necessitate an individual approach and management by clinicians.

Background and Aim: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common pathology that affects the quality of human life. It is essential to promote clinical intervention studies. Our initial step in this study focused on the cure for CTS and the safety of Laser Acupuncture (LA), which is a type of acupuncture uses low-level laser instead of metal acupuncture needles. Method: This is a before-after interventional study based on a group of 38 CTS patients, ranging from mild to moderate. Intervention using LA 5 times per week for 4 weeks, using low-level laser with a continuous wavelength of 655 nm, wattage of 5 mW/point, dose of 6 J/point, and direction perpendicular to the skin surface, in 10 pressure points on the affected hand, including PC4, PC6, PC7, PC8, LI4, LI10, LI1, HT3, HT7, LU10. The change in the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Functional Status Scale (FSS) through the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) and adverse events were monitored to assess the effectiveness and safety of LA. Results: At the second and fourth weeks, respectively, the SSS score decreased from 28 (27-33) to 14 (14-21) and 12 (11-13); this difference was statistically significant (p<0001). Similarly, the FSS score decreased from 13 (13-15) to 8 (8-10), 8 (8-8), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0001). Following the intervention, 37% (CI 95%, 23-53%) of patients experienced complete symptom recovery and 100% experienced complete functional recovery. No side effects were noted during the treatment. Conclusion: LA was initially shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of CTS by improving symptoms and rehabilitation.

Introduction: Findings of experiences and impacts of stuttering on adult people who stutter (PWS) from previous qualitative studies may not be true for PWS in Vietnam, because of cultural, social, and environmental differences. Until now, there has been no study of stuttering in adult Vietnamese PWS, therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impacts of stuttering in adult Vietnamese PWS across their lifespan and on different areas of their lives. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study. Participants were recruited via the social networking site of the Vietnamese stuttering community (ECHO Vietnam). Each person was screened for developmental stuttering by an experienced and independent speech language therapist. Semi-structured interview was used for data collection. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Fear of stuttering, being teased by friends, unfavorable family reactions made PWS less confident, self-isolated, thereby having negative impacts on studying, working, and social relations. Beside negative experiences, a few showed empathy and support from teachers, relatives, and friends. PWS had low access to stuttering treatment because of lacking of official information on stuttering treatment. Self-help groups have played an active role in the treatment and emotional support for PWS. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary information about the experiences and impacts of stuttering in Vietnamese adult PWS. Further studies are needed to obtain deeper and more comprehensive information. It is necessary, through mass media, especially the internet, to provide information about treatment facilities, or organizations that PWS can join to get counseling about treatment.