Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity Response to Traditional Acupuncture after Spinal Cord Injury

Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2578-8868/211

Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity Response to Traditional Acupuncture after Spinal Cord Injury

  • Gabriella Fizzotti 1*
  • Maurizio Piccinini 2
  • Giovani Fassina 3
  • Livio Tronconi 3

1 Spinal Unit, ICS Maugeri SPA SB, Institute of Pavia, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy.

2 IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

3 IRCCS Mondino Foundation Pavia, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

*Corresponding Author: Gabriella Fizzotti, Spinal Unit, ICS Maugeri SPA SB, Institute of Pavia, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy.

Citation: Gabriella Fizzotti, Giovani Fassina, Livio Tronconi (2021). Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity Response to Traditional Acupuncture after Spinal Cord Injury. J. Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. 9(5); DOI:10.31579/2578-8868/211

Copyright: © 2021 Gabriella Fizzotti, This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of The Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 07 May 2021 | Accepted: 01 October 2021 | Published: 08 October 2021

Keywords: acupuncture; pain spasticity; spinal cord injury

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most relevant disabilities is caused by spinal cord injury (SCI). Typical causes of spinal cord damage are trauma, disease, or congenital disorders. Tetraplegia is a paralysis results in the partial or total loss of use of all limbs and torso; paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms. Pain and spasticity are common sequelae of SCI [1].  Both pain and spasticity can have a late onset and develop slowly over time after SCI, and once developed, they often become chronic.

In this paper we have provided to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating SCI sequelae and summarize the potential mechanisms of acupuncture therapy.

Method: We considered 30 patients with diagnosis of tetra or paraplegia after SCI complicated by neuropathic pain and spasticity. Neurologist trained in medical acupuncture conducted the therapeutic treatments. A specific set of acupuncture points was used in all sessions. Participants were treated for 8 sessions of acupuncture over 4 week’s period. Pain and spasticity were evaluated with Numeric Raiting Scale (VAS) (2) and the Modified Ashworth Scale [3at the beginning of the first, the fourth an eighth treatment session.

Results: 28 patients (93%) showed improvement in pain intensity and spasticity after two weeks of acupuncture treatment. The therapeutic effect continued until the eighth week of treatment.  However, 15 patients (53,5%) reported an increase in spasticity and pain  2 months after  acupuncture sessions.

Conclusions: Acupuncture sessions using defined acupoint set reduced pain intentensity and spasticity in patients with SCI.

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization the term ‘spinal cord injury’ refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma (e.g. a car crash) or from disease or degeneration (e.g. cancer). [4] Traumatic spinal cord injuries most commonly occur as a result of motor vehicle and motor-bike accidents, followed by falls. Sport, in particular, water-based activities and work-related injuries are also common, with a further small but increasing contribution from a gun, knife or war-related injury. [5,6] (Figure-1)

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury (2016)

Figure 1:  Causes of traumatic spinal cord injury. Source: The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center

Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is a paralysis caused by illness or injury that results in the partial or total loss of use of all limbs and torso; paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms. The loss is usually sensory and motor, which means that both sensation and control are lost [7]. The rehabilitation process following a spinal cord injury normally begins in the acute care setting. The clinical outcomes of SCI depend on the severity and location of the lesion and may include partial or complete loss of sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury. A primary goal of rehabilitation is to restore, to the greatest possible extent, the physical functioning of an individual after illness or injury.

Knowledge of possible complications during the acute phase is important because they may be life-threatening and/or may lead to prolonged rehabilitation.

The range of conditions following SCI can be categorized into neurological consequences and  resulted  from the injury itself, following interruption and decentralization of central nervous system and may be regarded as sequel to the injury. [8] Example are neurogenic pain or spasticity; the latter being part of the upper neurone syndrome. Neuropathic pain is present in 50–60% and spasticity in about 70% of individuals living with a SCI. (9-10) Central neuropathic pain shares many features with spasticity and has even been termed ‘sensory spasticity’. [11] Both pain and spasticity can have a late onset and develop slowly over time after SCI, and once developed, they often become chronic. Neuropathic pain is defined as ‘pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. [12]

Neuropathic pain following SCI includes at- and below-level SCI neuropathic pain, where at-level pain may consist of both peripheral and central neuropathic pain, while below-level pain is a central neuropathic pain condition. [13] Studies have found that patients with spinal cord injury who suffer from pain have less life satisfaction than do patients in whom pain is well controlled; this may also affect the patients' general outlook on life [14,15].

Spasticity has been defined as ‘a disordered sensorimotor control resulting from an upper motor neuron lesion, presenting as intermittent or sustained involuntary activation of muscles’, and this broad definition of spasticity is adopted in the spinal cord injury musculoskeletal data set. [16]

Neurological consequences may interfere with the start of active rehabilitation, can slow down the achievement of outcomes during rehabilitation and sometimes lead to re-hospitalization

Life expectancies for patients with spinal cord injury continues to increase but are still below the general population. Patients aged 20 years at the time they sustain these injuries have a life expectancy of approximately 35.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia [C1-C4]), 40 years (patients with low tetraplegia [C5-C8]), or 45.2 years (patients with paraplegia) [17]. Individuals aged 60 years at the time of injury have a life expectancy of approximately 7.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia), 9.9 years (patients with low tetraplegia), and 12.8 years (patients with paraplegia).

Originally the leading cause of death in patients with spinal cord injury who survived their initial injury was renal failure, but, currently, the leading causes of death are pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or septicemia. Heart disease, [18-19]subsequent trauma, suicide, and alcohol-related deaths are also major causes of death in these patients [20-21]. In persons with spinal cord injury, the suicide rate is higher among individuals who are younger than 25 years.

There are many treatments for functional recovery from injury and the related complications that result from SCI; these include surgery [22], prescription drugs [23], behavioral therapy [24], physical therapy [25], and supportive treatment [26]. There are also a variety of treatments used for the secondary complications of SCI, such as intermittent catheterization for bladder dysfunction, analgesics for pain, and others [27]. Treatment options for spasticity are effective and include oral medication (baclofen, tizanidine), intrathecal baclofen, and rarely, surgical rhizotomy or myelotomy.

These treatments tend to be administered over long periods of time, and because of the potential complications of treatment, there has been an increased interest in alternative medical treatments, including acupuncture and other related therapies (moxibustion and acupressure) [28].

Acupuncture is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been used for more than 4000 years to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. Even though the technique was first developed in China, it is now practiced by thousands of clinicians worldwide and has become one of the most frequently used complementary medicine therapies among SCI patients. Many researchers have found acupuncture to be effective in a large number of patients for not only nociceptive condition but also for neuropathic pain [29,30,31,32,33]. The effect of acupuncture on spasticity has been proven by several studies, Zhang et al. concluded that the nanometer acupoint mounting method through defined acupoints can significantly alleviate myospasms complicated by spinal injury, compared with the non-acupuncture group [34]. Another Chinese study also proved that acupuncture combined with Western medicine could improve SCI-induced spasticity after spinal cord injury, compared with treatment with Western medicine alone [35]. It is important to advance knowledge on people with SCI and strengthen the evidence base for prevention, support and care of people with SCI. In this paper we have provided to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating post-SCI complications and summarize the potential mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for SCI.

Material and Method

Acupuncture has been administered to 30 SCI patients, aged between 16 and 80, treated at the Spinal Unit of Maugeri IRCCS Foundation. Patients were recruited consecutively from January 2019 to December 2019.  Spinal cord injuries were classified as complete and incomplete by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification [36]. The ASIA scale grades patients based on their functional impairment from A to E, where A represents the greatest impairment and E represents the normal condition. Neurologist trained in medical acupuncture conducted the therapeutic treatments. During the procedure, a hair-thin needle is inserted into the skin at distinct acupoints (Table1). Participants were treated for 8 sessions of acupuncture over a 4 week period.  After insertion, needles were left in place for 30 minutes and were not manually or electrically stimulated. Needles were inserted to a depth of 15 to 30 mm. A specific set of acupuncture points was used with all participants:  5TB Waiguan, 41 GB  Linqi. 20 GB Fengchi, 34 GB Yinglingquan, 4 GI Hegu, 3 LV Taichong, 36 ST Zusanli. We have focussed on inserting needles into fixed anatomical locations (table 1). At the beginning of the first, fourth an eighth treatment session, each participant was asked to describe the quality and location of pain and spasticity: an operator   evaluated VAS [2] and Modified Ashworth [3] scale respectively.

Table 1: Acupoints

Results

At the time of the acupuncture treatment, all patients were hospitalised. Thirty patients presented a traumatic spinal cord injury. Median age was 58 years in men and 69 years in women. Patients in acute phase of disease were 12. Patients distribution among ASIA categories was well balanced (14 patients were ASIA A or B). Acupuncture may be effective in treating a subgroup of patients who have pain and spasticity after traumaic SCI. Sixty-five percent of the present study sample reported moderate to significant pain relief immediately after the course of 16 treatments and 25% of the sample continued to report pain relief at 2-month follow-up.

Our data provide preliminary evidence indicating that the subgroup reporting spasticity relief after acupuncture. Forty-six percent of the 
present study sample reported moderate to significant spasticity relief immediately after the course of 16 treatments and 5% of the sample continued to report spasticity relief at 2-month follow-up. Patients with incomplete injuries appear to do better than those with complete ones.VAS scale evidenced a reduced pain intensity in 64,4% patients with acute SCI and 30% with chronic SCI. Fifty - seven percent of  acute SCI patients reported spasticity  relief and 30% of chronic SCI reported the same result. Spasticity responds better in acute incomplete SCI compared to chronic; the percentage change is equal to 31,5%.

In term of safety no serious adverse events related acupuncture were reported in anyone of the 30 patients.

Figure 2: Pain and Spasticity improvement after acupuncture treatment in incomplete acute and chronic spinal cord injury

Discussion

Our data provide preliminary evidence indicating that the subgroup reporting neuropatic pain and spasticity relief after acupuncture.  Patients with incomplete injuries appear to do better than those with complete ones.  This result might explain because the pathway to the central nervous system is still intact. Acute SCI evidenced better results than chronic SCI patients.

Despite the fact that response to acupuncture was not effective  in the long term it is still encouraging that 65% of partecipants reported moderate to significant pain and 46 %  to spasticity relief immediately after treatment.

Several theories about the mechanism of acupuncture may explain why neuropatic pain relief after acupuncture. One suggests that the insertion of acupuncture needles stimulates the release of endorphins. [37] Given that central pain is more refractory to conventional treatment [38], this finding suggests that acupuncture may provide a viable treatment alternative for some individuals with this kind of pain. 

The mechanism of the effect of acupuncture on spasticity is still unclear. It is widely accepted that acupuncture can reduce pain. Acupuncture therapy could break the pain-spasm-pain cycle and relax muscles by controlling pain [39]. The threshold of pain receptor is increased after location stimulation [40-41] However, the mechanism cannot explain all causes because spasticity is not always painful and the link between spasticity and pain is not clearly established.  SCI can trigger neuroplasticity that potentially promotes recovery from the injury but it also may have deleterious consequences. Neuropathic pain and spasticity are multifactorial and complex consequences of maladaptive neuronal plasticity after SCI[1]. Following an initial impact after spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a cascade of downstream events termed 'secondary injury', which culminate in progressive degenerative events in the spinal cord. These secondary injury mechanisms include, but are not limited to, ischemia, inflammation, free radical-induced cell death, glutamate excitotoxicity, cytoskeletal degradation and induction of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways [42] Different aspect of pain and spasticity, and injury characteristics may reflect different underlying mechanisms. [1] Decrease oxidative stress, inhibition of inflammation and neuronal apoptosis, regulation of the expression and activity of endogenous biological mediators, and increase regenerative stem cell production are the possible mechanism of acupuncture therapy for SCI. McCouch proposed another aetiological mechanism: the distruption in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs to motoneurons observed during spasticity. Enhanced excitability of motoneurons and interneurons and axonal sprouting are the most likely mechanisms involved in spasticity [43]. Management of spasticity can include physical exercise, medication, and electrostimulation [44]. Evidence from experiments in humans and animal models of spasticity demonstrated that alterations in the excitability of numerous excitatory and inhibitory spinal pathways occur after SCI. The pathogenesis of spasticity resulting from SCI is multifactorial and extend beyond the stretch reflex. It also depends on the type, site, and duration of injury. The alteration in excitability of various inhibitory pathways has historically been studied the most, with less focus until recently on the alterations in excitability of motoneurons and interneurons themselves. This latter alteration appear to play critical role in the manifestation of spasticity after SCI [45]. The enhancement in excitability of motoneurons is most likely involved in pathophysiology of spasticity following SCI. Acupuncture therapy may regulate the activity of spinal motor neurons by decreasing the hyperexcitability of gamma and alfa motor neuron and/or increasing the inhibition of interneurons. Fink et al. [46] and Lee et al. [47] found that after the first acupuncture treatment, H/M ratios decreased immediately as compared with controls. The improvement in H/M ratio may be associated with decreased excitability of alfa motor neurons. Yu et al. [48] found that acupuncture on the antagonist muscle of the spastic muscle could prolong the mean H-reflex recovery time, which may be caused by the increased inhibition of interneurons. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve pain for the patients with SCI has been assessed in several studies. As in our survey, CAM was used as a supplementary rather than an exclusive treatment. In Pannek’s study 73% of the SCI patients reported the use of CAM for chronic pain [49]. Acupuncture was the most frequent technique (28% of the participants), with a pain relief that lasted for weeks in 19% of the users [50]. A meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of acupuncture for pain in SCI [51]. The percentage of SCI patients seeking help for their chronic medical conditions by CAM is high. Therefore, a comprehensive care of SCI patients should not be limited to the various forms of conventional treatments, but should include CAM procedures as well.

Conclusion

Acupuncture seems to be a potential therapeutic intervention for SCI pain and spasticity. Neurological complication of SCI may interfere with the start of active rehabilitation, can slow down the achievement of outcomes during rehabilitation and sometimes lead to re-hospitalization. The possibility to use acupuncture sessions complementary to the individual rehabilitation program (PRI) in SCI can be useful to perform activities of daily living without shooting and burning pain, spasms and increased muscle tone. There are several limitations to the described study. These findings must be replicated in a longer term study that has a larger sample, including a nonacupuncture control group. Further researches are needed in this direction to develop valid and reliable instruments to assess the health status in people with SCI.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any finding agency in the public, commercial or not for profit sectors.

Declaration of conflicting interests 

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research authorship and/or publication of this article.

Patient consent

Obtained.

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our Centre and all patients provided written informed consent before study treatment.

Provenance and peer review

Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

References

Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.

img

Virginia E. Koenig

Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Intervention The submission and review process was adequate. However I think that the publication total value should have been enlightened in early fases. Thank you for all.

img

Delcio G Silva Junior

Journal of Women Health Care and Issues By the present mail, I want to say thank to you and tour colleagues for facilitating my published article. Specially thank you for the peer review process, support from the editorial office. I appreciate positively the quality of your journal.

img

Ziemlé Clément Méda

Journal of Clinical Research and Reports I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. The reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding any modifications for my manuscript. And the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help. It was my pleasure to contribute with your promising Journal and I am looking forward for more collaboration.

img

Mina Sherif Soliman Georgy

We would like to thank the Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery because of the services they provided us for our articles. The peer-review process was done in a very excellent time manner, and the opinions of the reviewers helped us to improve our manuscript further. The editorial office had an outstanding correspondence with us and guided us in many ways. During a hard time of the pandemic that is affecting every one of us tremendously, the editorial office helped us make everything easier for publishing scientific work. Hope for a more scientific relationship with your Journal.

img

Layla Shojaie

The peer-review process which consisted high quality queries on the paper. I did answer six reviewers’ questions and comments before the paper was accepted. The support from the editorial office is excellent.

img

Sing-yung Wu

Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. I had the experience of publishing a research article recently. The whole process was simple from submission to publication. The reviewers made specific and valuable recommendations and corrections that improved the quality of my publication. I strongly recommend this Journal.

img

Orlando Villarreal

Dr. Katarzyna Byczkowska My testimonial covering: "The peer review process is quick and effective. The support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly. Quality of the Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on cardiology that is useful for other professionals in the field.

img

Katarzyna Byczkowska

Thank you most sincerely, with regard to the support you have given in relation to the reviewing process and the processing of my article entitled "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of The Prostate Gland: A Review and Update" for publication in your esteemed Journal, Journal of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics". The editorial team has been very supportive.

img

Anthony Kodzo-Grey Venyo

Testimony of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology: work with your Reviews has been a educational and constructive experience. The editorial office were very helpful and supportive. It was a pleasure to contribute to your Journal.

img

Pedro Marques Gomes

Dr. Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, I am happy to publish my scientific work in Journal of Women Health Care and Issues (JWHCI). The manuscript submission was seamless and peer review process was top notch. I was amazed that 4 reviewers worked on the manuscript which made it a highly technical, standard and excellent quality paper. I appreciate the format and consideration for the APC as well as the speed of publication. It is my pleasure to continue with this scientific relationship with the esteem JWHCI.

img

Bernard Terkimbi Utoo

This is an acknowledgment for peer reviewers, editorial board of Journal of Clinical Research and Reports. They show a lot of consideration for us as publishers for our research article “Evaluation of the different factors associated with side effects of COVID-19 vaccination on medical students, Mutah university, Al-Karak, Jordan”, in a very professional and easy way. This journal is one of outstanding medical journal.

img

Prof Sherif W Mansour

Dear Hao Jiang, to Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing We greatly appreciate the efficient, professional and rapid processing of our paper by your team. If there is anything else we should do, please do not hesitate to let us know. On behalf of my co-authors, we would like to express our great appreciation to editor and reviewers.

img

Hao Jiang

As an author who has recently published in the journal "Brain and Neurological Disorders". I am delighted to provide a testimonial on the peer review process, editorial office support, and the overall quality of the journal. The peer review process at Brain and Neurological Disorders is rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only high-quality, evidence-based research is published. The reviewers are experts in their fields, and their comments and suggestions were constructive and helped improve the quality of my manuscript. The review process was timely and efficient, with clear communication from the editorial office at each stage. The support from the editorial office was exceptional throughout the entire process. The editorial staff was responsive, professional, and always willing to help. They provided valuable guidance on formatting, structure, and ethical considerations, making the submission process seamless. Moreover, they kept me informed about the status of my manuscript and provided timely updates, which made the process less stressful. The journal Brain and Neurological Disorders is of the highest quality, with a strong focus on publishing cutting-edge research in the field of neurology. The articles published in this journal are well-researched, rigorously peer-reviewed, and written by experts in the field. The journal maintains high standards, ensuring that readers are provided with the most up-to-date and reliable information on brain and neurological disorders. In conclusion, I had a wonderful experience publishing in Brain and Neurological Disorders. The peer review process was thorough, the editorial office provided exceptional support, and the journal's quality is second to none. I would highly recommend this journal to any researcher working in the field of neurology and brain disorders.

img

Dr Shiming Tang

Dear Agrippa Hilda, Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, Editorial Coordinator, I trust this message finds you well. I want to extend my appreciation for considering my article for publication in your esteemed journal. I am pleased to provide a testimonial regarding the peer review process and the support received from your editorial office. The peer review process for my paper was carried out in a highly professional and thorough manner. The feedback and comments provided by the authors were constructive and very useful in improving the quality of the manuscript. This rigorous assessment process undoubtedly contributes to the high standards maintained by your journal.

img

Raed Mualem

International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. I strongly recommend to consider submitting your work to this high-quality journal. The support and availability of the Editorial staff is outstanding and the review process was both efficient and rigorous.

img

Andreas Filippaios

Thank you very much for publishing my Research Article titled “Comparing Treatment Outcome Of Allergic Rhinitis Patients After Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray And Nasal Douching" in the Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology. As Medical Professionals we are immensely benefited from study of various informative Articles and Papers published in this high quality Journal. I look forward to enriching my knowledge by regular study of the Journal and contribute my future work in the field of ENT through the Journal for use by the medical fraternity. The support from the Editorial office was excellent and very prompt. I also welcome the comments received from the readers of my Research Article.

img

Dr Suramya Dhamija

Dear Erica Kelsey, Editorial Coordinator of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics Our team is very satisfied with the processing of our paper by your journal. That was fast, efficient, rigorous, but without unnecessary complications. We appreciated the very short time between the submission of the paper and its publication on line on your site.

img

Bruno Chauffert

I am very glad to say that the peer review process is very successful and fast and support from the Editorial Office. Therefore, I would like to continue our scientific relationship for a long time. And I especially thank you for your kindly attention towards my article. Have a good day!

img

Baheci Selen

"We recently published an article entitled “Influence of beta-Cyclodextrins upon the Degradation of Carbofuran Derivatives under Alkaline Conditions" in the Journal of “Pesticides and Biofertilizers” to show that the cyclodextrins protect the carbamates increasing their half-life time in the presence of basic conditions This will be very helpful to understand carbofuran behaviour in the analytical, agro-environmental and food areas. We greatly appreciated the interaction with the editor and the editorial team; we were particularly well accompanied during the course of the revision process, since all various steps towards publication were short and without delay".

img

Jesus Simal-Gandara

I would like to express my gratitude towards you process of article review and submission. I found this to be very fair and expedient. Your follow up has been excellent. I have many publications in national and international journal and your process has been one of the best so far. Keep up the great work.

img

Douglas Miyazaki

We are grateful for this opportunity to provide a glowing recommendation to the Journal of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We found that the editorial team were very supportive, helpful, kept us abreast of timelines and over all very professional in nature. The peer review process was rigorous, efficient and constructive that really enhanced our article submission. The experience with this journal remains one of our best ever and we look forward to providing future submissions in the near future.

img

Dr Griffith

I am very pleased to serve as EBM of the journal, I hope many years of my experience in stem cells can help the journal from one way or another. As we know, stem cells hold great potential for regenerative medicine, which are mostly used to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. I think Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics International is a great platform to publish and share the understanding towards the biology and translational or clinical application of stem cells.

img

Dr Tong Ming Liu

I would like to give my testimony in the support I have got by the peer review process and to support the editorial office where they were of asset to support young author like me to be encouraged to publish their work in your respected journal and globalize and share knowledge across the globe. I really give my great gratitude to your journal and the peer review including the editorial office.

img

Husain Taha Radhi

I am delighted to publish our manuscript entitled "A Perspective on Cocaine Induced Stroke - Its Mechanisms and Management" in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. The peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal are excellent. The manuscripts published are of high quality and of excellent scientific value. I recommend this journal very much to colleagues.

img

S Munshi

Dr.Tania Muñoz, My experience as researcher and author of a review article in The Journal Clinical Cardiology and Interventions has been very enriching and stimulating. The editorial team is excellent, performs its work with absolute responsibility and delivery. They are proactive, dynamic and receptive to all proposals. Supporting at all times the vast universe of authors who choose them as an option for publication. The team of review specialists, members of the editorial board, are brilliant professionals, with remarkable performance in medical research and scientific methodology. Together they form a frontline team that consolidates the JCCI as a magnificent option for the publication and review of high-level medical articles and broad collective interest. I am honored to be able to share my review article and open to receive all your comments.

img

Tania Munoz

“The peer review process of JPMHC is quick and effective. Authors are benefited by good and professional reviewers with huge experience in the field of psychology and mental health. The support from the editorial office is very professional. People to contact to are friendly and happy to help and assist any query authors might have. Quality of the Journal is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on mental health that is useful for other professionals in the field”.

img

George Varvatsoulias

Dear editorial department: On behalf of our team, I hereby certify the reliability and superiority of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews in the peer review process, editorial support, and journal quality. Firstly, the peer review process of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is rigorous, fair, transparent, fast, and of high quality. The editorial department invites experts from relevant fields as anonymous reviewers to review all submitted manuscripts. These experts have rich academic backgrounds and experience, and can accurately evaluate the academic quality, originality, and suitability of manuscripts. The editorial department is committed to ensuring the rigor of the peer review process, while also making every effort to ensure a fast review cycle to meet the needs of authors and the academic community. Secondly, the editorial team of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is composed of a group of senior scholars and professionals with rich experience and professional knowledge in related fields. The editorial department is committed to assisting authors in improving their manuscripts, ensuring their academic accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Editors actively collaborate with authors, providing useful suggestions and feedback to promote the improvement and development of the manuscript. We believe that the support of the editorial department is one of the key factors in ensuring the quality of the journal. Finally, the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is renowned for its high- quality articles and strict academic standards. The editorial department is committed to publishing innovative and academically valuable research results to promote the development and progress of related fields. The International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is reasonably priced and ensures excellent service and quality ratio, allowing authors to obtain high-level academic publishing opportunities in an affordable manner. I hereby solemnly declare that the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews has a high level of credibility and superiority in terms of peer review process, editorial support, reasonable fees, and journal quality. Sincerely, Rui Tao.

img

Rui Tao

Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions I testity the covering of the peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal.

img

Khurram Arshad

Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, we deeply appreciate the interest shown in our work and its publication. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you. The peer review process, as well as the support provided by the editorial office, have been exceptional, and the quality of the journal is very high, which was a determining factor in our decision to publish with you.

img

Gomez Barriga Maria Dolores

The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews journal clinically in the future time.

img

Lin Shaw Chin

Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the trust placed in our team for the publication in your journal. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you on this project. I am pleased to inform you that both the peer review process and the attention from the editorial coordination have been excellent. Your team has worked with dedication and professionalism to ensure that your publication meets the highest standards of quality. We are confident that this collaboration will result in mutual success, and we are eager to see the fruits of this shared effort.

img

Maria Dolores Gomez Barriga

Dear Dr. Jessica Magne, Editorial Coordinator 0f Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I hope this message finds you well. I want to express my utmost gratitude for your excellent work and for the dedication and speed in the publication process of my article titled "Navigating Innovation: Qualitative Insights on Using Technology for Health Education in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients." I am very satisfied with the peer review process, the support from the editorial office, and the quality of the journal. I hope we can maintain our scientific relationship in the long term.

img

Dr Maria Dolores Gomez Barriga

Dear Monica Gissare, - Editorial Coordinator of Nutrition and Food Processing. ¨My testimony with you is truly professional, with a positive response regarding the follow-up of the article and its review, you took into account my qualities and the importance of the topic¨.

img

Dr Maria Regina Penchyna Nieto

Dear Dr. Jessica Magne, Editorial Coordinator 0f Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, The review process for the article “The Handling of Anti-aggregants and Anticoagulants in the Oncologic Heart Patient Submitted to Surgery” was extremely rigorous and detailed. From the initial submission to the final acceptance, the editorial team at the “Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions” demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication. The reviewers provided constructive and detailed feedback, which was essential for improving the quality of our work. Communication was always clear and efficient, ensuring that all our questions were promptly addressed. The quality of the “Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions” is undeniable. It is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication dedicated exclusively to disseminating high-quality research in the field of clinical cardiology and cardiovascular interventions. The journal's impact factor is currently under evaluation, and it is indexed in reputable databases, which further reinforces its credibility and relevance in the scientific field. I highly recommend this journal to researchers looking for a reputable platform to publish their studies.

img

Dr Marcelo Flavio Gomes Jardim Filho

Dear Editorial Coordinator of the Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing! "I would like to thank the Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing for including and publishing my article. The peer review process was very quick, movement and precise. The Editorial Board has done an extremely conscientious job with much help, valuable comments and advices. I find the journal very valuable from a professional point of view, thank you very much for allowing me to be part of it and I would like to participate in the future!”

img

Zsuzsanna Bene

Dealing with The Journal of Neurology and Neurological Surgery was very smooth and comprehensive. The office staff took time to address my needs and the response from editors and the office was prompt and fair. I certainly hope to publish with this journal again.Their professionalism is apparent and more than satisfactory. Susan Weiner

img

Dr Susan Weiner

My Testimonial Covering as fellowing: Lin-Show Chin. The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews.

img

Lin-Show Chin

My experience publishing in Psychology and Mental Health Care was exceptional. The peer review process was rigorous and constructive, with reviewers providing valuable insights that helped enhance the quality of our work. The editorial team was highly supportive and responsive, making the submission process smooth and efficient. The journal's commitment to high standards and academic rigor makes it a respected platform for quality research. I am grateful for the opportunity to publish in such a reputable journal.

img

Sonila Qirko

My experience publishing in International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews was exceptional. I Come forth to Provide a Testimonial Covering the Peer Review Process and the editorial office for the Professional and Impartial Evaluation of the Manuscript.

img

Luiz Sellmann