A Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture Use in the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment After Stroke

Abstract

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on cognitive impairment (function) after a stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture with no acupuncture in addition to medicine or rehabilitation were identified from databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Periodical Database, Wangfang Chinese Periodical Database, Chinese Bio-medicine Database, Cochrane Library, and Chinese medical literature databases) and two relevant journals (Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion and the Journal of Shanghai Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Meta-analyses were conducted for the eligible RCTs. Results: Twenty-one trials with a total of 1421 patients met inclusion criteria. Pooled random-effects estimates of the change in the Mini-Mental State Examination were calculated for the comparison of acupuncture with no acupuncture in addition to medicine or rehabilitation. Following 4 weeks and 8 weeks of intervention with acupuncture, the merged mean difference was 3.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06-4.21; p < .00001) and 2.03 (95% CI, 0.26-3.80; p = 0.02), respectively. For the comparison of 3-4 weeks of acupuncture with no acupuncture in addition to medicine or rehabilitation groups, the merged MD in Neurobehavioral Cognitive State Examination total scores was 5.63 (95% CI, 3.95-7.31; p < .00001). For the comparison of 8-12 weeks of acupuncture with no acupuncture in addition to medicine or rehabilitation groups, the P300 latency merged MD was -12.80 (95% CI, -21.08 to -4.51; p < .00001), while the P300 amplitude merged MD was 1.38 (95% CI, 0.93-1.82; p < .00001). Overall, the study quality was rated as moderate on the basis of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (part 2: 8.5). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture had positive effects on cognitive function after stroke and supports the need for additional research on the potential benefits of this therapeutic approach.

Electroacupuncture improves cognitive ability following cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury via CaM-CaMKIV-CREB signaling in the rat hippocampus

“…Using this test in previous studies (23,24,32), EA was shown to improve the memories of rats following stroke. Previous clinical studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that EA exerts a positive effect on cognitive function when compared with no acupuncture, medicine or rehabilitation (11,12,33). Furthermore, a series of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture regulates the release of neurochemicals, hemorheology, cerebral microcirculation, metabolism, neuronal activity, and the function of specific brain regions (10,34,35).…”

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment and Regulates the Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury

“…Electroacupuncture (EA), a non-drug therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, may have a role in promoting recovery of neurological function. 3 A meta-analysis has suggested that acupuncture has positive effects on PSCI 4 and our previous clinical study showed that EA at GV20 (Baihui) and GV24 (Shenteng) improved cognitive function and contributed to the comprehensive rehabilitation of stroke patients. 5 6 Cerebrovascular diseases can cause irreversible neurodegeneration, leading to global cognitive impairment and progressive dementia.…”

Electroacupuncture Regulates Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity via miR-134-Mediated LIMK1 Function in Rats with Ischemic Stroke

“…Approximately 64% of stroke patients are often followed with cognitive impairment and 33% of them turn into dementia existing for several months during decubation [2]. Cognitive deficits arise frequently after ischemic stroke, which cause difficulties with analysis, concentration, organization, interpretation, and other abates in cognitive functions that bring about the low quality of life [3, 4]. The dysfunction of learning and memory is the cardinal symptom of cognitive impairment after stroke and is the main culprit of persistent sequelae [5].…”