ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to evaluate efficacy of acupuncture combined with western medicine in treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with meta-analysis of data came from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Databases both at home and abroad were comprehensively searched to collect efficacy data of acupuncture combined with western medicine versus western medicine in RCTs. The data was extracted from each study to conduct a meta-analysis with RevMan 5.2. The results showed that 10 studies measured up to standard. Seven studies reported effective cases were carried out by meta-analysis. The total RR was 1.25 [1.14, 1.38]. The funnel plot was approximately symmetry. It was suggested that effect of the therapy group was better than the control group (Z = 4.66,P<0.01). Four studies reported mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores were carried out by meta-analysis. The total MD was 2.87 [0.64, 5.10]. The funnel plot was approximately symmetry. It was suggested that the therapy group was better than the control group on AD treatment in cognitive function improvement (Z = 2.52,P= 0.01). It was concluded that from current study, acupuncture combined with western medicine in AD treatment was definitely effective. However, it still required further study.