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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for evidence of the efficacy and safety of head acupuncture (HA) plus Schuell's language rehabilitation (SLR) in post-stroke aphasia.@*METHODS@#Seven databases including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Technology Periodical Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed and Wanfang Data Information Site were searched for RCTs published from database inception until November 14, 2021. RCTs that compared HA plus SLR with sham (or blank) control, acupuncture therapy alone, certain language rehabilitation therapy alone or other therapies for post-stroke aphasia were included. Data were extracted and assessed, and the quality of RCTs was evaluated. Fixed-effects model was used, with meta-inflfluence analysis, meta-regression, and regression-based sub-group analyses applied for exploration of heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plots and Egger's tests.@*RESULTS@#A total of 32 RCTs with 1,968 patients were included and 51 comparisons were conducted classified as types of strokes and aphasia. (1) For patients with aphasia after ischemic stroke, HA plus PSA showed significantly higher accumulative markedly effective rate [relative risk (RR)=1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-2.02, I2=0%] and accumulative effective rate (RR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.09-1.36, I2=0%). (2) For patients with comprehensive types of stroke, HA plus PSA was more effective in increasing recovery rate (RR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.39-2.56, I2=0%), accumulative markedly effective rate (RR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.36-1.72, I2=9%) and accumulative effective rate (RR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.19, I2=34%). (3) For patients with aphasia after stroke, HA plus PSA was superior to PSA alone with statistical significance in increasing recovery rate (RR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.24-3.46, I2=0%), accumulative markedly effective rate (RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.24-1.78, I2=0%) and accumulative effective rate (RR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.24, I2=39%). (4) For patients with multiple types of aphasia, HA plus PSA also demonstrated significantly higher recovery rate (RR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.28-2.72, I2=0%), accumulative markedly effective rate (RR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.35-1.78, I2=22%), and accumulative effective rate (RR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.11-1.23, I2=41%). (5) For patients with motor aphasia after ischemic stroke, compared with PSA alone, HA plus PSA showed significantly higher accumulative markedly effective rate (RR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.06-1.79, I2=0%) and accumulative effective rate (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.37, I2=0%). Meta-regression analyses were performed without significant difference, and publication bias was found in some comparisons.@*CONCLUSION@#HA plus SLR was significantly associated with better language ability and higher effective rate for patients with post-stroke aphasia, and HA should be operated cautiously especially during acupuncture at eye and neck. (Registration No. CRD42020154475).
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Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Aphasia/rehabilitation , Ischemic Stroke , Language , Prostate-Specific Antigen , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Stroke/therapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect between head acupuncture combined with exercise therapy and conventional acupuncture for nonspecific low back pain.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients with nonspecific low back pain were randomized into an observation group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Jiaji (EX-B 2) of L1 to L3, ashi point, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Weizhong (BL 40). The observation group was treated with head acupuncture combined with exercise therapy, head acupuncture was applied at foot-motor-sensory area on the healthy side and Cuanzhu (BL 2), Tongziliao (GB 1) on the affected side, and McKenzie therapy was performed during retention. The needles were retained for 40 min, once a day, continuous treatment for 6 days with the interval of 1 day, 14 days were required in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and infrared thermography temperature of pain area in the low back were compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS and ODI scores after treatment were decreased in the two groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the infrared thermography temperature of pain area in the low back after treatment was increased in the two groups (P<0.01), and that in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Head acupuncture combined with exercise therapy could relieve pain, improve dysfunction and increase the local temperature of pain area in patients with nonspecific low back pain, and its curative effect is better than conventional acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Exercise Therapy , Low Back Pain/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of skull acupuncture on cerebral infarct volume and plasma SOD activity and MDA and NO contents. Method Forty-eight male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into sham operation, model and skull acupuncture groups. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was made by intraluminal thread occlusion. Rat nerve function was assessed by Zea Longa neurological function scoring. Rat cerebral infarct volume was measured by TTC staining. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents were measured by colorimetry. Result Rat neurobehavioral score was significantly lower on day 1, 3 and 7 in the model group than in the sham operation group (P<0.01). TTC measurement showed that cerebral infarct volume was significantly smaller in the skull acupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Plasma SOD activity was lower and MDA and NO contents were higher in the model group than in the sham operation group (all P<0.01). Plasma SOD activity increased and MDA and NO contents decreased after skull acupuncture treatment compared with the model group (all P<0.01). Conclusion Skull acupuncture has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and can increase plasma SOD activity and decrease plasma MDA and NO contents in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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@#ObjectiveTo observe effect of head and body acupuncture and moxibustion on stroke.Methods183 stroke patients were randomly divided into 3 groups, head acupuncture and moxibustion, body acupuncture and moxibustion, and head body acupuncture and moxibustion. After two months treatment, effects of 3 groups were evaluated.ResultsThere were no differences between head group and body group, body group and head body group, but there was significantly difference between head body group and head group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe head body acupuncture and moxibustion can gain the best clinical effect on stroke patients compared with simply head or body acupuncture and moxibustion.
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@#ObjectiveTo study the effect of head acupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on movement function of upper limbs after stroke.Methods80 patients with stroke were divided randomly into four groups, group 1 for head acupuncture and rehabilitation techniques, group 2 for rehabilitation techniques, group 3 for head acupuncture and group 4 for control. Fugl Meyer Assessment(FMA) and Facility Assessment For Function of Upper Limbs were applied to assess movement function before and after treatment.ResultsThe scores of FMA and Facility Assessment For Function of Upper Limbs rised more significantly in group 1,2, and 3 than group 4 (P<0.01) and group 1 outgo group 2,3 yet(P<0.05).Conclusions Head acupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques can improve the movement function of upper limbs of the stroke patients.
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@#ObjectiveTo study effect of head acupuncture combined with facilitation techniques on movement function, ADL, nervous function and prevention of complication, etc. after stroke.Methods120 stroke patients were divided randomly into four groups, group 1 for head acupuncture with facilitation techniques, group 2 for head acupuncture, group 3 for facilitation techniques, and group 4 for control. Fugl Meyer Assessment(FMA), Clinical Nervous Functional Damage Degree(CNFDD), Quality of Life(QOL), etc. were applied to assess movement and nervous function before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of FMA, CNFDD and ADL rised more significantly in group 1, 2 and 3 than group 4 (P<0.01). The complications, such as shoulder joint semi dislocation, shoulder hand syndrome, decreased more obviously in group 1 than in group 2, 3 and 4(P>0.05).Conclusions Head acupuncture combined with facilitation techniques can improve the movement function and activity of daily living of the stroke patients, decreasing complication.
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Although there are many unclear points concerning the functional mechanism of the head meridian points, clinically they are used in the treatment of almost every disease.<br>Using the visual evoked potential (VEP) as an index we used the points said to effective in the treatment of optical disease, the meridian points on the frontal and posterior head areas, and examined to see whether or not there is any relationship with the VEP.<br>As points of study we used:<br>1. Poists such as GB-15, GB-16, GB-16, BL-6, etc., the Chinese names of which make it possible to assume some relationship with the eyes.<br>2. BL-10, GB-20, etc. points generally used in the treatment of eye disease.<br>3. BL-8, BL-9, GV-18, points on the aspect of the head located in the periphery of the visual areas.<br>We classified our selection of points according to these three areas.<br>For the stimulation of the eyes we used the light stimulation apparatus attached to the encephelograph, set such that 1 stimulation per second was administered according to the signal of the electrical acupuncture apparatus. Records were made using a single induction electrode and double induction electrodes at me ridian points on the scalp.<br>In the results it was observed that compared with the meridian points in the periphery of the visual areas on the back of the head, (Group 3) the vibration amplitude was less with Group 1 and 2 meridian points however the wave pattern composition, etc., was very similar.<br>Concerning the appearance of VEP at the anterior head meridian points, from the fact that the latent period of the components was fast it can be thought that this has some relationship with the retina potential. We plan to supply further infomration and report on these facts.