Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for treating vascular dementia in rats and determine the optimal acupuncture point combination.
Results Summary
Acupuncture significantly improved cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia, with manual acupuncture outperforming electroacupuncture. The Baihui (GV20) + Dazhui (GV14) combination was most effective, and a specific protocol by Caiyu Peng et al. showed superior results. The study was limited to animal models.
Population
659 rats with vascular dementia (230 ± 10 g SD rats).
Effective Dosage
Manual acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing methods for 30 min per day.
Duration
14 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture treatment | decrease | - | animals | MD = - 21.68, 95% CI (- 25.77, - 17.59), P < 0.00001 | had a significant effect | #1 |
manual acupuncture | neutral | - | - | MD = - 0.42, 95% CI (- 12.72, 12.27) | demonstrated better efficacy than electroacupuncture did | #2 |
Baihui (GV20) + Dazhui (GV14) combination | decrease | - | - | MD = - 23.03, 95% CI (- 30.02, - 16.04), P < 0.00001 | yielded the best efficacy | #3 |
experiment conducted by Caiyu Peng et al. | decrease | - | - | MD = - 24.96, 95% CI (- 92.68, - 40.76) | exhibited superior efficacy | #4 |
Acupuncture | increase | cognitive function | rats with vascular dementia | - | significantly improves | #5 |
Manual acupuncture | neutral | - | - | - | is more effective than electroacupuncture | #6 |
manual acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 | neutral | - | - | - | yields the best results | #7 |
manual acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing methods for 30 min per day for 14 days at Mingmen (GV4), Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (GV16), Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Shuigou (GV26), Neiguan (PC6), Dalin (PC7), and Laogong (PC8) acupoints | neutral | - | 230 ± 10 g SD rats with two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model | - | best efficacy was observed | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for treating vascular dementia and to determine the optimal acupuncture point combination scheme for efficacy. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang electronic databases were searched up to July 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 software and Addis software were used to assess the risk of bias for each study, determine subgroup classifications, and conduct meta-analyses. RESULTS: A total of 29 RCTs involving 659 animals were ultimately included. The meta-analysis results revealed that acupuncture treatment had a significant effect compared with the vascular dementia model group [mean difference (MD) = - 21.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) (- 25.77, - 17.59), P < 0.00001]. Manual acupuncture demonstrated better efficacy than electroacupuncture did [MD = - 0.42, 95% CI (- 12.72, 12.27)]. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, the Baihui (GV20) + Dazhui (GV14) combination yielded the best efficacy [MD = - 23.03, 95% CI (- 30.02, - 16.04), P < 0.00001]. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the experiment conducted by Caiyu Peng et al. exhibited superior efficacy [MD = - 24.96, 95% CI (- 92.68, - 40.76)]. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture significantly improves cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia. Manual acupuncture is more effective than electroacupuncture. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, manual acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 yields the best results. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the best efficacy was observed when the two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model was used in 230 ± 10 g SD rats; when the Mingmen (GV4), Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (GV16), Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Shuigou (GV26), Neiguan (PC6), Dalin (PC7), and Laogong (PC8) acupoints were selected; and when manual acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing methods was used for 30 min per day for 14 days. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024551402.