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Wang X, Zhou H, Yan CQ, Shi GX, Zhou P, Huo JW, Yang JW, Zhang YN, Wang L, Cao Y, Liu CZ. Cognitive and Hippocampal Changes in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline After Acupuncture Intervention. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:1014-1027. [PMID: 38521736 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Converging evidence indicates that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) could be an early indicator of dementia. The hippocampus is the earliest affected region during the progression of cognitive impairment. However, little is known about whether and how acupuncture change the hippocampal structure and function of SCD individuals. METHODS Here, we used multi-modal MRI to reveal the mechanism of acupuncture in treating SCD. Seventy-two older participants were randomized into acupuncture or sham acupuncture group and treated for 12 weeks. RESULTS At the end of the intervention, compared to sham acupuncture, participants with acupuncture treatment showed improvement in composite Z score from multi-domain neuropsychological tests, as well as increased hippocampal volume and functional connectivity. Moreover, the greater white matter integrity of the fornix, which is the major output tract of the hippocampus, was shown in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acupuncture may improve the cognitive function of SCD individuals, and increase hippocampal volume on the regional level and enhance the structural and functional connectivity of hippocampus on the connective level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; School of Life Sciences (XW), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zhou
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chao-Qun Yan
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Wei Huo
- Department of Radiology (J-WH, Y-NZ), Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhang
- Department of Radiology (J-WH, Y-NZ), Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Cao
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina (XW, HZ, C-QY, G-XS, PZ, J-WY, LW, YC, C-ZL), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Li H, Lai L, Li X, Wang R, Fang X, Xu N, Zhao J. Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment by Regulating γ-Amino Butyric Acidergic Interneurons in the Hippocampus of 5 Familial Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:730-741. [PMID: 36604241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic dysfunction in excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) imbalance drives the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inhibitory interneurons play an important role in the regulation of E/I balance, synaptic transmission, and network oscillation through manipulation of GABAergic functions, showing positive outcomes in AD animal models. Mice expressing 5 familial AD mutation (5xFAD) exhibited a series of AD-like pathology and learning and memory deficits with age. Because electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been used for a complementary alternative medicine therapy in patients with AD, we aimed to examine any usefulness of EA therapy in GABA interneuron function and its associated synaptic proteins, to determine whether EA could effectively improve inhibitory transmission and network oscillation and eventually alleviate cognitive impairments in 5xFAD mice, and to further elucidate the GABAergic system function underlying the antidementia response of EA. MATERIALS AND METHODS 5xFAD mice were used to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU 20) and Dazhui (DU 14) through behavioral testing, immunofluorescence staining, electrophysiology recording, and molecular biology analysis. RESULTS First, we observed that EA improved memory deficits and inhibitory synaptic protein expression. Second, EA treatment alleviated the decrease of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the dorsal hippocampus. Third, EA attenuated E/I imbalance in 5xFAD mice. Last, EA treatment enhanced theta and gamma oscillation in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice. CONCLUSIONS EA stimulation at DU20 and DU14 acupoints may be a potential alternative therapy to ameliorate cognitive deficits in AD through the regulation of the function of the GABAergic interneuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhu Li
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rehabilitation, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanfeng Lai
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runyi Wang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Fang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nenggui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaying Zhao
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Chen Y, Li Y, Wu M, Li Z. Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice by inhibiting oxidative stress related hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis. Brain Res 2024; 1831:148744. [PMID: 38163562 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroacupuncture, recognized as a crucial non-pharmacological therapeutic approach, has demonstrated notable efficacy in enhancing cognitive function among Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective properties of electroacupuncture in APP/PS1 mice with AD. METHODS A total of thirty APP/PS1 mice were randomly assigned to three groups: the Alzheimer's disease group (AD), the electroacupuncture treatment group (EA), and the ferroptosis inhibitor deferasirox treatment group (DFX). Additionally, ten C57BL/6 mice were included as a control group (Control). In the EA group, mice underwent flat needling at Baihui and Yintang, as well as point needling at Renzhong, once daily for 15 min each time. In the DFX group, mice received intraperitoneal injections of deferasirox at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day. Following the 28-day treatment period, behavioral evaluation, morphological observation of neurons, and detection of neuronal ferroptosis were conducted. RESULTS The electroacupuncture treatment demonstrated a significant improvement in spatial learning, memory ability, and neuronal damage in mice with AD. Analysis of neuronal ferroptosis markers indicated that electroacupuncture interventions reduced the elevated levels of malondialdehyde, iron, and ptgs2 expression, while also increasing superoxide dismutase activity, Ferroportin 1 and glutathione peroxidase 4 expression. Moreover, the regulatory impact of electroacupuncture on ferroptosis may be attributed to its ability to enhance the expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that electroacupuncture could inhibit the neuronal ferroptosis by activating the antioxidant function in neurons through p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signal pathway, thereby improve the cognitive function of AD mice by the neuronal protection effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yitong Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Wu
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Kim JH, Shin JC, Kim AR, Seo BN, Park GC, Kang BK, Lee JS. Safety and efficacy of acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for clinical study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1346858. [PMID: 38560732 PMCID: PMC10979737 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1346858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediary condition between typical cognitive decline that occurs owing to aging and dementia. It is necessary to implement an intervention to slow the progression from MCI to Alzheimer's disease. This manuscript reports the protocol for a clinical trial on the effect of acupuncture in patients with MCI. Methods The trial will be a randomized, prospective, parallel-arm, active-controlled trial. Sixty-four patients with MCI will be randomized to the Rehacom or acupuncture group (n = 32 each). The participants in the acupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture at GV24 (Shenting) and GV20 (Baihui) and acupuncture at EX-HN1 (Sishencong) once (30 min) a day, twice per week for 12 weeks. The patients in the Rehacom group will receive computerized cognitive rehabilitation using RehaCom software once (30 min) daily, twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the change in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score. The secondary outcome measures are the Geriatric Depression Scale, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Korean version-cognitive subscale-3 scores, and European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Five Level Scale. The safety outcomes will include the incidence of adverse events, blood pressure, blood chemistry parameters, and pulse rate. The efficacy outcome will be assessed at baseline and at six weeks, 13 weeks, and 24 weeks after baseline. Discussion The findings of this protocol will provide information regarding the effects of acupuncture on MCI. Clinical trial registration https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?search_lang=E&focus=reset_12&search_page=M&pageSize=10&page=undefined&seq=25579&status=5&seq_group=25579, KCT0008861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, Republic of Korea
- Clinical Research Center, Dongshin University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Cheol Shin
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ae-Ran Kim
- Clinical Research Coordinating Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bok-Nam Seo
- Clinical Research Coordinating Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Cheon Park
- Clinical Research Center, Dongshin University Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Kab Kang
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Soon Lee
- Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Zhu F, Yin S, Ma T, Li L, Li S, Liu J, Wang Y, Mao S, Wu J. An overview of systematic reviews of acupuncture for neurodegenerative disease. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 91:103882. [PMID: 38150809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and a large number of systematic reviews (SRs) have been published, but the results are controversial. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively summarize and objectively evaluate the clinical evidence of acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the SRs that assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases. This overview is intended to provide evidence for clinical decision making by healthcare providers and policymakers and to provide evidence for clinical decision making by healthcare providers and policymakers and to provide recommendations for researchers to conduct high quality SRs and clinical studies. METHODS We searched four Chinese databases (SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP) and four international databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science) for SRs of acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases. The search period ran from the beginning of the database to March 5, 2023. Literature screening and data extraction were performed independently by two individuals. Methodological quality, risk of bias and associated evidence levels were assessed for all SRs using AMSTER 2, ROBIS and GRADE tools. In addition, the RCT overlap between SRs was calculated by corrected coverage area (CCA). We also conducted quantitative synthesis or descriptive analysis of the relevant data. RESULTS Finally, we identified 53 SRs (three were qualitative descriptions and fifty were meta-analyses). Under AMSTAR 2, only one SR was rated as moderate quality, six SRs as low quality and 46 SRs as very low quality. According to ROBIS, 33 SRs were rated as a high risk of bias and 20 as a low risk of bias. Cognitive functions in neurodegenerative diseases, activities of daily living and the motor and non-motor outcomes associated with PD were included to summary description. The pooled results show that acupuncture combined with conventional treatment may have an overall advantage over conventional treatment, but the quality of evidence is low. Specific adverse reactions/events were reported in 20 SRs. Common needle-related adverse events included pain, dizziness, bleeding, or subcutaneous hematoma. No severe adverse events were reported in any SRs. CONCLUSION Evidence suggests that acupuncture is generally effective and relatively safe for cognitive function and activities of daily living in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, acupuncture may have some benefits in improving motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. However, high-quality RCTs and SRs are still needed to further clarify the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengya Zhu
- Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, China; Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shao Yin
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Ma
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liuying Li
- Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, China; Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyun Li
- Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, China; Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Junqian Liu
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyi Mao
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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Ding Y, Li L, Wang S, Cao Y, Yang M, Dai Y, Lin H, Li J, Liu Y, Wang Z, Liu W, Tao J. Electroacupuncture promotes neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and improves pattern separation in an early Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Biol Res 2023; 56:65. [PMID: 38041203 PMCID: PMC10693055 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00472-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired pattern separation occurs in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) neurogenesis participates in pattern separation. Here, we investigated whether spatial memory discrimination impairment can be improved by promoting the hippocampal DG granule cell neogenesis-mediated pattern separation in the early stage of AD by electroacupuncture (EA). METHODS Five familial AD mutations (5 × FAD) mice received EA treatment at Baihui and Shenting points for 4 weeks. During EA, mice were intraperitoneally injected with BrdU (50 mg/kg) twice a day. rAAV containing Wnt5a shRNA was injected into the bilateral DG region, and the viral efficiency was evaluated by detecting Wnt5a mRNA levels. Cognitive behavior tests were conducted to assess the impact of EA treatment on cognitive function. The hippocampal DG area Aβ deposition level was detected by immunohistochemistry after the intervention; The number of BrdU+/CaR+ cells and the gene expression level of calretinin (CaR) and prospero homeobox 1(Prox1) in the DG area of the hippocampus was detected to assess neurogenesis by immunofluorescence and western blotting after the intervention; The gene expression levels of FZD2, Wnt5a, DVL2, p-DVL2, CaMKII, and p-CaMKII in the Wnt signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting after the intervention. RESULTS Cognitive behavioral tests showed that 5 × FAD mice had impaired pattern separation (P < 0.001), which could be improved by EA (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that the expression of Wnt5a in the hippocampus was decreased (P < 0.001), and the neurogenesis in the DG was impaired (P < 0.001) in 5 × FAD mice. EA could increase the expression level of Wnt5a (P < 0.05) and promote the neurogenesis of immature granule cells (P < 0.05) and the development of neuronal dendritic spines (P < 0.05). Interference of Wnt5a expression aggravated the damage of neurogenesis (P < 0.05), weakened the memory discrimination ability (P < 0.05), and inhibited the beneficial effect of EA (P < 0.05) in AD mice. The expression level of Wnt pathway related proteins such as FZD2, DVL2, p-DVL2, CAMKII, p-CAMKII increased after EA, but the effect of EA was inhibited after Wnt5a was knocked down. In addition, EA could reduce the deposition of Aβ plaques in the DG without any impact on Wnt5a. CONCLUSION EA can promote hippocampal DG immature granule cell neogenesis-mediated pattern separation to improve spatial memory discrimination impairment by regulating Wnt5a in 5 × FAD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyi Ding
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Long Li
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Sinuo Wang
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Yajun Cao
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Yaling Dai
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Huawei Lin
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Yulu Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
| | - Zhifu Wang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Weilin Liu
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China.
| | - Jing Tao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
- Provincial and Ministerial Co-founded Collaborative Innovation Center of Rehabilitation Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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Yin Z, Wang Z, Li Y, Zhou J, Chen Z, Xia M, Zhang X, Wu J, Zhao L, Liang F. Neuroimaging studies of acupuncture on Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:63. [PMID: 36823586 PMCID: PMC9948384 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture effectively improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many neuroimaging studies have found significant brain alterations after acupuncture treatment of AD, but the underlying central modulation mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide neuroimaging evidence to understand the central mechanisms of acupuncture in patients with AD. METHODS Relevant neuroimaging studies about acupuncture for AD were retrieved from eight English and Chinese medicine databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, WF, VIP) and other resources from inception of databases until June 1, 2022, and their methodological quality was assessed using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS - I. Brain neuroimaging information was extracted to investigate the potential neural mechanism of acupuncture for AD. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS Thirteen neuroimaging studies involving 275 participants were included in this review, and the overall methodological quality of included studies was moderate. The approaches applied included task-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (ts-fMRI; n = 9 studies) and rest-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI; n = 4 studies). All studies focused on the instant effect of acupuncture on the brains of AD participants, including the cingulate gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and cerebellum, indicating that acupuncture may regulate the default mode, central executive, and frontoparietal networks. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence of the neural mechanisms underlying the effect of acupuncture on AD involving cognitive- and motor-associated networks. However, this evidence is still in the preliminary investigation stage. Large-scale, well-designed, multimodal neuroimaging trials are still required to provide comprehensive insight into the central mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture on AD. (Systematic review registration at PROSPERO, No. CRD42022331527).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Yin
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China ,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- grid.517561.1the Fourth People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenghong Chen
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China ,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Manze Xia
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China ,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China ,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiajing Wu
- grid.417409.f0000 0001 0240 6969School of Nursing, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China. .,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
| | - Fanrong Liang
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China. .,Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
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Zhang Z, Chen L, Guo Y, Li D, Zhang J, Liu L, Fan W, Guo T, Qin S, Zhao Y, Xu Z, Chen Z. The neuroprotective and neural circuit mechanisms of acupoint stimulation for cognitive impairment. Chin Med 2023; 18:8. [PMID: 36670425 PMCID: PMC9863122 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00707-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a prevalent neurological disorder that burdens families and the healthcare system. Current conventional therapies for cognitive impairment, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists, are unable to completely stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Also, these medicines may cause serious problems with the digestive system, cardiovascular system, and sleep. Clinically, stimulation of acupoints has the potential to ameliorate the common symptoms of a variety of cognitive disorders, such as memory deficit, language dysfunction, executive dysfunction, reduced ability to live independently, etc. There are common acupoint stimulation mechanisms for treating various types of cognitive impairment, but few systematic analyses of the underlying mechanisms in this domain have been performed. This study comprehensively reviewed the basic research from the last 20 years and found that acupoint stimulation can effectively improve the spatial learning and memory of animals. The common mechanism may be that acupoint stimulation protects hippocampal neurons by preventing apoptosis and scavenging toxic proteins. Additionally, acupoint stimulation has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, promoting neural regeneration, regulating synaptic plasticity, and normalizing neural circuits by restoring brain functional activity and connectivity. Acupoint stimulation also inhibits the production of amyloid β-peptide and the phosphorylation of Tau protein, suggesting that it may protect neurons by promoting correct protein folding and regulating the degradation of toxic proteins via the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. However, the benefits of acupoint stimulation still need to be further explored in more high-quality studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichen Zhang
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China
| | - Liuyi Chen
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.257143.60000 0004 1772 1285First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Guo
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Li
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Liu
- grid.257143.60000 0004 1772 1285First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Fan
- grid.412879.10000 0004 0374 1074Department of Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Course, Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka City, 5100293 Japan
| | - Tao Guo
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China
| | - Siru Qin
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yadan Zhao
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhifang Xu
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zelin Chen
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617 People’s Republic of China ,grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381 People’s Republic of China
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Tsai ST, Nithiyanantham S, Satyanarayanan SK, Su KP. Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on the Concept of Mind-Body Interface. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1411:435-458. [PMID: 36949321 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7376-5_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we conducted a systemic literature review for the anti-inflammatory effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applying molecular mechanisms focusing on the neuroinflammation and gut-brain axis in three neuropsychiatric disorders: major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. We demonstrated the anti-inflammation or immunomodulation effects of TCM, including acupuncture, from basic and clinical research, including cellular and molecular approaches. In conclusion, inflammation plays a critical role in the neuropsychopathological process. At the same time, anti-inflammation seems to be the common biological pathway for the effects of TCM and acupuncture in depression, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Ta Tsai
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Srinivasan Nithiyanantham
- Department of Psychiatry and Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan
- Department of Psychiatry and Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Department of Psychiatry and Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
- An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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10
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Zhou K, He J, Quan L, Guo R. Clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: A protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30705. [PMID: 36181104 PMCID: PMC9524917 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) is a common cause of dementia, and there are still a lack of treatment options to reverse or prevent disease progression. Existing evidence shows that acupuncture has advantages in the treatment of AD, but whether the efficacy of acupuncture belongs to the placebo effect remains controversial, and there is no strict placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of AD. METHODS This is a prospective randomized, a single-blind, sham-acupuncture controlled trial to study the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of mild to moderate AD. Participants will be randomly divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group using acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride orally, and the control group using sham acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride orally, followed up for 24 weeks after 24 weeks of continuous treatment. Outcome measures included: AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale, mini-mental state examination, activities of daily living, neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire, serum superoxide dismutase, and homocysteine levels. Finally, SPASS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. DISCUSSION This study will evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in improving cognitive function and activities of daily living in AD patients. The results of this study will verify whether the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of AD belongs to the placebo effect, which will also provide a reference for the clinical use of acupuncture combined with Western medicine in the treatment of AD. TRIAL REGISTRATION The TCTR identification number is TCTR20220817004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangmei Zhou
- Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade, Deyang, China
| | - Jierong He
- Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade, Deyang, China
| | - Lin Quan
- Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade, Deyang, China
| | - Rong Guo
- Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade, Deyang, China
- *Correspondence: Rong Guo, Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade, No. 122, West Section 4, Liuyang Road, Guanghan City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province 618300, China (e-mail:)
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11
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Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease: an overview of systematic reviews. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 78:1567-1587. [PMID: 35881170 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-022-03363-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. In this umbrella systematic review (SR), we summarized the efficacy of different pharmacological interventions in improving cognitive function in patients with AD. METHODS A systematic search was performed through the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases for SRs of studies assessing the efficacy of pharmacological interventions versus placebo in improving cognitive function in AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Risk of Bias in SRs (ROBIS) tool. RESULTS Out of 1748 articles found through the database survey, 33 SR articles were included. These studies assessed effects of immunotherapy, cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), memantine, statins, lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidiabetic agents, Cerebrolysin, RAS-targeting antihypertensive drugs (ARBs and ACEIs), psychostimulants, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibitors, melatonin, and herbal medications on cognitive function in AD patients. There was no notable overall RoB in 18 studies (54.5%), the RoB in 14 studies (42.4%) was high, and in one study (3.0%) it was unclear. CONCLUSIONS The use of ChEIs, including rivastigmine, galantamine, and donepezil, as well as memantine has demonstrated a positive impact on improving cognitive outcomes of AD patients, but no considerable effects were found for immunotherapies. Melatonin, statins, antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetic agents, Cerebrolysin, psychostimulants, and some herbal drugs such as Danggui-Shaoyao-San and Ginkgo biloba seem to be effective in improving cognitive function of AD patients, but the evidence in this regard is limited.
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12
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Wang YC, Wu CC, Huang APH, Hsieh PC, Kung WM. Combination of Acupoints for Alzheimer's Disease: An Association Rule Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:872392. [PMID: 35757540 PMCID: PMC9213672 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.872392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an ongoing neurological degeneration characterized by amnesia and a decline in cognitive abilities. Hippocampal neurogenesis is the leading cause of AD. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodromal state of AD, is mainly due to the degradation of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Previous systematic reviews demonstrated that treatment with acupuncture with Chinese herbs is tolerable and effective in improving cognitive function in patients with AD. Our investigation aimed to discover the main acupoint combination for AD management based on a preceding systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs). Materials and Methods Our investigation was executed using association rule analysis, which is a common data mining technique accessible within R. Our study elucidated acupoint locations as binary data from 15 of the included studies using the Apriori algorithm. Results Thirty-two acupoints were selected from 15 RCTs. The 10 most frequent acupoints were selected. We inspected 503 association rules using the interpreted acupuncture data. The obtained results showed that {SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6} were the most associated rules in 15 RCTs. Conclusion The combination of acupoints ({SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6}) can be acknowledged as a core combination for future acupuncture regimens of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chin Wang
- Department of Emergency, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Chen Wu
- Department of Healthcare Information and Management, School of Health Technology, Ming Chuan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Abel Po-Hao Huang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chun Hsieh
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Woon-Man Kung
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, College of Kinesiology and Health, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Wang YC, Wu CC, Huang APH, Hsieh PC, Kung WM. Combination of Acupoints for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Association Rule Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.872392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an ongoing neurological degeneration characterized by amnesia and a decline in cognitive abilities. Hippocampal neurogenesis is the leading cause of AD. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodromal state of AD, is mainly due to the degradation of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Previous systematic reviews demonstrated that treatment with acupuncture with Chinese herbs is tolerable and effective in improving cognitive function in patients with AD. Our investigation aimed to discover the main acupoint combination for AD management based on a preceding systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs).Materials and MethodsOur investigation was executed using association rule analysis, which is a common data mining technique accessible within R. Our study elucidated acupoint locations as binary data from 15 of the included studies using the Apriori algorithm.ResultsThirty-two acupoints were selected from 15 RCTs. The 10 most frequent acupoints were selected. We inspected 503 association rules using the interpreted acupuncture data. The obtained results showed that {SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6} were the most associated rules in 15 RCTs.ConclusionThe combination of acupoints ({SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6}) can be acknowledged as a core combination for future acupuncture regimens of AD.
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14
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Wang YC, Wu CC, Huang APH, Hsieh PC, Kung WM. Combination of Acupoints for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Association Rule Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.872392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an ongoing neurological degeneration characterized by amnesia and a decline in cognitive abilities. Hippocampal neurogenesis is the leading cause of AD. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodromal state of AD, is mainly due to the degradation of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Previous systematic reviews demonstrated that treatment with acupuncture with Chinese herbs is tolerable and effective in improving cognitive function in patients with AD. Our investigation aimed to discover the main acupoint combination for AD management based on a preceding systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs).Materials and MethodsOur investigation was executed using association rule analysis, which is a common data mining technique accessible within R. Our study elucidated acupoint locations as binary data from 15 of the included studies using the Apriori algorithm.ResultsThirty-two acupoints were selected from 15 RCTs. The 10 most frequent acupoints were selected. We inspected 503 association rules using the interpreted acupuncture data. The obtained results showed that {SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6} were the most associated rules in 15 RCTs.ConclusionThe combination of acupoints ({SP6, BI10} ≥ {HT7} and {HT7, BI10} ≥ {SP6}) can be acknowledged as a core combination for future acupuncture regimens of AD.
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15
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The Comparative Efficacy of Multiple Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:3288948. [PMID: 35620408 PMCID: PMC9129975 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3288948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Numerous cases have illustrated that the acupuncture method could improve AD patients' cognitive function and daily living ability. However, the optimal acupuncture treatments remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to compare the efficacy of multiple acupuncture therapies for AD and identify the optimal acupuncture intervention for delaying AD progression. Methods To select potentially concerned randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we searched four English databases, four Chinese databases, and additional sources from 1 May 2021. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. The primary outcome was global cognitive function improvement. Pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed using STATA v15.0 and ADDIS v1.16.8. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results This study included 34 RCTs with 2,071 participants. Regarding global cognitive function improvement, the pairwise meta-analysis confirmed that electronic acupuncture (EA) plus conventional medicine (CM) and manual acupuncture (MA) plus CM were statistically significantly different from CM, and EA plus CM was ranked as the best combination in the network meta-analysis. In terms of response rate, MA outperformed CM statistically significantly; warm acupuncture (WA) was ranked as the best in the network meta-analysis. Regarding activity of daily living improvement, EA plus CM, MA plus CM, and fire acupuncture plus CM, MA, and scalp acupuncture were statistically significantly different from CM, and EA plus CM was ranked as the best combination in the network meta-analysis. However, the evidences were ranked as low to critically low. Conclusions Acupuncture, as a monotherapy or an adjuvant therapy, may have a beneficial effect on efficacy for AD. EA plus CM may be the optimal acupuncture therapy for AD and should be administered to AD patients. It may aid and support patient, operative, and societal decision-making. Due to the dearth of high-quality evidence, additional high-quality studies should be conducted to ensure these findings in the future. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021252305).
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16
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Lin CJ, Yeh ML, Wu SF, Chung YC, Lee JCH. Acupuncture-related treatments improve cognitive and physical functions in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Rehabil 2022; 36:609-635. [PMID: 35229686 DOI: 10.1177/02692155221079117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine acupuncture-related treatments' effects and duration on improving cognitive function, physical function, and quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease. DATA SOURCES Eight electronic databases were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials from database inception to January 2021, including Medline, PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Cochrane, Airiti Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Journal Full-text Database. REVIEW METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on acupuncture types, cognitive function, activity of daily life, muscle strength and quality of life. RESULTS Sixty-six studies in total with 4191 participants, the overall risk of bias was classified 60% as low and 24% as high. Acupuncture-related treatments for cognitive function and self-care ability revealed a moderate effect size, with a significant difference in noninvasive and invasive remedies (p < 0.001). Cognitive function showed significant differences in 6, 8, 12, and 24 weeks while self-care ability in the latter two weeks (p < 0.001). Meta-regression analysis showed cognitive function increased by 0.05 points (p = 0.002) and self-care ability decreased by 0.02 points (p = 0.04) after weekly treatment. There was a significant difference in muscle strength (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION Acupuncture-related treatments effectively improved cognitive function with the treatment lasted 6 weeks at least, but self-care ability started showing effects after 12 weeks of treatment. The improvement of muscle strength was also confirmed. Acupuncture-related treatments, particularly noninvasive ones, have few complications and high safety, perhaps providing patients and caregivers diversified choices and clinical care guidelines for reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Ju Lin
- 145469Hsinchu Cathay General Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan; National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei
| | - Mei-Ling Yeh
- 38028National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fang Wu
- 38028National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chu Chung
- 117141Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu
| | - Justin Chen-Hao Lee
- 38028National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Yin W, Lv G, Li C, Sun J. Acupuncture therapy for Alzheimer's disease: The effectiveness and potential mechanisms. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 304:2397-2411. [PMID: 34623030 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that accounts for approximately 70% of dementia. Following the global escalation of the aging process, the morbidity of AD is increasing rapidly. The current treatment for AD is mainly limited to medications, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in improving memory and cognitive functions is not satisfactory. It is a challenge to find an effective alternative therapy for ameliorating AD symptoms. As an important therapeutic technique in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been proved effective in treating many neurologic diseases including AD. The efficacy of acupuncture is also acknowledged by the National Institutes of Health of the United States. Here, we summarized the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating AD. Especially, the role of acupuncture at certain acupuncture points in modulating the brain function through meridians activity based on Chinese meridian theory is discussed. How acupuncture at a certain acupoint can improve AD symptoms is also described. Furthermore, the possible molecular mechanisms of acupuncture for AD are reviewed, and the role of acupuncture in modulating signaling molecules in neural protection and homeostasis is highlighted. This study may help to understand the theoretical basis and potential molecular mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yin
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guoying Lv
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuangang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinhao Sun
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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18
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Guzman-Martinez L, Calfío C, Farias GA, Vilches C, Prieto R, Maccioni RB. New Frontiers in the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:S51-S63. [PMID: 33523002 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the major puzzles in medical research and public health systems worldwide is Alzheimer's disease (AD), reaching nowadays a prevalence near 50 million people. This is a multifactorial brain disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, apathy, and mood and neuropsychiatric disorders. The main risk of AD is aging; a normal biological process associated with a continuum dynamic involving a gradual loss of people's physical capacities, but with a sound experienced view of life. Studies suggest that AD is a break from normal aging with changes in the powerful functional capacities of neurons as well as in the mechanisms of neuronal protection. In this context, an important path has been opened toward AD prevention considering that there are elements of nutrition, daily exercise, avoidance of toxic substances and drugs, an active social life, meditation, and control of stress, to achieve healthy aging. Here, we analyze the involvement of such factors and how to control environmental risk factors for a better quality of life. Prevention as well as innovative screening programs for early detection of the disease using reliable biomarkers are becoming critical to control the disease. In addition, the failure of traditional pharmacological treatments and search for new drugs has stimulated the emergence of nutraceutical compounds in the context of a "multitarget" therapy, as well as mindfulness approaches shown to be effective in the aging, and applied to the control of AD. An integrated approach involving all these preventive factors combined with novel pharmacological approaches should pave the way for the future control of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Guzman-Martinez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine and Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Calfío
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine and Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A Farias
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine North, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Raul Prieto
- Traumatological Institute of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo B Maccioni
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine and Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine East, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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19
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Jeong JH, Jung C, Kim J, Kim JY, Kim HS, Park YC, Lee JH, Jung IC. Investigation of combined treatment of acupuncture and neurofeedback for improving cognitive function in mild neurocognitive disorder: A randomized, assessor-blind, pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27218. [PMID: 34664858 PMCID: PMC8448021 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) is an intermediate state that can progress to dementia, and the cognitive reserve of MND is an important task in preventing dementia. Acupuncture and neurofeedback (NF) training have been used to improve cognitive function and treat MND or dementia, but their effectiveness remains controversial. In this trial, we will evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined NF-acupuncture treatment in comparison with single acupuncture treatment. METHODS AND DESIGN This study is a randomized, assessor-blind, pilot trial. It is designed in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. A total of 44 MND participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled, and each will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups of 22 subjects. Each subject will visit 24 times over 12 weeks and receive either acupuncture or NF-acupuncture combined treatment. At visit 25 (week 13), a follow-up evaluation will be performed, and then the investigator will analyze the results. The primary outcome is defined by the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score from screening to visit 25. The secondary outcome includes the following: change in Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive, the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory, Body Awareness Questionnaire, delayed matching to sample task scores, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy values, from visit 1 to visit 25; heart rate variability values from visit 1 to visit 5, visit 9, visit 13, visit 21, visit 25; breath per minute values from visit 1 to visit 1 to 25. DISCUSSION We will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined NF-acupuncture therapy, and expect that it will serve as the basis for the use of NF together with acupuncture in the clinical setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER KCT0004972 (registered in Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/16239).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hyung Jeong
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjin Jung
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Kim
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Sook Kim
- Clinical trial center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang-Chun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hwan Lee
- Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea
- Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology (UST), Republic of Korea
| | - In Chul Jung
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Clinical trial center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, Republic of Korea
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20
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Zhang J, Li Z, Li Z, Li J, Hu Q, Xu J, Yu H. Progress of Acupuncture Therapy in Diseases Based on Magnetic Resonance Image Studies: A Literature Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:694919. [PMID: 34489662 PMCID: PMC8417610 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.694919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural mechanisms of acupuncture are not well-understood. Over the past decades, an increasing number of studies have used MRI to investigate the response of the brain to acupuncture. The current review aims to provide an update on acupuncture therapy in disease. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2021. Article selection and data extraction were conducted by two review authors. A total of 107 publications about MRI in acupuncture were included, the collective findings of which were as follows: (1) stroke and GB34 (Yanglingquan) are the most studied disease and acupoint. Related studies suggested that the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for stroke may associate with structural and functional plasticity, left and right hemispheres balance, and activation of brain areas related to movement and cognition. GB34 is mainly used in stroke and Parkinson's disease, which mainly activates brain response in the premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the supramarginal gyrus; (2) resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and functional connectivity (FC) analysis are the most frequently used approaches; (3) estimates of efficacy and brain response to acupuncture depend on the type of sham acupuncture (SA) used for comparison. Brain processing after acupuncture differs between patients and health controls (HC) and occurs mainly in disorder-related areas. Factors that influence the effect of acupuncture include depth of needling, number and locations of acupoints, and deqi and expectation effect, each contributing to the brain response. While studies using MRI have increased understanding of the mechanism underlying the effects of acupuncture, there is scope for development in this field. Due to the small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and analytical methods, the results were inconsistent. Further studies with larger sample sizes, careful experimental design, multimodal neuroimaging techniques, and standardized methods should be conducted to better explain the efficacy and specificity of acupuncture, and to prepare for accurate efficacy prediction in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhuan Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zihan Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhixian Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaying Li
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingmao Hu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinping Xu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Department of Acupuncture, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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21
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Yu CC, Du YJ, Wang SQ, Liu LB, Shen F, Wang L, Lin YF, Kong LH. Experimental Evidence of the Benefits of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:549772. [PMID: 33408601 PMCID: PMC7779610 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.549772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is also increasing. At present, there are no widely recognized drugs able to ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction caused by AD. The failure of several promising clinical trials in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for novel strategies to both prevent and treat AD. Notably, a growing body of literature supports the efficacy of acupuncture for AD. In this review, we summarize the previously reported mechanisms of acupuncture's beneficial effects in AD, including the ability of acupuncture to modulate Aβ metabolism, tau phosphorylation, neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, synapse and neuron function, autophagy, neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cerebral glucose metabolism, and brain responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that acupuncture provides therapeutic effects for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Qin Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Le-Bin Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Rongjun Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Shen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Fang Lin
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Hong Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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22
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Ma SQ, Huang HP, Li MQ, Yu B, Zhang LY, Huang K, Li MY, Yao L, Wang HF. Effects of acupuncture on dementia: An overview of systematic reviews. Eur J Integr Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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23
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Cai M, Yang EJ. Effect of Combined Electroacupuncture and Selegiline Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease: An Animal Model. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:606480. [PMID: 33362561 PMCID: PMC7758426 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.606480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of pathological mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant challenges to the development of corresponding drugs. Symptom-specific pharmacological interventions and alternative treatments provide promising treatment possibilities. Therefore, we considered a combination of selegiline (SEL) and electroacupuncture (EA). We used an animal model with AD to investigate the effect of a combination of these treatments on cognitive function. 5XFAD mice received a week of SEL treatment and 2 weeks of EA. Novel object recognition and Y-maze tests were subsequently performed to assess their cognitive functions. To determine the molecular action of the combination treatment, Western blots, Aβ1-42 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and micro-positron-emission tomography were also performed to assess pathological markers and processes. The results were assessed based on the difference between untreated transgenic, SEL-treated, and SEL- and EA-treated groups of mice. Mice in the combined treatment group demonstrated significantly better cognitive functions, and lesser neuroinflammation than the comparative groups. In addition, mice treated with a combination of SEL and EA did not demonstrate a direct modulation of insoluble Aβ but demonstrated greater glucose metabolism. Our findings demonstrated that SEL combined with EA treatment was associated with better cognitive functioning due to inhibition of neuroinflammation and increased glucose metabolism relative to the comparative groups in a mouse model with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudan Cai
- Department of Herbal Medicine Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Department of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
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24
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Huang J, Shen M, Qin X, Wu M, Liang S, Huang Y. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:574023. [PMID: 33328956 PMCID: PMC7729156 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.574023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture may be an effective complementary treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence provided by systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) on the effect of acupuncture on AD. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception until October 19, 2020. The methodological quality, reporting quality, and risk of bias of the included SRs were assessed by the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Moreover, the evidence quality of the outcome measures was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: Eleven SRs/MAs met all inclusion criteria. According to the results of the AMSTAR-2, all included reviews were rated critically as being of low quality. With PRISMA, the reporting checklist was relatively complete, but some reporting weaknesses remained in the topics of the protocol and registration, search strategy, risk of bias, additional analyses, and funding. Based on the ROBIS tool, only two SRs/MAs had a low risk of bias. With the GRADE system, no high-quality evidence was found, and only seven outcomes provided moderate-quality evidence. Among the downgraded factors, the risk of bias within the original trials was ranked first, followed by inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias. Conclusions: Acupuncture is a promising complementary treatment for AD. However, due to the low quality of the SRs/MAs supporting these results, high-quality studies with rigorous study designs and larger samples are needed before widespread recommendations can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinke Huang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Shen
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Qin
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manli Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Simin Liang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Su XT, Wang LQ, Li JL, Zhang N, Wang L, Shi GX, Yang JW, Liu CZ. Acupuncture Therapy for Cognitive Impairment: A Delphi Expert Consensus Survey. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:596081. [PMID: 33328975 PMCID: PMC7732673 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.596081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Current research evidence challenges clinical decision-making when acupuncture is taken into consideration in the treatment of cognitive impairment (CI). Aiming to provide some viable recommendations for acupuncture practitioners in dealing with actual clinic issues, an expert consensus study was conducted. Methods A clinical question investigation among 47 acupuncturists yielded 24 initial items. Subsequently, systematic reviews on acupuncture for CI were searched within three online databases. A panel of 30 authoritative experts were requested to respond with agreement, neutrality, or disagreement for each item. Consensus establishment was defined as the percentage of agreement on a given item >80%. Results Following a 2-round Delphi survey, there were 21 items reaching consensus and three items resulting in no consensus; of which 10 items reached 90∼100% agreement, and 80∼90% expert agreement was achieved for 11 items. These items could be roughly categorized into six domains: (1) therapeutic effects of acupuncture, (2) therapeutic principles, (3) acupoint selection and combination, (4) acupuncture parameters, (5) considerable combined therapies, and (6) possible adverse events. Conclusion Without ready-made guidelines, this expert consensus may be conducive to guide acupuncturists in implementing clinical acupuncture practice for CI. Moreover, given the lack of high-quality research evidence and plenty of unresolved clinical issues in this field, it is of necessity to carry out more studies to better clarify the treatment algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Tong Su
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Qiong Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Ling Li
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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26
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Wang LY, Pei J, Zhan YJ, Cai YW. Overview of Meta-Analyses of Five Non-pharmacological Interventions for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:594432. [PMID: 33324194 PMCID: PMC7723835 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.594432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory deficits, cognitive decline, and spatial disorientation. Non-pharmacological interventions to treat AD have been reported in many meta-analyses (MAs), but robust conclusions have not been made because of variations in the scope, quality, and findings of these reviews. Objective: This work aimed to review existing MAs to provide an overview of existing evidence on the effects of five non-pharmacological interventions in AD patients on three outcomes: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), activities of daily living (ADL), and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive section (ADAS-cog). Methods: The databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to collect MAs of non-pharmacological interventions for AD. Two reviewers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. We assessed the quality of MAs with the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 and assessed the evidence quality for significant outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results: We found 10 eligible MAs, which included between three (133 patients) and 15 randomized trials (1,217 patients), and five non-pharmacological interventions, namely, acupuncture therapy (40%), exercise intervention (30%), music therapy (10%), cognitive intervention (10%), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (10%). All the included MAs were critically low to low quality by AMSTAR 2. Acupuncture therapy and exercise intervention showed the preliminary potential to improve ADL and MMSE. rTMS and acupuncture therapy show benefits in decreasing ADAS-cog, and there were some evidence of improved MMSE with cognitive intervention. All these outcomes scored very low quality to moderate quality of evidence on the GRADE system. Conclusions: Non-pharmacological therapy shows promise for the treatment of AD, but there is still a lack of high-quality evidence. In the future, the quality of the original research needs to be improved, and strictly designed MAs should be carried out following methodological requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liao-Yao Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Pei
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Jun Zhan
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Wen Cai
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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27
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Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Sports-Related Injuries in Athletes: A Systematic Review of Case Reports. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17218226. [PMID: 33172218 PMCID: PMC7664377 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is one of the representative complementary and alternative medicine treatments used for various types of pain. This systematic review summarized and analyzed clinical case reports/series utilizing acupuncture for treating sports injuries in athletes, thereby providing the basis for further research to establish clinical evidence on acupuncture treatment in sports medicine. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Embase including MEDLINE up to 21 August 2019 without language and publication date restrictions. Due to the heterogeneity of each study, explanatory and descriptive analyses were performed. As a result, in each case report/series, it was confirmed that acupuncture was applied for treating various types of sports injuries experienced by athletes. Acupuncture can help relieve short-term pain and recover from dysfunction and has been used as a useful, noninvasive, and conservative modality for managing sports injuries such as lateral meniscus rupture, femoral acetabular impingement, ganglion cysts, and sports hernia. In addition, acupuncture has been suggested as a treatment worth trying for diseases such as yips and delayed onset muscle soreness. The included cases showed some potential of acupuncture in the treatment of various types of sports injuries, beyond pain control in musculoskeletal disorders. However, considering that this review was based on case reports/series, a limited understanding of the clinical value of acupuncture in athletes is required. In the future, more specific research questions and hypotheses should be addressed to generate evidence based on experimental research.
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28
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Wang L, Xu J, Zhan Y, Pei J. Acupuncture therapy for Alzheimer's disease: A protocol for an overview of systematic reviews. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e20244. [PMID: 32481301 PMCID: PMC7249950 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000020244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the fifth-leading cause of death in people more than 65 years old. Acupuncture therapy has been traditionally used to treat various kinds of health problems including AD. This protocol aims to summarize the available evidence from current systematic reviews (SRs) for the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for AD. METHODS Seven databases will be searched: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). SRs/meta-analyses (MAs) of acupuncture therapy for AD which were reported in Chinese or English will be included. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of the study quality will be performed independently by 2 or more reviewers. And the methodological quality, report quality and evidence quality will be evaluated by Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses Statement (PRISMA) checklist and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, respectively. RESULTS The article in this overview will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION We expect to compile evidence from multiple systematic reviews of acupuncture therapy in AD patients in an accessible and useful document.Registration number: INPLASY202040035.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Acupuncture
- Special Wards, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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29
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Wang YY, Yu SF, Xue HY, Li Y, Zhao C, Jin YH. Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:98. [PMID: 32435187 PMCID: PMC7218057 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The effects of acupuncture on Alzheimer's disease (AD) outcomes remain controversial. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of AD. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials from inception to January 19, 2019. Data were extracted and evaluated by two authors independently. The data analysis was conducted using R (version 3.6.0) and RStudio (version 1.2.1335) software. Results: Thirty trials involving 2,045 patients were included. Acupuncture plus drug therapy may have been more beneficial for general cognitive function in AD patients than drug therapy alone (short-term treatment: MD, mean difference = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.77; p < 0.01; medium-term treatment: MD = 4.41, 95% CI: 1.83, 7.00; p < 0.01). People who received acupuncture plus drug therapy attained higher ADL (Activities of Daily Living) scores than patients who received drug therapy alone for medium-term treatment duration (MD = −2.14; 95% CI: −3.69, −0.59; p < 0.01). However, there is no statistically significant difference in subgroup effect on MMSE (Mini-mental Status Examination) and ADLs (p > 0.05) when comparing acupuncture treatment with drug therapy (such as Donepezil hydrochloride, Nimodipine, or Yizhijiannao), or acupuncture plus drug therapy (such as Donepezil hydrochloride, Dangguishaoyaosan, or Jiannaosan) with drug therapy alone. There was also no significant difference in general cognitive function, ADLs, or incidence of adverse events between acupuncture treatment and drug therapy (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This review indicates that acupuncture plus drug therapy may have a more beneficial effect for AD patients than drug therapy alone on general cognitive function in the short and medium term and on ADLs in the medium term. Acupuncture alone may not have superior effects compared with drug therapy on global cognitive function, ADLs, and incidence of adverse events. Duration of treatment may not modify the effect of acupuncture in comparison with drug therapy. Additional large-scale and high-quality clinical trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yun Wang
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shao-Fu Yu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, China
| | - Hong-Yang Xue
- Medical Department of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Li
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Hui Jin
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, China
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30
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Yang Y, Hu S, He J, Zhang J, Tang C. The effects of acupuncture on cognitive deficits in transgenic mouse studies of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: Study protocol of a systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e17557. [PMID: 31626119 PMCID: PMC6824744 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000017557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. The major clinical features of both are progressive memory loss and progressive cognitive loss. The objective of this systematic review protocol is to provide the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment on cognitive deficits in transgenic mouse. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will search the electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, as well as the Chinese databases such as Chinese Biomedicine Literature (CBM), Chinese Medical Current Content (CMCC), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), WanFang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inceptions to July 2019. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for the data synthesis and the quality of each study was assessed independently by use of the CAMARADES checklist. RESULTS This review will provide a high-quality synthesis based on present evidence of acupuncture treatment for AD and MCI in transgenic mouse models. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review will provide evidence for weather acupuncture is an effective intervention for AD and MCI in transgenic mouse models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not necessary since this protocol is only for systematic review and does not involve privacy data or conduct an animal experiment. This protocol will be disseminated by a peer-review journal or conference presentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO CRD42019142985. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY This systematic review will be the first to provide new knowledge underlying the effectiveness to improve cognitive function of acupuncture treatment for AD and MCI in transgenic mouse models. The result of this systematic review may provide experimental and theoretical basis for the future clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of AD.The limitation of this systematic review may come from language barriers, because only English and Chinese can be included. Also, this study includes various kinds of acupuncture treatments which may result in essential heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou
| | - Shaowen Hu
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou
| | - Jiang He
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou
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