Effect of auricular acupuncture on neuroplasticity of stroke patients with motor dysfunction: A fNIRS study

Acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity: An overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) is the most common complication of stroke. Acupuncture is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of PSS, and is therefore considered a common complementary treatment. Several systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of PSS; however, the quality of evidence of these studies has not been adequately assessed.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and summarize the SRs/MAs and inform future research and clinical practice on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for PSS.

DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACION

The following databases were searched from their dates of inception to March 26, 2023: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, SinoMed, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and grey literature were manually searched. Two reviewers independently completed literature retrieval, screening, and data extraction.

REVIEW APPRAISAL

Systematic evaluation tools to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020 Checklist), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system were used to systematically evaluate the methodological, reporting, and evidence quality of the SRs/MAs.

RESULTS

Overall, 226 papers were examined, and after careful consideration, 10 SRs/MAs were deemed eligible for inclusion. The AMSTAR 2 assessment revealed that one SR/MA had medium, one study had low, and the remaining eight studies had critically low methodological qualities. Additionally, four SRs/MAs completed more than 60 % of the PRISMA 2020 checklist. The GRADE system indicated that six outcomes were medium, 26 outcomes were low, and 24 outcomes were critically low.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evidence, acupuncture may be a promising complementary treatment to improve post-stroke spasticity and quality of life. Further high-quality RCTs are needed in future studies to support the broader application of acupuncture for the treatment of PSS.

Applications of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in non-drug therapy of traditional Chinese medicine: a review

Non-drug therapies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, massage, tai chi chuan, and Baduanjin, have emerged as widespread interventions for the treatment of various diseases in clinical practice. In recent years, preliminary studies on the mechanisms of non-drug therapies of TCM have been mostly based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology. FNIRS is an innovative, non-invasive tool to monitor hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. Our review included clinical research conducted over the last 10 years, establishing fNIRS as a reliable and stable neuroimaging technique. This review explores new applications of this technology in the field of neuroscience. First, we summarize the working principles of fNIRS. We then present preventive research on the use of fNIRS in healthy individuals and therapeutic research on patients undergoing non-drug therapies of TCM. Finally, we emphasize the potential for encouraging future advancements in fNIRS studies to establish a theoretical framework for research in related fields.

Trends in Acupuncture Therapy for Microcirculation and Hemorheology from 1998 to 2023: A Bibliometric and Visualized Study

Background

The aim of this study is to explore and illustrate the focal points concerning acupuncture's impact on microcirculation and hemorheology over the past 26 years, and to identify future directions in this field.

Methods

Data in this area were gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Employing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, and Microsoft Excel software, we analyzed authors, institutions, and countries to evaluate scientific collaboration. Moreover, we carried out an analysis of keyword clustering, references, and burst detection to examine the prominent research areas and emerging trends in this domain.

Results

The study analyzed 706 documents, 471 institutions, 632 journals, 40 countries, 581 keywords, and 3289 authors related to acupuncture for microcirculation and hemorheology. Data revealed a consistent increase in research output over 26 years. China, with the most publications and citations, significantly contributed to the field, often collaborating with the United States. Elisabet Stener-Victorin and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were the most productive author and institution, respectively. The journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine held the most influence. Common keywords included "vasoactive substances", "neurotransmitters", "signaling pathways", and "oxidative stress", among others. Research topics focused on female infertility, ischemic stroke, and pain syndromes, with treatment approaches such as electroacupuncture, manual acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and cupping therapy.

Conclusion

Women's infertility, ischemic stroke, and pain syndromes have emerged as hotspots in research. Future directions may include comparative studies of traditional and modern acupuncture techniques to evaluate their respective therapeutic effects. There is potential for in-depth research in these areas and the discovery of new intervention strategies as well as mechanisms.