Scalp Electroacupuncture Promotes Angiogenesis after Stroke in Rats by Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signal Pathway

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.

Potential mechanisms of acupuncture in enhancing cerebral perfusion of ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is the predominant cause of long-term disability and death worldwide. It is attributable to the sudden interruption of regional cerebral blood flow, resulting in brain cell death and neurological impairment. Acupuncture is a widely used adjuvant treatment for ischemic stroke in China and shows promising efficacy in clinical practice. This review mainly focused on the evidence to illustrate several possible mechanisms of acupuncture therapy on cerebral perfusion in ischemic stroke. Studies have shown that acupuncture is probably effective in the enhancement of cerebral perfusion after ischemic stroke. It promotes the improvement of hemodynamics, the release of vasoactive substances, the formation of new blood vessels, as well as the restitution of microcirculation. Multiple factors may contribute to the variability in acupuncture's therapeutic effects, including the acupoint selection, stimulation frequency and intensity, and retaining needle time. Acupuncture has the potential to become a non-pharmacological adjuvant approach to enhance cerebral perfusion in ischemic stroke. Future studies are required to gain our insight into acupuncture as well as accelerate its clinical translation.

Effect of electroacupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training on cognitive and speech functions of aphasia patients after craniocerebral injury

OBJECTIVES

To explore the clinical effect of electroacupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training on cognitive and speech functions of patients with aphasia after craniocerebral injury.

METHODS

Seventy patients with aphasia after craniocerebral injury from January 2020 and January 2021 were retrospectively collected after filtering. Among them, 35 patients received language rehabilitation training and were included into a control group, and 35 patients who received electroacupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training were included in a study group. Aphasia quotient score, Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA) score and Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) score of the two groups were compared. The relative risk factors of cognitive function and speech function in the patients were explored by multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The pretreatment aphasia quotient and LOTCA score between the two groups showed no obvious distinction (P>0.05). After treatment, the LOTCA and BDAE scores in the study group were obviously better than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of electroacupuncture and scalp acupuncture combined with language training is remarkable in treating aphasia after severe craniocerebral injury. This combined approach, which can improve the language and cognitive disorders of patients, has valuable application and research prospects in clinic.