Effect of scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke motor aphasia:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training in the treatment of motor aphasia.Methods:CNKI,VIP,Wan Fang Database,MEDLINE,Embase,Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched for published researches up to March,2021.Randomized controlled trials RCTs that focused on scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training in the treatment of motor aphasia were included.We managed the data analysis with RevMan 5.3 software.Results:A total of 16 RCTs with 1323 patients were involved.The results of meta-analysis showed that:①The effective rate of scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training in the treatment of motor aphasia after stroke was significantly better than that of simple language rehabilitation training[OR=3.94,95%CI(2.73,5.68),P<0.00001];②In the evaluation of language function,compared with the language rehabilitation training,the scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training can significantly improve the reading ability of the patients with motor aphasia after stroke[MD=7.22,95%CI(3.55,10.89),P=0.0001],writing ability[MD=6.51,95%CI(3.61,9.41),P<0.0001],expressive ability[MD=4.13,95%CI(2.37,5.89),P<0.0001],retelling ability[MD=5.00,95%CI(2.38,7.63),P=0.0002],listening comprehension ability[MD=5.36,95%CI(3.12,7.61),P<0.00001]and naming ability[MD=5.60,95%CI(4.20,7.00),P<0.00001];③Compared with simple language rehabilitation training,scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation can significantly improve the daily life language communication ability of patients with motor aphasia,and the difference was statistically significant[MD=30.01,95%CI(11.30,48.72),P=0.002].Conclusion:Scalp acupuncture combined with language rehabilitation training has a significant effect on motor aphasia.However,due to the small sample size,more RCTs are needed to confirm that.

Head Acupuncture Plus Schuell's Language Rehabilitation for Post-Stroke Aphasia:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 32 Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective:To evaluate the existing randomized controlled trials(RCTs)for evidence of the efficacy and safety of head acupuncture(HA)plus Schuell’s language rehabilitation(SLR)in post-stroke aphasia.Methods:Seven databases including Embase,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Technology Periodical Database,the China National Knowledge Infrastructure,SinoMed and Wanfang Data Information Site were searched for RCTs published from database inception until November 14,2021.RCTs that compared HA plus SLR with sham(or blank)control,acupuncture therapy alone,certain language rehabilitation therapy alone or other therapies for post-stroke aphasia were included.Data were extracted and assessed,and the quality of RCTs was evaluated.Fixed-effects model was used,with meta-influence analysis,meta-regression,and regression-based sub-group analyses applied for exploration of heterogeneity.Publication bias was estimated by funnel plots and Egger’s tests.Results:A total of 32 RCTs with1,968 patients were included and 51 comparisons were conducted classified as types of strokes and aphasia.(1)For patients with aphasia after ischemic stroke,HA plus PSA showed significantly higher accumulative markedly effective rate[relative risk(RR)=1.55,95% confidence interval(CI):1.19-2.02,I^(2)=0%]and accumulative effective rate(RR=1.22,95%CI:1.09-1.36,I^(2)=0%).(2)For patients with comprehensive types of stroke,HA plus PSA was more effective in increasing recovery rate(RR=1.89,95%CI:1.39-2.56,I^(2)=0%),accumulative markedly effective rate(RR=1.53,95%CI:1.36-1.72,I^(2)=9%)and accumulative effective rate(RR=1.14,95%CI:1.09-1.19,I^(2)=34%).(3)For patients with aphasia after stroke,HA plus PSA was superior to PSA alone with statistical significance in increasing recovery rate(RR=2.08,95%CI:1.24-3.46,I^(2)=0%),accumulative markedly effective rate(RR=1049,95%CI:1.24-1.78,I^(2)=0%)and accumulative effective rate(RR=1.15,95%CI:1.06-1.24,12=39%).(4)For patients with multiple types of aphasia,HA plus PSA also demonstrated significantly higher recovery rate(RR=1.86,95%CI:1.28-2.72,I^(2)=0%),accumulative markedly effective rate(RR=1.55,95%CI:1.35-1.78,I2=22%),and accumulative effective rate(RR=1.17,95%CI:1.11-1.23,I^(2)=41%).(5)For patients with motor aphasia after ischemic stroke,compared with PSA alone,HA plus PSA showed significantly higher accumulative markedly effective rate(RR=1.38,95%CI:1.06-1079,I^(2)=0%)and accumulative effective rate(RR=1.20,95%CI:1.05-1.37,I^(2)=0%).Meta-regression analyses were performed without significant difference,and publication bias was found in some comparisons.Conclusion:HA plus SLR was significantly associated with better language ability and higher effective rate for patients with post-stroke aphasia,and HA should be operated cautiously especially during acupuncture at eye and neck.(Registration No.CRD42020154475).

Clinical observation of scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation for Broca's aphasia after cerebral stroke

Objective：To explore the clinical efficacy of scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation in treating Broca＆#39;s aphasia after cerebral stroke, for providing novel evidences for the treatment. Methods：Ninety-one eligible patients with Broca＆#39;s aphasia after cerebral stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Forty-six cases in the observation group were intervened by scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation, while 45 cases in the control group were treated by speech rehabilitation alone. The aphasia battery of Chinese （ABC） and Boston diagnostic aphasia examination （BDAE） were adopted to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results：After the treatment, the scores of oral expression, reading and writing and global score in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group （allP〈0.05）. There was a significant difference in comparing the BDAE grading between the two groups after the treatment （P〈0.05）. After intervention, the basically-recovered plus markedly-effective rate was 45.7% in the observation group versus 24.4% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：Scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation is effective in treating Broca＆#39;s aphasia after cerebral stroke, and worth promoting.