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).

IMPACTS OF PENETRATION THERAPY WITH HEAD ELECTRICAL ACUPUNCTURE ON PROLIFERATION OF NEURAL STEM CELLS IN SUBSTANTIA NIGRA OF RAT MODEL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Objective To probe into the function mechanism of penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture on Parkinson＇s disease. Methods Microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamin （6-OHDA） on the left cor- pus striatum was adopted to prepare rotation model of Parkinson^s disease in rat. Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture was administered in treatment. Normal group, sham-operation group, model group and penetration therapy group were set up. （1）lmmunohistochemical （IHC） method was used to test the morphology and count of positive cell of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）. （2）RT-PCR technology was used to detect the expression of nestin mRNA of neural stem cell （NSC）. Results （1）Compared with model group, in pene- tration therapy group, the expressions of TH-positive neurons in immune response were increased in areal density （AD）, numerical density （ND） and integrating optic density （P〈0.05）. （2）Compared with model group, in penetration therapy group, the expression of nestin mRNA was increased （P〈0. 05）. Conclusion Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in substantia nigra of rat model of Parkinson＇s disease.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE HEAD PONINT-THROUGH-POINT BY PENETRATING TWO POINT ON ISCHEIC STROKE

Objective To probe methods and therapeutic effects of Head Acupuncture on ischemic stroke. Methods One hundred and twelve cases were randomly divided into observation group (head acupuncture group) and control group (body acupuncture group). After treatment of 28 days, changes of linguistic function and paralysis level of limbs before and after treatment were investigated. Results The total effective rate was 96.6% in the observation group and 90.7%, in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The electroacupuncture head point-through-point by penetrating two point therapy is one of effective methods for ischemic stroke.