Acupuncture combined with western medicine for the treatment of hypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a kind of cardiovascular syndrome with the main clinical manifestation of continuous increase of systemic arterial blood pressure. Hypertension coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Acupuncture is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine intervention. The antihypertensive effect of acupuncture on hypertension is based on the neuroendocrine system, characterized by multichannel and multitarget. This study aims to provide latest and updated proof of systematic review to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for hypertension. Methods: We will systematically search 9 databases from their inceptions to February 2021. Only randomized controlled trials of acupuncture combined with western medicine in the treatment of hypertension will meet the inclusion criteria. The main outcome measures we focus on include clinical efficacy, syndrome efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score, diastolic and systolic blood pressure changes, blood pressure variability, heart rate variability, pulse rate variability, and adverse reactions. The research screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment will be employed by 2 reviewers independently, and disagreement will be decided by a third senior reviewer. The Revman 5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis. The confidence of proof will be rated adopting grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation tool and methodological quality of this research will be assessed using assessment of multiple systematic reviews-2 and risk of bias in systematic reviews. The publication quality will be evaluated by preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Results: This systematic review (SR) will provide evidence-based medical evidence for hypertension therapy by acupuncture combined with western medicine and we will submit the findings of this SR for peer-review publication. Conclusions: This SR will provide latest and updated summary proof for assessing the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for hypertension. Registration number: INPLASY 202150047

Electroacupuncture at GB20 improves cognitive ability and synaptic plasticity via the CaM–CaMKII–CREB signaling pathway following cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

“…18,19 Recently, EA combined with Western medicine has been used for the treatment of hypertension. 20 Although a few studies have explored the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of EA on cognitive impairment, 21 much still remains to be elucidated. We speculated that the use of current neurobiological theories to study the potential impact of acupuncture (and its mechanisms of action) on disease processes, and its interpretation in the context of mainstream medical concepts and terms, could further aid the evidence-based integration of EA into mainstream medicine.…”

Association Between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients in Mainland China: A Real-World Population-Based Cohort Study

“…Acupuncture, an integral part of TCM, has demonstrated blood pressurelowering effects in numerous clinical trials [16][17][18][19]. Non-pharmacological TCM interventions, such as acupuncture and tuina, have shown positive effects as adjuvant treatments for hypertension, reducing pain and improving the quality of life for patients [20][21][22].Moreover, these interventions have advantages such as minimal side effects, low cost, and high patient acceptance [23,24]. Despite this, the relationship between medical adherence and the use of TCM has not been thoroughly studied, with only a few studies suggesting a potential improvement in medication adherence for hormonal therapy with TCM use [25].…”