Electroacupuncture for patients with spasticity after stroke

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in the treatment of spasticity after stroke. Methods: We will electronically search PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wan-Fang Database from the date of creation to November 2020. In addition, we will manually retrieve other resources including the reference lists of identified publications, conference articles, and gray literature. The clinical randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized controlled trials related to electroacupuncture in the treatment of spasticity after stroke will be included in the study. The language is limited to Chinese and English. Research selection, data extraction, and research quality assessment will be independently completed by 2 researchers. Data were synthesized by using a fixed effect model or random effect model depend on the heterogeneity test. The modified Ashworth scale was the primary outcomes. Simplified Fugl–Meyer assessment scale (FMA), Stroke specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL) and adverse events will also be assessed as secondary outcomes. RevMan V.5.3 statistical software will be used for meta-analysis. If it is not appropriate for a meta- analysis, then a descriptive analysis will be conducted. Data synthesis will use the risk ratio and the standardized or weighted average difference of continuous data to represent the results. Results: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis to assess the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in the treatment of spasticity after stroke. Conclusion: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether electroacupuncture is an effective and safety intervention for patients with spasticity after stroke. Ethics and dissemination: The protocol of the systematic review does not require ethical approval because it does not involve humans. We will publish this article in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. Systematic review registration: CRD42021220300.

Clinical Effects of Acupuncture for Stroke Patients Recovery

“…Some studies have found that acupuncture for early stroke (12–24 h) can promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which helps to restore oxygen or nutrition supply in the ischemic penumbra [ 19 ]. Acupuncture also provides a beneficial environment for injured tissue, providing a theoretical basis for acupuncture intervention in early stroke [ 20 ]. In the acute phase of ischemia, vasodilator mediators (such as nitric oxide) are the key to reduce infarct focus and related secondary damage [ 21 ].…”

Effect of electroacupuncture treatment combined with rehabilitation care on serum sirt3 level and motor function in elderly patients with stroke hemiparesis

“…[ 26 – 28 ] Clinical studies have shown that the combination of acupuncture and modern rehabilitation techniques can significantly improve the degree of functional recovery after stroke, shorten the course of treatment, reduce complications, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients. [ 13 , 29 ]…”

“…[26][27][28] Clinical studies have shown that the combination of acupuncture and modern rehabilitation techniques can significantly improve the degree of functional recovery after stroke, shorten the course of treatment, reduce complications, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients. [13,29] In this study, patients with hemiplegia after stroke were treated for 28 weeks using rehabilitation care or a combination of electroacupuncture and rehabilitation. Both groups showed a significant increase in FMA scores related to extremity motor function, a significant increase in BI scores related to activities of daily living, a significant decrease in NDS scores related to disability, and a significant decrease in physiological state (HAMA and HAMD scores) at 28 weeks of treatment when compared to the pretreatment period, suggesting that both interventions improved motor function, neurological function, and activities of daily living in elder patients with hemiplegia after stroke.…”

“…Electroacupuncture is easy to operate and has no side effects, and is widely used in clinical practice. [ 12 , 13 ] The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture in limb dysfunction caused by stroke has been confirmed by numerous clinical and animal experimental studies. Huang et al [ 14 ] found that electroacupuncture delayed the progression of the patient disease and improved limb function in the early stage of acute cerebral infarction mainly by inhibiting the expression of D-Dimer and CD62p.…”

Effect of quick acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy on improving motor and swallowing function in patients with stroke

“…11 The simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale is one of the commonly used criteria to assess the motor function of limbs in clinical practice. 12 The total score of the scale is 100 points, with higher scores indicating better limb motor function. (4) Barthel index scoring method was used to evaluate patients' daily living ability before and after treatment.…”