The neuroprotective effect of electro-acupuncture on cognitive recovery for patients with mild traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health and socioeconomic problem that affects all societies. Consciousness disorder is a common complication after TBI while there is still no effective treatment currently. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on cognitive recovery for patients with mild TBI. Methods: A total of 83 patients with initial Glasgow coma scale score higher than 12 points were assigned into this study. Then patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: EA group and control group (group C). Patients in group EA received EA treatment at Neiguan and Shuigou for 2 weeks. At 0 minute before EA treatment (T 1 ), 0 minute after EA treatment (T 2 ), and 8 weeks after EA treatment (T 3 ), level of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and malondialdehyde were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The score of Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) as well as cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) were detected at the same time. Results: Compared with the baseline at T 1 , the level of NSE, GFAP, HIF-1α, MDA, and rSO2 decreased, and the score of MoCA and MMSE increased in the 2 groups were significantly increased at T 2–3 ( P < .05). Compared with group C, the level of NSE, GFAP, HIF-1α, MDA, and rSO2 decreased, and the score of MoCA and MMSE increased were significantly increased at T 2–3 in group EA; the difference were statistically significant ( P < .05). Conclusions: EA treatment could improve the cognitive recovery for patients with mild TBI and the potential mechanism may be related to improving cerebral hypoxia and alleviating brain injury.

HBOT has a better cognitive outcome than NBH for patients with mild traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled clinical trial

“…The subjects' enrollment started in October 2017 and the study intervention completed in March 2023. Based on the previous study, [9][10][11] participants suffered from mild TBI [Glasgow coma scale score: 13-15 point] were recruited from the third department of Neurosurgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital and the nearby universities in the area after having signed an informed consent for participation in the trial.…”

Editorial: Role of acquired brain injury in brain-aging: new insight and evidence

“…Brain plasticity is crucial for recovery post-injury. The age-specific decline in brain plasticity affects the efficacy of therapeutic interventions such as electroacupuncture (Jia et al, 20203 ) and remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) (Zhao et al, 2019 ). Huo et al investigate the effect of aging on the outcome of electroacupuncture treatment, revealing differential age effects on cerebral metabolic mechanisms in rats with TBI.…”