Efficacy evaluation on electroacupuncture for Alzheimer's disease

Jing Peng; Xi Chen; Aiping Wang; Liang Luo; Bing Zhou; Hongyu Zhang; Chouping Han

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Efficacy evaluation on electroacupuncture for Alzheimer's disease

VernacularTitle:电针治疗阿尔茨海默病的临床疗效评定
Author: Jing PENG ; Xi CHEN ; Aiping WANG ; Liang LUO ; Bing ZHOU ; Hongyu ZHANG ; Chouping HAN
Keywords: Acupuncture Therapy; Electroacupuncture; Acupuncture Medication Combined; Alzheimer Disease; Dementia; Rehabilitation; Mental Status Schedule
From: Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2017;15(4):296-299
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: A total of 50 AD patients were randomly allocated into a Western medication (WM) group (n=25) and an acupuncture plus medication (APM) group (n=25). Patients in the WM group took oral huperzine A capsules. In addition to huperzine A capsules, patients in the APM group also received EA at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengfu (GV 16), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yongquan (KI 1). The needles on the above points were connected to G6805-Ⅱelectric stimulator [3 pairs: Shenting (GV 24) and Baihui (GV 20); Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengfu (GV 16); and bilateral Yongquan (KI 1)]. The needles were retained 25 min. The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. The patients received a total of 3 treatment courses. There was a 3-day interval between two courses. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Hasegawa dementia scale revised (HDS-R) were conducted before and after treatment. The clinical efficacies were evaluated when the treatment was completed. Results: Before treatment, there were no between-group statistical differences in MMSE and HDS-R scores (both P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE and HDS-R scores in the APM group were significantly higher than those in the WM group (both P<0.05). The total effective rate in the APM group was 88.0%, versus 76.0% in the WM group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: EA is effective for AD and can improve clinical symptoms in AD patients.