Long-term efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on improving MMSE in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.01.001
- Author:
Qing FENG
1
;
Lu-Lu BIN
1
;
Yan-Bing ZHAI
1
;
Min XU
2
;
Zhi-Shun LIU
1
;
Wei-Na PENG
1
Author Information
1. Guang an'men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
2. Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD);
electroacupuncture (EA);
long-term efficacy;
randomized controlled trial (RCT)
- MeSH:
Acupuncture Points;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Alzheimer Disease;
psychology;
therapy;
Case-Control Studies;
Electroacupuncture;
Humans;
Mental Status and Dementia Tests
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2019;39(1):3-8
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) on improving mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to evaluate the efficacy during follow-up visit.
METHODS:Forty patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 20 patients in each one (3 patients dropped off in the treatment group and 4 patients in the control group). The patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Shenting (GV 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Shangyintang (Extra 3) and Dazhong (KI 14); besides, EA was applied at Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Baihui (GV 20) and Shenting (GV 24) with dilatational wave, 10 Hz/50 Hz in frequency, 0.5 to 5.0 mA in intensity, once every two days, three treatments per week. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of donepezil hydrochloride tablets, once a day, taken before sleep. The treatment was given for 12 weeks in the two groups. The MMSE was evaluated before treatment, 12 weeks±3 days into treatment, and 24 weeks±7 days after treatment, respectively.
RESULTS:The difference of total score of MMSE before and 12 weeks±3 days into treatment was not significant between the two groups (>0.05); the total score of MMSE after treatment was higher than that before treatment (both <0.05); compared before treatment, the short-term memory score was increased in the treatment group (<0.05), and the increasing range was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the total score of MMSE in the two groups were reduced 24 weeks ±7 days after treatment (both <0.05), and the reduction in the treatment group was less than that in the control group (<0.05); the differences of short-term memory score before and after treatment was significant between the two groups (<0.05). No adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.
CONCLUSION:The effect of EA on improving MMSE in patients with AD is similar to donepezil supported by evidence-based medicine. The effect of EA may have a certain continuous effect, and may have advantages in instantaneous memory. In addition, the EA is safe.
