Clinical efficacy of acupuncture on mild cognitive impairment and its effect on gut microbiota.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240424-k0005
- Author:
Peng JIANG
1
;
Fen HU
2
;
Mian LIN
1
;
Jianfang ZHU
3
Author Information
1. Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, China.
2. Fuchun Street Community Health Service Center.
3. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
acupuncture;
clinical efficacy;
gut microbiota;
mild cognitive impairment (MCI);
randomized controlled trial (RCT)
- MeSH:
Humans;
Acupuncture Therapy;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome;
Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology*;
Male;
Female;
Aged;
Middle Aged;
Acupuncture Points;
Treatment Outcome;
Aged, 80 and over;
Cognition
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(7):903-910
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its effect on gut microbiota.
METHODS:A total of 62 MCI patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (31 cases). Both groups received exercise and cognitive training. In addition, the experimental group underwent acupuncture treatment at acupoints including Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Xuanzhong (GB39), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglao (SI6), Xinshu (BL15), and etc., once every other day, three times per week, for a total of 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores were evaluated in the two groups, changes in gut microbiota were detected using 16S rDNA sequencing technology. The clinical efficacy was assessed after treatment.
RESULTS:Compared before treatment, MoCA and MMSE scores were increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001), with higher scores in the experimental group than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, Clostridia, and Ruminococcaceae was increased in the experimental group compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 82.8% (24/29) in the experimental group, which was higher than 61.3% (19/31) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Acupuncture could improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with MCI, and its mechanism may be related to increasing the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Clostridia, and Ruminococcaceae, maintaining the intestinal barrier, and inhibiting related inflammatory responses.
