The effects of combining magnetic stimulation of the brain with acupuncture on vascular cognitive impairment and neuroinflammatory factors
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240523-00385
- VernacularTitle:重复经颅磁刺激联合针灸治疗对血管性认知障碍患者认知功能及神经炎症因子的影响
- Author:
Wenjie JIN
1
;
Dianhuai MENG
;
Kaitao LUO
;
Xinxin ZHU
;
Lifeng QIAN
;
Fan YANG
;
Zhaoyin KANG
;
Yanhui WU
;
Guangxu XU
Author Information
1. 南京医科大学，南京 210029
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Vascular cognitive impairment;
Transcranial magnetic stimulation;
Acupuncture;
Neuroinflammatory factors
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(4):319-324
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the effect of combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with acupuncture in the treatment of patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).Methods:A total of 40 VCI patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group ( n=20 per group) using a random number table. Both groups received routine treatment and rTMS, while the experimental group was additionally provided with acupuncture for four weeks. The rTMS was at 10Hz at 90% of the motor threshold. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Significant improvement was observed in both groups′ average MoCA, MMSE, and MBI scores, along with reductions in peripheral serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The experimental group exhibited significantly higher MoCA subdomain scores in the visuospatial and executive function, attention, and delayed recall subdomains, as well as a higher total MoCA score compared to the control group. The average MMSE and MBI scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group, and that group′s serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower, on average. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the improvements in MoCA and MMSE scores and the reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels in both groups.Conclusions:rTMS combined with acupuncture effectively improves cognition and ADL ability among VCI patients. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the reduction of neuroinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.
