[Clinically multi-central randomized controlled study on scalp electroacupuncture for treatment of vascular dementia].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To provide reliable evidence for acupuncture treatment of vascular dementia (VD).

METHODS:

Multi-central randomized controlled trial method was adopted and 270 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an acupuncture-medicine group, an electroacupuncture group and a medication group. The acupuncture-medicine group were treated by scalp electroacupuncture on Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Fengchi (GB 20) and oral administration of Nimodipine; the electroacupuncture group were treated with scalp electroacupuncture; the medication group were treated with simple oral administration of Nimodipine. They were treated for 6 weeks. Mini-mental state scale (MMSE), ability of daily life-rating scale (ADL-R) and P300 were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

The total effective rate for cognition improvement was 86.59% in the acupuncture-medicine group, 82.05% in the electroacupuncture group and 43.21% in the medication group, the electroacupuncture group and the acupuncture-medicine group being better than the medication group; and their total effective rates for improvement of ability of daily life were 59.76%, 65.38% and 32.10%, respectively, the electroacupuncture group and the acupuncture-medicine group being better than the medication group. Scores for MMSE and ADL-R and P300 examination indicated that there were significant differences as the acupuncture-medicine group and the electroacupuncture group compared with the medication group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Scalp electroacupuncture or scalp electroacupuncture combined with oral administration of Nimodipine has a better therapeutic effect in improvement of recognition function and the ability of life activity than simple oral administration of Nimodipine with a higher safety.

• Authors: Hong Zhang, Ling Zhao, Cheng-Qi He, Ka-Ming Hu, Jun Liu
• Journal: Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion (Zhongguo Zhen Jiu) Vol. 28 Issue 11 Pg. 783-7 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 0255-2930 [Print] China
• PMID: 19055278 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nimodipine

Topics

• Acupuncture Points
• Aged
• Dementia, Vascular (drug therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
• Electroacupuncture
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nimodipine (therapeutic use)