Acupuncture with moxibustion improves cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease

Objective: To systematically research the impact of warming needle moxibustion for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Methods: Four Chinese databases and six English databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the use of warming needle moxibustion to intervene in AD patients were included. Data were extracted from the included studies and methodological quality was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention 5.1.0. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results: 8 RCTs comprising 524 patients were included. Most studies had no significant bias. The study showed that WNM was more effective in the treatment of AD than acupuncture or pharmacotherapy. The findings were as follows: MMSE (MD = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.90, P = 0.03) and CDR (MD = -0.73, 95%CI: -0.84, -0.61, P < 0.00001) for global cognitive function, ADL (MD = -1.84, 95%CI: -2.47, -1.22, P < 0.00001) for activities of daily living, Syndrome Differentiation Scale of Dementia (SDSD) (MD = -2.67, 95%CI: -3.62, -1.72, P < 0.00001), and the total effective rate of patients (OR = 3.20, 95%CI: 1.90 to 5.38, P < 0.0001). The differences in all indicators were statistically significant.

Conclusion: warming needle moxibustion might have a significant effect on improving cognitive function and daily living ability, reducing the symptoms of AD, and increase the total effective rate. warming needle moxibustion is an effective non-pharmacological therapy for patients with AD.

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34953330/

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About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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