Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract Objective This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for treating vascular dementia and to determine the optimal acupuncture point combination scheme for efficacy. Methods The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and...

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Main Authors: Yuanyu Song, Yinghua Chen, Junfeng Li, Wei Sun, Fangfang Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Systematic Reviews
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02821-3
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author Yuanyu Song
Yinghua Chen
Junfeng Li
Wei Sun
Fangfang Jin
author_facet Yuanyu Song
Yinghua Chen
Junfeng Li
Wei Sun
Fangfang Jin
author_sort Yuanyu Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for treating vascular dementia and to determine the optimal acupuncture point combination scheme for efficacy. Methods The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang electronic databases were searched up to July 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 software and Addis software were used to assess the risk of bias for each study, determine subgroup classifications, and conduct meta-analyses. Results A total of 29 RCTs involving 659 animals were ultimately included. The meta-analysis results revealed that acupuncture treatment had a significant effect compared with the vascular dementia model group [mean difference (MD) = − 21.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) (− 25.77, − 17.59), P < 0.00001]. Manual acupuncture demonstrated better efficacy than electroacupuncture did [MD = − 0.42, 95% CI (− 12.72, 12.27)]. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, the Baihui (GV20) + Dazhui (GV14) combination yielded the best efficacy [MD = − 23.03, 95% CI (− 30.02, − 16.04), P < 0.00001]. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the experiment conducted by Caiyu Peng et al. exhibited superior efficacy [MD = − 24.96, 95% CI (− 92.68, − 40.76)]. Conclusion Acupuncture significantly improves cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia. Manual acupuncture is more effective than electroacupuncture. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, manual acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 yields the best results. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the best efficacy was observed when the two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model was used in 230 ± 10 g SD rats; when the Mingmen (GV4), Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (GV16), Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Shuigou (GV26), Neiguan (PC6), Dalin (PC7), and Laogong (PC8) acupoints were selected; and when manual acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing methods was used for 30 min per day for 14 days. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024551402
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spelling doaj-art-6e110631b5ae4e8690f1a007475584282025-08-20T03:08:05ZengBMCSystematic Reviews2046-40532025-04-0114112110.1186/s13643-025-02821-3Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysisYuanyu Song0Yinghua Chen1Junfeng Li2Wei Sun3Fangfang Jin4Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineAbstract Objective This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for treating vascular dementia and to determine the optimal acupuncture point combination scheme for efficacy. Methods The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang electronic databases were searched up to July 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 software and Addis software were used to assess the risk of bias for each study, determine subgroup classifications, and conduct meta-analyses. Results A total of 29 RCTs involving 659 animals were ultimately included. The meta-analysis results revealed that acupuncture treatment had a significant effect compared with the vascular dementia model group [mean difference (MD) = − 21.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) (− 25.77, − 17.59), P < 0.00001]. Manual acupuncture demonstrated better efficacy than electroacupuncture did [MD = − 0.42, 95% CI (− 12.72, 12.27)]. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, the Baihui (GV20) + Dazhui (GV14) combination yielded the best efficacy [MD = − 23.03, 95% CI (− 30.02, − 16.04), P < 0.00001]. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the experiment conducted by Caiyu Peng et al. exhibited superior efficacy [MD = − 24.96, 95% CI (− 92.68, − 40.76)]. Conclusion Acupuncture significantly improves cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia. Manual acupuncture is more effective than electroacupuncture. Among the different acupuncture point combinations, manual acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 yields the best results. Compared with other acupuncture protocols, the best efficacy was observed when the two-vessel occlusion (2VO) model was used in 230 ± 10 g SD rats; when the Mingmen (GV4), Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (GV16), Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Shuigou (GV26), Neiguan (PC6), Dalin (PC7), and Laogong (PC8) acupoints were selected; and when manual acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing methods was used for 30 min per day for 14 days. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024551402https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02821-3Manual acupunctureVascular dementiaRatsMeta-analysisSystematic reviewRandomized controlled trial
spellingShingle Yuanyu Song
Yinghua Chen
Junfeng Li
Wei Sun
Fangfang Jin
Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Systematic Reviews
Manual acupuncture
Vascular dementia
Rats
Meta-analysis
Systematic review
Randomized controlled trial
title Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_full Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_fullStr Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_short Manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model: systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_sort manual acupuncture enhanced therapeutic efficacy in vascular dementia rat model systematic review and network meta analysis
topic Manual acupuncture
Vascular dementia
Rats
Meta-analysis
Systematic review
Randomized controlled trial
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02821-3
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