Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThis research aims to assess the therapeutic effects and safety of treatments for PSD by conducting a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge In...

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Main Authors: Xiaomei Hu, Yanying Pan, Yasi Tang, You Zhang, Zhaoping Liu, Yue Zhuo, Hong Zhang, Xiqin Yi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1610032/full
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author Xiaomei Hu
Xiaomei Hu
Yanying Pan
Yasi Tang
You Zhang
Zhaoping Liu
Yue Zhuo
Hong Zhang
Xiqin Yi
author_facet Xiaomei Hu
Xiaomei Hu
Yanying Pan
Yasi Tang
You Zhang
Zhaoping Liu
Yue Zhuo
Hong Zhang
Xiqin Yi
author_sort Xiaomei Hu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis research aims to assess the therapeutic effects and safety of treatments for PSD by conducting a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang, covering all available records up to September 30, 2024. RCTs evaluating on the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in individuals with PSD were included. The robustness of the findings and possible contributors to heterogeneity were examined via sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing STATA 15.0 and Review Manager 5.4.ResultsThis study included 65 RCTs with a total of 5,362 participants. The results showed that electroacupuncture exhibited significantly greater clinical effectiveness compared to the control group (RR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.11, 1.22], I² = 59%, p < 0.00001), effectively reducing HAMD scores (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI [-0.72, -0.40], I² = 87%, p < 0.00001), SDS scores (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI [-0.87, -0.24], I² = 90%, p = 0.006), and TCM-DS scores (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.27], I² = 0%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the electroacupuncture (EA) intervention group (RR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.35, 0.83], I² = 0%, p = 0.004).The most commonly used acupoints were primarily located along the Gallbladder, Bladder, and Du Meridian, with the five most frequently used acupoints being: Baihui (GV20, 41 times), Shenting (DU24, 28 times), Taichong (LV3, 28 times), Shenmen (HT7, 26 times), and Neiguan (PC6, 22 times).ConclusionElectroacupuncture could serve as a safe and effective complementary therapy for PSD. It is recommended that multicenter, large-scale, and high-quality RCTs be conducted to further validate these findings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024618618, identifier CRD42024618618
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spelling doaj-art-a8e8c65ac18f4ad1a5b7715380320ae42025-08-20T03:36:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-08-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.16100321610032Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsXiaomei Hu0Xiaomei Hu1Yanying Pan2Yasi Tang3You Zhang4Zhaoping Liu5Yue Zhuo6Hong Zhang7Xiqin Yi8College of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Medical Imaging Laboratory and Rehabilitation, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaObjectiveThis research aims to assess the therapeutic effects and safety of treatments for PSD by conducting a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang, covering all available records up to September 30, 2024. RCTs evaluating on the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in individuals with PSD were included. The robustness of the findings and possible contributors to heterogeneity were examined via sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing STATA 15.0 and Review Manager 5.4.ResultsThis study included 65 RCTs with a total of 5,362 participants. The results showed that electroacupuncture exhibited significantly greater clinical effectiveness compared to the control group (RR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.11, 1.22], I² = 59%, p < 0.00001), effectively reducing HAMD scores (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI [-0.72, -0.40], I² = 87%, p < 0.00001), SDS scores (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI [-0.87, -0.24], I² = 90%, p = 0.006), and TCM-DS scores (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.27], I² = 0%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the electroacupuncture (EA) intervention group (RR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.35, 0.83], I² = 0%, p = 0.004).The most commonly used acupoints were primarily located along the Gallbladder, Bladder, and Du Meridian, with the five most frequently used acupoints being: Baihui (GV20, 41 times), Shenting (DU24, 28 times), Taichong (LV3, 28 times), Shenmen (HT7, 26 times), and Neiguan (PC6, 22 times).ConclusionElectroacupuncture could serve as a safe and effective complementary therapy for PSD. It is recommended that multicenter, large-scale, and high-quality RCTs be conducted to further validate these findings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024618618, identifier CRD42024618618https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1610032/fullpost stroke depressionelectroacupuncturemeta-analysisrandomized controlled trialacupoint application
spellingShingle Xiaomei Hu
Xiaomei Hu
Yanying Pan
Yasi Tang
You Zhang
Zhaoping Liu
Yue Zhuo
Hong Zhang
Xiqin Yi
Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Psychiatry
post stroke depression
electroacupuncture
meta-analysis
randomized controlled trial
acupoint application
title Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_short Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture-based comprehensive treatment for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
title_sort efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture based comprehensive treatment for post stroke depression a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
topic post stroke depression
electroacupuncture
meta-analysis
randomized controlled trial
acupoint application
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1610032/full
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