[Clinical observation on acupuncture combined with Yizhi Jiannao granules for treatment of Alzheimer's disease].
OBJECTIVE
To observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Yizhi Jiannao Granules for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and its effects on intelligence, daily life and social activity ability.


METHODS
Eighty-four cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, 28 cases in each group. The combined acupuncture and medication group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Dazhui (GV 14), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. and oral administration of Yizhi Jiannao Granules; the Chinese herb group was treated with Yizhi Jiannao Granules, and the western medicine group with oral administration of Aricept. The scores for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Ability of Daily Life (ADL) and the therapeutic effects were assessed and compared before treatment and after treatment for 12 weeks among the groups.


RESULTS
After treatment, the scores for MMSE and ADL were improved in the combined acupuncture and medication group, the Chinese herb group and the western medicine group, which were better in the combined acupuncture and medication group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of 85.7% in the combined acupuncture and medication group was better than 71.4% in the Chinese herb group and 67.9% in the western medicine group.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture combined with Yizhi Jiannao Granules has a significant therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's disease, which is better than that of Yizhi Jiannao Granules or Aricept.
Peng
Xian-Wen
XW
Department of TCM, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
Dong
Ke-Li
KL
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D032429:Alpinia; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000077265:Donepezil; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C442779:Alpinia oxyphylla fruit extract; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000077265:Donepezil