title: [Treating vascular mild cognitive impairment by acupuncture: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VMCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Recruited were China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI) (1979-2012), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP) (1989-2012), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), Wanfang degree and conference papers database (1985-2012), PubMed Database (1966-2012), and The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2012). The search date ended in February 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by taking acupuncture as the main treatment for VMCI (nonvascular dementia) were collected. Results were measured using at least one internationally recognized evaluation cognitive scale. Two analysts selected the data independently. The assessment of methodological quality was based on the Cochrane Handbook and the data were analyzed by using RevMan 5.1.0 Software. The mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) were taken and graphed with 95% confidence interval (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recruited 12 RCTs included a total of 691 cases meeting the inclusion criteria (all of the methodological quality was of B level). Acupuncture combined other therapies was involved in 9 RCTs, with effect compared with that of other therapies. Results of meta-analysis showed, compared with the cognitive function training alone, electroacupuncture (MD 1.59, 95% CI 0.69-2.48, P = 0.0005, 3 studies) or body acupuncture (MD 3.26, 95% CI 1.69-4.83, P < 0.01, 1 study) combined with the cognitive function training could significantly increase the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score of patients. In comparison to Western medicine, acupuncture could elevate ADAS-Cog score (MD 2.16, 95% CI 1.36-2.95, P < 0.01, 3 studies). In all the studies, adverse event had not been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture in combination with other therapies could significantly improve cognitive functions. Acupuncture itself appeared to have better therapeutic effects than Western medicine alone.
authors: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Encephalopathy, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, China.
authors: Yun-Ling
authors: YL
authors: Zhang
authors: Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Hui-Juan
authors: HJ
authors: Cao
authors: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Hu
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome