title: Electroacupuncture for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
abstract: Electroacupuncture (EA) is an extension technique of acupuncture based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern electrotherapy. Here, we conducted a systematic review specifically to assess the effectiveness and safety of EA for acute ischemic stroke. Eight databases were searched for randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of EA for acute ischemic stroke published from inception to June 2013. Ultimately, 67 studies claimed to be RCTs. Eighteen studies with 1411 individuals were selected for the analyses, which got ≥ 4 "yes" in the domains of Cochrane risk of bias tool. The meta-analysis showed a significant effect of EA for improving Barthel Index (p < 0.00001), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (p < 0.00001), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (p < 0.00001), and Revised Scandinavian Stroke Scale (p < 0.00001) compared with western conventional treatments (WCTs). In an analysis of the total clinical efficacy rate, there was a significant difference between EA and WCTs (p=0.0002). Adverse effects were monitored in 6 studies, and were well tolerated in all stroke patients. According to the GRADE approach, the quality of evidence was mostly high or moderate. In conclusion, this systematic review revealed the evidence in support of the use of EA for acute ischemic stroke, although further larger sample-size and rigorously designed RCTs are required.
authors.affiliation: * Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Ai-Ju
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: * Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Huang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: * Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Qin
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: * Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Deng-Lei
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: † School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: † School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: * Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute Ischemic Stroke; Electroacupuncture; Meta-analysis; Systematic Review