[Acupuncture therapy for apoplectic aphasia: a systematic review]

Author: Pang Y, Wu LB, Liu DH.
Affiliation:
Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guanngxi TCM University, Nanning 530023, China. py343@sohu.com
Conference/Journal: Zhongguo Zhen Jiu.
Date published: 2010 Jul
Other: Volume ID: 30 , Issue ID: 7 , Pages: 612-6 , Special Notes: [Article in Chinese] , Word Count: 168


OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for apoplectic aphasia.

METHODS: A systematic review of the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for apoplectic aphasia was performed with Cochrance system assessment methods. The quality of researches was reviewed one by one, and data was extracted by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was conducted with the assistance of RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 756 patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated that there was statistical difference between acupuncture and language training groups on cured rate with [RR = 1.74, 95% CI (1.10, 2.74), P = 0.02] at the end of treatment. However, acupuncture combined language training group was statistically superior to language training group on cured rate with [RR = 3.01, 95% CI (1.81, 5.01), P < 0.000 1], language function score with [WMD =10.54, 95% CI (7.86, 13.21), P < 0.000 01], oral expression with [WMD = 8.86, 95% CI (7.38, 10.35), P < 0.000 01].

CONCLUSION: It is approved that acupuncture (or acupuncture combined language training) is effective for apoplectic aphasia. But the quality of inclusive literature is low. Therefore, more RCTs of high methodological quality is requested to be carried out.

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