Xuqiang Wei1, Liyun He2, Jia Liu2, Yanke Ai2, Yali Liu3, Yi Yang4, Baoyan Liu5. 1. College of Acupuncture and Orthopedic, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China; Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China. 2. Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China. 3. Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University; National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, P.R. China. 4. Department of Rehabilitation, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China. 5. Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China. Electronic address: baoyanjournal@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is the common complication among stroke and cerebral injury patients, which is lack of safe and effective treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) may potentially be a reliably therapy, but the evidence is insufficiency. METHODS: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, the Chinese Biology Medicine disc, etc., were searched, until July 20, 2018. We included random control trials that contrast EA with conventional rehabilitation therapy for the treatment of RSD. Main outcomes were visual analog scale score and Fugl-Meyer upper limb motor function scoring scale, other outcomes such as Barthel index, and hand swelling score were also collected. Data in included studies were extracted into an excel and pooled by Stata/MP 14.1. RESULTS: We incorporated 13 studies involving 1040 RSD patients and outcomes were from 2 to 6 weeks' follow-up. The analgesic effect between 2 groups had statistically significant difference (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -1.122, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.682 to -.562], P = .000], a statistical difference existed in improving dysfunction between 2 groups: (WMD = 6.039, 95% CI [2.231-.916], P = .000). EA groups had a better effect on improving activities of daily life abilities (WMD = 12.170, 95% CI [6.657-17.682], P < .00011] and better detumescence effect (WMD = -.800, 95% CI [-1.972 to -.212], P = .000] contrast to conventional rehabilitation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis supports that EA has a positive effect on alleviating pain, improving limb dysfunction, and promoting activities of daily living. On account of moderate-quality random control trials and high heterogeneity, further high-quality studies are imperative to optimize the EA treatment program.
BACKGROUND:Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is the common complication among stroke and cerebral injurypatients, which is lack of safe and effective treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) may potentially be a reliably therapy, but the evidence is insufficiency. METHODS: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, the Chinese Biology Medicine disc, etc., were searched, until July 20, 2018. We included random control trials that contrast EA with conventional rehabilitation therapy for the treatment of RSD. Main outcomes were visual analog scale score and Fugl-Meyer upper limb motor function scoring scale, other outcomes such as Barthel index, and hand swelling score were also collected. Data in included studies were extracted into an excel and pooled by Stata/MP 14.1. RESULTS: We incorporated 13 studies involving 1040 RSDpatients and outcomes were from 2 to 6 weeks' follow-up. The analgesic effect between 2 groups had statistically significant difference (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -1.122, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.682 to -.562], P = .000], a statistical difference existed in improving dysfunction between 2 groups: (WMD = 6.039, 95% CI [2.231-.916], P = .000). EA groups had a better effect on improving activities of daily life abilities (WMD = 12.170, 95% CI [6.657-17.682], P < .00011] and better detumescence effect (WMD = -.800, 95% CI [-1.972 to -.212], P = .000] contrast to conventional rehabilitation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis supports that EA has a positive effect on alleviating pain, improving limb dysfunction, and promoting activities of daily living. On account of moderate-quality random control trials and high heterogeneity, further high-quality studies are imperative to optimize the EA treatment program.