AUTHOR=Huang Yuan-Ju , Huang Chih-Shan , Leng Kuo-Feng , Sung Jia-Ying , Cheng Sheng-Wei 

TITLE=Efficacy of Scalp Acupuncture in Patients With Post-stroke Hemiparesis: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.746567

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.746567

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> To conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of scalp acupuncture (SA) in patients with stroke and consequent hemiparesis regardless of brain infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SA for stroke was performed in five databases up to May 10, 2021. We investigated three types of outcome: motor function, sequelae of poststroke hemiparesis, and adverse effects. Methodological quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool version 2.0.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Of 1,063 papers, 30 RCTs involving Fugl–Meyer Assessment were selected, among which 10 and four RCTs were selected for evaluation of courses lasting of 1 and 3 months, respectively. The meta-analysis of 1- and 3-month courses revealed significant differences in the motor function of the SA plus Western standard treatment group vs. Western standard treatment only (medication plus rehabilitation; <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001). A 3-month course tended to result in better outcomes than a 1-month course.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our meta-analysis results reveal that SA improves motor function in patients with acute to chronic stroke, regardless of brain infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage. However, because of a lack of methodological quality, thoroughly planned clinical studies are still required.</p>