Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Literature Review of Basic Studies
1
Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
2
Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
3
School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
4
Department of Acupuncture, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
5
Research Center for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
6
Department of Photonics and Communication Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
*
Correspondence: Tel.: +886-4-220-62121 (ext. 1670) (Y.-C.L.); +886-4-220-53366 (ext. 3607) (Y.-H.C)
Received: 11 September 2017 / Accepted: 24 October 2017 / Published: 28 October 2017
Abstract
Acupuncture is recommended by the World Health
Organization (WHO) as an alternative and complementary strategy for
stroke treatment and for improving stroke care. Clinical trial and
meta-analysis findings have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in
improving balance function, reducing spasticity, and increasing muscle
strength and general well-being post-stroke. The mechanisms underlying
the beneficial effects of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation remain
unclear. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review,
summarize the current known mechanisms in ischemic stroke rehabilitation
through acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) therapy, and to detail
the frequently used acupoints implicated in these effects. The evidence
in this review indicates that five major different mechanisms are
involved in the beneficial effects of acupuncture/EA on ischemic stroke
rehabilitation: (1) Promotion of neurogenesis and cell proliferation in
the central nervous system (CNS); (2) Regulation of cerebral blood flow
in the ischemic area; (3) Anti-apoptosis in the ischemic area; (4)
Regulation of neurochemicals; and, (5) Improvement of impaired long-term
potentiation (LTP) and memory after stroke. The most frequently used
acupoints in basic studies include Baihui (GV20), Zusanli (ST36), Quchi
(LI11), Shuigou (GV26), Dazhui (GV14), and Hegu (LI4). Our findings show
that acupuncture exerts a beneficial effect on ischemic stroke through
modulation of different mechanisms originating in the CNS.
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