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Warming Needle Moxibustion for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
  • +4
  • Xinming Chen,
  • Fang Liu,
  • Nan Lin,
  • Qian Lin,
  • Zecai Lv,
  • Huoqin Xiu,
  • Pingying Nie
Xinming Chen
Nursing College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Fang Liu
Nursing College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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Nan Lin
College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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Qian Lin
Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of TCM, Fujian, China
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Zecai Lv
Nursing College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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Huoqin Xiu
Nursing College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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Pingying Nie
Nursing College, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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Abstract

Abstract Objective: To systematically research the impact of warming needle moxibustion (WNM) for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Methods: Four Chinese databases and six English databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the use of WNM to intervene in AD patients were included. Data were extracted from the included studies and methodological quality was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention 5.1.0. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: 8 RCTs comprising 524 patients were included. The study showed that WNM was more effective in the treatment of AD than acupuncture or pharmacotherapy. The findings were as follows: MMSE (MD=1.01, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.90, P=0.03) and CDR (MD=-0.73, 95%CI: -0.84, -0.61, P<0.00001) for global cognitive function, ADL (MD=-1.84, 95%CI: -2.47, -1.22, P<0.00001) for activities of daily living, Syndrome Differentiation Scale of Dementia (SDSD) (MD=-2.67, 95%CI: -3.62, -1.72, P<0.00001), and the total effective rate of patients (OR=3.89, 95%CI: 2.49, 6.09, P<0.00001). The differences in all indicators were statistically significant. Conclusion: WNM has a significant effect on improving cognitive function and daily living ability, reducing the symptoms of AD, and increase the total effective rate. WNM is an effective non-pharmacological therapy for patients with AD. Keywords: Warming needle moxibustion, Alzheimer’s disease, Randomized Controlled Trials, systematic review and meta-analysis
Jan 2022Published in Geriatric Nursing volume 43 on pages 219-226. 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.12.004