Cognitive Improvement Effects of Electroacupuncture Combined with Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Jae-Hong Kim,Gwang-Cheon Park,Jeong-Soon Lee,Jae-Young Han

doi:10.3390/brainsci10120984

Abstract

This outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of electroacupuncture combined with computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (EA-CCR) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A per-protocol analysis was employed to compare the efficacy of EA-CCR to that of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CCR). Thirty-two patients with MCI completed the trial (EA-CCR group, 16; CCR group, 16). Patients received EA-CCR or CCR treatment once daily three days per week for eight weeks. Outcome (primary, ADAS-K-cog; secondary, MoCA-K, CES-D, K-ADL, K-IADL, and EQ-5D-5L) measurements were performed at baseline (week 0), at the end of the intervention (week 8), and at 12 weeks after completion of the intervention (week 20). Both groups showed significant changes in ADAS-K-cog score (EA-CCR, p < 0.001; CCR, p < 0.001) and MoCA-K (EA-CCR, p < 0.001; CCR, p < 0.001). Only the EA-CCR group had a significant change in CES-D (p = 0.024). No significant differences in outcomes and in the results of a subanalysis based on age were noted between the groups. These results indicate that EA-CCR and CCR have beneficial effects on improving cognitive function in patients with MCI. However, electroacupuncture in EA-CCR showed no positive add-on effects on improving cognitive function, depression, activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with MCI.

Highlights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which individuals demonstrate a slight objective impairment in cognition that does not require help with the performance of activities of daily living [1,2,3]
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors for MCI treatment have concluded that there is no convincing evidence that cholinesterase inhibitors have an effect on
Thirty-six patients were included in this study and were randomly assigned to either the electroacupuncture combined with computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (EA-computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CCR)) group (n = 18) or CCR group (n = 18)

Summary

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which individuals demonstrate a slight objective impairment in cognition (typically memory) that does not require help with the performance of activities of daily living [1,2,3]. No high-quality evidence exists to support pharmacologic treatments for MCI [9]. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors for MCI treatment have concluded that there is no convincing evidence that cholinesterase inhibitors have an effect on. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 984 cognitive test scores or the progression of MCI to AD [10,11]. Some non-pharmacologic interventions, such as computerized cognitive training [12,13], exercise training [14], aerobic dance routine [15], and acupuncture [16,17], may be beneficial for patients with MCI. No treatment method for MCI has been established [18]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion