Clinical Efficacy of Tongtiao Xinshen Acupuncture Combined with Wenyang Bushen Moxibustion in the Treatment of Vascular Dementia and Its Effects on Cognitive Function
Objective To examine the clinical efficacy of Tongtiao Xinshen acupuncture combined with Wenyang Bushen moxibustion in the treatment of vascular dementia(VD),and its effects on event-related potential P300,neuron specific enolase(NSE),and acetylcholinesterase(AChE).Methods Totally 60 patients diagnosed with VD were divided into acupuncture and moxibustion group and the Western medicine group according to random number table method,with 30 patients in each group.Both groups received basic Western medicine treatments such as blood pressure regulation,blood glucose regulation,and blood lipid regulation;Western medicine group was given donepezil hydrochloride tablets,5 mg each time,once a day,orally;in the acupuncture and moxibustion group,on the basis of the treatment of the Western medicine group,Tongtiao Xinshen acupuncture was combined with Wenyang Bushen moxibustion,once a day,6 times a week;the treatment for both groups lasted for 4 weeks.The scores of Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE)and Activities of Daily Living(ADL)in two groups of patients were evaluated before and on the day after treatment.The event-related potential P300 was measured and the abnormal detection rate changes of MMSE and P300 were determined.Safety indicators of both groups were monitored.Results Compared with before treatment,the scores of MMSE and ADL in the two groups significantly increased(P<0.05),the latency of P300 in the acupuncture and moxibustion group decreased and the amplitude of P300 increased(P<0.05),and NSE and AChE levels decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,after treatment,MMSE score,ADL score and the amplitude of P300 in the acupuncture and moxibustion group increased,the latency of P300 decreased,and the levels of NSE and AChE decreased(P<0.05).The detection rate of P300 latency abnormalities in patients was significantly higher than that of MMSE abnormalities(P<0.05);compared with before treatment,the abnormal rate of P300 latency and MMSE score of patients in the acupuncture and moxibustion group decreased(P<0.05).No significant adverse reactions were observed in both groups.Conclusion Tongtiao Xinshen acupuncture combined with Wenyang Bushen moxibustion can enhance cognitive function and everyday life abilities.The mechanism may be related to the reduction of NSE and AChE levels,and event-related potential P300 is more sensitive than MMSE in determining VD and cognitive ability.