Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for posterior circulation ischemic vertigo: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity Modulation and Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for Posterior Circulation Infarction Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Vertigo is a cardinal symptom of posterior circulation infarction (POCI). Acupuncture is demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on posterior circulation infarction vertigo (PCIV). However, the mechanism of acupuncture therapy is not clarified. This study aims to assess the cerebral blood flow velocity modulation and clinical efficacy of acupuncture for PCIV patients.

Methods

We conducted this systematic review for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture on PCIV. The study duration was from September 2020 to September 2021. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP. The publication date was set from inception to August 31, 2020. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data including basic study information, intervention details, outcome details, and adverse events. Outcome measures included the blood flow velocities of vertebrobasilar arteries and the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Pooled data were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and relative risks (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software version 5.3.0.

Results

A total of 20 eligible RCTs (1541 participants) were included in this review, which compared acupuncture therapy (1 RCT) or acupuncture combined with pharmaceutical therapy (19 RCTs) to pharmaceutical therapy in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. 7 studies assessed the blood flow velocities of the basilar artery examined by Transcranial Doppler (TCD), 8 studies assessed the bilateral vertebral arteries, and 13 studies evaluated the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Meta-analysis results showed that blood flow velocities of the basilar artery (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.40–0.76; P < 0.05), left vertebral artery (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.22–0.73; P < 0.05), and right vertebral artery (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.19–0.69; P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. Clinical Effective Rate (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.15–1.29; P  =  0.792) was significantly better in the acupuncture group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

This study shows that acupuncture therapy is useful in improving the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar arteries and Clinical Effective Rate in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. However, double-blind, sham-controlled trials with large sample sizes are required to support our conclusions.

Linggui Zhugan Decoction for peripheral vertigo: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vertigo is a sense of movement or rotation of the patient's own or an external object. At present, western medicine treatment such as vestibular suppressant medications commonly used in clinical practice are ineffective and have adverse reactions. In traditional Chinese medicine, Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LZD) was used by doctors to warm yang for resolving fluid retention, strengthen the spleen and clear away dampness, with significant effect. Recently, some clinical studies have also shown that LZD has reliable effect in treating peripheral vertigo, but there is no systematic evidence. Therefore, this study aims to objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of LZD in the treatment of peripheral vertigo.

METHODS

Eight electronic databases will be searched from inception to August 2020 by 2 independent researchers, in order to collect qualified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the LZD treatment for peripheral vertigo. The therapeutic effects according to Clinical efficacy will be adopted as the primary outcomes. RevMan V.5.3 software will be used for the data synthesis and the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool will be used to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

This review will conduct a high-quality synthesis on present evidence of LZD for peripheral vertigo.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of the study will indicate whether LZD is an effective treatment for peripheral vertigo by providing updated evidence.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD 42021238817.