The Comparative Efficacy of Multiple Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

Table 2

Details of acupuncture methods according to STRICTA.

Study

Acupuncture rationale

Details of needling

Treatment regimen

Other components

Practitioner

Comparator interventions

1a

1b

1c

2a

2b

2c

2d

2e

2f

2g

3a

3b

4a

4b

5

6a

6b

Wang, 2021 [31]

TCM

Y

Y

13

Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shuigou (DU 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Yifeng (SJ 17), Jingjin and Yuye (EX-HN12)

13–60 mm

Deqi

Manual

NR

Diameter and length: NR and 75 mm; Needle brand: NR

60

Frequency: 1 time per day; Duration: 60 days

NR

NR

NR

Y

Y

Qin, 2020 [32]

TCM

Y

Y

6

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Shuigou (DU 26)

13–40 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: NR and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

48

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

Y

Y

Y

Tang, 2020 [33]

TCM

Y

Y

15

Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengfu (DU 16), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23)

≤25 mm

Deqi

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Andi

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

Y

NR

NR

NR

Y

Xia, 2020a [34]

TCM

Y

Y

2

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16)

15–20 mm

Deqi

Electrical

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: NR; EA: KWD-808i EA apparatus

56

Frequency: 1 time per day; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

Y

NR

Y

Xia, 2020b [35]

TCM

Y

Y

2

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16)

≤40 mm

Deqi

Electrical

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato; EA: Hwato EA apparatus

56

Frequency: 1 time per day; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Zhang, 2019 [36]

TCM

Y

Y

5/8

Baihui (DU 20), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL 23)/Xinshu (BL 15), Zusanli (ST 36), Sishencong (EX-HN1)

5–12 mm

NR

Fire

NR

NR

12

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 3 months

NR

NR

NR

Y

Y

Tang, 2019 [37]

TCM

Y

Y

11

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Danzhong(RN 17), Zusanli (ST 36), Dazhu (BL 11), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39)

≤40 mm

Deqi

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Andi

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

Yuan, 2019 [38]

TCM

Y

Y

4

Sishenzhen, Niesanzhen, Naosanzhen, Zhisanzhen

≤40 mm

NR

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Huanqiu

40

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

NR

Feng, 2019 [39]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16), Shenting (DU 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Shangyintang, Dazhong (KI 4)

15–25 mm

Deqi

Electrical

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.2 mm and 25 mm; Needle brand: NR; EA: SDZ-V EA apparatus

36

Frequency: 3 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Wang, 2018 [40]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Danzhong(RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Waiguan (SJ 5), Xuehai (SP 10)

≤40 mm

NR

Manual

NR

Diameter and length: NR and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

126

Frequency: 1 time per day; Duration: 18 weeks

NR

NR

NR

Y

Y

Jiang, 2018 [41]

TCM

Y

Y

3

Naohu (DU 17), Naokong (GB 19), Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), 3 points (2 cuns straight up the erjian, 1 cun front, and 1 cun back)

≤25 mm

NR

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

65–66

Frequency: 7 times 9 days; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

He, 2018 [42]

TCM

Y

Y

10

Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Zhiyang (DU 9), Mingmen (DU 4), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39)

≤30 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.25 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Jiajian

72

Frequency: 6 times per weeks; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Feng, 2017 [43]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Sshenting (DU 24), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Shangyintang, Dazhong (KI 4), Fengfu (DU 16)

15–25 mm

Deqi

Electrical

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.2 mm and 25 mm; Needle brand: Hwato; EA: SDZ-V EA apparatus

36

Frequency: 3 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Jia, 2017 [44]

TCM

Y

Y

9

Danzhong (RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Waiguan (SJ 5), Xuehai (SP 10)

15–25 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

36

Frequency: 3 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

Y

Y

Y

Peng, 2017 [45]

TCM

Y

Y

7

Shenting (DU 24), Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU14), Fengfu (DU 16), Mingmen (DU 4), Yongquan (KI 1)

≤40 mm

Deqi

Electrical

25 min

Diameter and length: 0.25 mm and (25–40) mm; Needle brand: Hwato; EA: G6805-II EA apparatus

30

Frequency: 1 time per day; Duration: 3 months

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Ben, 2016 [46]

TCM

Y

Y

4

Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40)

25–60 mm

Deqi

Electrical

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25–60 mm; Needle brand: NR; EA: G91-D EA apparatus

72

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Lin, 2016 [47]

TCM

Y

Y

13

Naohu (DU 17), Naokong (GB 19), Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), 3 points (2 cuns straight up the erjian, 1 cun front, and 1 cun back)

≤40 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Huanqiu

60

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Wang, 2015 [48]

TCM

Y

Y

2

Baihui (DU 20), Fengfu (DU 16)

13–25 mm

Deqi

Electrical

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 25 mm; Needle brand: Hwato; EA: G6805 EA apparatus

72

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Liu, 2015 [49]

TCM

Y

Y

2

Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14)

13 mm

NR

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: NR and 30–40 mm; Needle brand: NR

84

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Li, 2014a [50]

WM

Y

Y

15

Parietal area, preparietal area, frontal area

≤40 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: NR

56

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Wang, 2014 [51]

TCM

Y

Y

4

Coronal suture, sagittal suture, lambdoidal suture, frontotemporal sutures

25–35 mm

NR

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

20

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 20 days

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Ke, 2014 [52]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Yintang (DU 29), Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Xuanzhong (GB 39)

13–50 mm

NR

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Ni, 2014 [53]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39)

2.5–20 mm

NR

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Zhang, 2014 [54]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39)

7.5–50 mm

NR

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Yang, 2014 [55]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (DU 29), Xuanzhong (GB 39)

7.5–50 mm

NR

Manual

40 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

24

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 4 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Li, 2014b [56]

TCM

Y

Y

10/14

Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Dazhu (BL 11), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL20), Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23)/Baihui (DU 20), Zhongwan (RN 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (RN 4), zusanli (ST 36), Xiajuxu (ST 39)

13–32.5 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 25/40 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

40

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 8 weeks

Y

Y

NR

Y

Y

Lin, 2014 [57]

TCM

Y

Y

8

Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)

40–50 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.28–0.3 mm and 40–50 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

72

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Yan, 2014 [58]

TCM

Y

Y

11

Shenting (DU 24), Benshen (GB 13), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Shenmen (HT 7), Taixi (KI 3)

13–40 mm

Deqi

Manual

20 min

Diameter and length: 0.3–0.32 mm and 13–25 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

60

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

NR

NR

NR

Y

Gu, 2014 [59]

TCM

Y

Y

14

Shenting (DU 24), Baihui (DU 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (RN 17), Zhongwan (RN 12), Qihai (RN 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36)

13–40 mm

Deqi

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40–50 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

96

Frequency: 6 times per week; Duration: 16 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Sun, 2013 [60]

TCM

Y

Y

4

4 points (1.5 cuns far from the Baihui (DU 20))

NR

NR

Manual

30 min

NR

32

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 32 days

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Yin, 2013 [61]

TCM

Y

Y

4

Parietemporal anterior oblique line, parietemporal posterior oblique line

30–45 mm

Deqi

Manual

45 min

Diameter and length: 0.3 mm and 40–50 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

84

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

Y

NR

Y

Y

Zhu, 2010 [62]

TCM

Y

Y

7

Baihui (DU 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Xuehai (SP 10), Geshu (BL 17)

13–40 mm

NR

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.38 mm and 10–75 mm; Needle brand: Hwato

56

Frequency: 1 time per week; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

Y

NR

NR

Y

Jiang, 2004 [63]

TCM

Y

Y

7–8

Baihui (DU 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6)/Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Zusanli (ST 36)

≤40 mm

NR

Manual

30 min

Diameter and length: 0.35 mm and 40 mm; Needle brand: NR

40

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 8 weeks

NR

NR

NR

NR

Y

Dong, 2002 [64]

TCM

Y

Y

10–14

Baihui (DU 20), Dazhui (DU 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)/Sishencong (EX-HN1), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Taichong (LR 3)

NR

Deqi

Electrical

40 min

NR

60

Frequency: 5 times per week; Duration: 12 weeks

NR

NR

NR

NR

Y

Notes. 1a: style of acupuncture, 1b: reasoning for treatment provided, 1c: extent to which treatment was varied, 2a: number of needle insertions per subject per session, 2b: names of points used, 2c: depth of insertion, 2d: response sought, 2e: needle stimulation, 2f: needle retention time, 2g: needle type, 3a: number of treatment sessions, 3b: frequency and duration of treatment sessions, 4a: details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group, 4b: setting and context of treatment, 5: description of participating acupuncturists, 6a: rationale for the control or comparator, 6b: precise description of the control or comparator, NR: not recorded, and Y: yes.