Systematic review and Meta-analysis of brain plasticity associated with electroacupuncture in experimental ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the role of electroacupuncture in maintaining brain plasticity in ischemic stroke mediated brain damage. METHODS: We searched for all relevant trials published through Oct 7, 2022 from seven databases. Methodological quality was assessed using the CAMARADES Risk of Bias Tool. A Meta-analysis of comparative effects was performed using Review Manager v.5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 101 studies involving 2148 animals were included. For most studies, primary outcomes results of the Meta-analysis indicate that EA significantly improved ischemic stroke rat's postsynaptic density thickness [Standardized Mean Difference(SMD) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval(CI)(0.59, 2.23), P = 0.0008], numerical density of synapses [SMD = 1.55, 95% CI(0.48, 2.63), P = 0.005] compared with non-EA-treated. Similarly, EA could improve parts of biomarkers of synapses, neurogenesis, angiogenesis and neurotrophin activity than the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The existing evidence suggests EA regulating ischemic stroke may be through brain plasticity. More rigorous and high quality studies should be conducted in the future.