Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of Euodia rutaecarpa Benth acupressure and Wendan decoction in the treatment of vertigo

Purpose: To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of combining Euodia rutaecarpa Benth acupressure with Wendan decoction for the treatment of vertigo, thereby establishing a theoretical framework for informed clinical practice. Methods: Computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify randomized controlled literature pertaining to efficacy and safety of Euodia rutaecarpa Benth acupressure in combination with Wendan decoction for management of vertigo. The experimental group received an intervention of Euodia rutaecarpa Benth acupressure combined with Wendan decoction. Articles that met set inclusion and exclusion criteria were screened and evaluated for quality based on Cochrane Quality Rating Scale. Baseline data, intervention data and outcome indicators of included studies were also extracted. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: The difference in symptom scores between groups was statistically significant (RR = -0.04, 95 % CI (-0.3, 0.23), p = 0.78). Meta-analysis of the outcome indicators showed heterogeneity at p < 0.0001, I-2 = 91 %. I-2 = 91 > 50 %. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups in terms of total treatment efficiency (RR = 0.31, 95 % CI (-0.25, 0.88), p = 0.28). Heterogeneity of vertigo degree score showed p < 0.0001, I-2 = 98 %. I-2 = 98 % > 50 %, SMD = 2.34, 95 % CI (0.69, 3.99), p = 0.53. Conclusion: The combination of clinical Euodia rutaecarpa Upright acupressure and Wendan decoction demonstrates significant clinical effectiveness in treating vertigo as evidenced by improvement of all indicators. Moreover, this treatment approach exhibits a high level of safety.