The role of electroacupuncture in stroke treatment: A systematic review of the literature

Stroke is a major cause of serious neurological disability, and the second leading cause of death worldwide with more than 6 million deaths each year. Although pharmaceutical treatment of stroke has advanced over the last decades, clinical treatment or prevention of motor impairment (which is the most frequent complication) is still inadequate. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new techniques and strategies aimed at reducing this complication. Acupuncture has been widely used for treating stroke in China for a long time and stroke is one of the most common diseases for which acupuncture treatment is recommended, according to the World Health Organization. The study presents the available experimental and clinical data to date regarding the role of electroacupuncture (a combination of traditional acupuncture and electrical stimulation) in the treatment of stroke. Key words: Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, stroke, rehabilitation, motor recovery, ischemia.