Summary
A recent systematic review examined carefully selected randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
The following NHS Choices Behind the Headlines critical appraisal places this research in context, but is relatively dismissive:
“The studies [included in this review] were overall of poor quality with a high risk of bias, covered a relatively small non-Western population, didn’t look at dementia outcomes, and didn’t provide adequate safety information”.
Reference
Claims acupuncture ‘staves off dementia’ are missing the point. London: NHS Choices Behind the Headlines, August 5th 2016.
This relates to:
Reference
Deng, M. [and] Wang, X. (2016). Acupuncture for amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Acupuncture in Medicine. August 4th 2016. [Epub ahead of print].