Pharmacopuncture for stroke survivors: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials in South Korea. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Mikyung; Han, Chang-ho
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 40(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Acupoint injection -- Bee venom -- Cerebrovascular disorders -- Korean medicine -- Pharmacopuncture -- Stroke; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101179
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Pharmacopuncture is one of the widely used interventions for stroke in Korea, but there is a lack of such evidence. This study was aimed to summarize the currently available evidence on the use of pharmacopuncture for stroke in the clinical practice of Korean medicine. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmacopuncture for stroke in Korea was conducted. Results: Pharmacopuncture using bee venom was significantly beneficial for improving motor function and relieving the post-stroke shoulder pain. No serious adverse events were reported. The overall risk of bias of the included studies indicated a certain degree of concern and the level of evidence was low. Conclusion: The majority of RCTs have focused on the pain relief effects of bee venom injection. However, the quantity and quality of the evidence are not sufficiently high to draw definitive conclusions on this topic. Highlights: The main focus of randomized controlled trials on pharmacopuncture for stroke in Korea is the pain relief effect using bee venom injection. Currently, available evidence indicates that pharmacopuncture using bee venom is significantly effective in reducing pain and improving upper extremity motor function in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain. Given that observations are based on a small number of small-sized studies with unclear quality, the efficacy of pharmacopuncture using bee venom cannot be conclusively established. Further studies, rigorously designed to reduce the risk of bias and ensure appropriate sample size, examining the effects of a broader range of medicaments on a more diverse spectrum of stroke-related conditions are warranted to assess the pharmacopuncture used in the clinical practice of traditional Korean medicine.