Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease

Overview

Journal Tzu Chi Med J

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Apr 29

PMID 33912408

Citations 8

Authors

Wei Wuli

Horng-Jyh Harn

Tzyy-Wen Chiou

Shinn-Zong Lin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a variety of causes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which includes the two main approaches of acupuncture and herbal medication, views the human body as a self-controlled system network. Fundamental theories, including "qi," the five elements, and the theory of viscera, form the basis for classification. Diseases in humans are considered to be caused by an imbalance of "yang qi" and "yin qi" that lead to the nonhomeostasis of organs. Acupuncture is derived from 12 main meridians and 365 acupuncture points characterized by "blood and qi." Needling of different positions corresponds to specific disease treatments to increase qi. Treatment with Chinese herbal medicines is based on syndrome differentiation characterized as "Zheng" which differs from the cause orientation approach of Western medicine. In this article, we review basic and clinical research studies that describe TCM herbs and acupuncture for the treatment of AD. Moreover, we propose that these two approaches be integrated to improve the outcomes for AD patients.

Citing Articles

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A Study on the Effect of Traditional Chinese Exercise Combined With Rhythm Training on the Intervention of Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Zhang Q, Zhu M, Huang L, Zhu M, Liu X, Zhou P Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2023; 38:15333175231190626.

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