Objectives :The purpose of this study was to obtain some knowledge concerning the scalp acupuncture treatment on patients with dementia for the future practice and research from clinical studies in China.
Methods :The literatures were searched using the data base-China Academic Journals(CAJ) (2001-2011).
Results :We found out 1 case study, and 17 randomized controlled trials(RCT) which met the inclusion criteria in most studies.
There were 3 types of scalp acupuncture-applying method, cho-si scalp acupuncture(焦氏頭鍼法), combination of using ordinary acupoints(正經鍼) and extraordinary acupoints(經外寄穴), standard method of scalp acupuncture(標準頭鍼法). The often used acupoints are Yundongqu(運動區), Ganjuequ(感覺區), Yuntingqu(暈聽區), Zuyunganqu(足運感區), Sishencong (HN23), Baihui(GV20), Shenting(GV24), Fengchi(GB20), Dingnieqianxiexian(MS6), and Dingniehouxiexian(MS7).
Conclusions :There were significant improvements on the scalp acupuncture-treated groups, compared to the control groups(western medication group or other acupuncture treatment group). Results of this study could be used for future studies concerning the scalp acupuncture for dementia.