Memory acupuncture research demonstrates improved cognition and memory. Acupuncture outperformed drug therapy for the treatment of vascular dementia and was found both safe and effective. Multiple studies point to scalp acupuncture as particularly beneficial for improved memory.
Researchers at Wuhan University of Science and Technology published their study in the Journal of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine. The research demonstrated that acupuncture achieved a 90% total effective rate when using the Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture protocol (scalp acupuncture). Conventional acupuncture achieved an 80% total effective rate, while drug therapy achieved a 60% total effective rate.
The Problem
Vascular dementia is caused by impaired blood flow and oxygen deprivation to the brain. Mental deterioration affects cognition, memory, language skills, emotions and personality. The researchers cite Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory as the basis for their acupuncture protocol development.
A classic Chinese medicine text, Huang di Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) states that the Governor meridian (Du Mai) is related to the brain and marrow. The Bladder meridian (Foot Tai Yang) is also closely related to the brain. TCM understands vascular dementia to involve deficient liver and kidney qi and blood, phlegm stagnation, and qi and blood stasis.
The Study
Three groups of patients were compared in this memory acupuncture research. The drug therapy group received 0.8 g tablets of piracetam three times a day for thirty days. Piracetam is a neurotransmitter used to enhance memory and cognition.
The conventional acupuncture group was needled at the following acupuncture points:
Baihui, DU20
Sishencong
Fengchi, GB20
Shuigou, DU26
Quchi, LI11
Zusanli, ST36
Juegu, GB39
Taixi, KD3
The Xing Nao Kai Qiao scalp acupuncture treatment consisted of body and scalp acupuncture points. Body style acupoints included:
Neiguan, PC6
Renzhong (Shuigou), DU26
Yintang
Scalp acupuncture points included the following:
middle line of vertex at Qianding (DU21) towards Baihui
middle line of forehead at Shenting (DU24)
both sides of the lateral line 1 of vertex at Chengguang (BL6)
emotional area (2 cm laterally to the anterior median line and 2 cm within the hairline)
All acupuncture treatments were given to patients once a day, six days a week, for a total of thirty days.
Memory Acupuncture Research Results
The researchers concluded that acupuncture outperformed drug therapy. This confirms our own experiences at Raleigh Acupuncture. Acupuncture improves memory and cognition. Not just for dementia patients, but for everyone. Whether you are in your 80s (seniors), 50s (menopausal) or 20s (college students), acupuncture improves memory, concentration, focus, clarity and knowledge retention.
Related Research
In related MRI research, Wang et al. concluded that acupuncture “can enhance the hippocampal connectivity in AD [Alzheimer disease] patients.” This memory acupuncture research study measured regions of disrupted brain connectivity in AD patients. After acupuncture, the MRIs showed that AD patients had significant improvements in connectivity for frontal and lateral temporal regions of the hippocampus. The study applied fMRI technology in order to measure the effects of acupuncture points LV3 (Taichong) and LI4 (Hegu) on the brain.
In a related multi-center randomized controlled trial of 184 subjects with vascular dementia, Huang et al. concluded that acupuncture was an effective treatment. It significantly improved cognition, activities of daily living, mental state and social behavior for vascular dementia patients.
Gang et al. found acupuncture more effective than almitrine (Duxil) for the treatment of vascular dementia. Researchers stated, “The efficacy of treating vascular dementia gait disorder with electro-acupuncture (EA) on EX-B2 along lumbar vertebra combined with scalp acupuncture was superior to orally administered Duxil.”
Feng et al. added that acupuncture at DU20 (a point at the top of the head) “significantly increases the levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and restores the expression of choline transporter 1 (CHT1) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT).” This demonstrates that acupuncture treats cognition and memory disorders, at least in part, by regulating brain cholinergic functioning.
Next Steps
If you are struggling with memory or concentration issues, try acupuncture. It is safe, natural and provides long lasting results. And this memory acupuncture research confirms our own experiences in the clinic.
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References
Mao QJ. (2015). Clinical Observation of Xingnaokaiqiao Acupuncture Combined with Scalp Acupuncture in Treatment of Vascular Dementia. Journal of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine. 17(4).
Chen JP & Lin Y. (2002). Treatment of Dementia. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House. 139.
Wang, Zhiqun, Peipeng Liang, Zhilian Zhao, Ying Han, Haiqing Song, Jianyang Xu, Jie Lu, and Kuncheng Li. “Acupuncture Modulates Resting State Hippocampal Functional Connectivity in Alzheimer Disease.” PloS one 9, no. 3 (2014): e91160.
Shi, G. X., C. Z. Liu, Wei Guan, Z. K. Wang, Lei Wang, Chuan Xiao, Z. G. Li, Q. Q. Li, and L. P. Wang. “Effects of acupuncture on Chinese medicine syndromes of vascular dementia.” Chinese journal of integrative medicine (2013).
Huang, Lin-na, An, Jun-ming, Su, Tong-sheng; Wang, Pu; Dong, Lan; Zhang, Ruo-ping; Ren, Yu-juan; Ren, Yuan-yuan. Therapeutic efficacy observation on scalp acupuncture for vascular dementia. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2012-02-01. Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian Co-published with Springer-Verlag GmbH. 1672-3597. Volume: 10. Issue: 1. Doi: 10.1007/s11726-012-0567-z.
Gang, F. E. N. G. “Observation on efficacy of treating vascular dementia gait disorder with electro-acupuncture (EA) on Jiāj (EX-B2) along lumbar vertebra combined with scalp acupuncture.” World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion 24, no. 2 (2014): 1-5.
Shi GX, Liu CZ, Li QQ, Zhu H, Wang LP. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2012, 32(2):199-202.
Feng, Shuwei, Yulan Ren, Shilin Fan, Minyu Wang, Tianxiao Sun, Fang Zeng, Ping Li, and Fanrong Liang. “Discovery of Acupoints and Combinations with Potential to Treat Vascular Dementia: A Data Mining Analysis.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 501 (2015): 310591.
If you have any questions about this memory acupuncture research feel free to give us a call. We’ll be happy to discuss it with you.
What our Clients are Saying
My wife made me come to acupuncture because I was always forgetting what she told me. Now I remember. So is this supposed to be good for me? I’m kidding! Yes, it helped. I’m not sure how, but it did work. I’m 90 years old, so I’m not supposed to remember everything, but I feel like my brain got a tune-up. They put up with my jokes here. And they fixed my neck pain too.
I suffered memory loss and inability to concentrate following a concussion several years ago. I made slow progress, but was still struggling in this area. Acupuncture has truly helped. I now have better recall and I don’t get that foggy brain as much. I’m less distracted as well. I told my doctor about acupuncture for concussion patients. I think everyone should get this done as part of their rehab. I could have used this three years ago.
I’m 87 years old, in good health all things considered. But my “senior moments” were starting to drive me crazy. I found their website and read about what acupuncture could do for memory and decided to give it a try. After several treatments I’m not ready to recite Shakespeare, but I’m not losing my car keys as frequently. My mind is definitely retaining information better, and I’m grateful for that. I will continue with the acupuncture and see what else it can do.