Meta-analysis of acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for post-stroke dysphagia

Wenjie TU, Tingting ZHAN, Jinrui SHI, Yihang ZHU

Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders ›› 2026, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (3) : 177-185.

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Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Abbreviation (ISO4): Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders      Editor in chief: Jun WANG

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Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders ›› 2026, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (3) : 177-185. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2096-5516.2026.03.006
ResearchArticles

Meta-analysis of acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for post-stroke dysphagia

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with NMES for treating dysphagia after stroke. Methods: Computerized searches were conducted in Chinese and English databases including CNKI, VIP, WANFANG DATA, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify RCTs on acupuncture combined with NMES for post-stroke dysphagia from database inception to December 2024. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data, and performed meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results: A total of 27 RCTs involving 2 013 patients were included. Results showed that compared with acupuncture alone, acupuncture combined with NMES significantly increased the clinical total effective rate (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.18-1.28, P < 0.00001) and better improved swallowing function measures including the Water Swallow Test (WST), Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) (all P < 0.05), while reducing the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.85, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with NMES represents an effective and safe treatment regimen for post-stroke dysphagia, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to acupuncture alone.

Key words

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation / Stroke / Acupuncture / Dysphagia / Meta-analysis

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Wenjie TU , Tingting ZHAN , Jinrui SHI , et al. Meta-analysis of acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for post-stroke dysphagia[J]. Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. 2026, 9(3): 177-185 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.2096-5516.2026.03.006

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利益冲突声明: 所有作者在本研究中不存在任何利益冲突。

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