Efficacy of acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy on brain function activation area and neurological function in ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

If you or someone you love has experienced an ischemic stroke — the most common type, caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain — you may be wondering what recovery options are available beyond standard medical care. A new scientific review published in PLOS One examined whether acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy could help stroke survivors recover neurological function and regain movement.

Researchers analyzed 17 carefully selected clinical trials involving 699 stroke patients. They compared people who received acupuncture alongside rehabilitation therapy to those who received only conventional Western medical treatment. The results were encouraging.

Patients in the acupuncture and rehabilitation group showed significantly better motor function scores, measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), which tracks how well patients can move their limbs after stroke. They also scored meaningfully lower on the NIHSS — a standard scale used to measure stroke severity and neurological impairment — meaning their brain and nervous system function improved more than those receiving Western medicine alone. Importantly, brain imaging studies included in the review showed that acupuncture actually helped activate key brain areas responsible for movement, suggesting acupuncture may support the brain's natural ability to rewire and heal itself, a process known as neuroplasticity.

Perhaps just as reassuring, none of the studies reported any adverse events related to acupuncture treatment, supporting its safety profile in this vulnerable population.

While these findings are promising, researchers note that larger, higher-quality studies are still needed to fully confirm and expand on these results. For stroke survivors exploring complementary options, this research adds to a growing body of evidence that acupuncture may play a meaningful role in recovery.

If you are considering acupuncture after a stroke, always consult a licensed and experienced acupuncturist who has training in neurological rehabilitation.

This systematic review and meta-analysis (PLOS One) evaluated 17 RCTs comprising 699 patients with ischemic stroke, comparing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy against conventional Western medical treatment. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, with studies drawn from seven databases (January 2000–April 2023).

Key findings: The experimental group demonstrated superior outcomes across multiple measures. FMA scores were significantly higher in the acupuncture-rehabilitation group (MD = 4.79, 95% CI: 3.86–5.71, P < 0.00001), indicating improved motor function. NIHSS scores were significantly lower (MD = -4.12, 95% CI: -6.99 to -1.26, P < 0.05), reflecting reduced neurological deficit severity. Overall effective rate favored the intervention group (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.49–7.05, P < 0.05). Three studies utilizing neuroimaging reported activation of the SM1 cortical area following acupuncture, suggesting a neuroplasticity mechanism. No adverse events were reported across included studies.

Clinical takeaway: Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation produces statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in motor and neurological outcomes post-ischemic stroke. Future high-quality, double-blind RCTs with larger samples and long-term follow-up are warranted.