Filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression

Filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression

To the editor,

I read with interest the recent report on “filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression” (Zhang et al., 2014). Zhang et al. (2014) performed a meta-analysis and concluded that “early filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression can perfectly control depression.” In fact, the included meta-analysis might support the clinical effectiveness of fi lariform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression. However, there are several concerns. First, the hospital infection due to acupuncture manipulation with fi liform is a big topic to be addressed. As Gang et al. (2012) noted, “aseptic technic principles aren’t strictly followed; disinfection and isolation systems are unsound; sanitary condition of hand of medical staff is unsatis fi ed.” In addition, some serious pene-trating injury such as pneumothorax is also possible (Zhao and Zhang, 2009). Second, there are many local Chinese publications in meta-analysis. To assess the subjective score reported by the patients, there might be some language barriers to be kept in interpretation.

Viroj Wiwanitkit

Joseph Ayobabalola University, Nigeria

Zhang J, Chen J, Chen J, Li X, Lai X, Zhang S, Wang S (2014) Early fi liform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled clinical trials. Neural Regen Res 9:773-784.

Gang SK, Li L, Yi XL, Wei DX, Hou M (2012) Review on hospital infection administration of acupuncture manipulation with filiform needles. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 32:89-91.

Zhao DY, Zhang GL (2009) Clinical analysis on 38 cases of pneumothorax induced by acupuncture or acupoint injection. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 29:239-242.

Viroj Wiwanitkit, Visiting professor,

10.4103/1673-5374.135320 http://www.nrronline.org/

Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, Bangkok Thailand, wviroj@yahoo.com.

Accepted: 2014-06-06

Wiwanitkit V. Filiform needle acupuncture for poststroke depression. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(12)：1248.