Efficacy and duration of electro-acupuncture combined with conventional antipsychotics for schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and optimal course time of electro-acupuncture (EA) combined with conventional antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia (SZ) and to provide a basis for its clinical application. Methods: Relevant databases and authoritative websites were retrieved, and references were screened up to May 2021. Literature quality evaluation and data extraction were carried out according to the requirements of Cochrane version 5.1.0, and meta-analysis was conducted using Rav Man5.4 software. Results: In total, 16 randomized controlled trails comprising 1352 patients were selected. Meta-analysis revealed that the observation group showed greater improvements than the control group in total clinical efficacy (P < 0.00001, odds ratio [OR] = 3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.51, 4.91]), as well as better effective rate of symptom relief (P = 0.02, MD = 3.08, 95% CI = [1.23, 7.71]), and an improved negative symptom score (P = 0.005, MD = −4.50, 95% CI = [−6.52, −2.48]), positive symptom score (P < 0.0001, MD = −1.41, 95% CI = [−2.25, −0.57]), total score (P = 0.001, MD = 9.25, 95% CI = [13.03, 5.47]), and general psychopathological score (P < 0.0001, MD = −2.30, 95% CI = [−4.18, −0.43]) in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the effective rate of adverse reactions (P > 0.05). In the 4–6 weeks following treatment, a significant improvement in all the four components of the PANSS scores was observed in the observation group. Conclusion: The efficacy of EA combined with conventional antipsychotics for SZ is better than that of psychiatric drugs alone. In addition, the effect of a 4-to 6-week treatment course on each outcome index is more significant, and the efficacy is higher.