Efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for sepsis

Xian, Jin; Wang, Ling; Zhang, Changyun; Wang, Jian; Zhu, Yushuo; Yu, Huijuan; Zhang, Xin; Tan, Qiwen · Medicine · 2022 January

DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000018025

Objective

This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for sepsis.

Conclusions

Acupuncture is simple operation and low cost, if the evidence could prove acupuncture is useful for sepsis, it might save some cost of sepsis and improve the quality of life.

Critical Appraisal

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Related insights

Acupuncture, via nerve stimulation, can be a promising treatment strategy for controlling inflammation and improving organ function during sepsis by activating immune reflexes.
Electrical acupuncture alongside standard sepsis care improved illness severity, potentially by restoring immune function, although it did not significantly reduce short-term mortality.