Modified Scalp Acupuncture for Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders in Dogs: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Scalp acupuncture (SAP) has demonstrated efficacy for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. To improve SAP’s practicality, while maintaining efficacy in dogs, a modified SAP (mSAP) technique was developed. The efficacy of mSAP when added to integrative therapy for CNS disorders above the foramen magnum (e.g. seizures, central vestibular disease, stroke/cerebrovascular accident) was evaluated in 46 dogs in a retrospective study. Dogs were categorized into 2 groups: Test (n=35) received mSAP and integrative treatment, and Control received integrative therapy without mSAP (n=11). Study dogs were assigned a neurological deficit/dysfunction score or seizure severity score before and after 45 days of treatment. Successful recovery was defined: 1) seizure frequency reduction by 2 grade levels or resolution of seizure activity or 2) neurological deficit improvement of 2 grade levels and/or return of ability to stand and walk without assistance. Time-to-recovery (TTR) data (in days) was recorded for dogs who met the criteria for recovery. The effect of mSAP treatment was compared to controls with respect to (1) recovery rate (%) and (2) mean TTR for those who recovered. All but one subject in the Test Group (97.1%) and 7 out of 11 controls (63.6%) met recovery criteria, p=0.009. The mean (SD) TTR in the Test Group was 6.7 (SD 6.2) days which was significantly shorter (p=0.001) than the Control Group mean of 21.0 (SD 12.1) days. Study findings suggest that adding mSAP to integrative treatment may shorten the recovery period for CNS disorders above the foramen magnum in dogs.