Clinical Study on the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease of Spleen Deficiency and Phlegm Obstruction Type by Wenpi Tongluo Kaiqiao Formula Combined with Acupuncture

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Wenpi Tongluo Kaiqiao Formula combined with acupuncture in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) of spleen deficiency and phlegm obstruction type. Methods: 90 cases with AD of spleen deficiency and phlegm obstruction type who were admitted to the Department of Encephalopathy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from December 2023 to October 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the control group, the decoction group, and the acupuncture-medication group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was given donepezil hydrochloride tablets orally; the decoction group was given Wenpi Tongluo Kaiqiao Formula in addition to the treatment in the control group; the acupuncture-medication group was given acupuncture method of invigorating the spleen, resolving phlegm, and opening the orifices in addition to the treatment in the decoction group. The treatment course for each group was 4 weeks. After treatment, the clinical total effective rate of the three groups was compared, and their safety was evaluated. Results: 81 cases completed the trial (27 cases in the control group, 26 cases in the decoction group, and 28 cases in the acupuncture-medication group). There was a statistically significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups (P < 0.05), with the acupuncture-medication group having the best efficacy, followed by the decoction group, and the control group having the poorest efficacy. There were no adverse reactions reported in any group during the treatment course. Conclusion: Wenpi Tongluo Kaiqiao Formula combined with acupuncture is more effective than either taking donepezil hydrochloride tablets alone or taking donepezil hydrochloride tablets combined with Wenpi Tongluo Kaiqiao Formula for this type of AD, and it is worthy of clinical promotion.