摘要OBJECTIVE:To systematically evaluate the role of electroacupuncture in maintaining brain plasticity in ischemic stroke mediated brain damage.METHODS:We searched for all relevant trials published through Oct 7,2022 from seven databases.Metho-dological quality was assessed using the CAMARADES Risk of Bias Tool.A Meta-analysis of comparative effects was performed using Review Manager v.5.3 software.RESULTS:A total of 101 studies involving 2148 animals were included.For most studies,primary outcomes results of the Meta-analysis indicate that EA significantly improved ischemic stroke rat's postsynaptic density thickness[Standardized Mean Difference(SMD)=1.41,95％confidence interval(CI)(0.59,2.23),P=0.0008],numerical density of synapses[SMD=1.55,95％CI(0.48,2.63),P=0.005]compared with non-EA-treated.Similarly,EA could improve parts of biomarkers of synapses,neurogenesis,angiogenesis and neurotrophin activity than the control group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The existing evidence suggests EA regulating ischemic stroke may be through brain plasticity.More rigorous and high quality studies should be conducted in the future.