Background Acupuncture stimulation, which comes from the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, is used to clear the meridians, regulate qi and blood and treat a variety of diseases. It can also be exploited for mitigating pain and assisting anesthesia in surgery. Recent studies have found that perioperative acupoint stimulation therapy also have some effect on improving postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Objective To review the research progress of theoretical and clinical research of Chinese and Western medicine theory on prevention of POCD by perioperative acupoint stimulation. Content Through summarizing recent research literature, the review summaries risk factors, diagnostic criteria, prevention and treatment strategies of POCD. It has an introduction of the theory origin of stimulate acupuncture and a discussion about possible mechanism and clinical application for stimulate acupuncture on the prevention of POCD. Trend The pathogenesis of POCD is still not entirely clear. It may provides ideas for finding the best way to treat POCD by stimulating acupuncture if the mechanism be elucidated.