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Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

電針灸對復發缺血性腦中風復健療效之隨機試驗

Abstract

The application of acupuncture on stroke patients is becoming popular. However, the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on recurrent ischemic stroke has not been well studied. This randomized controlled study compared the therapeutic effectiveness of recurrent ischemic stroke patients who received conventional rehabilitation (including medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy) (control group) versus those who received conventional rehabilitation plus additional 8 courses of electroacupuncture therapy (acupuncture group). A physiatrist who was unaware of the treatment status of the patients regularly assessed the patients with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) at before treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment, and 3 months and 6 months after the onset of stroke. The results showed that the acupuncture group had better improvement in independnce in activities of daily living. The improvements of total FIM score in acupuncture group and control group were 17.25, 1.58 (P < 0.01) at 2 weeks after treatment; 27.13, 11.64 (P = 0.01) at 4 weeks after treatment; 38.75, 16.09 (P < 0.01) at 3 months after stroke; 42.43, 20.60 (P = 0.02) at 6 months after treatment, respectively. The improvements were more striking in the categories of self care, sphincter control, transfer, and locomotion. As regards to FMA in acupuncture group and control group, low limb motor function improved 5.25, 0.64 (P = 0.02) at 4 weeks after treatment; balance improved 4.38, -0.33 (P < 0.01) at 2 weeks after treatment respectively. Sensory function improved 3.33, 0.80 (P = 0.02); 4.40, 1.56 (P = 0.04) at 3 months and 6 months after stroke in acupuncture group and control group, respectively. There was no significant effect on upper limb motor functional improvement. It is recommended to combine one month of electroacupuncture therapy with conventional rehabilitation for better improved independence in activities of daily living, lower limb motor, sensory, and balance function in recurrent ischemic stroke patients.

Language

Traditional Chinese

First Page

9

Last Page

18

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