ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo verify the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus speech training and psychological intervention in treating dysarthria in hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson’s disease).MethodSixty patients were randomized into a control group, a treatment group, and a combined group, 20 in each group. The three groups all received conventional treatments including removal of copper, liver protection, and brain protection, based on which, the control group also received speech training, the treatment group received acupuncture based on the treatments given to the control group, and the combined group received psychological intervention based on the treatments given to the treatment group.ResultAfter 2-month treatment, in comparing the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, the combined group showed a more significant improvement than the treatment group and control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate was 75% in the combined group, versus 25% in the treatment group and 10% in the control group, and the total effective rate of the combined group was significantly higher than that of both treatment group and control group (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture plus speech training and psychological intervention can markedly improve the dysarthria symptoms of patients with Wilson’s disease, and recover their speech function and help them to go back to society.