ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking based on the western medication for post stroke depression (PSD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with PSD were randomly assigned into an acupuncture plus auricular application group (a combination group) and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. 20 mg paroxetine hydrochloride was prescribed orally in the medication group, once a day for continuous 8 weeks. Based on the above treatment, 30-minute acupuncture was used in the combination group for 8 weeks at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), Yintang (GV 29), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Fenglong (ST 40), once the other day and three times a week. Auricular point sticking therapy for 8 weeks was applied at shenmen (TF), pizhixia (AT), xin (CO), and gan (CO), with pressing 3 times a day and once 3-5 days. The total score and each factor scores of Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD) were observed in the two groups before and after treatment, and Asberg's antidepressant side-effect rating scale (SERS) and clinical effect were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the total HAMD scores of the two groups decreased compared with those before treatment (both<0.05), with better effect in the combination group (<0.05). The scores of the combination group after treatment were lower than those in the medication group, including the anxiety/somatization factor, sleep disturbance factor, hopelessness factor (all<0.05). The total effective rate of the combination group was 86.7% (26/30), which was better than 66.7% (20/30) of the medication group (<0.05). The SERS score of the combination group was lower than that of the medication group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking can improve the clinical symptoms and are effective and safe for PSD.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the incidence,characteristics and risk factors of cognitive impairment in patients with transient ischemic attack(TI A) or minor stroke.Methods Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA) was carried out in 279 patients with TIA or minor stroke and 150 healthy controls to assess their cognitive function.Results (1) Compared with the healthy controls,the TIA/minor stroke patients scored significantly lower on MoCA total score((23.98±2.55) vs (26.60±0.99),t=12.084,P＜0.01) and subtests including visuoexecutive function((3.68±0.94) vs (4.41±0.64),t=8.483,P＜0.01),digital span ((1.81±0.40) vs (1.95±0.23),t=3.771,P＜0.01),attention((0.84±0.37) vs (0.95±0.23),t=3.357,P＜ 0.01),repetition((1.59±0.62) vs (1.89±0.37),t=5.496,P＜0.01),verbal fluency((0.88±0.33) vs (0.95 ± ±0.23),t=2.286,P＜0.05),abstraction((1.55±0.64) vs (1.91±0.34),t=6.357,P＜0.01) and recall ((2.87±1.13) vs (3.18±0.41),t=3.281,P＜0.01) were significantly decreased.(2) Of 279 TIA/Minor stroke patients,213 (76.3％) suffered from cognitive impairment.The incidence of cognitive impairment was positively correlated with the gender,age,educational level,smoking,course,leukoaraiosis,comorbidities such as hypertension,diabetes mellitus(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with hyperlipidemia(P＞0.05).Conclusion Extensive impairments of cognitive functions occur along with the incidence of TIA or minor stroke.It is thus suggested that cognitive assessment and interventions may be carried out at an early stage.
ABSTRACT
Vascular cognitive impairment has been a research hotspot in the field of neurology in recent years.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a rapid screening tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment.Now it has been widely used in the evaluation of vascular cognitive impairment.This article reviews the content,features,application status,and development prospects of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
ABSTRACT
The optimal therapeutic regimen for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACS) has been controversial.Early research suggests that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is effective for the treatment of patients with severe ACAS.In recent years,as a minimally invasive treatment,carotid artery stenting (CAS) is as effective as CEA.It has a trend of replacing CEA.In recent 10 years,medicine standardized treatment has made great progress.Recent studies have shown that the risk of stroke is lower using the optimal medical treatment in patients with ACAS compared with CEA and CAS.The key of choosing optimal therapeutic regimen is to identify the high risk patients with stroke.