RESUMO
Objective To observe the effects of a decoction of buzhong yiqi in conjunction with rehabilitation training in relieving post-stroke fatigue.Methods A group of 115 stroke patients was enrolled and randomly divided into a simple rehabilitation group and a combination therapy group.Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment and appropriate treatment of any primary diseases.In addition,those in the combination therapy group were given a decoction of buzhong yiqi twice daily for a total of 4 weeks.EMG signals,subjective evaluations of fatigue severity,active rehabilitation exercise duration,motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.The slope of the surface electromyogram's mean power frequency (KMPF) and median frequency (KMF) were used to quantify fatigue.Subjective fatigue severity was estimated using a fatigue severity scale (FSS).The active rehabilitation exercise lasted,on average,90 minutes daily.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to evaluate motor function and the modified Barthel index (MBI) ADL ability.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment all the outcomes in both groups had improved (except the FSS scores of the simple rehabilitation group).The KMPF,KMF,FSS,exercise duration,FMA scores and MBI scores in the combination therapy group were all significantly better than those in the simple rehabilitation group.Conclusion Taking buzhong yiqi can significantly improve the clinical effects of conventional rehabilitation training on post-stroke fatigue.It helps relieve fatigue,improve active participation in rehabilitation exercise,and also improve motor function and ADL ability.