Clinical Study on Long-time Needle Retaining at Scalp Acupoints for Motor Dysfunction in Sub-acute Stage of Cerebral Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of long-time needle retaining at scalp acupoints plus body acupuncture in treating motor dysfunction in the sub-acute stage of cerebral stroke.Method A hundred patients in sub-acute stage of cerebral infarction or hemorrhage scored 4-24 by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by dry rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally intervened by long-time needle retaining at scalp acupoints (6-8 h) plus body acupuncture. The neural functional deficit, motor function, and activities of daily life were estimated and compared respectively by using NIHSS, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA), and Barthel Index (BI).Result The NIHSS score was significantly changed in the treatment group after 1 treatment course (P<0.05). After 2 treatment courses, the NIHSS scores were significantly changed in both groups compared to that before treatment (P<0.05). The FMA and BI scores were remarkably changed in both groups respectively after 1 and 2 treatment courses compared to that before treatment (P<0.05). After 2 treatment courses, there were significant differences in comparing the NIHSS score and BI score between the two groups.Conclusion Long-time needle retaining at Scalp acupoints plus body acupuncture can improve the neural function deficit, motor function, and activities of daily life in sub-acute stage of cerebral stroke.