Effects of Immune Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Infection and Outcome in Stroke Inpatients / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of immune acupuncture and moxibustion on the infection in hospital and the outcome of re-habilitation after stroke. Methods From January, 2014 to January, 2016, 100 patients following acute stroke were randomly divided into ob-servation group (n=50) and control group (n=50). The control group accepted routine medications, rehabilitation and acupuncture, while the observation group accepted acupuncture and moxibustion on Guanyuan (RN4), Qihai (RN6) and Zusanli (ST36) in addition. The nosocomi-al infection rate was recorded 90 days after treatment, and the T lymphocyte subsets, scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were measured before and after treatment. Results The nosocomial infection rate was 20% in the observation group, less than 42% in the control group (χ2=5.657, P2.463, P2.225, P<0.05). Conclusion Immune acupuncture and moxibustion therapy can reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection, and promote the func-tion of the immune system and outcome in patients after acute stroke.