Effects of acupuncture plus language training on language function and cerebral blood flow in patients with motor aphasia after ischemic stroke / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints plus language training on the language function and cerebral blood flow in patients with motor aphasia after ischemic stroke. Methods: Eighty-six patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 43 cases in each group. Conventional symptomatic treatment was offered to both groups. Besides, the control group received language training, while the observation group received language training plus additional acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints. Before and after treatment, the aphasia battery of Chinese (ABC) and Chinese functional communication profile (CFCP) were tested, and the mean velocity (Vm) and resistance index (RI) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) were detected. Results: The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the observation group gained higher scores in oral expression, comprehension, repeating, naming objects, reading, and writing, as well as the general score of ABC (all P<0.05), higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The CFCP score increased in both groups after intervention, showing significant intra-group differences (both P<0.05), and the CFCP score was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, Vm of the left side MCA increased in the control group (P<0.05), while no significant change was observed in RI (P>0.05); in the observation group, Vm of the left side MCA increased and RI decreased significantly compared with the baseline (both P<0.05), and were markedly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints plus language training can produce valid efficacy in treating motor aphasia after ischemic stroke; it can notably improve the language function, everyday oral communication ability, and increase cerebral perfusion of the patients.