[Acupuncture in stroke]. / Akupunktur ved hjerneslag.

In 1995 we reported that acupuncture treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage resulted in added therapeutic benefit. The purpose of the present study was to determine, one year after discharge from the rehabilitation centre, whether the treatment continued to have effect. Initially, 45 stroke patients were included in the study; median 40 days post stroke. The patients were randomized into two groups; one acupuncture group and one control group, taking into considering the patients' sex and the actual site of the lesion. All subjects received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received additional treatment with classical acupuncture for six weeks. The patients were thereafter given individual treatment at the rehabilitation centre and then under the primary health care service. 41 of the patients were available for further study one year after treatment ended; 21 patients from the acupuncture group and 20 from the control group. The results show that there was a significantly greater improvement in the acupuncture group than in the control group, both during the six-week treatment period, and even more so during the following year. These assessments were based on the Motor Assessment Scale, the Sunnaas Index of Daily Living (ADL), the Nottingham Health Profile and the patients' social circumstances.

A one year follow-up study on the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage: a randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: We recently reported that acupuncture treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage gave additive therapeutic benefit. The purpose of the present study was to determine, approximately one year after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital, whether the group differences still remained. DESIGN: The patients were randomized into two groups: one acupuncture group and one control group, considering gender and side of hemispheral localization of lesion. With regard to the main parameters the groups were comparable at baseline. SETTING: Initially, 45 stroke patients admitted to Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital were included in the study: median 40 days post stroke. SUBJECTS: Forty-one of the patients were available one year after the treatment period: 21 patients in the acupuncture group and 20 controls. INTERVENTION: All subjects received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received additional treatment with classical acupuncture for 30 min three to four times weekly for six weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were evaluated at inclusion, after six weeks and approximately 12 months after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital. The Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) for stroke patients, Sunnaas Index of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used. In addition, the social situations of the patients were recorded at one year follow-up. RESULTS: The results show that the acupuncture group improved significantly more than the controls, both during the treatment period of six weeks, and even more during the following year, both according to MAS, ADL, NHP and the social situation. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism of the effects is debatable, there seems to be a positive long-term effect of acupuncture given in the subacute stage post stroke.

[Acupuncture therapy in stroke during the subacute phase. A randomized controlled trial]. / Akupunkturbehandling ved hjerneslag i subakutt fase. En randomisert kontrollert studie.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether acupuncture treatment, if given to stroke patients in subacute phase in addition to rehabilitation would influence motor function, activity of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. After obtaining informed consent, 45 patients (median age 57 years) were randomised into a control group (n = 21) and an acupuncture group (n = 24). Median time from onset of stroke to inclusion in the study was 40 days. The inclusion criterion was hemiparesis following a first-ever stroke. When included and six weeks later all patients were evaluated by three measurement systems: the Motor Assessment Scale for stroke patients, Sunnaas Index of ADL and Nottingham Health Profile. All patients underwent individually adapted rehabilitation therapy. The patients in the treatment group were given classical acupuncture three to four times a week for six weeks, each session lasting 20-30 minutes. Both groups improved significantly in motor function and ADL. However, improvement was significantly greater among the acupuncture group than among the controls. Only the acupuncture group rated a significantly improved quality of life. Our results indicate that acupuncture gives an additive therapeutic benefit when given to stroke patients during their rehabilitation programme in the subacute phase.