Hai-Qiao Wang1, Mei Hou2, He Li3, Chun-Ling Bao4, Liang Min3, Gui-Rong Dong4, Zhi-Hua Jiao4. 1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, South Campus, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: haiqiaodr@163.com. 2. Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation, Qingdao Women & Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. 3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, South Campus, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. 4. Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke. DESIGN:One hundred and thirty-four patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke were randomized to receive acupuncture treatment plus conventional treatment (treatment group) or conventional treatment only (control group). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Blinded evaluation was based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index with an intention-to-treat analysis. For those patients who were able to walk, a three-dimensional gait analysis system was employed to objectively record spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the treatment group showed a significantly greater over-time improvement in total Fugl-Meyer, lower-limb Fugl-Meyer, but not in upper-limb Fugl-Meyer and Barthel Index. The spatiotemporal parameters of velocity, step length, cadence, step width all showed significant difference between the 2 groups. The velocity in treatment group decreased unexpectedly at day 14, then increased sharply and overcame control group at day 28. The treatment group also showed a significantly greater increase in peak circumduction, peak hip hiking, hip range of motion, knee range of motion and a tendency for the ankle range of motion. CONCLUSIONS:Acupuncture may promote the motor function recovery of hemorrhagic stroke patients in subacute phase mainly by enhancing the lower limb ability. It probably diminishes the compensation strategies earlier to correct the abnormal gait pattern. Although this adjustment may result in a compromise in the improvement of gait velocity temporarily, patients would benefit from it in a long run.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effects of acupuncture treatment on motor function in patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke. DESIGN: One hundred and thirty-four patients with subacute hemorrhagic stroke were randomized to receive acupuncture treatment plus conventional treatment (treatment group) or conventional treatment only (control group). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Blinded evaluation was based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index with an intention-to-treat analysis. For those patients who were able to walk, a three-dimensional gait analysis system was employed to objectively record spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the treatment group showed a significantly greater over-time improvement in total Fugl-Meyer, lower-limb Fugl-Meyer, but not in upper-limb Fugl-Meyer and Barthel Index. The spatiotemporal parameters of velocity, step length, cadence, step width all showed significant difference between the 2 groups. The velocity in treatment group decreased unexpectedly at day 14, then increased sharply and overcame control group at day 28. The treatment group also showed a significantly greater increase in peak circumduction, peak hip hiking, hip range of motion, knee range of motion and a tendency for the ankle range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may promote the motor function recovery of hemorrhagic strokepatients in subacute phase mainly by enhancing the lower limb ability. It probably diminishes the compensation strategies earlier to correct the abnormal gait pattern. Although this adjustment may result in a compromise in the improvement of gait velocity temporarily, patients would benefit from it in a long run.
Authors: Tae-Young Choi; Lin Ang; Ji Hee Jun; Hye Won Lee; Jong-Min Yun; JiHee Kim; Byung Soon Moon; Min Cheol Joo; Myeong Soo Lee Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2022-01-07 Impact factor: 1.889