Pei Chen1,2, Lan Jiang1, Hualei Geng1, Xiao Han1, Yinping Xu3, Yan Chen4, Jinbin Guo5, Shuang Wu1, Yahui Wang1, Ruyu Yan1,6, Yi Ren1, Yihuai Zou1. 1. Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China. 2. The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100088, China. 3. Department of Neurology, Beijing Pinggu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 101200, China. 4. Department of Neurology, Beijing Changping Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102200, China. 5. Department of Neurology, Hospital affiliated to Changzhi Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Changzhi 046000, China. 6. Department of Emergency, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese herbal Xinglouchengqi (XLCQ) decoction for the treatment of constipation in acute ischemic stroke patients, and figure out the role that bowel movements play in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 317 eligible patients were recruited and randomized to the XLCQgroup (211 patients) or the control group (106 patients). In addition to conventional standard medical care and rehabilitation, participants in the XLCQ group received XLCQ decoction, while the control group received clysis therapy using glycerin enemas or lactulose oral solution. Both groups were given treatment for 3 to 6 d, during which they received daily visits to record defecation features and accompanying symptoms. Neurological assessments using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were conducted before and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: Patients in the XLCQ group had lower aggregate constipation scores compared with the control group on days 3 and 5 (P < 0.05). Spontaneous bowel movements tended to reappear more rapidly after taking the XLCQ decoction than after conventional laxative treatment. Both the average aggregate constipation score and the time taken to achieve spontaneous bowel movements showed positive correlations with NIHSS scores before and 1 month after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Treatment with XLCQ decoction effectively alleviated the overall symptoms of constipation in acute ischemic stroke patients. The status of bowel movements in acute ischemic stroke can reflect the severity of neurological impairment and predict neurological outcomes at 1 month.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese herbal Xinglouchengqi (XLCQ) decoction for the treatment of constipation in acute ischemic strokepatients, and figure out the role that bowel movements play in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 317 eligible patients were recruited and randomized to the XLCQ group (211 patients) or the control group (106 patients). In addition to conventional standard medical care and rehabilitation, participants in the XLCQ group received XLCQ decoction, while the control group received clysis therapy using glycerin enemas or lactulose oral solution. Both groups were given treatment for 3 to 6 d, during which they received daily visits to record defecation features and accompanying symptoms. Neurological assessments using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were conducted before and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS:Patients in the XLCQ group had lower aggregate constipation scores compared with the control group on days 3 and 5 (P < 0.05). Spontaneous bowel movements tended to reappear more rapidly after taking the XLCQ decoction than after conventional laxative treatment. Both the average aggregate constipation score and the time taken to achieve spontaneous bowel movements showed positive correlations with NIHSS scores before and 1 month after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Treatment with XLCQ decoction effectively alleviated the overall symptoms of constipation in acute ischemic strokepatients. The status of bowel movements in acute ischemic stroke can reflect the severity of neurological impairment and predict neurological outcomes at 1 month.