Acupuncture Efficacy on Ischemic Stroke Recovery

Abstract

Therefore, we designed this randomized controlled trials with a larger sample, and scales to Background and Purpose-Acupuncture is a frequently used complementary treatment for ischemic stroke in China but the evidence available from previous randomized trials is inconclusive. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in a more robustly designed larger scale trial. Methods-This is a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Eight hundred sixty-two hospitalized patients with limb paralysis between 3 to 10 days after ischemic stroke onset were allocated acupuncture plus standard care or standard care alone. The acupuncture was applied 5 times per week for 3 to 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were defined as follows: (1) death/disability according to Barthel index and (2) death/institutional care at 6 months. Results-There was a tendency of fewer patients being dead or dependent in acupuncture group (80/385, 20.7%) than in control group (102/396, 25.8%) at 6 months (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-1.05). The benefit was noted in subgroup receiving ≥10 sessions of acupuncture (odds ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.98). There was no statistical difference in death or institutional care between the 2 groups (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.79). Severe adverse events occurred in 7.6% and 8.3% of patients in the 2 groups, respectively. Conclusions-Acupuncture seemed to be safe in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. If the potential benefits observed are confirmed in future larger study, the health gain from wider use of the treatment could be substantial. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.chictr.org/en/. Unique identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-11001353.

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Learning and Memory and Improves Synaptic Plasticity via Activation of the PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway in Cerebral Hypoperfusion

“…As a novel combinational approach, electroacupuncture (EA) therapy, consisting of traditional acupuncture and modern electrotherapy technology, was frequently reported to alleviate cognitive decline in patients with stroke [2], Alzheimer disease (AD) [3, 4], or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [5–7]. In addition, EA was suggested to prevent cognitive deficits in rats with cerebral ischemia [8–11].…”

Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Lower Limb Spasticity in Patients Following Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Pilot Study

“…Moreover, most sham acupuncture used in previous studies is by inserting at different points. However, it is also a kind of acupuncture [32], and might induce underlying physiological effects [33], and therefore confuses the interpretation of the results. In view of this, we took the conventional treatment as control.…”

Effect of Integrated Medicine on Physical Performances of Orthopaedic and Stroke Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

“…Although a Cochrane study [17] concluded that there was inadequate evidence to draw any conclusions as to the efficacy of this methodology, a meta-analysis [18] demonstrates its efficacy and safety. Few studies integrating acupuncture into post-stroke rehabilitation therapy have been performed in western countries [19,20]: to date, most have been conducted in the East, where acupuncture is a common and acknowledged therapy [21][22][23][24].…”