[Motor dysfunction in stroke of subacute stage treated with acupuncture: multi-central randomized controlled study]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Integrative Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Context:

• Ischemic stroke frequently leads to persistent motor dysfunction.
• The subacute stage is a critical period for therapeutic intervention to improve long-term outcomes.
• Conventional treatments and rehabilitation offer benefits but often have limitations in restoring full motor function.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for motor dysfunction in patients with subacute ischemic stroke.
• To compare the efficacy of acupuncture plus conventional treatment versus conventional treatment alone.

Summary:

• A multi-center randomized controlled trial involving 126 patients with subacute ischemic stroke was conducted.
• Participants received either conventional treatment plus acupuncture or conventional treatment alone for 8 weeks, followed by a 3-month observation period.
• Assessments included the Fugl-Meyer scale, NIHSS scale, and Barthel index, showing significant improvements in the acupuncture group compared to the control group.

Impact:

• Acupuncture demonstrates satisfactory clinical efficacy in improving motor dysfunction in subacute ischemic stroke.
• The findings support the integration of acupuncture into standard care protocols for stroke rehabilitation.
• This approach offers a promising strategy to enhance motor recovery and functional independence in stroke survivors.