Short-Term Effects of Combining Moxibustion Therapy and Gua sha on Post-Multiple Cerebral Infarction Rehabilitation

This study aimed to assess the impact of combined moxibustion therapy and Gua sha on enhancing functional independence, reducing fall risk, and alleviating pain in patients undergoing post-rehabilitation for multiple cerebral infarctions.

In a prospective clinical trial, 67 patients diagnosed with multiple cerebral infarctions (age range: 40 to 93 years) were enrolled. Baseline health characteristics included a median hospital stay of 10 days, prevalent medical conditions such as hypertension (64.18%), and various comorbidities like spondylosis (17.91%) and heart disease (14.93%). Patients received moxibustion treatment daily for 20-30 minutes on specific acupoints of the upper and lower extremities. Additionally, Gua sha therapy targeting the the head, back, chest, abdomen, and selected acupoints was administered twice a week with an interval of 3 to 4 days. Assessments included Barthel Index (BI) for functional independence, Morse Fall Scale (MFS) for fall risk, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity before and after the intervention.

After one week of rehabilitation, significant improvements were observed in the patient's functional independence, as indicated by a median BI score of 100 (IQR: 95-100), compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 95 (IQR: 90-100). The MFS score also showed a significant decrease after rehabilitation, with a median score of 35 (IQR: 35-45) compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 45 (IQR: 35-45). Additionally, pain intensity significantly decreased, with a median VAS score of 0 (range: 0-2) after rehabilitation, compared to the pre-rehabilitation median score of 0 (range: 0-3).

Combined moxibustion therapy and Gua sha demonstrated positive effects on functional independence, fall risk reduction, and pain alleviation in post-rehabilitation for multiple cerebral infarctions. These findings suggest the potential of moxibustion and Gua sha as complementary interventions in stroke rehabilitation. The observed improvements in functional independence, fall risk, and pain underscore the potential benefits of these therapies for patients with multiple cerebral infarctions. Further exploration could delve into long-term effects, larger-scale trials, and mechanistic studies to elucidate the underlying pathways of efficacy.