The Effect of Integrative Treatment on Improving Functional Level in Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of integrative treatment on functional recovery in stroke patients by comparing medical records of those receiving Western rehabilitation treatment only versus integrative treatment in a single hospital. Methods: Medical records of 174 stroke patients were analyzed, divided into three groups based on Korean medicinal treatment frequency: Western rehabilitation only (WO), Western rehabilitation with low-frequency Korean medicine (WLK), and Western rehabilitation with high-frequency Korean medicine (WHK). Patients were further categorized into subacute (last 3 months) and chronic (last 6 months) stroke groups. Functional recovery was assessed using tools like the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and others. Results: Overall, BBS and MBI scores showed significant improvements in WLK and WHK groups compared to the WO group. In subacute patients at 3 months post-treatment (MPT), BBS scores increased by 1.7 ± 2.0 (WO), 3.3 ± 4.8 (WLK), and 5.6 ± 5.2 (WHK), with significant differences between WO and WHK (p < 0.05). In chronic patients at 6 MPT, BBS scores rose by 0.4 ± 1.1 (WO), 1.8 ± 1.7 (WLK), and 5.3 ± 6.4 (WHK), again significant between WO and WHK (p < 0.05). MBI scores in subacute patients at 3 MPT increased by 0.7 ± 2.1 (WO), 2.5 ± 2.9 (WLK), and 3.9 ± 5.5 (WHK), with significant differences between WO and WHK (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Integrative treatment with Korean medicine significantly enhanced balance, daily activity performance, and functional levels in stroke patients compared to Western rehabilitation alone.