Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Mouse Nerve Growth Factor Acupoint Injection for Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) markedly impairs rehabilitation efficacy and quality of life. Safe and effective interventions are urgently needed. Eighty-four patients with PSCI were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 28 per group). Group A received conventional cognitive training. Group B received conventional training plus scalp acupuncture. Group C received the treatment of Group B combined with mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) acupoint injection. All interventions lasted 4 weeks. All groups exhibited significant within-group improvements in MoCA, ADL, MBI, and FMA scores after intervention. Group C achieved the optimal cognitive efficacy:​ the post-treatment MoCA score was 26.7 ± 2.9 (95% CI, 25.53-27.87), significantly higher than that in Group A (21.5 ± 3.5 (95% CI, 20.22-22.78), P < 0.001) and Group B (23.8 ± 3.2)(95% CI, 22.48-25.12), P = 0.003). The ADL score in Group C was the lowest among the three groups (F = 28.963, P < 0.001), suggesting better independence. Moreover, motor function (FMA) and basic self-care ability (MBI) were also significantly improved in all groups after intervention. There were significant inter-group differences in post-treatment FMA and MBI scores (F-FMA = 29.745, P < 0.001; F-MBI = 35.872, P < 0.001). The scores increased gradually from Group A to Group C, with Group C achieving the best improvement. Conventional cognitive training improves cognitive function and daily living ability in patients with PSCI. Scalp acupuncture combined with conventional training is more effective than training alone. The triple therapy of conventional training, scalp acupuncture, and mNGF acupoint injection further enhances rehabilitation outcomes, with prominent clinical application value.