Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiao Shen Kai Yu (regulating mind and anti-depression) needling plus mental intervention in treating mild post-stroke depression. Method A total of 100 eligible subjects with mild post-stroke depression were randomized into a control group and an observation group, 50 cases in each group. The two groups were both intervened by basic treatment, while the control group was additionally given mental intervention and the observation group was given Tiao Shen Kai Yu needling plus mental intervention. The two groups were treated once a day, 5 times a week, for 30 d in total. The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were observed before and after the treatment. Result The HAMD scores were both significantly improved in the two groups after the treatment (P<0.01), and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The SDS scores were significantly improved after the treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Tiao Shen Kai Yu needling plus mental intervention can more effectively improve mild post-stroke depression than single mental intervention.

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment of stroke at subacute stage.

METHODSOne hundred patients at subacute stage of cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage with scores of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) less than 26 were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,50 cases in each one. Based on the regulation of blood pressure and blood sugar and anticoagulation,cognitive rehabilitation training was adopted in the control group. On the basis of treatment in the control group,acupuncture was applied in the observation group. The acupoints were Baihui(GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), Yintang(GV 29), Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong(LR 3). Sishencong(EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24) and Yintang (GV 29) were connected to electroacupuncture apparatus. The treatment was given once a day,5 times a week, and 8-week treatment was acquired in the two groups. In the 4th week and the 8th week,limbs motor function, daily life ability and cognitive function were evaluated by Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale,Bathel index and MoCA scale.

RESULTSIn 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the scores of FMA, Bathel index and MoCA in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). After 8-week treatment, the scores of Bathel index and MoCA in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBased on the cognitive rehabilitation training and the conventional treatment, acupuncture can improve the cognitive function and daily life ability of stroke patients at subacute stage with mild cognitive impairment.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; psychology ; therapy

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on walk ability and motor function of lower limbs in subacute stage of cerebral stroke.Method A hundred patients in subacute stage of cerebral infarction or hemorrhage and scored 4-24 according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally intervened by acupuncture. The neural deficit degree (NIHSS score), motor function of lower limbs [Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)], activities of daily life [Barthel Index(BI)], and ambulation ability [Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)] were evaluated before and after intervention.Result After 1 treatment course, the NIHSS score was significantly changed in the treatment group compared to that before intervention (P<0.05). The NIHSS scores after 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that before intervention and that after 1 treatment course in both groups (P<0.05). In both groups, the FMA score, BI, and FAC score after 1 treatment course and 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that before intervention (P<0.05). The FMA and FAC scores after 2 treatment courses were significantly different from that after 1 treatment course in both groups (P<0.05). After 2 treatment courses, there were significant differences in comparing the NIHSS score, FMA, BI, and FAC scores between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the ambulation ability, neural deficit, motor function of lower limbs, and activities of daily life of hemiplegia patients in subacute stage of cerebral stroke.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating post-stroke urinary incontinence. Method Ninety patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by heat-sensitive moxibustion at Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), while the control group was by moxa-box moxibustion. After 4-week treatment, the two groups were compared with each in the incontinence grading and Activities of Daily Living (ADL).Result After treatment, the incontinence grading and ADL scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.05). The incontinence grading and ADL scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group after treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Heat-sensitive moxibustion can improve the post-stroke urinary incontinence and ADL.

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical effect of the penetration acupuncture at the acupoints of governor vessel(GV) and bladder meridian on head for mild cognitive disorder after stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 55 cases in each one. Penetration acupuncture was used at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head in the observation group,namely Wuchu (BL 5) to Chengguang (BL 6) and Tongtian (BL 7) to Luoque (BL 8) bilaterally, and Shenting (GV 24) to Xinhui (GV 22), Qianding (GV 21) to Baihui (GV 20), Houding (GV 19) to Qiangjian (GV 18). Body acupuncture and conventional western medication were applied in the both two groups. Acupuncture was adopted once a day, five times a week and eight weeks totally. The changes of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini mental state examination scale(MMSE), self-rating depressive scale (SDS) and activities of daily living scale (Barthel index) were compared between the two groups before treatment, in the middle of treatment(at the forth week) after treatment(at the eighth week) and in three weeks after treatment(follow-up).

RESULTSAfter treatment of four and eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the results of MoCA, MMSE, SDS and Barthel index were apparently im proved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment of eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the scores of MoCA and SDS were obviously improved in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvements of MMSE in the observation group were more marked than those in the control group at all times (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But there was no statistical significance about the change of Barthel index between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPenetration acupuncture at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head can remarkablely improve the cognitive function of the patients with mild cognitive disorder after stroke,and have some efficacy of relieving the bad mood such as depression.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome