Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroacupuncture in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240902-00706
- VernacularTitle:重复经颅磁刺激联合电针治疗缺血性脑卒中后认知功能障碍的疗效观察
- Author:
Zhe ZHANG
1
;
Huan WU
;
Xiaofei WANG
;
Yuwei CAO
;
Min WANG
;
Zhaoqing ZHANG
;
Kai LI
Author Information
1. 湖北中医药大学针灸骨伤学院，武汉 430061
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Stroke;
Cognitive impairment;
Transcranial magnetic stimulation;
Electroacupuncture;
Neurological rehabilitation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(4):313-318
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe any effect of combining repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with electro-acupuncture in treating post-stroke cognitive impairment (PISC).Methods:Three groups of PISC patients were formed through random selection: an rTMS group, an electro-acupuncture group, and a combined group. In addition to routine medication and conventional rehabilitation training, the rTMS and electro-acupuncture groups received rTMS and electro-acupuncture treatment, while the combined group underwent both for six weeks. Before the treatment, immediately afterward and 3, 6, and 12 months later, everyone′s cognitive functioning was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The modified Barthel Index (MBI), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were also applied. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) was employed to measure the mean cerebral blood flow velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI), and breath-holding index (BHI) in the subjects′ bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). The total effectiveness rates and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared among the three groups.Results:The MoCA scores, MBI scores, HAMD-17 scores, NIHSS scores, and Vm of the MCA had improved significantly in all three groups right after the treatment. There was further significant improvement in the average MoCA scores 12 months later. The combined group showed significantly higher MoCA scores than the other two groups at each time point after the treatment. That group also had superior MBI, HAMD-17 and NIHSS scores and a better BHI compared to the other 2 groups, on average. Its total effectiveness rate was significantly higher too. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the groups.Conclusions:Combining rTMS with electro-acupuncture significantly improves cognition, ADL ability, depression and neurological functioning after a stroke. The combined treatment is worthy of wider clinical application.
