Effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitative training on neural functional recovery of stroke patients during recovery phase: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective To compare the influences of acupuncture combined with rehabilitative training and simple rehabilitative training on neural functional recovery of stroke patients during recovery phase. Methods Sixty-seven stroke patients during recovery phase were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with rehabilitative training group (group A) and a simple rehabilitative training group (group B) through random number table method, with 34 cases and 33 cases respectively; 33 cases and 31 cases were respectively completed actually other than cases dropped out during the observation. Rehabilitation methods such as motion control and functional exercise training were primarily used for rehabilitative training, once daily for 45 min at a time, and 6 times a week; Baihui ( GV 20) and Fēngchi ( GB 20) on the head and relevant acupoints on limbs were selected for acupuncture, once every other day, and 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks, National lnstitnte of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess neurologic impairment, Fugl-Meyer scale was used to assess motor function, Barthel was used to assess activity of daily living, and comprehensive assessment was finally made to patients. Results NIH score, Fugl-Meyer scale scores of upper and lower limbs, Barthel score, and comprehensive assessment of group A after treatment were respectively: 12.78±2.99, 37.55±2.09 and 25.67±3.93, 63.76+4.65, 11.33±1.98, superior to 16.06±4.57, 28.71+4.07 and 20.41±2.98, 53.82±4.35, 15.18±1.72 of group B. Indices of both groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P Conclusions Acupuncture combined with rehabilitative training has definite therapeutic effect on recovery of various functions such as neural functional recovery of stroke patients during recovery phase, obviously superior to simple rehabilitative training.