Acupuncture improves certain aspects of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

Electroacupuncture improved gait, balance and postural transitions in patients with Parkinson’s, suggests in a study published in journal Neurology.

Gait and balance disturbance, and postural instability are parts of motor dysfunction of Parkinson’s. They are predicators of falling risk and impaired quality of life and have emerged as major therapeutic concerns in Parkinson’s treatment.

In a pilot study, researchers in Arizona, the United States, using objective modalities based on innovative body worn sensors technology, assessed the effect of acupuncture on gait and balance in Parkinson’s patients. Eight patients with Parkinson’s were treated with electroacupuncture once a week for three weeks. Outcomes assessed at baseline prior to and at the end of the treatment. Measurements include many aspects of gait, balance and quality of life. At the end of treatment gait, balance and postural transitions were all markedly improved in acupuncture group compared to control group. Further, improvement in gait, balance and postural transitions in acupuncture group were significantly better compared to the pre-treatment scores, while there is no change in control group compared to baseline.

Authors conclude that electroacupuncture is an effective treatment in improving certain aspects of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Reference:

Lei H et al., Objective Assessment of Electro-acupuncture Benefit for Improving Balance and Gait in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease (P3.074). Neurology April 8, 2014 vol. 82 no. 10 Supplement P3.074.    http://www.neurology.org/content/82/10_Supplement/P3.074