Acupuncture has been used to help stroke recovery in
China. Many studies reported that acupuncture improved motor function, balance,
spastic states and muscle strength of stroke survivors. However how acupuncture
improves recovery in stroke is not clear.
Recently researchers in China conducted the study, using
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to investigate the changes in
activity connections between different brain regions of stroke patients. They
found that there were significantly decreased activity connections between
cortex and subcortical areas related to motor functions in the brain of stroke
patients compared to healthy subjects. Acupuncture stimulation at acupoints
important to motor functions markedly increased activity connections between
cortex and those of subcortical areas, and also enhanced the activity
connections between cortex and cerebellum which are important for many aspects
of movement compared with prior treatment baseline.
The study confirms that one of the mechanisms underlying
therapeutic effect of acupuncture is through modulating activities and
connections in the brain. It seems reasonable to suggest that the earlier
application of acupuncture the better outcome of stroke treatment.
Reference:
Xie Z et al., Acupuncture
Enhances Effective Connectivity between Cerebellum and Primary Sensorimotor
Cortex in Patients with Stable Recovery Stroke. Evid Based Complement Alternat
Med. 2014;2014:603909. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24734108
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