Acupuncture in combination with route treatments for
early stage stroke significantly reduced the blood pressure, hematoma volume in
the brain and improved neurological deficits of haemorrhagic stroke patients.
The early stage stroke is a critical period for any
better recovery. Immediate access to high quality stroke specialist care is
paramount importance. Early multidisciplinary therapies that would help earlier
recovery should be considered in stroke treatment.
Doctors in China conducted a clinical study to assess the
impact of acupuncture as an adjunct on patients with early stage stroke.
Fifty-four patients with small amount of cerebral haemorrhage were randomly
divided into conventional treatment group and conventional plus acupuncture
group. Patients in conventional group were treated with stroke special care,
oxygen therapy, never nutrition and symptomatic support, antihypertension and
other treatments when necessary. Patients in conventional plus acupuncture
group were given additional acupuncture treatment at 4h, 6h and 12h after
disease onset respectively. Blood pressure including systolic blood pressure
(SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP),
hematoma volume and neurological deficits were assessed at different time
points.
It was found that blood pressure including SBP, DBP and
MAP were significantly increased 12h after stroke onset in conventional
treatment group. Additional acupuncture significantly decreased blood pressure
at 12h compared conventional treatment alone. This improvement in blood
pressure by acupuncture lasted to 24h. Acupuncture significantly decreased
hematoma volume at 6h after stroke onset compared with conventional treatment
and this improvement maintained up to 24h. Evaluation of neurological deficits
revealed that acupuncture markedly reduced neurological deficit scores compared
with conventional treatment alone group.
The study suggests that acupuncture as an adjunct therapy
in early stage stroke treatment should significantly improve the symptoms
within 24h and has potential for a better recovery.
Reference:
Tao WQ et al., Impacts
of acupuncture on blood pressure and hematoma in patients of cerebral
hemorrhage at the early stage. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 May;34(5):426-30.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022108
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