[Acupotomy combined with acupuncture therapy in treatment of sensory impairment in the recovery stage of cerebral infarction: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effect on sensory impairment in the recovery stage of cerebral infarction between the combined treatment of acupotomy and acupuncture therapy (for regaining consciousness and opening the orifices) and the simple application of acupuncture therapy.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients with cerebral infarction in the recovery stage were randomized into an observation group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (40 cases, 1 case dropped off). On the basis of the conventional treatment of internal medicine, in the control group, acupuncture therapy was adopted at Shuigou (GV 26), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc., once daily, 6 times a week. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, acupotomy was used at extraoccipital protuberance, posterior atlas nodules, cervical facet ligaments and posterior transverse nodules, once a week. The total treatment duration was 4 weeks. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, FMA scores were increased and VAS scores were decreased in the patients of the two groups (<0.05). The increase range of FMA score and the decrease range of VAS score in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate was 89.5% (34/38) in the observation group, higher than 76.9% (30/39) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combined treatment of acupotomy and acupuncture therapy relieves sensory impairment and pain symptoms in the patients with cerebral infarction in the recovery stage and its therapeutic effect is better than the simple use of acupuncture therapy.