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Research: KJENDAHL and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 31
Abstract
KJENDAHL and colleagues, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway published a recent report that acupuncture treatment for stroke patients in the subacute stage provided therapeutic benefit. They conducted a study to determine whether the therapeutic differences still remained, about 1 year following discharge from the rehabilitation hospital. @m: 45 stoke patients admitted to the rehabilitation hospital, median 40 days post stroke, were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or control treatment, considering gender and side of hemispheral localisation of the lesion. At baseline the 2 groups were comparable regarding the main parameters. 41 patients were available one year following the treatment period 21 patients in the acupuncture group and 20 controls. Each patients received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received additional treatment with classical acupuncture of 30 minutes duration 3-4 times weekly for a period of 6 weeks. the patients were evaluated at entry, following 6 weeks and 12 months following discharge from the hospital. the Motor Assessment scale (MAS) for stroke patients, Sunnaas Index of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used, as were the social situations of the patients recorded at one year follow-up. @r:RESULTS: Compared to the controls, the acupuncture group improved significantly more, both during the treatment period of 6 week and even more during the following year, according to MAS, ADL, NHP and social situation. @c:CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture appears to exert a positive long-term effect on stroke patients given in the subacute stage post stroke. The mechanism of these effects remains to be determined.
Background
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
References
Kjendahl A et al. A one year follow-up study on the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke patients in the subacute stage: a randomized, controlled study. Clin Rehabil.11 (3): 192-200. Aug 1997.
Comment
The research literature regarding the beneficial effects of acupuncture upon stroke is growing. Hopefully this clinical information will be disseminated and eventually become best clinical practice, especially in view of the lottery-type treatment currently accorded to stroke victims in the UK.
