Effects of electroacupuncture treatment on impaired cognition and quality of life in stroke patients
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on cognitive function and health-related quality of life in stroke patients.
The study employed a prospective, randomized, single blind design. 17 participants were assigned to the treatment group and 16 to control group. Electroacupuncture was applied to acupuncture points PC6 and HT7 for 20 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks in treatment group while participants in each group continued rehabilitation. Cognitive assessment (LOTCA-G) and quality of life assessment (SF-36 and SS-QOL) were carried out in each group before and after the electroacupuncture treatment.
The results showed as follows:
Significant improvement was detected in 4 subtests of LOTCA-G: orientation, perception, praxis and memory (P<0.05) in treatment group. Significant improvement was also indicated in subscales of SF-36 (RP, VT, SF, RE, MH, MCS) and SS-QOL (language) (P<0.05). No correlation was noted between the variables of LOTCA-G and SF-36/SS-QOL except 4 matches: Memory (LOTCA-G) and Mental Component Summary (SF-36): r=0.492; Memory (LOTCA-G) and Personality (SS-QOL): r=0.485; Praxis (LOTCA-G) and Language (SS-QOL): r=0.616; Orientation (LOTCA-G) and Language (SS-QOL): r=0.534.
Our conclusion is that the results of this study confirm the effect and benefit of electroacupuncture on cognition and quality of life in stroke patients. Future research will provide more detailed results and be altered to the limitations of this study.
