Effectiveness of manual acupuncture for stroke: subject- and assessor-blind randomised controlled trials for acute and subacute stroke

Background

Stroke is the commonest cause of disability in developed countries. There is no rehabilitation therapy that has been demonstrated unequivocally to aid recovery. Acupuncture is used widely in the Far East for stroke rehabilitation. However, the evidence is not convincing. Therefore, a rigorous randomised controlled trial is warranted.

Objective

To test whether manual acupuncture improves the score of Barthel Activity of Daily Living Index and other secondary measures.

Materials and methods

Subject- and assessor-blind, sham controlled, randomised controlled trial. To date, 80 acute and subacute stroke patients admitted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital since November 1999, who met the inclusion criteria and gave informed consent. Modified individually tailored real or sham acupuncture using the Park Sham Device, 12 times for 2 weeks after baseline assessment.

Primary outcome measure: Barthel Activities of Daily Living. Secondary outcome measures: Motricity Index, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, EuroQol Quality of Life, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results and conclusion

To be presented at the symposium.