Clinical study on early acupuncture for acute ischemic stroke

Objective  To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of early acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Methods  In clinical randomized controlled trial, 90 subjects were divided into drug group and acupuncture group, 45 cases in each group. The neurological deficit score, Bathel index and some blood laboratory indexes were detected before and after treatment in both groups. Results  In acute stage, there were striking differences in the neurological deficit score and activities of daily living (ADL) between before and after treatments in acupuncture group (P<0.01), and between acupuncture group and drug group (P<0.01); but there was no difference in blood lipid and rheology between two groups. Conclusion  Acupuncture is rather safe in the early treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and improvement of disability and the patients’ quality of life. Author: ZHANG Ling (1978–), female, resident physician.