Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on cognitive function and health-related quality of life in patients who have had a stroke.
Design: This clinical trial employed a prospective, randomized, single-blind design.
Settings/location: The study was conducted at the department of rehabilitation medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Subjects: Thirty-eight (38) participants were recruited, but only 33 completed the study. Seventeen (17) stroke participants with cognitive impairment were assigned to the treatment group and 16 were assigned to the control group.
Interventions: Electroacupuncture was applied to acupuncture points PC6 and HT7 for 20 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks in the treatment group, while participants in each group continued rehabilitation.
Outcome measures: Cognitive assessment (LOTCA-G) and quality-of-life assessment (SF-36 and SS-QOL) were carried out in each group at baseline and at 8 weeks after treatment.
Results: Significant improvement was detected in four subtests of LOTCA-G: orientation, perception, praxis, and attention ( p<0.05) between treatment and control groups. 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 four 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.
Conclusions: The results of this study confirm a positive effect of electroacupuncture on cognition and quality of life in patients who had a stroke. Future research will be required to evaluate potential mechanisms and potential long-term benefits.