Objective: To explore the efficacy of local acupuncture therapy on post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy and the clinical advantageous protocol of local acupuncture therapy.
Methods: Eighty patients of post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy were randomized into a quick needle insertion group and a routine acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one. The western medicine, such as thrombolysis, lipid regulation, antiplatelet aggregation, antihypertension and hypoglycemic therapy method was all used in the two groups. On the basis of the treatment of western medicine, in the quick needle insertion group, the perpendicular needle insertion was used at Aqiang point, about 8 to 12 mm in depth. When the emptiness feeling presented under the needle, the needle went slowly for 2 mm more depth till cough occurred, and removed afterward. The treatment was given once every day, and totally 20 treatments were required. In the routine acupuncture group, Lianquan (CV 23) was stimulated. The needle was inserted toward the tongue root, about 40 mm in depth. The needle was rotated till the patient felt soreness and distention at the tongue root, and then retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day, and totally 20 treatments were required. The water swallow test score and clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment.
Results: The curative rate was 80.0% (32/40) in the quick needle insertion group, better than 55.0% (22/40) in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the quick needle insertion group and was 90.0% (36/40) in the routine acupuncture group, indicating no significant difference in comparison (P>0.05). The water swallow test scores decreased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), and the water swallow test scores after treatment of the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Acupuncture at local point is effective for post-stroke pseudo-bulbar palsy.The curative rate of quick needle insertion at Aqiang point is better than routine acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23).
Keywords: Aqiang point; RCT; coughing when drinking water; dysphagia; quick needle insertion therapy.