Objective: To investigate the impact of the combination of CICARE (C - Connect, I - Introduce, C - Communicate, A - Ask, R - Respond, E - Exit) communication model and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) poultice on muscle strength and depression levels in patients.
Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: basic treatment group, basic treatment + TCM poultice group, and combined treatment group. Conventional rehabilitation therapy, TCM poultice external application, and the combination of both with the CICARE communication model were applied in the respective groups. Muscle strength (AMA muscle strength grading scale), self-care abilities (Barthel Index), depression symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), neurological deficit status (NIHSS score) and serum inflammatory factor levels were assessed at admission, 3 weeks, and 8 weeks of treatment.
Results: After 3 and 8 weeks of treatment, the combined treatment group had higher AMA muscle strength scores and improved Barthel Index scores compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Depressive symptoms also improved significantly in the combined treatment group, with lower HDRS scores at 3 and 8 weeks (P < 0.05). After 8 weeks, IL-1, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels decreased in all groups, with the combined treatment group showing the lowest levels (P < 0.05). NIHSS scores decreased significantly in all groups post-intervention, with the combined treatment group showing the greatest improvement (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The integration of CICARE communication model with TCM poultice shows notable benefits in enhancing muscle strength, daily living self-care abilities, reducing depression, neurological impairment, and inflammatory factors in post-stroke hemiplegia patients.
Keywords: CICARE model; Depression; Hemiplegia; Muscle strength; Post-stroke sequelae; Traditional Chinese medicine poultice.