Objective

2

To observe the effect of acupuncture at Lianquan (CV23) with different frequencies of twirling manipulation on post-ischemic stroke aphasia.

Methods

2

A total of 105 patients with post-ischemic stroke aphasia were randomly divided into a low-frequency twirling acupuncture group (LT group

35 cases

1 case dropped out)

a high-frequency twirling acupuncture group (HT group

35 cases

3 cases dropped out) and a sham acupuncture group (SA group

35 cases

2 cases dropped out). All three groups received conventional stroke treatment. On this basis

the LT group was treated with

Xingnao Kaiqiao

acupuncture (regaining consciousness and opening orifices)

and low-frequency twirling stimulation (60 times/min) was performed at Lianquan (CV23); the HT group was treated with

Xingnao Kaiqiao

acupuncture

and high-frequency twirling stimulation (120 times/min) was performed at Lianquan (CV23); and the SA group was treated with shallow needling at non-meridian and non-acupoint points. The frequency of treatment was once a day

5 times per week for a total of 6 weeks. Before and after treatment

the Western aphasia battery (WAB)

Boston diagnostic aphasia examination (BDAE)

National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and stroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 (SAQOL-39) were used to evaluate the language function

neurological function and quality of life

and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the three groups.

Results

2

After treatment

except for the communication and psychosocial scores of SAQOL-39 in the SA group

the WAB scores

BDAE grade

and SAQOL-39 scores were increased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

and the NIHSS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05) in the three groups. After treatment

except for the physiological score of SAQOL-39

the WAB scores

BDAE grade

and SAQOL-39 scores in the LT group were higher than those in the SA group (

P

<

0.05)

and the NIHSS score in the LT group was lower than that in the SA group (

P

<

0.05); the WAB-aphasia quotient (WAB-AQ) score

auditory comprehension score of WAB

BDAE grade

and communication score of SAQOL-39 in the HT group were higher than those in the SA group (

P

<

0.05); the WAB-AQ score

spontaneous speech score of WAB

and communication score of SAQOL-39 in the LT group were higher than those in the HT group (

P

<

0.05)

and the NIHSS score in the LT group was lower than that in the HT group (

P

<

0.05). The total clinical effective rate of the LT group was 82.35% (28/34)

that of the HT group was 71.88% (23/32)

and that of the SA group was 54.55% (18/33)

the total clinical effective rates of the LT group and the HT group were higher than that of the SA group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Compared with the high-frequency twirling manipulation acupuncture at Lianquan (CV23)

the low-frequency twirling manipulation acupuncture has a better effect in improving the language function

neurological function and quality of life in patients with post-ischemic stroke aphasia.