[Zhishen Tiaosui acupuncture on the unilateral spatial neglect after stroke: a randomized controlled trial]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical curative effect of Zhishen Tiaosui acupuncture on unilateral spatial neglect (USN) after stroke.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with left hemiplegia after the first stroke and diagnosed with unilateral spatial neglect after stroke in the right hemisphere were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was used at Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), Waiguan (TE 5), Hegu (LI 4), Huantiao (GB 30), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the affected side. In the observation group, Zhishen Tiaosui acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Niesanzhen. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times as one course for 4 courses in both groups. The cancellation test, digit cancellation test, bisection line test, clock drawing test, and copying drawing test were used to assess the degree of unilateral spatial neglect, and the Fugl-Meyer motor function scores and the modified Barthel index (MBI) scores were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.

Results: After treatment, the scores of cancellation test, digit cancellation test, bisection line test, clock drawing test and copying drawing test were significantly lower than those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the scores of the above unilateral spatial neglect after treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of Fugl-Meyer motor function and MBI in the two groups were significantly higher than before treatment (all P<0.05), and the difference of MBI scores before and after treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Zhishen Tiaosui acupuncture can improve the cognition of unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect, improve the degree of bilateral spatial neglect and the motor function of hemiplegic limbs, and positively promote the improvement of cognitive impairment and self-care ability in daily life.

Keywords: Zhishen Tiaosui acupuncture; acupuncture therapy; randomized controlled trial（RCT）; stroke; unilateral spatial neglect.