Eye acupuncture in treating cognitive dysfunction after stroke

Abstract

Objective To observe any effect when eye acupuncture is combined with computer-assisted cognition training to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods Stroke patients with cognitive impairment were randomly divided into an eye acupuncture group (n=30), a computer group (n=30) and a combination group (n=30). The eye acupuncture group was given eye acupuncture, the computer group was given rehabilitative cognition training with specialized equipment and the combination group was given both eye acupuncture and the computer-aided training. The treatment lasted 2 months. The Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive asessment (LOTCA) and the modified Barthel index were used to evaluate the patients' cognitive function and daily life ability before and after treatment. Results Before training there was no significant difference in average LOTCA and MBI results among the three groups. After 2 months of training, all three groups had significantly higher scores in both evaluations. Moreover, the combination group's average score on organization ability, perceptual ability, thinking operation ability and concentration, and also their average total score and MBI score were significantly better than those of the other two groups. Conclusions Eye acupuncture combines synergistically with cognitive rehabilitation training to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Together they promote cognition, ADL ability and an early return to normal family and social life better than either alone. Key words: Eye acupuncture; Computer-aided rehabilitation training; Stroke; Cognitive dysfunction