Interactive scalp acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

To compare the efficacy of interactive scalp acupuncture, scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training for cognitive dysfunction after stroke. A total of 660 patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke were randomly divided into an interactive scalp acupuncture group (218 cases, 18 cases dropped off), a scalp acupuncture group (220 cases, 20 cases dropped off) and a scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (222 cases, 22 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with routine medication and exercise rehabilitation training. The interactive scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture on the parietal midline, and contralateral anterior parietal temporal oblique line and posterior parietal temporal oblique line at the same time of cognitive training; the scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture alone, and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group was treated with scalp acupuncture and cognitive training in the morning and afternoon respectively. All the treatments were given once a day, 6 times a week for 8 weeks. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale score was used to evaluate the cognitive function before treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment. Compared before treatment, the total score of MoCA was increased after 4-week treatment and 8-week treatment in the three groups (P<0.01), and the score in the interactive scalp acupuncture group was higher than that in the scalp acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared before treatment, each item score of MoCA was increased after 8-week treatment in the three groups (P<0.01), and the score in the interactive scalp acupuncture group was higher than that in the scalp acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (P<0.01). Except for the attention, the remaining items scores of MoCA in the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group were higher than those in the scalp acupuncture group (P<0.01). The interactive scalp acupuncture could significantly improve the cognitive function in patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke, and the efficacy is superior to scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training.