[Combined application of classical acupuncture, su-jok and craniopuncture in the acute period of ischemic stroke]
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language
The disability of post-stroke patients is one of the most important problems of the modern medical community requiring the improvement of existing rehabilitation technologies through the wider use of non-drug treatment methods among which the most accessible are various modifications of reflexotherapy. To evaluate the effectiveness of the combined reflexology technique, including the combined use of classical acupuncture, su-jok and cranial acupuncture in the early rehabilitation of patients after ischemic stroke. Examination and course of early neurorehabilitation were carried out in 80 patients aged 47-78 years. Effectiveness evaluation of the different methods of reflexotherapy was carried out in 4 groups (20 patients each) comparable by age, gender and severity of stroke. In the main group the basic rehabilitation complex was supplemented by the combined use of classical, cranial acupuncture (with symmetrical stimulation of 7 main zones) and su-jok. Patients of the 1st comparison group additionally underwent only su-jok-therapy, the 2nd group - corporal acupuncture procedures in combination with cranial acupuncture, the 3rd group - the basic complex of rehabilitation without the inclusion of reflexotherapy. After 2 weeks' treatment in patients of the main group the regression of neurological symptoms according to the NIHSS scale was 5.3 points on average (76%, pppp<0.05). The indicators' improvement in the first two comparison groups was also significant across all scales but less pronounced than in the main group. The lowest values of the studied indicators were obtained in the 3rd comparison group. Improvement of neurorehabilitation technologies using combined techniques of reflexotherapy in the acute period of ischemic stroke is characterized by high clinical effectiveness that contributing to the regression of neurological symptoms and improvement of the psycho-emotional status of post-stroke patients which has a beneficial effect on their adaptation to
Key Findings: what this observational study found
- ✓The study evaluated combined reflexotherapy techniques including classical acupuncture, su-jok, and craniopuncture in 80 stroke patients aged 47-78 years during early rehabilitation.
- ✓The treatment group received basic rehabilitation supplemented with combined classical acupuncture, cranial acupuncture using symmetrical stimulation of 7 main zones, and su-jok therapy.
- ✓Combined reflexotherapy approaches were investigated as non-drug treatment methods to improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce disability in post-stroke patients.
What This Means for You
Combined acupuncture techniques showed promising results for stroke recovery in this study, but as a moderate-quality observational study without clear randomization details, you should discuss findings with your medical team before considering it as part of your rehabilitation.
What This Means for Practitioners
The combination of classical acupuncture, su-jok, and cranial acupuncture appears more effective than individual techniques alone for acute stroke rehabilitation, suggesting integrated reflexotherapy protocols may warrant further investigation in your practice.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
Combined acupuncture techniques showed promising results for stroke recovery in this study, but as a moderate-quality observational study without clear randomization details, you should discuss findings with your medical team before considering it as part of your rehabilitation.
What did this study find?
The study evaluated combined reflexotherapy techniques including classical acupuncture, su-jok, and craniopuncture in 80 stroke patients aged 47-78 years during early rehabilitation. The treatment group received basic rehabilitation supplemented with combined classical acupuncture, cranial acupuncture using symmetrical stimulation of 7 main zones, and su-jok therapy. Combined reflexotherapy approaches were investigated as non-drug treatment methods to improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce disability in post-stroke patients.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 80 participants. It was published in Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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