Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
1-2-2024
Journal
JAMA Network Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE: Motor aphasia is common among patients with stroke. Acupuncture is recommended as an alternative therapy for poststroke aphasia, but its efficacy remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on language function, neurological function, and quality of life in patients with poststroke motor aphasia.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 3 tertiary hospitals in China from October 21, 2019, to November 13, 2021. Adult patients with poststroke motor aphasia were enrolled. Data analysis was performed from February to April 2023.
INTERVENTIONS: Eligible participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) groups. Both groups underwent language training and conventional treatments.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the aphasia quotient (AQ) of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and scores on the Chinese Functional Communication Profile (CFCP) at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included WAB subitems, Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39, and Health Scale of Traditional Chinese Medicine scores at 6 weeks and 6 months after onset. All statistical analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.
RESULTS: Among 252 randomized patients (198 men [78.6%]; mean [SD] age, 60.7 [7.5] years), 231 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis (115 in the MA group and 116 in the SA group). Compared with the SA group, the MA group had significant increases in AQ (difference, 7.99 points; 95% CI, 3.42-12.55 points; P = .001) and CFCP (difference, 23.51 points; 95% CI, 11.10-35.93 points; P < .001) scores at week 6 and showed significant improvements in AQ (difference, 10.34; 95% CI, 5.75-14.93; P < .001) and CFCP (difference, 27.43; 95% CI, 14.75-40.10; P < .001) scores at the end of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial, patients with poststroke motor aphasia who received 6 weeks of MA compared with those who received SA demonstrated statistically significant improvements in language function, quality of life, and neurological impairment from week 6 of treatment to the end of follow-up at 6 months after onset.
Keywords
United States, Adult, Male, Humans, Middle Aged, Aphasia, Broca, Quality of Life, Acupuncture Therapy, Communication, Stroke
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Biomedical Informatics Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Oncology Commons
Comments
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900026740
Supplementary Materials
PMID: 38252438