Efficacy of combined treatment by scalp and penetration acupunctures with TKM medication (tang) on stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) therapy of scalp and penetration acupuncture has been used for the treatment of stroke in Korea. This study investigated the efficacy of scalp and penetration acupuncture in combination with TKM medication.


METHODS
Twenty-four stroke patients were enrolled in the program. Control group (n = 12) received herbal medicines (Baepungtang, Sopungtang or Sosokmyeongtang) and conventional body acupuncture. Treatment group (n = 12) received scalp and penetration acupuncture in addition to herbal medicines and conventional body acupuncture. Improvements in the motor functions were scored by the modified Barthel index (MBI).


RESULTS
After 4 weeks of treatment, statistical analysis showed significant improvement in the MBI scores for both groups. Significant difference in the MBI scores between two groups, however, was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The supportive effect of scalp and penetration acupuncture in the treatment of stroke needs further investigation.
Seo
Jungchul
J
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 730-090, Korea.
Lee
Hyang-Sook
HS
Ha
Eunyoung
E
Park
Hi-Joon
HJ
Park
Hun-Kuk
HK
Lee
Hyejung
H
Kang
Sungkeel
S
Yin
Changshik
C
Kim
Jeongseon
J
Leem
Kang-Hyun
KH
Kim
Ee-Hwa
EH
Ryu
Yeonhee
Y
Choi
Sunmi
S
Chung
Joo-Ho
JH
D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012535:Scalp; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*