Is acupuncture an acceptable option in stroke rehabilitation? A survey of stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and stroke survivors make up the largest group of patients in rehabilitation. These individuals also have one of the longest lengths of stay in rehabilitation. It has been suggested that acupuncture may be beneficial in post-stroke rehabilitation and in this study we examine how stroke patients value acupuncture and their perceptions of acupuncture as a rehabilitation treatment option.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to individuals undergoing post-stroke rehabilitation at three rehabilitation centers attached to hospitals in Toronto, Canada.


RESULTS
Two hundred and seventy-three individuals completed the questionnaire with the respondent group comprising mainly males (62%) over 65 years of age (68%). Overall 29% had used acupuncture with 16% receiving acupuncture treatment for stroke related conditions. Almost all respondents (98%) wanted to know more about acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation and 87% would consider acupuncture as a treatment option. Few (8%) reported that they had advanced level knowledge about acupuncture, with most reporting a basic (48%) or intermediate (33%) level which recognized that acupuncture used fine needles to produce a therapeutic response. Those with prior acupuncture experience expected to pay more for treatment. The main factors influencing decisions to use acupuncture were practitioner competency (84%), cost (65%) and sterilization concerns (40%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that there is willingness by patients attending conventional hospital-based rehabilitation centers to consider acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation and that lack of knowledge about this treatment is not a barrier to use.
Yam
Winnie
W
Charles Sturt University, School of Biomedical Sciences, Boorooma St, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
Wilkinson
Jenny M
JM
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires