title: [Effect of Acupuncture Combined Physical Training and Relearning on Stroke Rehabilitation: a Multi-center Randomized Controlled Clinical Study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of acupuncture combined physical training and relearning on stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-center, randomized controlled trial design was adopted. A total of 364 stroke patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (184 cases) and the control group (180 cases). Patients in the experimental group received acupuncture combined with physical training and relearning, while those in the control group only received physical training and relearning. All received four weeks of treatment. Effects on Fugl-Meyer motor function, neurological impairment, activities of daily living difference were compared before treatment, after treatment, 2 and 5 months after follow-ups between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally 353 patients completed this trial, 179 in the experimental group and 174 in the control group. (1) compared with before treatment, brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scored obviously increased, and scores for neurological impairment obviously decreased in the two group. Besides, the increment of brief Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups; scores for neurological impairment was obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The increment of FIM scores was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There was statistical difference in inter-group comparison of total Fugl-Meyer motor functions scores and FIM scores, or scores for neurological impairment (P < 0.01). The improvement of Fugl-Meyer motor functions grading and neurological impairment grading was obviously superior in the experimental group at month 2 and 5 of follow-ups. The distribution of FIM grading was also better in the experimental group at month 5 of follow-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning and physical training and relearning could effectively promote the rehabilitation of stroke patients, reduce their neurological impairment degrees, improve motor functions and independent capacities. Better long-term efficacy could be obtained by acupuncture combined exercise training and relearning.
authors.forename: Xiao-liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhong-ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: He-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dao-ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Li-xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Wei-chao
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Li-xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li-ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D035843:Biomedical Research; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome