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(Stroke. 1998;29:2100-2108.)
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Daily Life Activities and Quality of Life

A Controlled, Prospective, and Randomized Study of Acute Stroke Patients

Gunilla Gosman-Hedström, OT, MSc; Lisbet Claesson, OT, MSc; Ulrika Klingenstierna, RPT, MSc; Jane Carlsson, RPT, PhD; Bengt Olausson, MD, PhD; Martin Frizell, MD, PhD; Björn Fagerberg, MD, PhD; Christian Blomstrand, MD, PhD

From the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Neurology (G.G.-H., L.C., J.C., C.B., M.F.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; Göteborg College of Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation (G.G.-H., L.C., U.K., J.C.); Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry (B.O.), Mölndal/Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine (B.F.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

Correspondence to Associate Professor Christian Blomstrand, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. E-mail cbl{at}neuro.gu.se

Background and Purpose—A number of studies have indicated that acupuncture might improve the functional recovery of stroke patients. These studies vary in inclusion criteria, sample size, and evaluation methods. The present study was designed to investigate whether electroacupuncture treatment favorably affects stroke patients' ability to perform daily life activities, their health-related quality of life, and their use of health care and social services.

Methods—One hundred four consecutive patients >40 years of age admitted to hospital because of an acute stroke were randomized to 3 groups: deep, superficial, and no acupuncture treatment. The acupuncture treatment given by 4 physiotherapists started 4 to 10 days after randomization and was given twice a week for 10 weeks. All patients underwent conventional stroke rehabilitation as well. Two occupational therapists, blinded regarding the patients' allocation, evaluated the treatment effects. The assessments were performed 4 times during the first year after randomization by means of interviews and observations.

Results—There were no differences between the groups with reference to changes in the neurological score and the Barthel and Sunnaas activities of daily living index scores after 3 and 12 months. Regarding the Nottingham Health Profile, the no acupuncture group had somewhat fewer mobility problems. No differences in health care and social services were found between the groups.

Conclusions—The present study does not give support to the previous studies, which indicates that acupuncture treatment may have a beneficial effect on acute stroke patients' ability to perform daily life activities, their health-related quality of life, and their use of health care and social services.

Key Words: activities of daily living • acupuncture • cerebrovascular disorders • quality of life • stroke outcome

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