scholarly journals Acupuncture with Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Li ◽  
Weifeng Zhu ◽  
Guohua Lin ◽  
Chuyun Chen ◽  
Donghui Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Stroke Recovery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Modified Ashworth Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ashworth Scale

Abstract Background: Acupuncture is a well known treatment for ischemic stroke recovery, but evidence of its effectiveness remains limited. Methods: Rehabilitation training was provided to a control group. In Arm 1 and Arm 2, acupoint schemes were determined by a consensus of acupuncture experts and previous clinical research. Arm 1 was based on an acupoint summary of ancient literature, and Arm 2 was based on the summary of effective acupuncture points from modern RCT literature. Acupuncture was given on the acupoint. After acupuncture, the needles were left in for 30 minutes, and checked every 10 minutes. The three groups received treatment once a day, 5 times a week, for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), and the secondary outcomes were the Barthel index (BI) and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Outcomes were observed in patients both before and after treatment. Results: A total of 497 patients with ischemic stroke were randomized into either Arm 1 (159 cases), Arm 2 (173 cases) or a control group (165 cases). After 2 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS scores for Arm 1 were lower than those of the control group (P=0.017); the BI scores were higher in Arm 2 than they were in the control group (P=0.020). Additionally, there was no significant difference between Arm 1 and the control group for either the BI scores or the modified Ashworth scale scores (P>0.05). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of Arm 1 and Arm 2 (acupuncture groups) was superior to that of the control group.

scholarly journals Acupuncture versus Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Li ◽  
Weifeng Zhu ◽  
Guohua Lin ◽  
Chuyun Chen ◽  
Donghui Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Stroke Recovery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Modified Ashworth Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ashworth Scale

Abstract Background: Acupuncture is a treatment for ischemic stroke recovery, but evidence of its effectiveness remains limited. Methods: A total of 497 patients with ischemic stroke were randomized into Arm 1 (159 cases), Arm 2 (173 cases) and a control group (165 cases). In the control group, rehabilitation training was provided. In Arm 1 and Arm 2, acupoint schemes were determined by the consensus of acupuncture experts and previous clinical research. Arm 1 was based on an acupoint summary of ancient literature, and Arm 2 was based on the summary of effective acupuncture points in modern RCT literature. The treatment was given with conventional acupuncture at the appropriate position. After acupuncture, the needles were left in for 30 minutes, and checked every 10 minutes. The three groups received treatment once a day, 5 times a week, for 2 weeks. The primary outcome were the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), and the secondary outcomes were the Barthel index (BI) and modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Outcomes were observed in patients both before and after treatment. Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference between Arm 1 and the control group for either the BI scores or the modified Ashworth scale scores (P>0.05). However, the NIHSS scores of Arm 1 were lower than those of the control group (P=0.017); the BI scores were higher in Arm 2 than they were in the control group (P=0.020). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of Arm 1 and Arm 2 (acupuncture groups) was superior to that of the control group. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IOR-16008627, Registered 11 June 2016, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx. Keywords: Acupuncture; ischemic stroke; randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Effects of a 3D-printed orthosis compared to a low-temperature thermoplastic plate orthosis on wrist flexor spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-204
Author(s):  
Yanan Zheng ◽  
Gongliang Liu ◽  
Long Yu ◽  
Yanmin Wang ◽  
Yuan Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Feeling ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Wrist Flexor ◽  
Modified Ashworth Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Ashworth Scale

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two kinds of wrist-hand orthosis on wrist flexor spasticity in chronic stroke patients. Design: This is a randomized controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted in a rehabilitation center. Participants: A total of 40 chronic hemiparetic stroke patients with wrist flexor spasticity were involved in the study. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (conventional rehabilitation therapy + 3D-printed orthosis, 20 patients) or a control group (conventional rehabilitation therapy + low-temperature thermoplastic plate orthosis, 20 patients). The time of wearing orthosis was about 4–8 hours per day for six weeks. Main measures: Primary outcome measure: Modified Ashworth Scale was assessed three times (at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks). Secondary outcome measures: passive range of motion, Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, visual analogue scale score, and the swelling score were assessed twice (at baseline and six weeks). The subjective feeling score was assessed at six weeks. Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in the change of Modified Ashworth Scale scores at three weeks (15% versus 25%, P = 0.496). At six weeks, the Modified Ashworth Scale scores (65% versus 30%, P = 0.02), passive range of wrist extension ( P < 0.001), ulnar deviation ( P = 0.028), Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores ( P < 0.001), and swelling scores ( P < 0.001) showed significant changes between the experimental group and the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the change of visual analogue scale scores ( P = 0.637) and the subjective feeling scores ( P = 0.243). Conclusion: 3D-printed orthosis showed greater changes than low-temperature thermoplastic plate orthosis in reducing spasticity and swelling, improving motor function of the wrist and passive range of wrist extension for stroke patients.

scholarly journals A Lifestyle (Dietary) Intervention Reduces Tiredness in Children with Subclinical Hypothyroidism, a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3689
Author(s):  
Ellen van der Gaag ◽  
Job van der Palen ◽  
Pim Schaap ◽  
Mirthe van Voorthuizen ◽  
Thalia Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scale Scores

Purpose: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in children and adults is a subject for discussion in terms of whether to treat it or not with respect to the short-term clinical implications and consequences of SH and in the long term. If treatment with thyroxine supplementation is not indicated, no other treatment is available. We investigated whether a lifestyle (dietary) intervention improves or normalizes SH or decreases the presence of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and/or tiredness. Methods: We randomized children aged 1–12 years with SH to the control group (standard care = no treatment) or intervention group (dietary intervention). The dietary intervention consisted of green vegetables, beef, whole milk and butter for 6 months. The rest of the diet remained unchanged. We measured TSH, FreeT4, Lipid profile, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedQL) multidimensional fatigue scale scores. Results: In total, 62 children were included. After 6 months, TSH decreased in both groups without a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.98). PedQL fatigue scores for sleep (p = 0.032) and total fatigue scores (p = 0.039) improved significantly in the intervention group, compared to the control group. No unfavorable effects occurred in the lipid profile or BMI. Conclusion: The lifestyle (dietary) intervention did not normalize SH and TSH levels, but it significantly reduced tiredness. These results suggest that children’s well-being can be improved without medication.

scholarly journals The Effect of 1,8-Cineole Inhalation on Preoperative Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Young Kim ◽  
Hyo Jin Seo ◽  
Sun Seek Min ◽  
Mira Park ◽  
Geun Hee Seol
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Almond Oil ◽  
Eucalyptus Oil ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Selective Nerve Root Block

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhalation of eucalyptus oil and its constituents on anxiety in patients before selective nerve root block (SNRB). This study was a randomized controlled trial carried out in 62 patients before SNRB. The patients were randomized to inhale limonene, 1,8-cineole, or eucalyptus oil, each at concentrations of 1% vol/vol in almond oil or almond oil (control). Anxiety-visual analog scale (A-VAS), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), profile of mood states (POMS), pain-visual analog scale (P-VAS), blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured before and after inhalation prior to SNRB. Measures of anxiety, including A-VAS (P<0.001), STAI (P=0.005), and POMS (P<0.001), were significantly lower in 1,8-cineole than in the control group and significantly greater in 1,8-cineole than in the eucalyptus group in A-VAS. P-VAS was significantly lower after than before inhalation of limonene, 1,8-cineole, and eucalyptus, despite having no significant difference in the four groups compared with control group. 1,8-Cineole, a major constituent of eucalyptus, was effective in decreasing anxiety before SNRB. The present findings suggest that inhalation of 1,8-cineole may be used to relieve anxiety before, during, and after various operations, in addition to SNRB.

scholarly journals Acupuncture Efficacy on Ischemic Stroke Recovery

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1301-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihong Zhang ◽  
Bo Wu ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Ning Li ◽  
Xianrong Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Gain ◽  
Institutional Care ◽  
Stroke Recovery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration

Background and Purpose— Acupuncture is a frequently used complementary treatment for ischemic stroke in China but the evidence available from previous randomized trials is inconclusive. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in a more robustly designed larger scale trial. Methods— This is a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Eight hundred sixty-two hospitalized patients with limb paralysis between 3 to 10 days after ischemic stroke onset were allocated acupuncture plus standard care or standard care alone. The acupuncture was applied 5 times per week for 3 to 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were defined as follows: (1) death/disability according to Barthel index and (2) death/institutional care at 6 months. Results— There was a tendency of fewer patients being dead or dependent in acupuncture group (80/385, 20.7%) than in control group (102/396, 25.8%) at 6 months (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–1.05). The benefit was noted in subgroup receiving ≥10 sessions of acupuncture (odds ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.47–0.98). There was no statistical difference in death or institutional care between the 2 groups (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–1.79). Severe adverse events occurred in 7.6% and 8.3% of patients in the 2 groups, respectively. Conclusions— Acupuncture seemed to be safe in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. If the potential benefits observed are confirmed in future larger study, the health gain from wider use of the treatment could be substantial. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.chictr.org/en/ . Unique identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-11001353.

Efficacy of Integrated Rehabilitation Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 971-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhang ◽  
He Jin ◽  
Dayong Ma ◽  
Yuanbo Fu ◽  
Yanming Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Term Observation

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Integrated Rehabilitation Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IRT-TCM) on patients with ischemic stroke as an alternative therapy to conventional rehabilitation techniques. Sixty-nine patients with ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to receive either IRT-TCM (intervention group, n = 46) or conventional rehabilitation techniques (control group, n = 23). The IRT-TCM consisted of a sequential combination of acupuncture and massage techniques. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were measured on day 0 (baseline, before treatment), day 21, and day 90. We observed that the scores in FMA and BI were increased, and NIHSS were decreased in both groups on day 21 and 90, compared with the baseline (day 0). Furthermore, significantly better scores in FMA of lower limbs and NIHSS were found in patients treated with IRT-TCM on day 21 and 90. For mRS, the percentage of patients ranking 0 and 1 in the intervention group presented a striking contrast to the control group on day 90 but with no significant difference. The results indicated that, as a feasible alternative therapy, IRT-TCM is beneficial for patients with ischemic stroke. Further research with larger sample size, long-term observation, and strict blinding are still in need to confirm the efficacy of IRT-TCM.

scholarly journals Efficiency of Nicotinamide-based Supportive Therapy in Lymphopenia for Patients With COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Hu ◽  
Quan-Yu Zhang ◽  
Cheng-Fei Peng ◽  
Zhuang Ma ◽  
Ya-Ling Han
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Improvement Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
Absolute Lymphocyte Counts

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of nicotinamide-based supportive therapy in lymphopenia for patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Methods: 24 patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 were randomly divided into two groups (n=12) during hospitalization in the ratio of 1:1. Based on the conventional treatment, the treatment group was given 100mg nicotinamide, five times a day. The control group only received routine treatments. The primary endpoint was the change in absolute lymphocyte counts. The secondary endpoints included both the in-hospital death and the composite endpoint of aggravation, according to upgraded oxygen therapy, improvement of nursing level, and ward rounds of superior physicians for changes of conditions. Results: The full blood counts before and after receiving the nicotinamide were comparable in each group (all P>0.05). Before and after receiving the nicotinamide, mean absolute lymphocyte counts were similar between the two groups ([0.94±0.26]*109/L versus [0.89±0.19]*109/L, P=0.565; [1.15±0.48]*109/L versus [1.02±0.28]*109/L, P=0.445, respectively). Therefore, there was no statistically significant difference in the lymphocyte improvement rate between the two groups (23.08±46.10 versus 16.52±24.10, P=0.67). There was also no statistically significant difference for the secondary endpoints between the two groups.Conclusion: Among patients with COVID-19, there was no statistically significant difference in change of full blood counts and the absolute lymphocyte counts before and after intervention in both groups. Therefore, no new evidence was found for the effect of niacinamide on lymphopenia in patients with COVID-19.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04910230. Registered 1 June 2021-retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Effect of Inhalation Aromatherapy with 10% and 30% Peppermint Essential Oils on the Severity of Nausea in Abdominal Surgery Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yasin Ahmadi ◽  
Jahangir Rezaei ◽  
Mansour Rezaei ◽  
Alireza Khatony
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Green Food ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background. One of the most common surgical complications is nausea. Regarding the contradictory findings on the effect of aromatherapy with peppermint on the severity of nausea, in the present study, we aimed at comparing the effect of aromatherapy with 10% and 30% peppermint essential oils on the severity of nausea in surgical patients. Methods. This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the surgical ward of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. A total of 120 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups of 10% peppermint, 30% peppermint, and control (40 patients in each group) using a random number table. In each of the intervention groups, 0.2 ml of 10% and 30% peppermint essential oil was inhaled. In the control group, the same amount of distilled water colored with green food coloring was inhaled. The severity of nausea was measured by nausea visual analog scale (NVAS) before and 10 minutes after the intervention. Results. In the 10% peppermint group, the mean severity of nausea before the intervention was 52.3 ± 13.7 out of 100, which reduced to 40.5 ± 13.5 after the intervention (p<0.001). In the 30% peppermint group, the mean severity scores of nausea before and after the intervention were 60.2 ± 15.0 and 39.7 ± 12.4, respectively (p<0.001). In the control group, the mean severity scores of nausea before and after the intervention was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups in terms of the mean severity of nausea after the intervention. Conclusions. It can be concluded that 10% and 30% peppermint essential oils are equally effective on the severity of nausea.

Effect of acupressure on post tonsillectomy pain in adolescents: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial study

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Somaye Pouy ◽  
Abolfazl Etebarian Khorasgani ◽  
Ali Azizi-Qadikolaee ◽  
Yasaman Yaghobi
Keyword(s):  
Pain Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The World ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Single Blind

Abstract Introduction Tonsillectomy is one of the most common pediatric surgeries in the world and pain control following tonsillectomy is very important. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acupressure on the amount of pain following tonsillectomy in children. Method One hundred and forty-four children aged 5–12 years old were assigned into one of three groups: interventions, control and placebo. In the intervention group, acupressure was applied at three acupoints and in the placebo group, sham acupressure was applied. In the control group routine care only was applied. Results There was a significant difference between an average of changes in pain score before and after the intervention during the 3 time periods after the tonsillectomy operation in the acupressure group (p = 0.002). Conclusion The results showed that acupressure had a positive effect on pain reduction after tonsillectomy in children in the intervention group.

Effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) on post-stroke spasticity: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 904-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-jie Yang ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Ying Hou ◽  
Bao-yin Jiang ◽  
Hua-fei Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barthel Index ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Massage Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Modified Ashworth Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Ashworth Scale

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) for patients with post-stroke spasticity. Design: A prospective, multicenter, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Subject: A total of 90 patients with post-stroke spasticity were randomly assigned to the experimental (Tui Na therapy) group ( n = 45) or control (placebo Tui Na therapy) group ( n = 45). Intervention: Participants in the experimental group received Tui Na therapy, while those in the control group received placebo-Tai Na (gentle rubbing) for 20–25 minutes per limb, once per day, five days per week for a total of four weeks. All participants in both groups received conventional rehabilitation. Main measure: The Modified Ashworth Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the Modified Barthel Index were used to assess the severity of spasticity, motor function of limbs and activities of daily living, respectively. Assessments were performed at baseline, at four weeks and at three months. Results: Tui Na group had a significantly greater reduction in Modified Ashworth Scale in only four muscle groups than the control did (elbow flexors, P = 0.026; wrist flexors, P = 0.005; knee flexors, P = 0.023; knee extensors, P = 0.017). Improvements were sustained at three months follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in Fugl-Meyer Assessment ( P = 0.503) and Modified Barthel Index ( P = 0.544). No adverse reaction was recorded in any of the cases mentioned at all study sites. Conclusions: Tui Na might be a safe and effective treatment to reduce post-stroke spasticity of several muscle groups.

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