Electroacupuncture for post-stroke anxiety disorder on the base of the heart-brain theory:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:To evaluate the differences in the clinical effect and the safety in the treatment of post-stroke anxiety disorder(PSAD)between electroacupuncture(EA)and paroxetine on the base of the heart-brain theory.Methods:A total of 70 patients of PSAD were randomized into an EA group and a medication group,35 cases in each one.In the EA group,four acupoints were selected and divided into two pairs.In the Pair A,there were Baihui(百会GV20)and Fengfu(风府GV16).In the Pair B,there were Xinshu(心俞BL15)and Shenmen(神门HT7).After acupuncture,the electroacupuncture apparatus was applied.The duration of needle retention was 20 min.EA was given three times a week,totally for 4 weeks.In the medication group,paroxetine tablets were administered orally,10 mg daily in the first 4 days and 20 mg afterwards,totally for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,as well as in the follow-up period,Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),Barthel index(BI)for daily life ability,and clinical global impression(CGI)were observed and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated separately.Results:A total of 3 cases were dropped-out in the medication group.Finally,35 cases in the EA group and 32 cases in the medication group were included in the analysis.Compared with the scores before treatment,the scores of HAMA and CGI-SI(severity of illness)were lower and the scores of BI were higher after treatment and during the follow-up in either the EA group or the medication group(all P<0.05).Compared with the scores after treatment,the differences were not significant in HAMA and CGISI scores during the follow-up in either the EA group or the medication group(all P>0.05).Compared with the medication group,BI score in the EA group was higher in the follow-up,indicating the statistical significance(P<0.05).After treatment,CGI-SI score was different statistically between the EA group and the medication group(P<0.05).There were 5 cases with adverse reactions in the EA group and 9 cases in the medication group.Conclusions:The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on the base of heart-brain theory is similar to the oral administration of paroxetine in the treatment of post-stroke anxiety disorder.This therapy relieves anxious emotions,promotes the recovery of limb function and has less adverse reactions in the patients.

Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang for chronic fatigue syndrome:A randomized control trial

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang in treating chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into treatment group and control group. In treatment group,the back-shu points of five zang organs were adopted for acupuncture. Shènshū(肾俞 BL23) was perpendicularly needled 15-30 mm in depth. The rest of the selected points were inserted obliquely 15-30 mm in the direction of the spine with even method of lifting-thrusting and twisting-twirling, 10 s for each acupoint. In control group, the acupoints were approximately 1.5-2 cm away outward from the back-shu points of five zang organs(about on the middle of the two sidelines of the bladder meridian of foottaiyang) and the points from the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were excluded. Acupoints were needled6-9 mm in depth, and deqi was not required, without any manipulation. The treatments were carried out twice a week for twenty minutes each time, a total of eight treatments were given. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for CFS was evaluated through the Fatigue Scale-14(FS-14) and the Symptom Check-List 90(SCL-90) after treatment.Results: The total effective rate was 86.67% in the treatment group and 53.33% in the control group(P<0.01). In treatment group, FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores were significantly reduced than before treatment(all P<0.01). In control group, FS-14 total scores and somatic fatigue scores were significantly reduced(both P<0.01). The improvement of FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores in the treatment group were better than those in the control group(P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, SCL-90 total scores and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, and other factors scores were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with before treatment(P<0.01). In control group, the SCL-90 total scores and the scores of somatization, compulsion, hostility, and other factors after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P< 0.01). The total scores of SCL-90 and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychoticism, and other factors in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P< 0.01, P< 0.05).Conclusions: Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang can significantly improve the somatic fatigue and mental fatigue of the patients, and at the same time improve their psychological status. Significant therapeutic effect was found on CFS. Compared with the control group, the acupuncture treatment can significantly improve the patient’s somatic fatigue, mental fatigue and psychological status.