Efficacy evaluation of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training for post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern. Sixty-six patients with post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis patter were divided into an observation group and a rehabilitation group using the random number table method. The two groups both received conventional medications and supportive treatment for stroke. In addition, the observation group received acupuncture plus rehabilitation training while the rehabilitation group only received the same rehabilitation training. The interventions were conducted 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks in both groups. They were evaluated using Kubota water swallowing test (KWST), Fujishima Ichiro food intake level scale (FILS) and symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) before and after treatment, and at the 1-month follow-up. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed at the 1-month follow-up. The KWST grading and FILS result after treatment and at the follow-up were significantly different from those before treatment in both groups (all P 0.05). There were significant differences in the KWST grading and FILS result between the two groups after treatment and at the follow-up (all P 0.05). The TCM symptoms grading efficacy in the observation group was significantly different from that in the rehabilitation group after treatment and at the follow-up (both P<0.05). Based on the conventional treatment for stroke, acupuncture plus rehabilitation training or use of rehabilitation training alone both can improve the clinical symptoms in post-stroke deglutition disorders of qi-deficiency blood stasis pattern, but acupuncture plus rehabilitation training can produce more significant efficacy and better long-term efficacy in improving TCM symptoms.