Effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint massage on cognitive ability and recovery of neurological function in stroke patients

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint massage nursing on the cognitive ability and the recovery of neurological function in stroke patients. Methods 78 cases of stroke patients in our hospital from July 2015 to July 2016 were selected as the research object, and were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method. The observation group was given acupuncture combined with acupoint massage nursing, while the control group was given conventional nursing intervention. The cognitive ability, neurological function, motor function, and life quality were compared between the two groups. Results The hospitalization time and the incidence of complications in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and nursing satisfaction was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the control group was 74.36%, lower than that in the observation group (92.31%) (P<0.05). After nursing, the MMSE, MAS scores in the two groups significantly increased, NIHSS score significantly decreased (P<0.05); the MMSE, MAS scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, NIHSS score was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After nursing, the scores of physiological function, psychological function, physical function and social function in the two groups significantly increased, those in the observation group were higher (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture combined with acupoint massage can significantly improve cognitive ability and nerve function of stroke patients, shorten hospitalization time, reduce the incidence of complications, improve nursing satisfaction and quality of life, is safe and effective nursing method, worthy of promotion. Key words: Stroke; Nerve function; Acupuncture; Massage; Nursing; Quality of Life