Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with acupuncture at acupoints of the Governor Vessel on neurological and cognitive functions in patients with initial onset of ischemic stroke
Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen(HBO)therapy combined with acupuncture at the acupoints of the Governor Vessel on the neurological and cognitive functions in patients with initial onset of ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 82 patients with initial onset of ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Zhangjiagang Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from June 2019 to December 2021 were selected and divided into control group and experimental group according to the random number table method,with 41 patients in each group.All the patients were treated with conventional western medicine.In addition,the control group was treated with only acupuncture at the acupoints of the Governor Vessel,while the experimental group was treated with HBO therapy combined with acupuncture at the acupoints of the Governor Vessel.The patients were assessed using the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS),Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA),Fugl Meyer assessment scale(FMA),and modified Barthel index(MBI)scores.The above scores and the levels of neuron specific enolase(NSE)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)before and after four weeks of treatment were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the NIHSS scores of both groups decreased compared with those before treatment,with the experimental group lower than the control group(t=-3.098,P=0.003);the MOCA scores increased in both groups compared with those before treatment,with the experimental group higher than the control group(t=3.364,P=0.001);the levels of NSE decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment,with the experimental group lower than the control group(t=-4.66,P=0.000);the levels of BDNF increased in both groups compared with those before treatment,with the experimental group higher than the control group(t=2.954,P=0.004);the FMA and MBI scores all increased in both groups compared with those before treatment,with the experimental group higher than the control group(t=2.722 and 3.06,P=0.008 and 0.003).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of adverse reactions(x2=0.554,P=0.457).Conclusion HBO therapy combined with acupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupoints can effectively improve the neurological and cognitive functions in patients with initial onset of ischemic stroke,regulate the levels of NSE and BDNF,enhance motor function and improve quality of life,which is safe and reliable.
Ischemic strokeHyperbaric oxygenAcupuncture at the Governor Vessel acupointsNeurological functionCognitive function
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