Acupuncture as Stroke Medicine?

Pilot study will look at whether it can treat weakness, paralysis

TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Researchers are trying to see if acupuncture can poke away at the debilitating effects of stroke.

A pilot study to compare the effects of real acupuncture to sham acupuncture in treating stroke patients is being conducted by researchers at the New England School of Acupuncture, Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health.

Computerized imaging of gait and limb movements and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain will be among the methods used to evaluate potential acupuncture benefits.

"This study will look at a number of clinically driven questions about how effective acupuncture can be in reducing some physical impairments, removing functional limitations and enhancing the quality of life in patients with chronic hemiparesis," says principal investigator Dr. Peter Wayne, director of the acupuncture school.

Hemiparesis is weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and is the most significant chronic effect of stroke.

For the study, researchers are looking for people who have had a stroke at least six months earlier, and still experience weakness on one side of their body. Participants are being recruited through Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

This year, an estimated 750,000 Americans will suffer a first or recurrent stroke. That works out to a stroke every 45 seconds. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability.

More information

Here's more on acupuncture treatments for stroke.

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