CAN SENSORY STIMULATION IMPROVE THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN STROKE PATIENTS

After obtaining informed consent, we randomized 78 patients with sever e hemiparesis of the left or right side within 10 days of stroke onset : 40 to a control group receiving daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and 38 to a group that, in addition, we treated with sensory stimulation (acupuncture) twice a week for 10 weeks. The median age w as 76 years for both groups. Motor function, balance, and ADL (Barthel 's Index) were assessed before the start of treatment and at 1 and 3 m onths after stroke onset; ADL was also assessed after 12 months. We as sessed the quality of life (QL) using the Nottingham Health Profile 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke onset. Patients given sensory stimulati on recovered faster and to a larger extent than the controls, with a s ignificant difference for balance, mobility, ADL, QL, and days spent a t hospitals/nursing homes. Whether acupuncture per se is responsible f or the differences requires further study.