The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회지)

The Society of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회)
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A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of Electroacupuncture with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Improving Motor Function in Stroke Patients

뇌졸중 환자의 운동 기능 개선에 대한 전침과 경두개직류전기자극 병행 치료의 단일 맹검 무작위 대조군 예비 연구

  • Irang Nam (Dept. of Korean Internal Medicine, Korean Medicine Hospital of Pusan National University) ;
  • Jisoo Baik (Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University) ;
  • Yong-Il Shin (Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University) ;
  • In Lee (Dept. of Korean Internal Medicine, Korean Medicine Hospital of Pusan National University)
  • 남이랑 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 백지수 (양산부산대학교병원 의생명융합연구원) ;
  • 신용일 (양산부산대학교병원 의생명융합연구원) ;
  • 이인 (부산대학교 한방병원 한방내과)
  • Received : 2024.08.26
  • Accepted : 2024.10.04
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) on motor function improvement in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stroke more than 2 weeks but within 12 months of onset. A total of 22 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received EA and tDCS treatment, while the control group received sham EA and sham tDCS treatment. Assessments were conducted using the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA) scores, grip and pinch strength tests, Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-hole peg test (9HPT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores. Adverse events were recorded at each intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups. The K-FMA, BBS, and K-MBI scores of both groups increased significantly after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Although hand strength and dexterity improved after intervention in both groups, the changes were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the lateral pinch score increased significantly after the intervention, but this increase was not significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. All nine reported adverse reactions were minor, with no moderate or severe adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential effectiveness and safety of EA with tDCS in improving motor function in stroke patients.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 2023년도 부산대학교병원 임상연구비 지원으로 이루어졌음. 이 논문은 2024년도 정부(과기정통부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단 바이오.의료기술개발사업의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(No.2021M3A9E4081652).

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