康复学报 (Feb 2024)
Influence of Interactive Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Upper Limb Exoskeleton Robot on Upper Limb Function in Stroke Patients
Abstract
ObjectiveBased on the central-peripheral-central-closed loop theory, the study aimed to investigate the influence of interactive scalp acupuncture combined with upper limb exoskeleton robot on upper limb function in stroke patients.MethodsA total of 40 stroke patients recruited in the Rehabilitation Treatment Center of the Shandong Provincial Third Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from February 2022 to February 2023 were selected and randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 20 cases in each group. All patients were subjected to conventional rehabilitation treatment. In addition, upper limb exoskeleton robot rehabilitation training was performed in the control group, 25 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. In the observation group, interactive scalp acupuncture combined with the upper limb exoskeleton robot was performed. The positioning standard for scalp acupuncture acupoints was the parieto-temporal anterior oblique line and parieto-parietal 2 lines, and the needle was left in place for 25 min, and twisting maneuver was applied once at an interval of 5 min, 1-2 min per time, once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks in total. Pre- and post-treatment assessments of upper limb motor function before and after treatment were performed using the Fugl-meyer upper extremity motor function assessment scale (FMA-UE) within the domain of body functions and structures according to the Iinternational Cassification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework (ICF). In addition, within the ICF activity domain, the Wolf motor function test (WMFT) was utilized to assess patients' abilities to perform functional tasks with their upper limbs. Finally, within the ICF participation domain, the modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to evaluate the independence of patients in activities of daily living.Results(1) Body function and structure domain: Compared with those before treatment, the FMA-UE score of both groups significantly increased after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed a more significant improvement in the FMA-UE score than the control group (P<0.05). (2) Activity domain: Compared with those before treatment, the WMFT score of both groups significantly increased after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed a more significant improvement in the WMFT score than the control group (P<0.05). (3) Participation domain: The MBI score of both groups significantly increased after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed a more significant improvement in the MBI score than the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionInteractive scalp acupuncture combined with upper limb exoskeleton robot can significantly improve upper limb motor function, upper limb functional task performance, and activities of daily living in stroke patients.
