Acupuncture treatment for stroke

Findings by SBU Alert

This is a translation of version 1, published on March 21, 2000. The latest version of this report is not available in English.

Acupuncture is an established method of pain relief. Acupuncture has also been tested in Sweden and other countries to treat stroke paralysis, with a focus on improving patients mobility and abilities to manage activities of daily living (ADL).

Nine small, randomized (or pseudo-randomized) scientific studies were identified, four of which were conducted in Sweden. Seven of the nine studies reported positive effects from acupuncture, at least in some outcome variables, eg, motor-function, ADL ability, and/or well being. Both of the studies that reported no effects were conducted in Sweden and included 39 percent of all patients studied. Both were judged to be of high quality. In this context, they are relatively large studies and have – in contrast to most of the other studies – adequate control groups, independent evaluators of outcomes, and long followup times.

Hence, there is moderate* scientific evidence on the use of acupuncture for stroke, but study findings diverge and the conclusions are uncertain. The costs are substantial, in the range of 10 000 SEK per patient treated. Therefore, acupuncture should not be used routinely in rehabilitation after stroke except in randomized controlled studies aimed at further assessment.

*This assessment by SBU Alert uses a 4-point scale to grade the quality and evidence of the scientific documentation. The grades indicate: (1) good, (2) moderate, (3) poor, or (4) no scientific evidence on the subject.

This summary is based on a report prepared at SBU in collaboration with Prof Kjell Asplund, MD PhD, Norrland’s University Hospital in Umeå. It has been reviewed by Assoc Prof Mona Britton, MD PhD, SBU.

Alert is a joint effort by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU), the Medical Products Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare, and the Federation of Swedish County Councils.

References

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