Acupuncture for Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

作者:Ko Chang Nam; Lee In Whan; Cho Seung Yeon; Lee Seung Hwan; Park Seong Uk*; Koh Jun Seok; Park Jung Mi; Kim Gook Ki; Bae Hyung Sup
来源:Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2013, 19(5): 471-473.
DOI:10.1089/acm.2012.0076

摘要

Objectives: To examine the possibility of acupuncture as a new promising treatment to prevent delayed cerebral vasospasm, retrospective comparison was done of patient outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) treated with and without acupuncture. %26lt;br%26gt;Materials and methods: Twenty (20) patients with SAH were treated after their ruptured aneurysms had been secured. Acupuncture treatments were applied to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) once a day for 2 weeks, starting within 3 days of the aneurysm rupture. The incidence of angiographic vasospasm and delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND), the patient%26apos;s functional status at discharge, and mortality rate were analyzed. Patient outcomes were compared with those of an age- and severity-matched comparison group composed of patients treated in the hospital without acupuncture. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: None of the patients who received acupuncture died. Angiographic vasospasms occurred in 5 patients (25.0%) and DIND in 2 (10%). In terms of functional impairment, the modified Rankin score at discharge was %26lt;= 2 in 7 patients (35%). In the control group, angiographic vasospasms occurred in 10 patients (55.6%) and DIND in 7 (38.9%), similar to the reported incidence in conventionally treated patients. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: Patients with SAH who received acupuncture had a significantly lower incidence of DIND and significantly improved function at discharge, suggesting that acupuncture is effective in preventing cerebral vasospasm. In light of these promising results, a randomized controlled trial is warranted to determine the efficacy of acupuncture in a clinical setting.

  • 出版日期2013-5