Effects of scalp acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment at different time intervals.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of scalp acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for post-stroke cognitive impairment at different time intervals.

Method: This retrospective cohort study divided patients into two groups according to the timing of the scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS intervention. Group A received scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS at 1 month post-stroke and routine basic treatment and cognitive function training at two months post-stroke. Group B received routine basic treatment and cognitive function training at 1 month post-stroke and scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS at 2 months post-stroke. Both groups underwent cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before treatment and at the ends of the first and second months post-stroke.

Results: The study population included 92 total stroke patients divided evenly into Groups A and B. Group A's total scores were higher at the end of the first month of treatment compared with baseline and remained stable at the end of the second month of treatment. By contrast, Group B's total score remained stable at the end of the first month of treatment compared with baseline and increased by the end of the second month. There were no significant differences in the scores at baseline or the end of the second month between the two groups.

Conclusion: Scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS can effectively treat cognitive function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment, regardless of the timing of the intervention.