Impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation on upper extremity function and quality of life of patients with early stroke.

Background: Eighty percent of stroke patients develop upper limb dysfunction, especially hand dysfunction, which has a very slow recovery, resulting in economic burden to families and society.

Aim: To investigate the impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture therapy on upper extremity function in patients with early stroke.

Methods: Patients with early stroke hemiplegia who visited our hospital between January 2021 and October 2022 were divided into a control group and an observation group, each with 50 cases. The control group underwent head acupuncture plus routine upper limb rehabilitation training (acupuncture therapy). In addition to acupuncture and rehabilitation, the observation group underwent upper limb task-oriented training (30 min). Each group underwent treatment 5 d/wk for 4 wk. Upper extremity function was assessed in both groups using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Rating Scale (WMFT), modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Clinical efficacy of the interventions was also evaluated.

Results: Before intervention, no significant differences were observed in the FMA-UE, MBI, and WMFT scores between the two groups ( > 0.05). After intervention, the FMA-UE, WMFT, MBI, COPM-Functional Mobility and Satisfaction, and SF-36 scores increased in both groups ( < 0.05), with even higher scores in the observation group ( < 0.05). The observation group also obtained a higher total effective rate than the control group ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: Task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation significantly enhanced upper extremity mobility, quality of life, and clinical efficacy in patients with early stroke.