Effectiveness of thread embedding and electroacupuncture for poststroke aphasia in Vietnam: a randomized pilot study with blinded assessors
摘要
To compare the effectiveness of thread embedding (TE) and electroacupuncture (EA) in rehabilitating poststroke aphasia.
MethodsA randomized, open-label pilot trial with blinded assessors enrolled 60 patients with poststroke aphasia, who were randomly assigned to a TE group or an EA group. The TE group received thread embedding at Shanglianquan [Extra, located at 1 Cun above Lianquan (CV23)] every 10 d for 3 sessions; the EA group underwent daily EA treatment for 30 d. Primary outcomes were changes in the Boston diagnostic aphasia examination (BDAE) and aphasia severity rating scale (ASRS) scores from baseline to day 30. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and patient satisfaction.
ResultsBoth TE group and EA group showed significant improvements in the BDAE and ASRS scores (P<0.001). TE exhibited an insignificant trend toward greater improvement in motor speech [odds ratio (OR)=1.76] and reading (OR=1.55) compared to EA. No serious adverse events occurred in either group.
ConclusionBoth TE and EA enhanced language function in poststroke aphasia, with TE showing potential advantages in motor speech recovery. However, the absence of a non-treatment control group limits the ability to attribute these improvements solely to the interventions, as natural recovery cannot be excluded. Future research should incorporate a non-treatment or speech-language therapy control group and extend follow-up to evaluate long-term efficacy.