Clinical Observation On The Efficacy Of Different Frequencies Of Electroacupuncture Treatment On Post-stroke Dysphagia

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on patients suffering from post-stroke dysphagia.In addition to standard routine treatments and rehabilitation trainings for stroke patients,this study provides the targeted patient groups respectively with low frequency(sparse wave)and high frequency(dense wave)electroacupuncture on the same three tongue acupoints so as to observe the therapeutic effects of the different frequencies of electroacupuncture on post-stroke dysphagia.It is hoped that this clinical research can serve to a certain extent as a parameter for the choice of electroacupuncture frequency applied to future treatments of this kind.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial,60 patients were randomly divided into two groups,namely the low frequency(sparse wave)and high frequency(dense wave)electroacupuncture groups.Each group had 30 cases.Each subject patient in both groups was provided with basic medical treatments,rehabilitation trainings and routine acupuncture treatment.The designated group of acupoints chosen for acupuncture treatment were:Three Tongue Acupoints,Baihui(Hundred Convergences),Neiguan(Inner Pass),Jiquan(Highest Spring),Chize(Cubit Marsh),Weizhong(Bend Middle),Sanyinjiao(Three Yin Intersection)and Zusanli(Leg Three Li).The subject patients in the low frequency group received sparse wave electroacupuncture stimulation(20Hz)on the Three Tongue Acupoints,whereas those in the high frequency group received dense wave electroacupuncture stimulation(100Hz)on the same Three Tongue Acupoints.The strength of electroacupuncture stimulation was controlled at a bearable level for each patient.Each electroacupuncture treatment session last 30 mintues,once daily,continuously for 6 days a week from Mondays to Saturdays,in total for 4 weeks.The clinical efficacies of the two groups were measured respectively on the day before treatment,the 14th day and 28th day of treatment,by three screening tests in evaluating swallowing function,namely,the Standardized Swallowing Assessment(SSA),the Kubota water swallow test and the Dysphagia Handicap Index(DHI).SPSS was used for data analysis.ResultsBefore the treatment,there was no statistical difference(P>0.05)in sex composition,age and course of illness between the two groups that were hence deemed eligible for statistical comparison.The two groups also showed no statistical difference(P>0.05)in the three screening tests in evaluating swallowing function(SSA,the Kubota water swallow test and the DHI).The baseline data of the two groups was evenly distributed,showing potentials for comparison.After 14 days and 28 days of treatment,both groups showed significant improvement(P<0.05)in the above said swallowing function scores.The therapeutic effects of both groups after 28 days were respectively better than that of the 14 days(P<0.05),and that of the low/sparse frequency electroacupuncture group was better than that of the high/dense frequency electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).After the course of the 28 days treatment,the low/sparse frequency electroacupuncture group had 1 case cured,20 cases showed significant improvement,7 cases were effective,and 2 cases were ineffective.The total clinical efficacy rate for this group was 93.33%.Whereas in the high/dense frequency electroacupuncture group,0 case got cured,12 cases showed significant improvement,13 cases were effective and 5 cases were ineffective,totaling a clinical efficacy rate of 83.33%.There was statistical difference(P<0.05)between the efficacies of the two groups.ConclusionDifferent stimulation frequencies of electroacupuncture combined with basic treatment and rehabilitation trainings can effectively improve the swallowing function of patients suffering from post-stroke dysphagia,helping to improve their quality of life as well as psycological well-being.When it comes to improving the swallowing function of patients,the low/sparse frequency electroacupuncture performed better than that of high/dense frequency.For devicing an optimized treatment plan,this result can serve as a reference for future electroacupuncture treatments for post-stroke dysphagic patients.