The effects of traditional Chinese medicine sensory stimulation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on deglutition and related complications in stroke patients with dysphagia: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a serious manifestation of a variety of cerebrovascular diseases and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. This study explored the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sensory stimulation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on swallowing function and related complications in stroke patients with dysphagia. METHODS: A total of 60 stroke patients with deglutition dysfunction admitted to our hospital from August 2019 to January 2021 were selected as research subjects. The patients were randomized into 3 different treatment groups, namely, the TCM group, the tDCS group, and the TCM combined with tDCS group (the combined group). Water swallowing tests (WSTs) were conducted to compare the swallowing function before and after treatment. Video fluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) were conducted to analyze the scores of the oral phase, pharyngeal phase, and degree of aspiration. Brain activation and brain volume were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). RESULTS: The WST and VFSS scores in the combined treatment group were significantly higher than that observed in the other two groups (P<0.05). The fMRI demonstrated that the brain activation volume in the combined treatment group was also greater than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCM combined with tDCS significantly improved deglutition and complications in stroke patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-12001972.

[Intervention on network craving and encephalofluctuogram in patients with internet addiction disorder: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with psychological interference on abstinence symptom such as network craving and anxiety in internet addiction disorder (IAD) and explore its mechanism. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of IAD were randomly divided into EA group, psychotherapy group and EA plus psychotherapy group (combined therapy group). In EA group, Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected in EA, once every 2 days, for 20 sessions totally. In psychotherapy group, the cognition and behavior therapy was applied, once every 4 days, for 10 sessions totally. In combined therapy group, EA combined with psychological interference was administered. The changes in IAD self-scale table, network craving scale, ZUNG self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and S spectrum of encephalofluctuogram (ET) were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the results of IAD self-scale table, network craving scale and ZUNG SAS in combined therapy group were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.01) and the score of IAD self-scale table was lower significantly as compared with EA group and psychotherapy group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the score of network craving scale was lower than that in psychotherapy group (P < 0.01). S11 spectrum in combined therapy group decreased significantly as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05) and was lower significantly as compared with psychotherapy group and EA group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture combined with psychological interference can reduce network craving and anxiety of IAD patients and its mechanism is probably related with the decrease of dopamine content in central system.