[Interactive scalp acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of interactive scalp acupuncture, scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training for cognitive dysfunction after stroke. METHODS: A total of 660 patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke were randomly divided into an interactive scalp acupuncture group (218 cases, 18 cases dropped off), a scalp acupuncture group (220 cases, 20 cases dropped off) and a scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (222 cases, 22 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with routine medication and exercise rehabilitation training. The interactive scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture on the parietal midline, and contralateral anterior parietal temporal oblique line and posterior parietal temporal oblique line at the same time of cognitive training; the scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture alone, and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group was treated with scalp acupuncture and cognitive training in the morning and afternoon respectively. All the treatments were given once a day, 6 times a week for 8 weeks. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale score was used to evaluate the cognitive function before treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the total score of MoCA was increased after 4-week treatment and 8-week treatment in the three groups (P<0.01), and the score in the interactive scalp acupuncture group was higher than that in the scalp acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared before treatment, each item score of MoCA was increased after 8-week treatment in the three groups (P<0.01), and the score in the interactive scalp acupuncture group was higher than that in the scalp acupuncture group and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (P<0.01). Except for the attention, the remaining items scores of MoCA in the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group were higher than those in the scalp acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The interactive scalp acupuncture could significantly improve the cognitive function in patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke, and the efficacy is superior to scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training.

Effect of Rhythm of Music Therapy on Gait in Patients with Stroke.

AIM: This study aims to analyze the effects of rhythm of music therapy on gait in patients with ischemic stroke, and explore the value of music therapy in walking training in stroke. METHODS: The present study is a prospective clinical study. Sixty patients with ischemic stroke, who were admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to December 2018, were enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups, according to the method of the random number table, with thirty patients in each group: control group and study group. Patients in the control group received conventional drug therapy, rehabilitation training and walking training, while the patients in the study group were given music therapy on the basis of the above mentioned therapies for four weeks, during which Sunday was regarded as a rest day, and the music therapy was suspended. The main outcome measures included indexes in evaluating the walking ability of patients in these two groups. At each time point, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and stroke rehabilitation treatment satisfaction questionnaire were used. RESULTS: The results revealed that the stride length, cadence and maximum velocity were higher in patients in the study group, when compared to patients in the control group, at the second week and end of the therapy, and the difference in step length between the affected side and healthy side was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the second week of therapy and at the end of therapy, the FMA and BBS scores were higher in the study group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The total satisfaction rate was higher in the study group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Under the stimulation of music rhythm, applying music therapy to patients with ischemic stroke can improve their gait, walking ability, lower limb motor function, balance ability and treatment satisfaction.

[Assessment of mental health status in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and its correlation with catecholamines level].

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between mental health status and catecholamines level in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: Forty patients with oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) who were diagnosed in West China School of Stomatology between Dec. 2011 and Aug. 2012, were assessed with symptom checklist-90 (the 5-grade scoring of 0 to 4 points was used) independently according to their actual conditions. Blood sample was taken on the second admission day and fresh tumor tissue with the weight of 0.5 g was obtained. A method was developed for determination of catecholamine and glucocorticoid in serum using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS). SPSS19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in the study. Compared with the scores of SCL-90 in national norms, the scores were all higher in oral squamous carcinoma patients except the interpersonal relationship. Epinephrine(E) and norepinephrine(NE) in serum was (70.27±34.50) pg/mL and (316.73±109.22) pg/mL, respectively. E and NE in tumor tissues was (6.66±3.58) pg/mg and (12.67±5.27) pg/mg respectively. As the concentrations of NE and E from circulating serum increasing, the stage and grade of oral squamous carcinoma were promoted. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric factors have an important impact on OSCC patients. The increased level of catecholamines is closely related to clinical stage and grade of OSCC. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81172578) and Natural University Students Innovation Training Program (201210610096).