Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a specific regimen of acupoint stimulation
improved gait performance in geriatric patients.
DESIGN: Multiple-blinded,
randomized, controlled intervention trial.
SETTING: Geriatric ward
rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: 60 geriatric patients during rehabilitation.
INTERVENTIONS: Both groups received a 1-time acupoint stimulation according to
randomization. Stimulation of a verum acupoint (verum treatment) according to
principles of traditional Chinese medicine was compared with a technically
identical needle application on a nonacupoint (control treatment) in the control
group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive parameters were documented by valid,
established tests. Gait performance was objectively measured by an electronic
walkway before needling and after needling. RESULTS: All gait parameters showed
statistically significant improvement after verum treatment compared with control
treatment (velocity, cadence, stride length, cycle time, step time, single
support, double support: P values all <.05) except for the base of support
(P=.163). Effect sizes achieved by 1-time stimulation of an acupoint were low and
ranged from .08 to .24. No severe adverse clinical events related to the
intervention occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Study results showed that a 1-time
administration of a specific acupoint stimulation regimen statistically
significantly improved gait performance during geriatric ward rehabilitation. If
sustainability of effects can be documented, acupuncture may prove to be an
inexpensive intervention that may mildly improve motor performance in frail
geriatric patients.
CI - Copyright A(c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS