Hemiparesis after Operation of Astrocytoma Grade II in Adults : Effects of Acupuncture on Sensory-Motor Behavior and Quality of Life

Abstract EN

To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hemiparesis and quality of life for adults with brain astrocytoma grade II, we conducted a randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial.

Fifty-eight patients were randomized to standard rehabilitation (SR) therapy without acupuncture (n=20), SR plus standard acupuncture (SA) (n=19), and SR plus individualized acupuncture (IA) (n=19).

SA points were PC6, SP6, HT1, LU5, BL40, and ST36, while a special concept called “connecting and regulation Ren and Du” and “Jin-3-needling” served as IA.

This treatment was individualized according to the clinical syndrome.

The outcome was measured by the Barthel Index (BI), the Fugl-Meyer scale (FM), and the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) with the Brain Cancer Module (BCM20).

IA + SR reached significantly higher BI scores than SA + SR, which reached significantly higher BI scores than SR.

IA + SR was significantly superior to SA + SR and to SR at the 8th week for the scores of FM motor and sensory assessments and most QLQ-C30-BCM20 items.

In conclusion, the individualized acupuncture concept of “connecting and regulating Ren and Du” combined with “Jin-3-needling” offers a promising possibility for the treatment of hemiparesis due to astrocytoma, but further evaluation is mandatory.