Background and Purpose-In small trials with control groups that receive no intervention, acupuncture has been reported to improve functional outcome after stroke. We studied effects of acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on functional outcome and quality of life after stroke versus a control group that received subliminal electrostimulation. Methods-In a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 7 university and district hospitals in Sweden, 150 patients with moderate or severe functional impairment were included. At days 5 to 10 after acute stroke, patients were randomized to 1 of 3 intervention groups: (a) acupuncture, including electroacupuncture; (b) sensory stimulation with high-intensity, low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that induces muscle contractions; and (c) low-intensity (subliminal) high-frequency electrostimulation (control group). A total of 20 treatment sessions were performed over a 10-week period. Outcome variables included motor function, activities of daily living function, walking ability, social activities, and life satisfaction at 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Results-At baseline, patients in each group were closely similar in all important prognostic variables. At 3-month and 1-year follow-ups, no clinically important or statistically significant differences were observed between groups for any of the outcome variables. The 3 treatment modalities were all conducted without major adverse effects.
Conclusions-When
Forty-nine patients suffering from lateral humeral epicondylalgia were enrolled in a double-blind study to observe the effects of Ga-As laser applied to acupuncture points. The Mid 1500 IRRADIA laser machine was used, wavelength: 904 nm, mean power output: 12 mW, peak value: 8.3 W; frequency: 70 Hz (pulse train). Localization of points: LI 10, 11, 12, Lu 5 and SJ 5. Each point was treated for 30 sec resulting in a dose of treatment of 0.36 J/point. The patients were treated 2-3 times weekly with 10 treatments in all. Follow-ups were done after 3 months and 1 year. No significant differences were observed between the laser and the placebo group in relation to the subjective or objective outcome after 10 treatments or at the follow-ups.
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