To explore the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow and serum S100β and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the patients with post-stroke mild cognitive impairment in convalescence stage.

A total of 66 cases were randomized into a control group (33 cases) and an observation group (33 cases). The conventional treatment was applied in the control group. On the base of the treatment of the control group, acupuncture was added at Shéntíng (神庭GV24), Băihuì (百会GV20), Dàzhuī (大椎GV14), Mìngmén (命门GV4), Shènshū (肾俞BL23), Shénmén (神门HT7) and Xuánzhōng (悬钟GB39) in the observation group. Before and after treatment, separately, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were assessed in the patients, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index (RI) and the levels of serum S100β and ALP were measured. At the end of treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the both groups.

After treatment, the scores of MoCA, MMSE and MBI in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group. PSV in the observation group was higher than the control group, while RI, S100β and ALP were lower than those in the control group, indicating the statistical differences (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 93.75% in the observation group, higher than 67.74% in the control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

Acupuncture achieves the definite therapeutic effect on post-stroke mild cognitive impairment in convalescence stage. This therapy improves the cognitive function, the quality of life and cerebral blood flow in the patients and also down-regulates the levels of serum S100β and ALP. Hence, this acupuncture therapy is worthy of clinical promotion.

Acupuncture

Mild cognitive impairment

Post-stroke

Cerebral blood flow

S100β

ALP

© 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of World Journal of Acupuncture Moxibustion House.