An investigation into the effects of acupuncture on stroke recovery : a placebo controlled randomised single blind trial
An investigation into the effects of acupuncture on stroke recovery : a placebo controlled randomised single blind trial
This thesis deals with the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke sequelae. The first chapters outline the history and basic theories of traditional Chinese acupuncture and how they are applied to stroke.
This is followed by an explanation of the trial methodology selected, this being a placebo-controlled, randomised, single-blind multi-centre trial. The patients were stratified to two groups according to their initial Barthel Index scores before randomisation (BI 0-8 and BI 9-20). The patients received twelve treatments in four weeks, commencing within four to ten days after a first stroke. The trial took place in Southampton, Salisbury, Winchester, Christchurch and Poole hospitals between 1996 and 2000. The methodology was derived from both the literature and a previous pilot study, (Hopwood & Lewith 1997) and compared acupuncture with an inert placebo/control, de-activated TENS. Assessments were continued for a full year after the stroke occurred. The primary outcome was the Barthel Index, a widely accepted measure of disability. A variety of other outcomes were recorded, including muscle power and mood.
The trial experienced severe patient recruiting difficulties and these are discussed. A planned, independent, blinded, interim analysis was undertaken by one of the monitoring team when 86 patients had been randomised. (Prof. M. Campbell) He found no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups and recommended that the trial be stopped. 103 patients were finally randomised and the results from 92 are analysed and displayed in this thesis. The findings are discussed with a critique of the trial and suggestions for improvements and further studies.
While both acupuncture and a credible placebo appeared to have had no equal effect on stroke recovery, the overall improvement lies within normal patterns and there is no significant difference between the two interventions. The observed improvement in stroke sequelae and the minor differences between the effects of the interventions may therefore only be due to the, as yet, poorly understood non-specific effects.
University of Southampton
Hopwood, Val
1cd3d7f0-247b-4f30-b61d-9a0d65f35519
2003
Hopwood, Val
1cd3d7f0-247b-4f30-b61d-9a0d65f35519
Hopwood, Val
(2003)
An investigation into the effects of acupuncture on stroke recovery : a placebo controlled randomised single blind trial.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This thesis deals with the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of stroke sequelae. The first chapters outline the history and basic theories of traditional Chinese acupuncture and how they are applied to stroke.
This is followed by an explanation of the trial methodology selected, this being a placebo-controlled, randomised, single-blind multi-centre trial. The patients were stratified to two groups according to their initial Barthel Index scores before randomisation (BI 0-8 and BI 9-20). The patients received twelve treatments in four weeks, commencing within four to ten days after a first stroke. The trial took place in Southampton, Salisbury, Winchester, Christchurch and Poole hospitals between 1996 and 2000. The methodology was derived from both the literature and a previous pilot study, (Hopwood & Lewith 1997) and compared acupuncture with an inert placebo/control, de-activated TENS. Assessments were continued for a full year after the stroke occurred. The primary outcome was the Barthel Index, a widely accepted measure of disability. A variety of other outcomes were recorded, including muscle power and mood.
The trial experienced severe patient recruiting difficulties and these are discussed. A planned, independent, blinded, interim analysis was undertaken by one of the monitoring team when 86 patients had been randomised. (Prof. M. Campbell) He found no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups and recommended that the trial be stopped. 103 patients were finally randomised and the results from 92 are analysed and displayed in this thesis. The findings are discussed with a critique of the trial and suggestions for improvements and further studies.
While both acupuncture and a credible placebo appeared to have had no equal effect on stroke recovery, the overall improvement lies within normal patterns and there is no significant difference between the two interventions. The observed improvement in stroke sequelae and the minor differences between the effects of the interventions may therefore only be due to the, as yet, poorly understood non-specific effects.
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Published date: 2003
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Local EPrints ID: 465132
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/465132
PURE UUID: 194cd2ec-fb35-43c5-9c3e-e4b944abfaab
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 00:25
Last modified: 05 Jul 2022 00:25
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Author:
Val Hopwood
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