Exploring the Impact of Function-Based Affolter Therapy in Conjunction With Scalp Acupuncture on Poststroke Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to assess the effects of function-based Affolter therapy in conjunction with scalp acupuncture on cognitive impairment following a stroke.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with poststroke cognitive impairment were systematically selected and subsequently randomized into five distinct groups, each comprising 20 participants. Group A underwent Affolter therapy, Group B received scalp acupuncture, Group C was subjected to a nonsynchronous combination of both treatments, Group D received a synchronous combination of both therapies, and Group E was designated as the control group. Pre- and posttreatment assessments of cognitive function were conducted using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA). Activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated using the ADL scale, while the integrity of white matter nerve fibers in the hippocampus was observed through diffusion tensor imaging, and the resultant data were subjected to statistical comparison.

Results

Multiple comparisons were conducted between pre- and posttreatment MMSE scores, and noteworthy distinctions emerged, specifically between Groups C and A, B, D, and E (p < 0.05), as well as between Groups D and A, B, and E (p < 0.05). A statistically significant variance in the MoCA test results pre- and posttreatment was observed between Groups D and A, B, C, and E (p < 0.05). The assessment of ADL yielded significant differences, notably between Groups B and A, C, and D (p < 0.05); Groups C and A, B, D, and E (p < 0.05); and Groups D and A, B, C, and E (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the changes in diffusion tensor imaging-derived apparent diffusion coefficient values pre- versus posttreatment demonstrated statistically significant differences between Groups D and A, B, C, and E (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The effectiveness of treating poststroke cognitive impairment in patients is notably superior when using a combination of function-based Affolter therapy and synchronous scalp acupuncture when compared with alternative therapeutic approaches.