Acupuncture and Computer-based Training to Improve Attention Deficits in Patients After Stroke

Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine60 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether acupuncture and computer-based attention training can be combined for more effective post-stroke attentional deficits.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

RehaComDEVICE

The computer-based neurorehabilitation program is intended for patients with acquired cognitive deficits after brain damage, e.g. after stroke. The RehaCom software has five different therapeutic groups aimed at restoration of attention, memory, executive functions, and visual field, respectively. Each group has one to four different modules to choose from for each therapy session. Only attention will be trained in this study.

AcupunctureDEVICE

The affected meridian group is treated by needling on Baihui (GV20\|DU20) and Shenting (GV24\|DU24) - both acupoints of the Governor Vessel. Baihui is 5 cun (1cun=3.33 cm) superior to the anterior hairline on the anterior median line (midpoint of the connecting line between the auricular apices).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Admitted to inpatient stroke rehabilitation within six months after first-ever stroke * Mild cognitive impairments (attention performance TAP \> 1 standard deviation below mean age-matched norm in at least one subtest). * Conscious, stable physical condition and signed informed consent of patient. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe visual and/or hearing problems * Inability to follow instructions (MoCA) * Disorders of speech and instruction comprehension (tested with a modified token-test) * Severe visual and/or hearing problems * Pre-existing mental disorders - Pregnancy

Locations (3)

Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

RECRUITING

m&i Fachklinik Herzogenaurach

Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany

RECRUITING

Reha Rheinfelden

Rheinfelden, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in attention performance at 4 weeks (Test Battery for Attention Performance (TAP))