Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and a substantial proportion of patients experience varying degrees of motor function impairment as a result. Motor deficits significantly hinder patients’ return to daily activities and require long-term rehabilitation. Alongside conventional clinical treatments, including pharmacotherapy and standard rehabilitation programs, some patients turn to traditional medicine approaches, particularly acupuncture.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientific foundations of acupuncture and other traditional medicine approaches in the post-stroke period, examining their effectiveness, mechanisms of action, advantages, limitations, and possibilities for clinical integration based on an extensive literature review.
Special attention is given to the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture, its effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, and its practical relevance in motor rehabilitation after stroke. The article describes the localization of acupuncture points, their functional effects, and reflex mechanisms based on contemporary clinical and experimental studies.
The findings indicate that integrating acupuncture with conventional rehabilitation methods can be considered an effective adjunctive approach for improving motor recovery in patients after ischemic stroke. The analysis suggests that acupuncture has potential value primarily as a complementary rehabilitation modality; however, its use as a standalone treatment is not currently sufficiently supported by strong scientific evidence.
Although existing studies suggest potential effectiveness, the quality of the evidence remains heterogeneous due to methodological limitations. Nevertheless, traditional medicine methods, especially acupuncture, may contribute to psychological support, increased motivation, stress reduction, and overall improvement in patient well-being, thereby supporting the recovery process.
References
1. Adams H.P. – Stroke: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management, 2019
2. Feigin V.L. – Stroke Epidemiology: A Review of Global Burden, 2014
3. World Health Organization – Global Health Estimates: Stroke, 2020
4. Haines D.E., Mihailoff G.A. – Fundamental Neuroscience, 2018
5. Cheng X. – Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 20146. NIH Consensus Panel – Acupuncture, JAMA, 1998
7. Wu P. et al. – Effect of Acupuncture in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation, 2010
8. Napadow V. et al. – Neuroimaging of Acupuncture Effects, 2007
9. Zhao Z.Q. – Neural Mechanism Underlying Acupuncture, 2008
10. Li Z. et al. – Clinical Research on Acupuncture for Post-Stroke Motor Dysfunction, 2015
11. Fisher M. – Stroke and TIA: Epidemiology and Risk Factors, 2016
12. Kandel E.R. – Principles of Neural Science, 2013
13. O’Sullivan S.B. – Physical Rehabilitation, 2019
14. Ernst E. – Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
15. Kim Y.S., Moon S.K. – Acupuncture for Ischemic Stroke: Systematic Review, 2016
16. Bowsher D. – Mechanisms of Acupuncture, 2002
17. Langevin H.M., Yandow J.A. – Anatomical Basis of Acupuncture Points, 2002
18. Brainin M. – Post-Stroke Rehabilitation, 2019
19. Liu S. – Clinical Acupuncture, 2012
20. Barnes P.M., Bloom B. – CAM Use in Adults, 2008
21. Zhang X., et al. Acupuncture for acute ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis, 2024 PubMed ID: 39686968
22. Xue Y., et al. Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity, 2022 PubMed ID: 36062002
23. Liu Y., Zhou J., Chen J., 2025
Frontiers in Neurology, DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1589874