Keywords
Dysarthria
Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Clinical study
Submitted : 2026-06-09
Accepted : 2026-06-24
Published : 2026-07-09
Abstract
Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and advantages of Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of dysarthria after stroke. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial design was adopted, involving 60 patients with dysarthria after stroke who were randomly divided into a control group (neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment, 30 cases) and a treatment group (Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture added to the control group treatment, 30 cases). Both groups received treatment once daily, five times a week, for four consecutive weeks. The primary efficacy indicators were the Modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment Scale score and speech intelligibility, while the secondary indicator was the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score. Evaluations were conducted before treatment, at 2 weeks of treatment, at 4 weeks of treatment, and during a follow-up visit 3 months after treatment. Results: After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in the Modified Frenchay score, speech intelligibility, and ADL score compared to before treatment (P<0.05). At 4 weeks of treatment, the Modified Frenchay score in the treatment group was (24.3±2.1) points, significantly higher than that in the control group (20.5±2.4) points (P<0.01); speech intelligibility in the treatment group was (82.6±5.3)%, significantly higher than that in the control group (71.4±6.1)% (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the treatment group was 86.7%, higher than that in the control group (60.0%) (P<0.05). During the 3-month follow-up, the efficacy in the treatment group remained stably superior to that in the control group. No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group. Conclusion: Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation can significantly improve speech function and quality of life in patients with dysarthria after stroke, with superior efficacy to neuromuscular electrical stimulation alone and good safety, demonstrating good clinical application and promotion value.
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