Research Reflection • Jade Health Acupuncture
Acupuncture for Stroke Survivors with Cardiovascular Comorbidities
A gentle look at a new pooled analysis protocol
Based on: the protocol “Acupuncture for stroke survivors with cardiovascular comorbidities: protocol of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials” (PMCID: PMC12036527). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12036527
Many people who experience a stroke also live with high blood pressure, heart rhythm changes, or coronary artery disease. These heart and vessel conditions make recovery more complex, and they increase the risk of another stroke.
The article I am reflecting on is not a finished clinical trial, but a research protocol – a plan to carefully combine and analyse existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about acupuncture for this specific group: stroke survivors who also have cardiovascular comorbidities.
1. Why focus on stroke plus cardiovascular disease?
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, and many stroke survivors also live with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, or coronary artery disease.
- Raise the risk of another stroke
- Complicate rehabilitation
- Reduce confidence, strength, and daily function
Acupuncture has been explored for post-stroke recovery, but very few studies separate results for those with cardiovascular comorbidities. This protocol tries to fill this gap.
2. What does this pooled analysis plan to do?
- Include only randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Focus on stroke survivors with at least one cardiovascular comorbidity
- Include acupuncture only if delivered by qualified practitioners
- Compare acupuncture vs. sham / standard care / combined care
3. Outcomes of interest
- Neurological recovery
- Motor ability & daily function
- Quality of life & mood
- Stroke recurrence
- Adverse events
Subgroup analyses (click to expand)
- Ischemic vs. hemorrhagic stroke
- Different cardiovascular diseases
- Different acupuncture methods
4. Meaning for patients
This protocol suggests a growing interest in supporting stroke survivors with cardiovascular disease— a group often overlooked in older studies.
Notes for acupuncture practitioners
- Only trials using qualified acupuncturists were included
- Outcome measures may inspire structured documentation
- Cardiovascular comorbidity is clinically realistic and common
5. Take-home messages
- This is a protocol; results come later
- Focuses on stroke + cardiovascular disease
- Acupuncture studied as complementary care
- May strengthen future evidence
Reference
- “Acupuncture for stroke survivors with cardiovascular comorbidities: protocol of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.” PMCID: PMC12036527. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12036527
研究解讀 • Jade Health Acupuncture
針灸於「中風＋心血管疾病」患者中的角色
一篇匯總分析研究計畫（protocol）的整理與解讀
本文整理自研究計畫： “Acupuncture for stroke survivors with cardiovascular comorbidities: protocol of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials” (PMCID: PMC12036527)。 文獻連結： https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12036527
很多中風後的病人，同時伴隨高血壓、心律不整、冠心病等心血管疾病。 這些合併症會提高再次中風風險，也使復健過程更加脆弱。
本文所整理的文獻是一份研究計畫（protocol）， 設計目的是將多項隨機對照試驗（RCT）做統合分析， 專門探討「中風＋心血管疾病」這類病人接受針灸時的療效與安全性。
一、為什麼要特別關注「中風＋心血管病」？
- 心血管病使中風復原更困難
- 提高再次中風機率
- 常造成疲倦、活動力下降、生活品質下降
過去研究多半把所有中風病人放在一起分析； 這份計畫則專注於「臨床上最常見的現實族群」。
二、研究計畫內容
- 只納入隨機對照試驗（RCT）
- 受試者需為：中風＋至少一種心血管疾病
- 針灸需由專業合格者施作
- 比較方式：安慰針、標準治療、或兩者組合
三、研究關注的結果
- 神經功能與肢體功能
- 日常生活能力
- 生活品質與情緒
- 是否再次中風
- 不良反應（安全性）
子群分析（點此展開）
- 缺血 vs. 出血性中風
- 不同心血管疾病比較
- 不同針灸方法是否影響療效
四、小結
- 這是一份研究計畫書（protocol），結果需等待後續分析
- 聚焦臨床常見且高風險的族群：中風＋心血管疾病
- 針灸被探索為「輔助治療」而非替代醫療
- 若結果正向，可提升針灸在復健領域的證據強度
參考文獻
- “Acupuncture for stroke survivors with cardiovascular comorbidities: protocol of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.” PMCID: PMC12036527。 連結： https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12036527
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