University of Arizona doctors have found that acupuncture really
does work for balance and gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease
patients. The researchers measured significant clinical improvements in overall
balance, gait speed and stride length. The results were published in Neurology,
the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The researchers convened to measure objective improvements
on balance and gait for Parkinson’s disease patients through the implementation
of acupuncture.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder
affecting movement. Changes include the onset of tremors, slower movements,
shuffling, difficulty swallowing, fainting, reduced arm sway, rigidity and
changes in speech and gait.
In the study, patients were randomly assigned to an
acupuncture group or a control group. The acupuncture group received electro acupuncture.
The control group received sham acupuncture to rule out variables including the
placebo effect. Patients received one treatment per week for three weeks.
Balance and gait measurements were taken from various
positions and during many types of activities.
The results showed an overall improvement in balance by 31%
in the acupuncture group. Gait speed showed a significant increase by 10% and
stride length increased by 5% for patients receiving acupuncture. Control group
patients showed no improvements.
Balance, gait and stride length were all significantly
improved by the application of electro acupuncture. Use of a sham acupuncture
control group eliminated the possibility of the placebo effect. As a result,
the researchers concluded, “EA (electro acupuncture) is an effective therapy in
improving certain aspects of balance and gait disorders in PD (Parkinson’s
disease).”
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