Can Acupuncture Benefit Surgical Patients With Haemorrhagic Stroke?

The purpose is to establish whether acupuncture in addition to conventional rehabilitation programme can improve the functional outcome and quality of life of surgical patients with haemorrhagic stroke, as compared to conventional rehabilitation programme alone.

The investigators aim to recruit 60 patients over a 30 month period. Each patient will have six week of acupuncture treatment (either early within the first six week, or delayed after the first six week of observation and assessment of primary outcome). Primary outcome measures: Clinical outcome at the end of week 6 acupuncture treatment: Glasgow Outcome Score extended. Secondary outcome measures: Modified Rankin Score, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, Modified Aschoff Score, Neurocognitive State Examination (NCSE) score, Barthel index, Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (MRMI), Modified Functional Ambulation Category (MFAC) and motor scores of upper limb and lower limb with Fugl-Meyer Scale at the end of week six acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture from physiotherapist (with accredited training in acupuncture) in Shatin Hospital, three sessions per week for six weeks, and each session 30 minutes.

Patient inclusion Criteria: Patients after acute hemorrhagic stroke; Within the first month after acute presentation; Premorbid mobility level: Independent Indoor or Outdoor Walker; Co-operative and willing to comply with the rehabilitation program; Patient exclusion Criteria: Cardiac Pacemaker; Patient who is apprehensive to acupuncture; Clotting abnormality; Poor local skin conditions.