方法:本研究为前瞻性、单中心、不同治疗频率对照的研究。叁与者被分为每周接受针灸治疗一次与三次的两组,并在研究进行前、治疗四周与八周後分别评估个案的激动情绪与照护者的负担。我们使用中文版柯恩—曼斯费尔德激动情表绪行为量表(Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, CMAI)评估患者的激动情绪,并以照顾者负担量表 Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI)来评估照顾者压力强度。本次研究共采集三笔数据(治疗前、治疗四星期与治疗八星期),并使用无母数统计分析中的 Friedman test 和 rank sun test 来分析治疗结果。
1 Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei 106, Taiwan
2 Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
3 General Education Center, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan
【Summary】
Background: Agitation refers to excessive, destructive, and inappropriate symptoms of speech, sound, and movement. It is one of the most common symptoms in long-term care facilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment on agitated emotions and caregiver stress among home and institutional patients.
Method: This study was a prospective, single-center, clinical trial with different treatment frequencies. Participants were divided into two groups, receiving acupuncture once or three times a week, and their agitated behavior and caregiver burden were evaluated before treatment, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of treatment. The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) was used to evaluate patient agitation, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) was used to evaluate caregiver stress. Friedman test and rank sum test were used to analyze the treatment results.
Result: A total of 41 disabled patients were enrolled in the study, with 23 receiving three weekly acupuncture sessions and the rest receiving once-weekly treatment. Patients receiving three weekly acupuncture sessions showed a significant decrease in agitated behavior, as measured by the CMAI, from 116.0 ± 5.5 at baseline to 87.0 ± 5.5 after 4 weeks and 44.0 ± 5.5 after 8 weeks. Their caregiver burden, as measured by the CBI, also decreased from 99.0 ± 5.5 to 75.0 ± 7.5 (4 weeks) and 36.0 ± 6.0 (8 weeks). In comparison, patients receiving only once-weekly treatment showed no significant improvement in agitated behavior or caregiver burden after 4 weeks and only showed significant improvement after 8 weeks.
Conclusion: The results showed that acupuncture treatment is an effective therapy, especially for treating agitated behavior, and can reduce caregiver burden. Additionally, the frequency of acupuncture affects the treatment outcome, with three weekly sessions yielding the best results.