方法:本研究為前瞻性、單中心、不同治療頻率對照的研究。參與者被分為每週接受針灸治療一次與三次的兩組,並在研究進行前、治療四週與八週後分別評估個案的激動情緒與照護者的負擔。我們使用中文版柯恩—曼斯費爾德激動情表緒行為量表(Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, CMAI)評估患者的激動情緒,並以照顧者負擔量表 Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI)來評估照顧者壓力強度。本次研究共採集三筆數據(治療前、治療四星期與治療八星期),並使用無母數統計分析中的 Friedman test 和 rank sun test 來分析治療結果。
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.