Survey of the characteristics of numbness in ischemic stroke patients: a cross-sectional study in the early rehabilitation phase

Abstract

Sensory disturbance is a common symptom of post-stroke. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this symptom is classified as numbness (Ma Mu). While there have been many studies on the therapeutic effect of numbness in TCM, little research has been conducted on the characteristics of numbness. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of numbness in patients with ischemic stroke in the early rehabilitation phase. This study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 investigated the characteristics of numbness based on medical literature; Phase 2 investigated the characteristics of numbness in patients with ischemic stroke in the early rehabilitation phase based on the cross-sectional study. Phase 1 identified 9 characteristics of numbness based on 11 medical /literature, including: S1 (feeling of heaviness in the affected area), S2 (feeling of tension in the affected area), S3 (sensation of crawling insects), S4 (numbness in a fixed position), S5 (increased numbness with movement), S6 (increased numbness when exposed to cold), S7 (increased numbness when exposed to moisture), S8 (decreased with warm compresses), S9 (decreased when pressed). Phase 2, a clinical survey of 67 patients, recorded 9 characteristics (S1 to S9). We found that there is a relationship between the degree of sensory disturbance according to Fugl-Meyer Assessment with S2 and S6, and obesity with S5. The study examined the characteristics of numbness in ischemic stroke patients in the early rehabilitation phase from the perspective of TCM. This study provided a basis for individualized diagnosis and treatment combining traditional and modern medicine.