Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Yiqi Tongluo Granules on MoCA Scores and Intestinal Flora Alterations in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

LIU Yajing; YANG Jing; LIU Xiao; WANG Liyong

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Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science) ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (3) : 58-62.

Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Yiqi Tongluo Granules on MoCA Scores and Intestinal Flora Alterations in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

LIU Yajing, YANG Jing, LIU Xiao, WANG Liyong

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture combined with Yiqi Tongluo Granules on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and the structure of gut microbiota in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Methods A total of 80 patients with PSCI admitted to the Department of Neurology of Cangzhou People's Hospital between January 2023 and December 2024 were selected and randomly assigned using a random number table method into an observation group and a control group, with 40 patients in each group. The control group received acupuncture treatment, while the observation group was administered oral Yiqi Tongluo Granules as an add-on therapy to the control regimen for a 12-week continuous treatment period. MoCA scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Gut microbiota diversity and the abundance of key microbial taxa were detected before and after the intervention, and the incidence of adverse reactions was recorded. Results Following the treatment, MoCA scores were significantly increased compared to those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), with the observation group demonstrating higher scores than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, no statistically significant difference in the Chao1 index was observed between the two groups. However, the Shannon index was significantly increased compared to pre-treatment levels, and was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the Shannon index was positively correlated with cognitive function (P<0.05). Post-intervention, the abundances of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the abundance of Escherichia coli was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in both groups compared to baseline. The improvement in these key gut microbiota was more pronounced in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). During the treatment period, no statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture combined with Yiqi Tongluo Granules was found to significantly improve cognitive function and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in patients with PSCI, with a favorable safety profile.

Key words

stroke / cognitive impairment / acupuncture / Yiqi Tongluo granules / Montreal cognitive assessment / gut microbiota / gut-brain axis

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LIU Yajing, YANG Jing, LIU Xiao, WANG Liyong. Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Yiqi Tongluo Granules on MoCA Scores and Intestinal Flora Alterations in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment[J]. Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science). 2026, 23(3): 58-62

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