Presentation summary

Authors : Syuan-Yu Wu, and Jui-Hung Hung, Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Introduction :
Globally, the annual incidence of traumatic brain injuries is estimated to range from 27 to 69million cases. Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) occurs in 23–39% of head injuries. In this case, a24-year-old patient with tSAH and diffuse axonal injuries resulting from a traffic accident, received modernstandard treatment, and in conjunction with a seven-week acupuncture regimen, was administered daily toimprove consciousness and muscle power.

Method :
To treat this tSAH patient, a combination of standard care and daily 20-minute acupuncture sessions over approximately seven weeks was used. Acupoints were selected based on Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) acupuncture theory and clinical experience, primarily including GV20, EX-HN1, GV24, GB14, BL2, LI4,LI11, PC6, HT7, HT3, GB34, ST36, LR4, SP6, and BL62. A team of Western and TCM doctors, along with rehabilitation therapists, jointly assessed the patient.

Results :
After seven weeks of integrative treatment, the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score improved from E1VEM1 to E4V4M6, oriented with the person, time, and surroundings by questions. Muscle strength also improved significantly, with scores increasing from RUL/RLL/LUL/LLL: 0/0/0/0 to 5/2/3/3, and Brunnstrom stage improved from RUL(proximal/distal)/RLL/LUL(proximal/distal)/LLL: >III/>III/>III/>III/>III/>III to V/V/III/V/V/IV, respectively. No severe side effects from acupuncture were observed.

Conclusion :
Integrating acupuncture into the modern treatment of patients with tSAH shows promising outcomes, especially in enhancing consciousness and muscle power.

Correspondence to :
Jui-Hung Hung, M.D., Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Informed Consent :
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case reportand any accompanying data