OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of qi-supplementing dominated Chinese materia medica (QSDCMM) combined with rehabilitation training on the quality of life (QOL) of ischemic post-stroke fatigue (PSF) patients of qi deficiency syndrome.

METHODS

Ninety ischemic stroke patients of qi deficiency were randomly assigned to 3 groups, 30 in each. Patients in the Chinese medicine treatment group were treated with oral administration of QSDCMM decoction and rehabilitation. Those in the Western medicine treatment group were treated with Chinese medicine placebo, Western medicine, and rehabilitation. Those in the control group were treated with Chinese medicine placebo and rehabilitation. The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. All patients were assessed using Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment the scores of SS-QOL and FSS increased in the 3 groups, especially in the CM treatment group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). After treatment significant difference existed between the CM treatment group and the Western medicine treatment group, between the CM treatment group and the control group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the Western medicine treatment group and the control group (P>> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

QSDCMM combined with rehabilitation training could improve the QOL of ischemic PSF patients of qi deficiency syndrome.