Acupuncture improves walking gait in elderly

A single acupuncture treatment at a point near the knee has been shown to significantly improve the walking gait in elderly patients. Sixty German patients receiving rehabilitation treatment on a geriatric ward were randomised to receive a one-time needle stimulation at this acupuncture point or a technically identical needle stimulation at a non-acupoint. Gait performance was objectively measured on an electronic walkway before and after needling. All gait parameters showed statistically significant improvement after the true acupuncture compared with the control treatment. This study was reported in the Archive of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation in January 2011.

With thanks to the Journal of Chinese Medicine News.