The sensory and motor assessment data were gathered
during initial admission to the rehabilitation ward and 2
years after stroke. Statistical comparisons were performed
based on these two time points. Categorical variables were
analyzed using the v2 test or Fisher’s exact test for small
samples. Measurement data were analyzed using two-tailed
t-tests. All recorded data were input using Epi Info software
(CDC, Atlanta, GA) and statistically analyzed using SPSS
11.5 statistical software (SPSS, Chicago, IL). For all analyses,
p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Chisquare
analysis of the acupuncture group and control group
was also performed to determine homogeneity between both
groups in terms of age, gender, and pretreatment measurement
outcomes.
The calculation of the sample size is based on the primary
outcome measure. It was estimated that 23 patients were
required in each group to detect a clinically relevant 2-point
difference in Barthel, Rivermead, and Ritchie-Hegyi scores
with a power of 80% and an a value of 0.05. Assuming a 20%
dropout rate, it was planned to randomize 28 patients to
each group. Unfortunately, 3 patients in both groups needed
to be excluded for different reasons.