According to Norwegian researchers, acupuncture appeared to exert a positive long-term effect on stroke patients when given in the subacute stage after the stroke.

Patients admitted to Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital after suffering a stroke were split into two groups - 21 received acupuncture, 20 did not. All received an individually adapted rehabilitation programme. The acupuncture group received 30 minutes acupuncture 3-4 times a week for six weeks.

All patients were evaluated at the beginning, at six weeks and at twelve months. The acupuncture group improved significantly more across both the six week and twelve month period.