Effects of Acupoint Catgut Embedding Combined with Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Inflammatory Markers, Pulmonary Function, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Post-Stroke Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke pneumonia is a common and serious complication in stroke patients, leading to prolonged hospitalization, impaired pulmonary function, and increased morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments, including antibiotic therapy and supportive care, often have limited efficacy. Emerging evidence suggests that acupoint catgut embedding, a traditional Chinese medicine intervention, and pulmonary rehabilitation may improve inflammatory responses and pulmonary function in affected patients. Objective: To evaluate the combined effects of acupoint catgut embedding and pulmonary rehabilitation on inflammatory markers, pulmonary function, and clinical outcomes in patients with post-stroke pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with post-stroke pneumonia.Patients were divided into a control group receiving conventional pharmacotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation, and a treatment group receiving the same conventional pharmacotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation with additional acupoint catgut embedding.Inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, IL-6, TNF-α), pulmonary function parameters (e.g., FEV1, FVC), and clinical outcomes (e.g., length of hospital stay, incidence of complications) were compared between groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0. Continuous variables were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA for intergroup comparisons across multiple time points, with Bonferroni correction applied to control Type I error. Categorical data were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. A two-sided P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and after Bonferroni adjustment, P < 0.025 was used for post-treatment pairwise comparisons. Results: The treatment group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in inflammatory markers compared with the control group (P<0.05). Pulmonary function parameters improved more markedly in the treatment group, and clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay and complication rates, were better than in controls. No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Acupoint catgut embedding combined with pulmonary rehabilitation may effectively reduce systemic inflammation, enhance pulmonary function, and improve clinical outcomes in patients with post-stroke pneumonia. This combined intervention represents a promising adjunctive strategy for the management of post-stroke pulmonary complications.