Database: Study 32 of 41 studies               Database The inner ear – deafness and hyperacusis - LA First author and date Brauneis E 1992 Version consulted C Condition severe stuttering Study type case series N / Groupings 29 Type of acupuncture MA or EA? (no details) / LA (plus speech therapy) Points used HE-3, HE-5 or HE-7, SI-19, BL-17, SJ-15, ST-2, ST-3, or ST-6, ST-7, ST-8 (LA usually on ST-6, ST-7, ST-8 as points painful), Ren-15, chin point on Renmai just distal to tip of chin, Du-14, Du-20; Aggression ear point Parameters used 632.8nm, 2mW HeNe laser Stimulation duration LA: 30secs/pt only on preschool or school children, or those who refused needles; LA: 10 mins max (20 mins needling) Number of sessions mean 34 (range 9-72, SD 17.41); at wkly intervals, with a 2 mth summer break Follow up based on Webster’s self rating scale, sent May 1989 (study carried out Jan 1975-Dec 1987) Endpoint measure self-evaluation questionnaires: 5 point scale (1 = no or very slight difficulties with some sounds but no repetitions; 5 = severe stuttering); personalised hierarchies: criterion chosen considered as improved when a reduction of at least 2 points on 5-point evaluation scale was achieved Outcome 23 patients’ speech improved at least 2 points on 5-point self-rating scale at discharge; follow-up (23 of 29 patients responded) showed all maintained their levels of fluence for periods from 2yrs 6mths to 11yrs 6mths (mean 5yrs 8mths, SD 42.62); acupuncture, when combined with a personalised, holistic speech therapy programme appears to decrease number of treatments required and increase number of clients with improved speech and also longterm maintenances of this improvement. Additional notes acupuncture by itself could be a method for handling relapses; its neurophysiological and neurochemical (neurotransmitter) effects indicate how it can influence central language processing; further studies with other clinicians carrying out speech therapy programme are required to validate effect of acupuncture as an additive form of therapy, since clinician’s personality definitely plays an important part in outcome with every form of stuttering treatment; aggression point on ear showed either a noticeable worsening or improvement in speech of adults, but after 1st few wks point seemed to completely lose its effect Analysis / problems no details whether MA or EA used References Brauneis E The long-term outcome of stuttering therapy using acupuncture as an additive to conventional treatment methods. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur. 1992; 35(4): 82-9 Secondary references - Data entry code UW046