Treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia by acupuncture plus rehabilitation training

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Methods： Eighty patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia in conformity with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Both two groups were given treatments of routine Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Those in the treatment group were treated by puncturing antagonistic muscles, and those in the control group were given routine acupuncture treatment, to observe the changes in the scores of modified Ashworth scale （MAS）, Fugl-Meyer assessment （FMA） and Barthel index （BI） after treatments in the two groups. Results： After treatment, the scores of MAS, FMA and BI in the two groups were statistically different from those of the same group before the treatment （all P〈0.02）. After treatment, the differences in the scores of MAS, FMA and BI were all statistically significant （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture of antagonistic muscles plus rehabilitation training is better than routine acupuncture plus rehabilitation in the treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.     

巨刺配合康复训练治疗脑卒中后痉挛性偏瘫疗效观察

目的观察巨刺配合康复训练治疗脑卒中后痉挛性偏瘫的临床疗效。方法将36例脑卒中后痉挛性偏瘫的患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组18例。两组均进行康复训练治疗,治疗组在醒脑开窍组穴基础上采用巨刺治疗,对照组在醒脑开窍组穴基础上采用常规针刺治疗,治疗前后分别对两组用修改的Ashworth量表(MAS)、痉挛评定量表(CSI)评价疗效。结果治疗组总有效率为94.4%,对照组为67.7%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组治疗后MAS、CSI量表评分与对照组比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论巨刺配合康复训练是一种治疗脑卒中后痉挛性偏瘫的有效方法。     

Effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction

Objective： To observe the effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction. Methods： Sixty-eight eligible subjects with post-stoke upper limb dysfunction were randomized into 2 groups by the random number table, 34 in each group, to respectively receive relaxing needling method or ordinary needling method in addition to rehabilitation training for 2 months. FugI-Meyer assessment of upper limb motor function, neurological defect score, and clinical efficacies were observed and compared. Results： The two groups both showed effects. The total effective rate in the relaxing needling group was 93.8% versus 84.9% in the ordinary needling group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The relaxing needling group was better than the ordinary needling group in improving the motor function of upper limb and neurological defect （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training can significantly improve the post-stroke motor dysfunction of upper limb, better than ordinary needling plus rehabilitation training.     

Effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation on the balance function and quality of life of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke

Objective

To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.

Methods

Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group, a warm joint needling group and an observation group, with 30 cases in each group. The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy, the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling, and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group. The three groups were treated once another day, 1 month as a treatment course for 6 months. Before the treatment, and respectively after 2-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month treatment, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb, the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function, and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL) was employed to estimate the QOL.

Results

After 3-month and 6-month treatment, the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P<0.05). After 1-month, 3-month and 6-month treatment, the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P<0.05). After 2-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month treatment, the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower‐limb spasticity state, balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.

     

Effect of individualized needling on gross motor function in cerebral palsy infants

Objective: To observe the effect of individualized needling protocol (on the basis of functional brain mapping and standardized syndrome differentiation in Chinese medicine) on gross motor functions of infants with cerebral palsy (CP) and thus study the innovative means of combining acupuncture with rehabilitation management technique. Methods: A total of 74 CP infants were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 37 in each group. Combined individualized needling and rehabilitation training were used in the treatment group, versus combined Jin’s needling (16 brain-benefiting points) and rehabilitation training in the control group. For both groups, acupuncture treatment was conducted once every other day and rehabilitation training every day. The dynamic changes of gross motor functions before treatment and after every 1-month treatment were measured and assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66. Results: After treatment, the GMFM scores were significantly increased in both groups (P<0.01); there were no between-group statistical differences in increase range of the GMFM scores (P>0.05); the treatment protocol was not interacted with the treatment time; and the GMFM scores for spastic CP infants were better in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combined scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training can produce positive effects on gross motor functions of CP infants. Individualized needling can obtain better effects than 16 brain-benefiting points in improving the gross motor functions of spastic CP infants.     

Warm needling at Back-Shu acupoints for melasma in women

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of warm needling at the Back- Shu acupoints for melasma in women. Methods： A total of 100 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into a treatment group of 52 cases and a control group of 48 cases. Cases in the treatment group were treated with warm needling at the Back-Shu acupoints, whereas cases in the control group were treated with conventional acupuncture therapy. The therapeutic efficacies were then evaluated after three courses of treatment. Results： The total effective rate in the treatment group was 96.2%, versus 85.4% in the control group, showing a statistical difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Warm needling at the Back-Shu acupoints works well for melasma in women.     

Effect of combined Jin’s three-needle and rehabilitation care on post-stroke hemiplegia

Objective： To observe and compare the efficacy differences between combined Jin＇s three-needle and rehabilitation training and rehabilitation training alone for hemiplegia following an ischemic stroke. Methods： A total of 94 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group using combined Jin＇s three-needle and rehabilitation training and a control group using rehabilitation training alone. The therapeutic efficacies were then assessed respectively before treatment, 14 d and 28 d after treatment using neurological deficient scale （NDS） and short-form Fugl-Meyer assessment （SFFMA） scale. Results： After treatment, the NDS and SFFMA scores in both groups were significantly improved （P〈0.05）; after 28-day treatment, the inter-group comparison showed a statistical significance （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combined Jin＇s three-needle and rehabilitation training and rehabilitation training alone can both enhance the nerve function recovery of patients with post-stroke hemiplegia and improve their motor function; however, the former could obtain better effects than the latter.     

Clinical Study on Puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） for Post-stroke Dysfunction of the Lower Limbs

Objective： To observe the clinical effects in the treatment of post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40）. Methods： One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） plus functional rehabilitation training, once every day. Those in the observation group were treated by Shi Xue-min＇s needling technique, while others in the control group were treated with routine needling technique. The therapeutic effects were assessed by the scores of lower limb functions of Lovett scale of grading muscle strength （LSGMS） and short-form FugI-Meyer assessment （SFFMA）. Results： The instant and post-treatment effective rates in the observation group were 83.3% and 93.3%, versus 6.7% and 53.3% in the control group, indicating that the therapeutic effect was better in the observation group （P〈0.01）. The instant and post-treatment scores of Lovett muscle strength grading scale were better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. SFFMA score of lower limbs function was better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.0s）. Conclusion： Different needling methods at Weizhong （BL 40） can produce different therapeutic effects in treating post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb, and Shi＇s needling technique has obvious instant effect and therapeutic function.     

Clinical observation on acupuncture plus motor therapy for postapoplectic spastic hemiplegia

Objective

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus motor therapy for postapoplectic spastic hemiplegia and provide reference for rehabilitation care of patients with spastic hemiplegia after stroke.

Methods

A total of 87 cases with postapoplectic spastic hemiplegia were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group. Patients in both groups received basic treatments to control blood pressure, blood sugar, blood fat and improve circulation. The 43 cases in the treatment group received acupuncture combined with motor therapy, whereas the 44 cases in the control group received motor therapy alone (same as the treatment group). The treatment was conducted once a day, for a total of 3 sessions. One session consisted of 10 times and there was a 1-day interval between two sessions. Then the changes in modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) score and clinical efficacy were observed.

Results

After treatment, the MAS scores were significantly decreased in both groups, showing intra-group statistical differences (P<0.01). The MAS score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group, showing a between-group statistical difference (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 69.8% in the treatment group, versus 45.5% in the control group, showing a between-group statistical difference (P<0.05). After treatment, the FMA scores were significantly increased in both groups, showing intra-group statistical differences (P<0.01); and the FMA score in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group, showing a between-group statistical difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture combined with motor therapy is better than motor therapy alone in alleviating postapoplectic limb spasticity, improving the limb motor function and increasing the activities of daily living (ADL).

     

推拿结合温针灸治疗粘连性肩关节周围炎疗效观察

目的：观察推拿手法结合温针灸治疗粘连性肩关节周围炎的临床疗效。方法：将182例粘连性肩关节周围炎患者随机分为2组,观察组93例,予推拿手法松解结合温针灸治疗;对照组 89 例,予温针灸治疗。两组均隔日治疗1次,10次为1个疗程。观察治疗前及治疗1个疗程后肩关节功能及活动度评分。结果：观察组治愈率为 65.6%,总有效率为 97.9%;对照组治愈率为11.2%,总有效率85.4%,两组治愈率和总有效率比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。治疗后,两组患者的肩关节功能评分和肩关节活动度评分均有明显增加（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）,且观察组各项评分高于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论：推拿结合温针灸治疗粘连性肩关节周围炎疗效优于单纯的温针灸治疗。     

Therapeutic observation of warm needling plus tuina for senile functional constipation

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling plus tuina in treating senile functional constipation. Methods： Ninety elderly patients with functional constipation were randomized into two groups. Forty-six patients in the treatment group were intervened by warm needling plus tuina; the other forty-four patients in the control group were intervened by San Huang tablet. Results： In the treatment group, 19 patients were cured, 24 cases showed improvement, 3 cases failed, and the total effective rate was 93.5%; in the control group, 16 patients were cured, 18 cases showed improvement, 10 cases failed, and the total effective rate was 77.3%. There was a significant difference in comparing the therapeutic efficacy（P〈0.05）, and the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusion： Warm needling plus tuina can produce a higher therapeutic efficacy than taking San Huang tablet in treating senile functional constipation.     

针灸治疗强直性脊柱炎临床观察(英文)

目的:比较不同针灸疗法治疗强直性脊柱炎的临床疗效差异。方法:将60例符合诊断标准的强直性脊柱炎患者随机分为观察组(30例)和对照组(30例)。观察组予温针疗法,对照组予电针治疗。治疗结束对两组进行疗效比较。结果:观察组治愈率为40.0%,总有效率为96.7%;对照组治愈率为10.0%,总有效率为76.7%。两组疗效比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:针灸治疗强直性脊柱炎时温针疗效明显优于电针。     

推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床观察

目的:观察推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效.方法:将90例腰椎间盘突出症患者随机分为两组,观察组45例,采用推拿结合温针治疗;对照组45例,采用单纯推拿治疗.结果:观察组的总有效率为88.9％,对照组的总有效率为75.6％,两组总有效率具有统计学差异(P＜0.01).结论:推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症疗效优于单纯推拿手法治疗.     

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on Mild Lifting and Superficial Pulling Point-towards-point Needling for Intractable Facial Palsy简

Objective： To observe and compare the clinical effects of combining mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towards-point needling and point injection and integrated standard electroacupuncture（EA） with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin for intractable facial palsy. Methods： Eighty cases with intractable facial palsy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 in each group. Cases in the treatment group were treated with mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towards-point needling Xiaguan（ST 7） coupled with point injection of Mecobalamin. Cases in the control group were treated with standard EA coupled with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin. After three courses of treatment, the between-group comparisons of Portmann scores and clinical effects were conducted. Results： After three courses of treatment, the Portmann scores in both groups were higher than the scores before treatment（P〈0.01）; the Portmann score in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group（P〈0.05） and the total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining mild lifting and superficial pulling point-towardspoint needling and point injection of Mecobalamin could obtain better effect for intractable facial palsy than standard EA coupled with intramuscular injection of Mecobalamin.     

Effect of needle-retaining time on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia

Objective： To observe the effect of needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods： A total of 82 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into a control group （22 cases）, a short-time needle- retaining group （30 cases） and a long-time needle-retaining group （30 cases）. Conventional Bobath therapy was employed in the control group while the scalp acupuncture was combined in the short-time （0.5 h） needle-retaining group and long-time （24 h） needle-retaining group. Then functional assessments were made 1 month and 3 months after treatment using FugI-Meyer motor scale {FMMS）, FugI-Meyer assessment of balance （FMA-B） and modified Barthel index （MBI） score. Results： Cases in the long-time needle-retaining group obtained better effects in motor function of the limbs and activities of daily living （ADL） than the other two groups （P〈0.05）. In addition, there was no statistical significance between the short-time needle-retaining group and the control group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture is substantially associated with the effect for post-stroke hemiplegia and long-time needle-retaining is more advisable.     

Therapeutic effect of warm needling therapy combined with rehabilitation therapy for brachial plexus injury after surgery

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of warm needling therapy plus rehabilitation in treating brachial plexus injury after surgery. Methods: Thirty patients suffered from brachial plexus injury after surgery were divided into two groups randomly, 16 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by warm needling therapy together with physical rehabilitation therapy. The control group was intervened by physical rehabilitation therapy only. The warm needling was given once every other day, 3 times a week, 2 weeks as a treatment course, and 2 consecutive courses in total. The physical rehabilitation therapy was given once every day, 5 times a week, 2 weeks as a treatment course, and 2 consecutive courses in total. The Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire were respectively used to assess pain and Ability of Daily Living (ADL). The therapeutic effects were compared and analyzed. Results: In the treatment group, 14 patients finished 2-course treatment but 2 dropped out; in the control group, 15 finished but 1 dropped out. After treatment, there were significant differences between the two groups in comparing Sensory Pain Rating Index (S-PRI), Affective Pain Rating Index (A-PRI), Total Pain Rating Index (T-PRI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Index (PPI), and DASH scores (P<0.01). The scores of all items in the treatment group had marked changes after 2 treatment courses in comparing the scores before treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of warm needling therapy combined with rehabilitation therapy is more effective than that of physical rehabilitation therapy only.     

Clinical observation on scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia after stroke

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of the scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia. Methods： One hundred and thirty-six cases with hemiplegia after stroke who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups according to visiting sequence. Forty-eight cases in the observation group were treated by scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, 35 cases in the medicine group were treated by Chinese and Western medicines, and 53 cases in the medicine plus rehabilitation group were treated by Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Patients＇ consciousness, speech and limb functions were scored before and after treatment, and the results were compared. Results： After treatment, the scores of consciousness, speech and limb functions after treatment were lower than those before treatment. And their decrease in the observation group were more statically significant than that in the medicine group and the medicine plus rehabilitation group （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rates of the three groups were significantly different （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the other two groups （both P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy has better effect for stroke hemiplegia.     

Acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing for edema of the stroke-affected limb

Objective： To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in treating edema of the affected limb in post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods： Two hundred patients with edema of the stroke-affected limb from our hospital were randomized into two groups according to their visiting sequence. In the observation group, 100 subjects were intervened by acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in addition to oral administration of diuretics, while the other 100 subjects in the control group were only given diuretics. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after successive 2-week treatments. Results： The total effective rate was 90.0% in the observation group, significantly higher than 66.0% in the control group, indicating that there was a significant difference in comparing the overall therapeutic effect（P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus Chinese medicinal fumigation and washing in addition to oral administration of diuretics is effective in treating edema of the affected limb in post-stroke hemiplegia.     

Clinical observation of acupuncture plus patent Chinese medicine for post-stroke constipation

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus patent Chinese medicine in treating post-stroke constipation. Methods： Sixty eligible patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus Ma Zi Ren pill, while the control group was by Ma Zi Ren pill alone. The symptoms of constipation were observed before and after intervention. Results： After 2-week treatment, the constipation condition was improved in both groups, and the improvement in the treatment group was statistically more significant than that in the control group（P〈0.05）; respectively two weeks and a month after the intervention, the treatment group was superior to the control group in comparing the constipation score（P〈0.05）. However, acupuncture didn＇t show marked effect in improving defecation speed, initial defecation time, and spontaneous discharge frequency. The treatment group had a significantly higher short-term markedly-effective rate compared with the control group（P〈0.05）; the long-term therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group（P〈0.05）. The adverse events happened in the treatment group were significantly less than those in the control group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture at specific acupoints plus patent Chinese medicine can produce a content therapeutic efficacy.     

Clinical study on Fu’s subcutaneous needling with laser for postherpetic neuralgia

Objective： To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Fu＇s subcutaneous needling （FSN） with laser for postherpetic neuralgia and analyze its action mechanism. Methods： A total of 102 cases with postherpetic neuralgia were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 51 in each group. FSN with laser was used for patients in the treatment group, whereas electroacupuncture was used for patients in the control group. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rates, action time and cure courses in recovery cases were compared between the two groups. Three months after the treatment was completed, a follow-up was done to compare relapse rates between the two groups. Results： The recovery and total effective rates in the treatment group were 56.9% and 94.1% respectively, versus 35.3% and 68.6% in the control group, showing statistical differences （P〈0.05）; the action time and cure courses in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group （P〈0.05）; the relapse rate in the treatment group was 6.9%, versus 44.4% in the control group, showing a statistical difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： FSN with laser can obtain better effect for postherpetic neuralgia than electroacupuncture and pose lower relapse risks.