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).