ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the rehabilitative effect of electroacupuncture on hand function in postoperative patients with hand trauma.Methods Sixty-eight postoperative patients with hand trauma were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 34 cases each. The control group received routine rehabilitation therapy and the treatment group, electroacupuncture in addition. Pre-/post-treatment changes in thumb motor function, the distance from index, middle, ring and little fingers to the palm and the distance from the finger nails to the table were observed in the two groups after three months of treatment.Results There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the thumb motor function (abduction and opposition) grade between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the distance from index, middle, ring and little fingers to the palm and the distance from the finger nails to the table in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the distance from index, middle, ring and little fingers to the palm and the distance from the finger nails to the table between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively improve hand function in postoperative patients with hand trauma.