ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus rehabilitation techniques on upper-limb motor function and quality of life (QOL) in hemiplegic shoulder pain after cerebral stroke. Method Ninety patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group of 30 cases [intervened by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) method], a relaxing needling group of 30 cases (intervened by relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes), and a comprehensive group of 30 cases (intervened by relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus PNF method), to receive 6-week treatment in total. Before and after the intervention, Assessment Face Scale (AFS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) were evaluated, and the occurrence rate of shoulder-hand syndrome was assessed. Result After 1-week treatment, the AFS score of the comprehensive group was significantly different fromthat in the rehabilitation group and relaxing needling group (P<0.05). After 6-week treatment, the FMA and SS-QOL scores in the comprehensive group were significantly different from those in both rehabilitation group and relaxing needling group (P<0.05). Twelve weeks later, the occurrence rate of shoulder-hand syndrome in the comprehensive group was significantly different from that in the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus PNF method can effectively improve the efficacy in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain, reduce the occurrence of shoulder-hand syndrome, and enhance the QOL, thus is an effective approach.