Dynamic scalp acupuncture combined with PNF therapy for upper limb motor impairment in ischemic stroke spastic hemiplegia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>On the basic therapy, to assess the clinical effects of dynamic scalp acupuncture, scalp acupuncture combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) therapy and simple PNF therapy for upper limb motor impairment in ischemic post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 90 cases were randomly assigned into a PNF group, a dynamic scalp acupuncture group and a scalp acupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. Basic therapy and PNF therapy were applied in the three groups. PNF therapy was used during scalp acupuncture in the dynamic scalp acupuncture group. PNF therapy was applied after scalp acupuncture in the scalp acupuncture group. The points were the upper 1/5 and middle 2/5 of (MS 6) and (MS 7) at the lesion side, the hemiparalysis contralateral side. The treatment was given for 6 months, once a day and 1 month as a course. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS), the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) and Barthel index (BI) were observed before treatment and 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The MAS 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment were improved compared with those before treatment in the three groups ( all <0.05), and the MAS results in the dynamic scalp acupuncture group were better than those in the PNF and scalp acupuncture group (all <0.05). The FMA and BI scores 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment were higher than those before treatment (all <0.05). The FMA Scores in the 3 time points and after treatment in the dynamic scalp acupuncture group were higher than those in the other two groups (all <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PNF therapy during scalp acupuncture can relieve the spasmodic condition of patients with upper limb motor impairment in ischemic post-stroke spasmodic hemiplegia, and improve the limb function and life activity, which is better than PNF therapy after scalp acupuncture and simple PNF therapy.</p>

Spasmodic hemiplegia after stroke treated with scalp acupuncture, music therapy and rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on spasmodic hemiplegia after stroke among the alliance therapy of scalp acupuncture, music therapy combined with rehabilitation, the simple rehabilitation therapy and the combination of music therapy and rehabilitation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 76 patients of post-stroke spasmodic hemiplegia were randomized into a rehabilitation group (25 cases), a combination group with music therapy and rehabilitation (25 cases) and an alliance therapy group with scalp acupuncture, music therapy and rehabilitation (26 cases). In the rehabilitation group, the routine rehabilitation therapy was applied, including the removal of various incentives that cause spasm, the correction of body position and the physical therapy. In the combination group, the music therapy was added on the basis of the treatment as the rehabilitation group. The music physician used the rhythmic auditory stimulation, the patterned sensory enhancement and the therapeutic instrumental music playing to set up the task in the treatment. In the alliance therapy group, scalp acupuncture was added on the basis of the treatment as the combination group. The anterior oblique line of vertex-tempora (MS 6) and the posterior oblique line of vertex-tempora (MS 7) on the contralateral side were selected and stimulated with penetrating needling technique. The needles were retained. During the needling retaining, the needles were rotated once every 10 min, for 2 min each time. The treatment was given one session a day, totally for 5 sessions a week, continuously for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Barthel index (BI) and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of the affected elbow and the passive knee movement at static condition were observed in the patients before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of FMA, BI and MAS were not different before treatment in the patients among the three groups (all>0.05), indicating the comparability among groups. After treatment, FMA and BI scores were all increased apparently in the three groups as compared with those before treatment (all<0.05). MAS grade was reduced remarkably as compared with that before treatment (all<0.05). After treatment, FMA and BI scores in the alliance therapy group were higher than those in the combination group and the rehabilitation group (all<0.05). FMA and BI scores in the combination group were higher than those in the rehabilitation group (both<0.05). MAS grade in the alliance therapy group was lower than those in the combination group and the rehabilitation group (both<0.05). MAS grade in the combination group was lower than that in the rehabilitation group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alliance therapy with scalp acupuncture, music therapy and rehabilitation achieve the remarkable clinical therapeutic effects on post-stroke spasmodic hemiplegia as compared with the routine rehabilitation and the combination of music therapy and rehabilitation.</p>