Clinical observation on acupuncture with pushing manipulation for treatment of finger flexion in the patient of poststroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and routine acupuncture on finger flexion in the patient of poststroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases were randomly divided into a group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and a routine acupuncture group. Hegu (LI 4), Houxi (SI 3), Waiguan (TE 5) were selected in the both groups. For the group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation (n=42), after arrival of qi acupuncture with pushing manipulation was given, the needle was inserted forcedly downwards, heavily thrust and lightly lifted with the thumb forward and the index-finger backward, and the needle was retained for 30 min. For the routine acupuncture group, after arrival of qi the needle was retained for 30 min. The therapeutic effects were assessed by modified Ashworth spastic rating and activity of metacarpophalangeal articulations after treatment of 30 days and 60 days in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 81.0% in the group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation was significantly better than 57.9% in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05); there was a significant or a very significant difference between the two groups in changes of the spastic degree and the activity of metacarpophalangeal articulations after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture with pushing manipulation has a definite therapeutic effect on finger flexion in the patient of poststroke.</p>

Clinical observation on abdominal electroacupuncture for treatment of poststroke constipation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of abdominal electroacupuncture (EA) and western medicine on poststroke constipation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. The EA group were treated with EA at Daheng (SP 15), Fujie (SP 14), Tianshu (ST 25), Shuidao (ST 28), etc., once a day, 30 min each session, and the medication group with oral administration of 10 mg Cisapride, thrice each day. Seven days constituted one course. After 2 courses, clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated by cumulative scores of symptoms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 92.5% in the EA group was significantly better than 72.5% in the medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the cumulative scores of clinical symptoms significantly decreased in the two groups (P < 0.05) and the improving degrees of symptoms in the EA group was significantly better than that in the medication group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abdominal electroacupuncture has a definite therapeutic effect on poststroke constipation, accelerating gastrointestinal movement.</p>