Observations on the Efficacy of Along-meridian Distal Point Selection in Treating Post-cerebral Infarction Shoulder-hand Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of along-meridian distal point selection in treating post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome.MethodSixty patients with post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The control group was treated by routine neurological medical treatment, conventional acupuncture for stroke-attack on meridians and rehabilitation training and the treatment group, by along-meridian distal point selection in addition. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in both groups after four courses of treatment. The VAS scores, affected-side hand swelling scores and upper limb FMA scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultThe VAS score, affected-side hand swelling score and upper limb FMA score were significantly better in both groups after treatment than before (P<0.01). Post-treatment VAS score, affected-side hand swelling score and upper limb FMA score were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01,P<0.05). ConclusionAlong-meridian distal point selection has clinically a better improving effect on the pain, affected-side hand swelling and upper limb function in patients with post-cerebral infarction shoulder-hand syndrome.