Clinical Research of Acupuncture at Stellate Ganglion for Treatment of Post-stroke Shoulder-hand Syndrome / 广州中医药大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the difference of the clinical efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome treated by acupuncture at stellate ganglion and by conventional acupuncture. Methods Ninety cases of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome ( at stageⅠ or stageⅡ) were randomized into treatment group and control group, 45 cases in each group. Both groups received basic rehabilitation training. Additionally, the treatment group received acupuncture at the bilateral stellate ganglions of the neck, with reducing acupuncture by rotating the needles. The control group received the conventional acupuncture on Jiquan ( HT 1) , Chize ( LU 5) , Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), Hegu (LI 4), with reducing acupuncture by lifting and thrusting the needle on Jiquan ( HT 1) and Chize ( LU 5) , and with mild reinforcing and reducong acupuncture on the other acupoints. The treatment for both groups was given once every day, and 14 times in total. The total syndrome scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, modified Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function scale (FMA) scores, and modified Barthel index (MBI) were observed to evaluate the changes of symptoms, pain and motor function of the upper limbs, and activity of daily life before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. Results The total syndrome scores, VAS scores, FMA scores and the modified Barthel index were improved apparently after treatment in the two groups (all P<0.01), and the improvement in the treatment group as more obvious (all P<0.01) . The total effective rate was 93.33% (42/45) in the treatment group, which was better than 73.33% (33/45) in the control group ( P<0.05) . During the treatment, patients of both groups had good compliance, and all completed the trial. No obvious adverse reaction was found in the two groups. Conclusion Acupuncture at stellate ganglion is effective and safe for the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome, and it has higher efficiency than the conventional acupuncture.