Effects of electro-acupuncture on muscle tension and motor function in flaccid paralytic limbs after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture on muscular tension and motor function in the flaccid,paralytic limbs of stroke survivors.Methods Seventy-two stroke survivors with flaccid,paralytic limbs were divided randomly into a control group and an electro-acupuncture group.Both grourps received routine therapy and rehabilitation training,but the electro-acupuncture group was also treated with electro-acupuncture.Muscular tension and motor function in the flaccid,paralytic limbs in both groups were evaluated by modified Ashworth scale (MAS)and Fugl-Meyer scores before treatment and at the end of 4 weeks.Results After treatment,in 24 patients of the electro-acupuncture group and 10 patients of the control group muscular tension had increased 1-2 grades.The effectiveness rate(68.57%)in the electro-acupuncture group wag higher significantly than that(27.03%)in the control group(P＜0.01).Fugl-Meyer scores in the electro-acupuncture group were significantlv higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electro-acupuncture supplementing traditional rehabilitation improves muscle tension in flaccid,paralytic limbs and promotes the recovery of motor flunction after stroke.