Clinical Study on Intensive Needling Stimulation at External Laogong (EX-UE 8) for Post-stroke Hand Hypermyotonia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intensive needling stimulation at external Laogong (EX-UE 8) in treating post-stroke hand hypermyotonia.Method Sixty patients with post-stroke hand hypermyotonia were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by ordinary acupuncture plus strong stimulation at external Laogong (EX-UE 8), while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. After 8-week treatment, the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess the muscular tension of the affected limbs, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was for assessing motor function of the affected hand, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to evaluate the activities of daily living before and after the intervention.Result The MAS, FMA, and ADL scores were significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). The MAS, FMA, and ADL scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at external Laogong (EX-UE 8) with intensive stimulation is an effective approach in treating post-stroke hand hypermyotonia.