[Effect of abdominal penetrating moxibustion on function of core muscle group in stroke patients based on surface electromyography].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of abdominal penetrating moxibustion on strength and endurance of core muscle group in patients with stroke. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with stroke were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with routine basic treatment, acupuncture treatment and rehabilitation training; based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with abdominal penetrating moxibustion, approximately 50 min each time, once a day. The treatments in the two groups were given 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of bilateral transverse abdominis and multifidus of performing sitting-standing and making steps were measured by surface electromyography before and after treatment. The postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), Berg balance scale (BBS) and lower-limb Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scores were observed before treatment, 2 weeks into treatment and 4 weeks into treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, when performing different postures, the RMS and MF of bilateral transversus abdominis and multifidus in the two groups were increased after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The RMS of affected-side transversus abdominis and multifidus and the MF value of bilateral transverse abdominis and multifidus in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the PASS, BBS and FMA scores were increased 4 weeks into treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The abdominal penetrating moxibustion could effectively improve the strength and endurance of core muscle group, improve the posture control, balance ability and lower-limb motor function in patients with stroke.