OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy differences of electroacupuncture (EA) with intermittent wave, disperse-dense wave and continuous wave combined with rehabilitation therapy for post-stroke shoulder subluxation in order to provide clinical evidence for selection of electroacupuncture wave.

METHODSSeventy-five cases of shoulder subluxation were randomly divided into an intermittent wave (IW) group, a disperse-dense wave (DW) group and a continuous wave (CW) group, 25 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment including blood pressure and sugar control, EA and rehabilitation therapy were given in three groups. With EA at Jianqian (Extra), Taijian(Extra), Binao (LI 14), Jianzhong (Extra), Jianzhen (SI 9), Naoshu (SI 10), Jianwaishu (SI 14) and Bingfeng (SI 12), IW group was treated with intermittent wave with a frequency of 15 Hz, DW group was treated with disperse-dense wave with a frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz and CW group was treated with continuous wave with a frequency of 15 Hz. The EA treatment was given for 20 min, once a day, six times a week and totally for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer score and Barthel index score were used for assessment of function recovery before and after treatment respectively, also the efficacy of three groups was compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.0% (24/25) in the IW group, which was superior to 68.0% (17/ 25) in the DW group and 64.0% (16/25) in the CW group (both P < 0.05). After the treatment, Fugl-Meyer score and Barthel index score in the three groups were obviously improved (all P < 0.05), which was most significant in the IW group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture with intermittent wave combined with rehabilitation therapy has superior effect to disperse-dense wave and continuous wave on the treatment of post-stroke shoulder subluxation, which could effectively improve shoulder subluxation and promote shoulder function recovery.