OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect difference between electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques and simple rehabilitation techniques for treatment of the shoulder subluxation after stroke.

METHODSSixty cases of shoulder subluxation patients were divided into an acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group (30 cases) and a rehabilitation group (30 cases). The acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianzhen (SI 9) etc. combined with rehabilitation treatment, the rehabilitation group was treated with rehabilitation only. The therapeutic effects were evaluated and the pain score of the shoulder joint, passive range of motion of shoulder joint, the muscle strength of middle group of the deltoid and the function grade of the upper limbs motion of the two groups were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was superior to that of the rehabilitation group in pain score of the shoulder joint, passive range of motion of shoulder joint, the muscle strength of middle group of the deltoid and the function grade of the upper limbs motion with significant differences between the two groups (all P<0.05); the total effective rate of 93. 3% in the acupuncture combined with rehabilitation group was superior to that of 73.3% in the rehabilitation group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapy of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques can act a good regulating role on muscle strength and the muscular tension of shoulder joint and the muscles around the scapula through many steps, and can effectively improve the shoulder subluxation.