OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and routine acupuncture on finger flexion in the patient of poststroke.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly divided into a group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and a routine acupuncture group. Hegu (LI 4), Houxi (SI 3), Waiguan (TE 5) were selected in the both groups. For the group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation (n=42), after arrival of qi acupuncture with pushing manipulation was given, the needle was inserted forcedly downwards, heavily thrust and lightly lifted with the thumb forward and the index-finger backward, and the needle was retained for 30 min. For the routine acupuncture group, after arrival of qi the needle was retained for 30 min. The therapeutic effects were assessed by modified Ashworth spastic rating and activity of metacarpophalangeal articulations after treatment of 30 days and 60 days in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 81.0% in the group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation was significantly better than 57.9% in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05); there was a significant or a very significant difference between the two groups in changes of the spastic degree and the activity of metacarpophalangeal articulations after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture with pushing manipulation has a definite therapeutic effect on finger flexion in the patient of poststroke.