OBJECTIVETo observe the different clinical effects on the limb spasm after stroke among acupuncture mainly at governor vessel (GV) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with rehabilitation training, simple acupuncture and simple rehabilitation training.

METHODSNinety patients according to admission sequence were randomized into a combination group, an acupuncture group and a rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each one. The comprehensive treatment was applied in the combination group. The same acupuncture was used in the acupuncture group; the same rehabilitation was used in the rehabilitation group. All the treatment was given for 4 courses with 1 d between the two courses, 10 times as one course, once a day. The modified Ashworth score (MAS), clinic spasticity index (CSI), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Barthel index (BI) were observed before and after treatment. The effects were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the MAS, CSI score of the three groups significantly decreased in comparison with those before treatment (all<0.05), the FMA and BI score of the three groups increased in comparison with those before treatment (all<0.05). The improvements for MAS, CSI, FMA and BI of the combination group were better than those of the acupuncture group and the rehabilitation group (all<0.05). There were no statistical significance between the acupuncture group and the rehabilitation group (all>0.05). The total effective rate of 90.0% (27/30) in the combination group was better than 76.7% (23/30) in the acupuncture group and 73.3% (22/30) in the rehabilitation group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture mainly at GV and Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with rehabilitation training are superior to simple acupuncture and simple rehabilitation training on reducing muscle tonus for stroke patients with limb spasm, which can more effectively improve the ability of daily life and motor function.