OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on gait time cycle of ischemic stroke between yin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique (yin-yang needling) and the conventional acupuncture.

METHODSSixty cases of ischemic stroke were randomized into a conventional acupuncture group and a yin-yang needling group, 30 cases in each one. The basic treatment (the control of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid, the intravenous drops of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection and vinpocetine injection) were applied in the two groups. Additionally, in the conventional acupuncture group, the acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming [Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), etc.] were selected and stimulated with the even needling technique. In the yin-yang needling group, the acupoints of yin meridians such as Zuwuli (LR 10), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. and the acupoints of yang meridians such as Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected. The reducing manipulation of respiratory reinforcing and reducing technique was applied to the acupoints of yin meridians and the reinforcing manipulation was applied to the acupoints of yang meridians. The kinematics time parameters were determined and compared before and 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the differences in the gait cycle, the phase time of standing (%), the phase time of single support (%), the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot and phase time of double support (%) were significant as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P < 0.05), in which, the gait cycle (1.75 +/- 0.21 vs 2.02 +/- 0.37), the phase time of standing (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(65.41 +/- 5.20)% vs (68.37 +/- 6.24)%, (70.99 +/- 6.47)% vs (74.51 +/- 5.19)%], the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(36.08 +/- 4.86)% vs (33.65 +/- 2.94)%, (31.04 +/- 3.41)% vs (26.77 +/- 2.67)%] and the phase time of double support (%) [(36.91 +/- 5.10)% vs (41.22 +/- 5.39)%] in the yin-yang needling group were improved much obviously after treatment as compared with those in the conventional acupuncture group. The differences in support phase time (%), single support phase time (%) and sway phase time (%) were significant between the affected limb and healthy limb of the two groups after treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique effectively improves hemiplegic gait movement cycle and walking function in patients of ischemic stroke, which is superior to the conventional acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Time Factors ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of balanced muscular tension needling method for improving disabled function of stroke patients with spastic paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and six cases with spastic paralysis were randomly divided into an observation group (54 cases) with balanced muscular tension needling method and a control group (52 cases) with routine acupuncture method. The observation group was treated by acupuncture at the side of extensor and flexor of limbs; while the control group was treated by acupuncture at Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) etc. And the change of muscle strength, muscle tonus, muscle spasticity and range of joint motion were evaluated hefore and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 30 days of treatment, the total effective rate of 96.3% (52/54) in the observation group was superior to that of 84.6% (44/32) in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment muscle strength, muscle tonus, muscle spasticity and range of joint motion were improved in the two groups, hut the observation group was superior to the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBalanced muscular tension needling method can significantly improve the muscle strength, muscle tonus, muscle spasticity and the range of joint motion of the stroke patients with spastic paralysis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Cerebral Palsy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Muscle Tonus ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome