The impact of electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20231114-00892
- VernacularTitle:电热针联合康复训练对早期脑卒中后偏瘫患者上肢运动功能的影响
- Author:
Liying GUO
1
;
Hong LI
;
Jiang MA
;
Shining YANG
;
Tingting CHEN
;
Xianying LIU
;
Yi GONG
;
Qing LI
;
Lifang ZHANG
;
Feng ZHANG
Author Information
1. 华北理工大学护理与康复学院，唐山 063210
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Stroke;
Hemiplegia;
Upper limbs;
Motor functioning;
Electrothermal acupuncture;
Acupuncture;
Surface electromyography
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(4):307-312
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe any impact of supplementing conventional rehabilitation training with electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic persons who had recently survived a stroke were divided at random into an electrothermal acupuncture group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the electrothermal acupuncture group was additionally provided with daily 30-minute sessions of electrothermal acupuncture, 6 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment everyone′s upper limb motor functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE), and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The Hong Kong version of the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) was also administered. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to compute the co-contraction ratios (CRs) of the agonist to antagonist muscles during elbow flexion and extension. Results:After the treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in their average FMA-UE, FTHUE-HK and MBI results, but with significantly greater improvement in the electrothermal acupuncture group. The root mean square values of the wrist flexor and extensor and elbow flexor muscles during flexion showed significant improvement in both groups, with the average values in the electrothermal acupuncture group significantly better than those of the control group. The CR values during elbow extension in the electrothermal acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement compared to before the treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation measures with electrothermal acupuncture can better increase the strength of the elbow and wrist extensor muscles in the early days after a stroke. It promotes the recruitment of muscle fibers in the extensor muscle group, reduces abnormal coordination patterns in the elbow joint, and improves upper limb motor function, the practicality of hand function, and ability in the activities of daily living.
