OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at neuro-arterial stimulation points with topical western medication in treating post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 72 patients with post-stroke SHS were randomly assigned to an observation group (n=36, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (n=36, 3 cases dropped out). Both groups received standard neurological treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation, and physical therapy. The observation group received EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points, including the ipsilateral stellate ganglion point, vagus nerve trunk and auricular branch (left side), and stimulation points of the radial and ulnar arteries, radial nerve, ulnar nerve, and median nerve, once daily for 4 weeks. The control group was treated with topical diclofenac diethylamine emulgel, and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream was added for patients with pronounced early-stage edema, twice a day for 4 weeks. The VAS pain score and hand edema volume were recorded before treatment, at 2 and 4 weeks during treatment, and 2 weeks after treatment completion (follow-up). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the dorsal hand and middle finger skin on the affected side before and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS pain scores and edema volume of the affected hand in both groups were decreased at week 2, week 4, and follow-up (P<0.05). At week 4, both groups showed lower VAS pain scores and edema volume than those at week 2 (P<0.05); during follow-up, both VAS pain scores and edema volume were further reduced compared to those at week 4 (P<0.05). At week 2, week 4, and follow-up, the VAS scores and edema volume of the affected hand in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the dorsal hand skin thickness and middle finger skin thickness on the affected side were decreased in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed thinner dorsal hand and middle finger skin thickness after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points effectively alleviates pain and edema in patients with post-stroke SHS, and demonstrates superior efficacy compared to topical western medication.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Hand

Pain-related impairment assessment by the fifth edition of the American Medical Association Guides had many ambiguous points, and therefore, it was not applicable directly in Korea. Several disputable pain disorders were excluded from the list of impairment evaluation, and complex regional pain syndrome was chosen as the first object of impairment evaluation. Scales such as Korean version of modified Barthel index for assessing the activity of daily livings and Beck Depression Inventory for assessing depression were added, and pain severity, pain treatment, pain behavior, etc. were scored. In order to objectify as much as possible and to remove the room for misuse, we develop a new rating system based on the concept of total score.
*Disability Evaluation ; Humans ; Korea ; *Pain Measurement ; Program Development ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/classification/physiopathology ; Sickness Impact Profile