The Clinical Study Of Using Acupoint To Acupoint Penetrative Needling In The Treatment Of Spastic Paralysis After Stroke

ObjectiveIn this study, randomized controlled method was used to observe the safety and clinical effect of using 12 sets of acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling in the treatment of spastic paralysis after stroke.MethodIn the period of February to December in 2009 at the Taiwan Weimin TCM Clinic, 60 patients with spastic paralysis after stroke were qualified to be in the study. They were randomly divided into treatment (acupoint to acupoint penetration) and control (basic penetration) groups. Each group was composed of 30 patients. They were treated every other day,20 times equal one course of treatment, and they were observed for a full 3 courses of treatment. The patients were monitored via the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor recovery, the Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MSS) for spasticity.ResultsOf the 60 spastic paralytic patients,30 were in the treatment group, of which 21 were male and 9 were female, their average age was 61.19±8.24, the rest were in the control group, of which 18 were male and 12 were female, their average age was 59.27±9.09. The treatment group used the 12 sets of acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling, while the control group used basic needling. Both groups were treated every other day,20 days equal one course of treatment. They were to undergo a total of 3 courses of treatment.Before treatment, the comparability of the two groups regarding their sex, age, course and nature of disease, paralytic condition was assessed using the MSS, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor recovery, and Barthel Index. It was found that there was no significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, the effectiveness of the 12 set of acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the spastic level of the upper limb, and Barthel Index.The lab tests (blood, urine, stool, liver and kidney function, and electrocardiogram) revealed no adverse effect after acupoint to acupoint needling treatment.Conclusion1. Both acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling and basic needling were effective in treating spastic paralysis after stroke.2. Acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling was more effective in treating spastic paralysis after stroke than basic needling.Acupoint to acupoint penetrative needling on the 12 sets of acupoints was more effective than basic needling. Patients had more mobility, less spasticity, and better quality of life after treatment. The method was not only effective but also resulted in no adverse reactions in the patients.