Surface Electromyography Study Acupressure Stimulation Of The Tibialis Anterior Muscle And The Peroneus Longus Stroke Patients, Short Muscles Affected

[Objective]Using surface electromyography, the effect of Acupressure acupoint in inducing muscle excitability was objectively and quantitatively measured, and the measurements were then statistically analyzed. Changes of sEMG of the maximum isometric contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle was investigated when acupressure acupoint stimulation was respectively applied to the Qiuxupoint,Zusanlipoint and Kunlunpoint of the affected side in stroke, to preliminary discuss the effectiveness and mechanism of Acupressure acupoint stimulation inducing muscle contraction in the early stages of the stroke patients recovery.This research is likely to be of great significance in furthering understanding of both Acupressure acupoint stimulation’s mechanism of action as well as clinical efficacy.[Methods]Thirty stroke patients in the early recovery stage participated in our study. Acupressure acupoint stimulation was respectively applied to the Qiuxupoint, Zusanlipoint and Kunlunpoint of the affected side. Different time point AEMG, iEMG of the maximum isometric contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle were observed, including resting state, stimulation before, the immediate3s received stimulation, the first3s after stimulation, the second3s after stimulation and the third3s after stimulation, to investigate the effect of Acupressure acupoint in inducing excitability of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle of the affected side in the early stages of the stroke patients recovery.[Results]1A comparison before and after the stimulation of the three point itself: AEMG, iEMG of the maximum isometric contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle at immediate3s received stimulation significantly improved when compared with stimulation before. It gradually declined at the time points that the first3s after stimulation, the second3s after stimulation and the third3s after stimulation. AEMG, iEMG at the third3s after stimulation showed a slight but significant improvement when compared with stimulation before (P<0.05).2A comparison among the three points: After the application of acupressure to Zusanlipoint of the affected side, the AEMG, iEMG of the tibialis anterior muscle at the time points that the immediate3s received stimulation and the first3s after stimulation were significantly higher than when applied the acupressure to Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint of the affected side(P<0.05). However, the AEMG, iEMG of the fibula long, short muscle at the immediate3s received stimulation were significantly lower than when applied the acupressure to Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint of the affected side(P<0.05). When contrasting the AEMG, iEMG of the maximum isometric contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle between Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint stimulation, no significant difference was found at any time point:stimulation before, the immediate3s received stimulation, the first3s after stimulation, the second3s after stimulation and the third3s after stimulation(P>0.05).[Conclusion]1Acupressure acupoint stimulation respectively applied to the Qiuxupoint, Zusanlipoint and Kunlunpoint of the affected side in stroke both could induce the contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle and increase the excitability of these muscles effectively. Also, it showed good immediate effect and continued effect.2The three acupoints had different immediate effect and continued effect on inducing the contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle and fibula long, short muscle:applying acupressure stimulations on Zusanlipoint showed a significantly better immediate effect on inducing the contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle than applying acupressure stimulations on Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint. It also showed a slightly better continued effect(only the first3s after stimulation showed significant difference). However, applying acupressure stimulations on Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint had a significantly better immediate effect on inducing the contraction of the fibula long, short muscle than applying acupressure stimulations on Zusanlipoint. Similarly, a slightly better continued effect was found(only the first3s after stimulation showed significant difference). When comparing Qiuxupoint and Kunlunpoint acupressure stimulation, no significant difference was found on both immediate effect and continued effect of each muscle.3Acupressure acupoint stimulation could be used as an effective facilitation technique in stroke patients in the early recovery stage.