Relaxing needling at starting and ending points of muscles for upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

To observe the clinical efficacy of huici (relaxing needling) at starting and ending points of muscles for upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke.

A total of 62 patients with upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 31 cases in each one. Both groups received basic treatment. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at anterior temporal oblique line on the healthy side, Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24⁺) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), and relaxing needling was applied at starting and ending points of the biceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris, and flexor carpi radialis on the affected side. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at anterior temporal oblique line on the healthy side, Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Shuigou (GV26), bilateral Fengchi (GB20), and Jiquan (HT1), Chize (LU5), etc. on the affected side. Acupuncture was delivered once daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade, Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE) score and modified Barthel index (MBI) score were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups.

After treatment, the MAS grade of upper limb on the affected side was decreased compared with that before treatment (P＜0.001, P＜0.05), the scores of FMA-UE and MBI of upper limb on the affected side were increased compared with those before treatment (P＜0.001) in the two groups. After treatment, the scores of FMA-UE and MBI of upper limb on the affected side in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01). The clinical efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P＜0.05).

Relaxing needling at starting and ending points of muscles effectively improves upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke, reduces muscle tone, improves motor function and enhances quality of life.