To observe the effects of penetrating needling combined with sling exercise therapy (SET) on lower limb motor function, balance, and spasticity in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were randomly divided into a control group (33 cases, 1 dropout) and a penetrating needling group (33 cases, 1 dropout). All participants received standard medical treatment, rehabilitation training, and routine acupuncture as baseline therapy. The control group received additional SET, while the penetrating needling group received additional SET combined with penetrating needling therapy. The penetrating needling technique was applied from Ququan (LR8) to Xiyangguan (GB33), from Yanglingquan (GB34) to Yinlingquan (SP9), from Fuyang (BL59) to Jiaoxin (KI8), and from Qiuxu (GB40) to Zhaohai (KI6). Outcome measures, including the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity motor function (FMA-L), Berg balance scale (BBS), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and gait analysis data (assessed using a force plate system), were evaluated before and after treatment.

After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements: increased FMA-L and BBS scores, decreased MAS scores, reduced postural sway parameters (eyes-open ball length, eyes-open ellipse area, eyes-closed ball length, and eyes-closed ellipse area), decreased load on the healthy side and medial-lateral load asymmetry, and increased step frequency, step speed, and load on the affected side (all P<0.05). The penetrating needling group demonstrated superior improvements in all measures compared to the control group (P<0.05).

The combination of penetrating needling and SET helps balance the medial-lateral plantar load distribution between the healthy and affected sides in post-stroke hemiplegic patients, shifts the center of gravity toward the midline, enhances standing stability, improves motor and balance functions, and alleviates spasticity.