[Effect of muscle-tension-balance acupuncture therapy on the motor function and living ability of patients with drop foot and strephenopodia after stroke].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the difference between muscle-tension-balance acupuncture and conventional acupuncture in the impacts on motor function and living ability of patients with drop foot and strephenopodia after stroke.


METHODS
Seventy cases were randomly divided into a muscle-tension-balance acupuncture group (group A) and a conventional acupuncture group (group B), 35 cases in each one. In group A, firstly the acupuncture of weakening technique was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3) on the musculus extensor side; secondly, the strengthening technique was adopted at Jiexi (ST 41), Shenmai (BL 62) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on musculus flexor side. In group B, the conventional needling technique was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Xuanzhong (GB 39), etc. The treatment was given once every day in either group, 10 treatments made one session and 3 sessions of treatment were required. The score of Fugl-Meyer motor function of the lower limb on the affected side and Barthel index score were assessed before and after treatment in two groups.


RESULTS
After treated for 3 sessions, Fugle-Meyer motor function score and Barthel index score of the patients all increased in two groups (all P < 0.01). The results in group A were better than those in group B (both P < 0.05). The improvements were apparent in the 2nd session of treatment in group A (both P < 0.01), which were superior to those in group B (both P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Either acupuncture therapy can improve the motor function and living ability of patients with drop foot and strephenopodia after stroke. The muscle-tension-balance acupuncture achieves the efficacy quickly and its efficacy is much better.
Department of Reahabilitation Medicine, Chenzhou First People's Hospital, Chenzhou 423000, Hunan Province, China. liuzhaoping0602@yahoo.com.cn
Zhao-Ping
ZP
Liu
Man-Ping
MP
Zeng
Hui
H
Xie
Bi-Dan
BD
Lou
Wei
W
Zhang
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*