title: Acupuncture for spasticity after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: The aim of this systematic review was to determine how effective acupuncture or electroacupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation) is in treating poststroke patients with spasticity. We searched publications in Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in English, 19 accredited journals in Korean, and the China Integrated Knowledge Resources Database in Chinese through to July 30, 2013. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no language restrictions that compared the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with usual care or placebo acupuncture. The two investigators assessed the risk of bias and statistical analyses were performed. Three RCTs in English, 1 in Korean, and 1 in Chinese were included. Assessments were performed primarily with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture or electroacupuncture significantly decreased spasticity after stroke. A subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture significantly decreased wrist, knee, and elbow spasticity in poststroke patients. Heterogeneity could be explained by the differences in control, acupoints, and the duration after stroke occurrence. In conclusion, acupuncture could be effective in decreasing spasticity after stroke, but long-term studies are needed to determine the longevity of treatment effects.
authors: Department of Motor & Cognition Rehabilitation, Korean National Rehabilitation Research Institute, 111 Gaorigil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul 142-884, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung Min
authors: 0000-0003-0154-2744
authors: SM
authors: Lim
authors: College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Junghee
authors: J
authors: Yoo
authors: College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Euiju
authors: E
authors: Lee
authors: Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, 126-1 Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyun Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
authors: College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seungwon
authors: 0000-0002-6160-0339
authors: S
authors: Shin
authors: College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Gajin
authors: 0000-0003-2106-652X
authors: G
authors: Han
authors: Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, 126-1 Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyeong Sik
authors: HS
authors: Ahn
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