[Effect of interactive scalp acupuncture on upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of interactive scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented mirror therapy on hemiplegia after stroke.

Methods: A total of 86 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (43 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Both groups received routine treatment and rehabilitation treatment for stroke. The control group was treated with task-oriented mirror therapy, 40 min each time, once a day, 6 days a week. The observation group was treated with interactive scalp acupuncture at ipsilateral upper 1/5 and 2/5 of the parietal and temporal anterior oblique line and upper 1/5 and 2/5 of the parietal and temporal posterior oblique line on the basis of the treatment as the control group, 45 min each time, once a day, 6 days a week. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment and in follow-up of 8 weeks after treatment completion, the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) score, modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score, shoulder abduction angle, wrist dorsiflexion angle and N20 latency and amplitude of somatosensory evoked potential were compared between the two groups.

Results: After treatment and in follow-up, the FMA scores were increased (<0.01), the MAS scores were decreased (<0.01) compared with those before treatment in the two groups; the FMA scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (<0.01), the MAS scores were lower than those in the control group (<0.01). After treatment and in follow-up, the shoulder abduction angle and wrist dorsiflexion angle was increased (<0.01), the N20 latency was shortened and amplitude was increased (<0.01) compared with that before treatment in both groups; the shoulder abduction angle and wrist dorsiflexion angle in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (<0.01), the N20 latency was shorter than that in the control group (<0.01), and the N20 amplitude was higher than that in the control group (<0.01).

Conclusion: Interactive scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented mirror therapy can improve upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke, and reduce the muscular tone of the affected limb.