Volume 88, Issue 2 , Pages 159-166, February 2007
The Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Spasticity of the Wrist Joint in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Abstract
Mukherjee M, McPeak LK, Redford JB, Sun C, Liu W. The effect of electro-acupuncture on spasticity of the wrist joint in chronic stroke survivors.
Objective
To quantitatively assess the change in spasticity of the impaired wrist joint in chronic stroke patients after electro-acupuncture treatment.
Design
Crossover design.
Setting
University medical center research laboratory.
Participants
Seven chronic stroke subjects (age, 63.14±7.01y).
Intervention
Participants received two 6-week treatment regimens: combined electro-acupuncture and strengthening twice a week, and strengthening twice a week only. Muscle strength and spasticity of the wrist joint were quantified by using the Biodex multijoint System 3 Pro. Electro-acupuncture was given through a commercial electro-acupuncture device.
Main Outcome Measures
Velocity sensitivity of averaged speed-dependent reflex torque (VASRT); segmented averaged speed-dependent reflex torque (SASRT); Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores; and integrated electromyographic activity of the affected wrist flexors during passive stretch of the affected wrist joint.
Results
VASRT was reduced significantly in the combined treatment group (P=.02) after the 6-week period, but not in the strengthening-only group (P=.23); however, no significant immediate effect of electro-acupuncture was observed (P>.05). MAS scores also showed a significant reduction (P<.01). SASRT did not differ significantly across different positions of the joint or across velocity; however, significant differences were present between the 2 treatment groups (P<.05) for each position and at all the velocities except at 20°/s. Integrated electromyographic activity showed a trend for reduction after the combined treatment.
Conclusions
A combination of electro-acupuncture and muscle strengthening exercise for 6 weeks significantly reduced spasticity. The effect of spasticity reduction was consistent across different joint positions and different velocities of passive stretch.
Key Words: Acupuncture, Muscle spasticity, Rehabilitation, Stroke
Supported in part by the American Heart Association (grant no. 0555637Z).No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
PII: S0003-9993(06)01485-7
doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2006.10.034
© 2007 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Volume 88, Issue 2 , Pages 159-166, February 2007
