[Effects of the improved acupoints and rehabilitation exercise on locomotor ability of the upper limbs and ability of daily life in the patient of cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE

To search for an effective method for improving locomotor ability of upper limbs and ability of daily life in the patient of cerebral infarction.

METHODS

Five hundred and seventy-eight cases of stroke were randomly divided into 4 groups: an improved acupoints and rehabilitation exercise group (group A, n = 148), a rehabilitation exercise group (group B, n = 142), a routine acupoints and rehabilitation exercise group (group C, n = 144), and a medication group (group D, n = 144). The locomotor ability of the upper limbs and ability of daily life were evaluated respectively by Fugl-Meyer (FMA) and Barthel (BMI).

RESULTS

There were significant differences in FMA and BMI scores in all the groups after treatment as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05); after treatment, the effect in the group A was significantly superior to those in group B and C (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the group C and the group B.

CONCLUSION

The improved acupoints combined with rehabilitation exercise can improve locomotor ability of the upper limbs and ability of daily life in the patient of cerebral infarction.