[Clinical observation on the treatment of hand dysfunction after stroke with chicken-claw needling at Shangbaxie (Extra) and Hegu (LI 4) combined with acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3)].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the difference in clinical efficacy between chicken-claw needling at Shangbaxie (Extra) and Hegu (LI 4) combined with acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and the conventional acupuncture at the 3 points for the treatment of hand dysfunction after stroke.

METHODS

Forty-two patients were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table, 21 cases in each one. The chicken-claw needling was used at Shangbaxie (Extra) and Hegu (LI 4) on the affected side combined with acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) in the observation group. The conventional acupuncture was performed at the same point as the observation group in the control group, once a day, 6 days for a course, 1 day of interval after a course, and the therapeutic effect was observed after 5 courses. The simplifying Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Rating Scale (FMA), the modified Barthel index and the Brunnstrom grading criteria were used to evaluate the hand function of the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The FMA score, Barthel index and Brunnstrom grade were improved after treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), and the FMA score, Barthel index and Brunnstrom grade in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Chicken-claw needling at Shangbaxie (Extra) and Hegu (LI 4) combined with acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) can effectively treat hand dysfunction after stroke, and the curative effect is better than the conventional acupuncture at the 3 points.