[Standardized 's three-needle therapy for stroke: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of standardized 's three-needle therapy on limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients, and to evaluate the placebo control method.

METHODS

A total of 66 patients with stroke were randomly divided into a Jin's three-needle group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a placebo needle group (33 cases, 4 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with conventional medication and rehabilitation treatment. In addition, the patients in the Jin's three-needle group were treated with standardized 's three-needle therapy at temporal three points, spirit four points, hand three points, foot three points, upper extremity spasm three points, lower extremity spasm three points, etc.; while the patients in the placebo needle group were treated with placebo needling at identical points. All the treatments were given once a day, 5 days a week, and 3-week treatment was given with an interval of 2 days between weeks. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were observed before treatment, 10 d and 21 d into treatment, and the blind evaluation was conducted after treatment.

RESULTS

On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in both groups were higher than those before treatment (<0.01), and the NIHSS scores were lower than those before treatment (<0.01). On the 10 d and 21 d into treatment, the FMA scores in the Jin's three-needle group were higher than those in the placebo needle group (<0.05); on the 10 d into treatment, the NIHSS score in the Jin's three-needle group was were lower than that in the placebo needle group (<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on judging the type of treatment (>0.05), and the consistency with the real situation was poor (Cohen's coefficient<0.20).

CONCLUSION

The standardized 's three-needle therapy could effectively improve the limb motor function and nerve function defect in stroke patients. The placebo control method used in this study shows good clinical operability and masking effect.