Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of different needling strategies with moxibustion needles on upper limb function in post-stroke patients. Method: 105 patients with upper limb dysfunction after stroke were randomly divided into an extensor treatment group, a flexor treatment group, and a control group, with 35 patients in each group. Patients in the extensor treatment group were treated with extensor group moxibustion, patients in the flexor treatment group were treated with flexor group moxibustion, and patients in the control group were treated with conventional moxibustion. Observe the upper limb movement trajectory, surface electromyographic signals (sEMG) of extensor and flexor muscle groups, MAS scale scores, and FMA-UE scores of two groups of patients under specific tasks detected by a three-dimensional motion capture system before and after treatment, and determine the clinical efficacy. Result: Moxibustion therapy with moxibustion is helpful in improving upper limb dysfunction in stroke patients, safe and reliable, and worthy of application. The efficacy of needling the flexor muscle group with moxibustion is better than that of needling the extensor muscle group and conventional acupuncture, providing certain evidence and guidance for the selection of moxibustion sites in clinical practice.
105 patients with upper limb dysfunction after stroke were selected according to the inclusion criteria and randomly divided into an extensor treatment group, a flexor treatment group, and a control group of 35 cases each. The patients in the extensor treatment group were treated with routine rehabilitation training+routine acupuncture and moxibustion+millifire needle acupuncture for the extensor muscle group (triceps brachii, forearm extensor muscle group), the patients in the flexor treatment group were treated with routine rehabilitation training+routine acupuncture and moxibustion+millifire needle acupuncture for the flexor muscle group (biceps brachii, forearm flexor muscle group), and the patients in the control group were treated with routine rehabilitation training+routine acupuncture and moxibustion+routine millifire needle acupuncture. The treatment was administered once every other day with a moxibustion needle for a total of 4 weeks. Observe the upper limb movement trajectory, surface electromyographic signals (sEMG) of extensor and flexor muscle groups, changes in MAS scale scores, and FMA-UE scores of two groups of patients under specific tasks detected by a three-dimensional motion capture system before, after one treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment. Calculate joint angles and motion distances through spatial coordinates, and apply RMS MF、CC、 Coherence analysis quantifies muscle strength, muscle tension, fatigue, and coordination.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
105
The rehabilitation training is designed based on the specific functional conditions of the patient's limbs. The specific training methods include proper limb positioning, exercise therapy such as passive movement, anti-spasticity training, scapular girdle muscle training, joint extension training, forearm pronation and supination training, occupational therapy, joint movement training, roller treatment, and fine motor skill training, etc. The treatment is conducted once a day and five times a week. The treatment lasts for 4 consecutive weeks.
Conventional acupuncture treatment involves needling at acupoints on the upper limbs of patients to improve their upper limb function. The treatment is administered once a day, five times a week, for a continuous period of four weeks.
The acupuncture points of the milli-needle fire-puncture device are located in the flexor muscle groups of the upper limbs, including the biceps brachii and the flexor muscle group of the forearm.
The acupuncture points for the milli-needle fire-puncture device are located in the extensor muscle groups of the upper limbs, including the triceps brachii and the extensor muscles of the forearm.
The acupuncture points for milli-needle fire-puncture are commonly used ones on the upper limbs.
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Jinan, Shandong, China
Root mean square(RMS) of surface electromyography(sEMG）
Using sEMG the EMG of the upper limb muscles is collected including RMS
Time frame: 4 weeks
RMS of sEMG
Using sEMG, the EMG signals of the upper limb muscles are collected, including RMS .
Time frame: first day
Mean Frequency (MF)of SEMG
Using sEMG, the EMG signals of the upper limb muscles are collected, including MF.
Time frame: first day
Joint angle
Three-dimensional motion capture system was used to detect joint angle .
Time frame: first day
Motion distance
Three-dimensional motion capture system was used to detect motion distance.
Time frame: first day
Joint angle
Three-dimensional motion capture system was used to detect joint angle .
Time frame: 4 weeks
Motion distance
Three-dimensional motion capture system was used to detect motion distance.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity Scale(FMA-UE)
FMA-UE is a commonly used scale for assessing upper limb motor function in stroke patients, mainly evaluating reflex activity, motor control, and muscle strength of the hemiplegic upper limb. FMA-UE includes 33 items related to proximal and distal limb movements of the upper limbs, with each item scored on a scale of 0, 1, and 2. 0 points indicates complete inability to complete, 2 points indicates ability to complete the specified action, and 1 point falls between the two; The total score ranges from 0 to 66 points. The higher the score, the better the upper limb function.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)
MAS is a standardized tool for assessing the degree of muscle spasms and has been established as the clinical gold standard in the assessment of limb spasms after stroke. This scale is divided into levels 0-4, with higher levels indicating greater muscle tone.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Mean Frequency (MF)of SEMG
Using sEMG, the EMG signals of the upper limb muscles are collected, including MF.
Time frame: 4 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.