Efficacy of acupuncture on upper limb dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled trial protocol with surface...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Upper extremity dysfunction post-stroke presents significant neurorehabilitation challenges.
• Acupuncture offers a complementary alternative therapy with potential benefits.
• Objective assessment tools like surface electromyography (sEMG) are crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for treating upper limb dysfunction after stroke.
• To elucidate the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects.
• To provide clinical evidence for acupuncture's role in post-stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, principal-investigator-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 74 patients.
• Random assignment to either acupuncture (core acupoints: GV20, DU14, LI11) or sham acupuncture (non-meridian points) groups.
• A 4-week treatment cycle (5 times/week) with Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb Assessment as the primary outcome, supplemented by sEMG.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to assess effectiveness and safety using both subjective and objective measures.
• Surface electromyography (sEMG) will serve as an auxiliary indicator of efficacy.
• Analysis will include Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb Assessment, Motor Status Scale, Action Research Arm Test, and self-rating scales for anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

• This research aims to establish the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for post-stroke upper limb impairment.
• The study will provide valuable insights into the neuromuscular mechanisms of acupuncture therapy.
• Findings are intended to support evidence-based integration of acupuncture into stroke neurorehabilitation protocols.