Wang H, Xiang Y, Wang C, Wang Y, Chen S, Ding L, Liu Q, Wang X, Zhao K, Jia J, Chen Y. Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on upper-limb impairment after stroke: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.
Clin Rehabil 2023;
37:667-678. [PMID:
36380681 PMCID:
PMC10041575 DOI:
10.1177/02692155221138916]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on upper limb motor recovery during post-stroke rehabilitation.
DESIGN
Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.
SETTING
Four inpatient rehabilitation facilities.
SUBJECTS
A total of 204 stroke patients with unilateral upper limb motor impairment were randomly 1:1 allocated to TEAS or sham TEAS group. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups.
INTERVENTIONS
Both groups received conventional physical and occupational therapies. TEAS and sham TEAS therapy were administered to two acupoints (LI10 and TE5) with a pulse duration of 300 µs at 2 Hz on the affected forearm for 30 times over 6 weeks.
OUTCOME MEASURES
The upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer score (primary outcome), manual muscle testing, modified Ashworth scale, Lindmark hand function score, and Barthel index were evaluated by blinded assessors at baseline, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 18 weeks.
RESULTS
The number of patients who completed the treatment was 99 and 97 in the TEAS and the sham group. No significant between-group difference was found in the Upper-Extremity Fugl-Meyer score, Modified Ashworth Scale, Lindmark hand function score, and Barthel Index after intervention and during follow-up. However, the TEAS group exhibited 0.29 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.55) greater improvements in Manual Muscle Testing of wrist extension than the sham group (p = 0.037) at 18 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
Administration of TEAS therapy to hemiplegic forearm could not improve the upper extremity motor recovery. However, TEAS on the forearm might provide potential benefits for strength improvement of the wrist.
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