Clinical Effect Of Electroacupuncture At Antagonistic Motor Points Combined With Rehabilitation Training On The Footdrop After Stroke

Object: To compare the clinical effects of electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points and at acupoints on the footdrop after stroke.Methods: The randomized control clinical trial was administered. Seventy Two patients with the footdrop after stroke were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group(n=36) and control group(n=36).All the patients accepted Bobath approach. The treatment group accepted electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points, while the control group at the conventional acupoints. They were assessed with modified Ashworth scale, dorsiflexion grade of ankle, muscular assessment, Fugl-Meyer assessment and surface electromyography test RMS before and after 4 weeks of treatment.Results:(1)No significant statistical difference were found in the spasticity of ankle, the angleof ankle, the strength, lower extremity motor recovery and RMS(P>0.05).(2)The spasticity of ankle descended in both groups after treatment(P<0.05) and descended more in the treatment group than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)The angles of ankle and the strength improved in both groups after treatment(P<0.05) and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)The lower extremity motor function and RMS improved in both groups after treatment(P<0.05) and the difference of the treatment group had statistical significance compared with the control group after treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion: Electroacupuncture at antagonistic motor points may release spasticity of footdrop after stroke more effective than at acpoints.