Low-frequency Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points

Master's Degree Candidate in Acupuncture and Tuina

Abstract:

Objective: To examine the effect of low-frequency acupoint electrical stimulation (LFES) on the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of the thumb-to-finger movement muscles in stroke patients, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of LFES on hand function recovery after stroke.

Methods: Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a LFES group or an electroacupuncture (EA) group, with 30 patients in each group. Both groups received conventional treatment, and the EA group was treated with acupoints from the book of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, while the LFES group was treated with acupoints from a previous study. The sEMG characteristic values (MAX and RMS), Chinese Stroke Clinical Neurological Deficit Scale (CSS), Brunnstrom Motor Function Evaluation, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Lindmark Hand Function Score and Lovett Muscle Strength Classification were measured before and after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

①Diagnostic criteria for upper extremity motor dysfunction after stroke. ②Age 35-75 years and duration of illness is 2 weeks to 3 months. ③ Impaired hand function with Lovett classification ≥ grade 2 and MAS ≤ grade 2. ④No organ dysfunction such as heart, liver, lung, kidney or blood circulation dysfunction. ⑤Clear consciousness, no major impairment in intelligence, hearing or speech, and stable condition. ⑥Patients voluntarily participated in this subject trial and signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting functional recovery prior to the onset of the disease. ②Brainstem infarction, bilateral cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack.