[- penetrating acupuncture with elongated needle for spastic limb dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the clinical effect between - penetrating acupuncture with elongated needle and routine acupuncture for spastic limb dysfunction after stroke.

Methods: A total of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. Both groups received basic treatment, - penetrating acupuncture with elongated needle was applied from Yanglingquan (GB 34) to Xuanzhong (GB 39), Quchi (LI 11) to Wenliu (LI 7), Huantiao (GB 30) to Fengshi (GB 31), Jianyu (LI 15) to Quchi (LI 11), etc. on the affected side in the observation group; routine acupuncture was applied at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiquan (HT 1), Chize (LU 5), Weizhong (BL 40), Jianyu (LI 15), etc. on the affected side in the control group. Once a day, 5 times a week, 2 weeks as a course, 2 courses were required in the two groups. Before and after treatment，the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) grade, Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) score, activity of daily living scale (ADL) (Barthel index) score were observed, and the clinical effect was evaluated in the two groups.

Results: Compared before treatment, the MAS grade after treatment was improved in the two groups (<0.05), that in the observation group was superior to the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the FMA and ADL scores after treatment were increased in the two groups (<0.05), the changes in the observation group were larger than the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (24/30), which was superior to 70.0% (21/30) in the control group (<0.05).

Conclusion: - penetrating acupuncture with elongated needle could improve muscle tension, spasm grade and motor function in patients with spastic limb dysfunction after stroke, enhance the activity of daily living, its clinical effect is superior to routine acupuncture.