Clinical Report: Effects of Manual Acupuncture on Upper-Limb Motor Impairment Following Ischemic Stroke

Overview

This study evaluates the effects of manual acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation on upper-limb motor function in patients post-ischemic stroke. Results indicate improvements in motor function and activities of daily living compared to conventional rehabilitation and sham acupuncture.

Background

Upper-limb motor dysfunction is a common consequence of ischemic stroke, affecting a significant proportion of survivors. This study aims to clarify the specific effects of manual acupuncture in this context.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Manual acupuncture resulted in greater improvements in FMA-UE scores compared to both conventional rehabilitation and sham acupuncture.
• Improvements in MBI scores were also significantly greater with manual acupuncture than with conventional rehabilitation and sham acupuncture.
• During voluntary contraction, manual acupuncture was associated with larger increases in RMS amplitudes of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii.
• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy indicated greater activation of the ipsilesional prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex with manual acupuncture.
• No serious adverse events were reported, with only three mild subcutaneous bleeding events occurring.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that manual acupuncture may serve as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for enhancing upper-limb motor function in post-stroke patients.

Conclusion

Manual acupuncture, when added to conventional rehabilitation, enhances upper-limb motor function and daily living activities in patients recovering from ischemic stroke.

Related Resources & Content

1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Effects of Non-Invasive Neural Stimulation Modalities on Upper Limb Function in Subacute Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Electroacupuncture Improves Upper-Limb Motor Function and Modulates Sensorimotor Network Connectivity in Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
3. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Acupuncture for post-stroke recovery: a retrospective cohort study on motor function and quality of life
4. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery | Stroke
5. Frontiers in Neurology — Shallow Acupuncture for brainstem infarction: a randomized controlled trial protocol
6. Effect of various acupuncture courses for upper limb motor dysfunction after ischemic stroke: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
7. Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery | Stroke
8. Frontiers | Electroacupuncture improves upper-limb motor function and modulates sensorimotor network connectivity in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial