Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke spasticity: a systematic review and exploratory network meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and dose–response relationship - Summary - MDSpire

Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke spasticity: a systematic review and exploratory network meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and dose–response relationship

  • By

  • Zhihao Xiong

  • Juwei Dong

  • Yini Hua

  • Yingying Zhu

  • Yue Song

  • Ziniu Zhang

  • Fengjia Xiao

  • Jinxia Ni

  • Liangxiao Ma

  • Jing Bai

  • May 25, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and optimal type and dose of acupuncture for post-stroke spasticity (PSS).

Key Findings:
  • The meta-analysis included 34 trials with 3,383 PSS patients.
  • Acupuncture significantly improved Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Clinic Spasticity Index (CSI), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores.
  • Adverse events included mild pain, nausea, and dizziness.
  • Warm acupuncture (WA) and high-dose acupuncture showed the best outcomes for improving spasticity scores.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • The certainty of evidence remains limited.
  • Previous studies had inconsistent assessment criteria and small sample sizes.
Conclusion:

Acupuncture is effective for PSS, with WA and high-dose being optimal interventions.

Original Source(s)

Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke spasticity: a systematic review and exploratory network meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and dose–response relationship

  • by Zhihao Xiong, Juwei Dong, Yini Hua, Yingying Zhu, Yue Song, Ziniu Zhang, Fengjia Xiao, Jinxia Ni, Liangxiao Ma, Jing Bai

  • May 25, 2026

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