Effects of pricking blood therapy at meridian sinews on upper limb spasm of post-stroke patients

Abstract Objective To observe effects of pricking blood therapy at meridian sinews on upper limb spasm of post-stroke patients. Methods A total of 72 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasm were randomly divided into a comprehensive group of pricking blood therapy at meridian sinews with rehabilitation training (comprehensive group) and the simple rehabilitation training group (rehabilitation group), and there were 36 patients in each group. On the basis of routine therapy, the patients of the two groups received rehabilitation therapy for 6 consecutive days and 1-day rest, for 4 weeks in total. On the above basis, the patients in the comprehensive group received pricking blood therapy at meridian sinews, once every other day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks in total. Before treatment, after the first treatment, and after 4-week treatment, the patients were observed for changes of upper limb spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), upper limb movement function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA), activity of daily living(Modified Barthel Index, MBI), and biceps and triceps integrated electromyogram(IEMG) values were observed as well as the therapeutic effects. Results (1) After the first treatment, there were statistically significant differences of the MAS scale grades in patients of the two groups (P 0.05). (2) After 4-week treatment, there were statistically significant differences of MAS grades in patients of the two groups (P Conclusions The pricking blood therapy at meridian sinews can release affected upper limb flexor muscle spasticity and movement function of the patients with post-stroke upper limb spasm, decrease biceps IEMG values of the affected side, and improve activities of daily living.