Effects of task-oriented training combined with scalp acupuncture on spasmodic upper extremity motor function recovery for post-stroke patients

Objective: To observe the effects of scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented training on the spasticity upper extremity motor function recovery for post-stroke patients. Methods: Forty-two patients with upper extremity spasticity after stroke were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 21 cases in each group. The patients in observation group were treated with scalp acupuncture and task-oriented training,while those in control group were treated with neuromuscular facilities. Before and four weeks after the treatment,the spasm was assessed with modified Ashworth Scale( MAS),the upper extremity motor function was evaluated with Fugl-Meyer motor assessment Scale( U-FMA),and the activity of daily living was assessed with modified Barthel index( MBI). Results: The U-FMA,MBI and MAS scores of the two groups four weeks after the treatment were better than those before the treatment( P 0. 05),and indicators of observation group were significantly better than those of control group( P 0.05). Conclusions: The scalp acupuncture combined with task-oriented training can improve the spasticity upper extremity function recovery and the activities of daily living for the post-stroke patients.