Comparison of Surface Electromyography between High and Low Frequency Electro-acupuncture Therapy in Stroke Patients with Spasticity on Lower Limbs

Objective To compare the effect on different frequency of electro-acupuncture therapy in stroke cases with spasticity on lower limbs.Methods 40 stroke patients were divided randomly into two groups,ie,high frequency(HF)and low frequency(LF)electro-acupuncture groups.Integrated electromy- ography(IEMG)during maximum isometric voluntary contraction(MIVC)of the knee flexors and ankle dorsiflexors in the affected side were recorded and analyzed,and assessed with clinical spasticity index(CSI) before and after treatment.Results After the treatment,significant reduction of IEMG was found in rectus femoris and gastrocnemius,but increase in sartorius and tibialis anteria,declined EMG co-contraction ratio in MIVC created by the knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion,as well as decrease CSI in HF group,which were significant different with those in LF group.Conclusion High frequency electro-acupuncture therapy has better effect on spasticity on lower limbs after stroke compared with low frequency therapy.