Effect of wrist ankle acupuncture on shoulder hand syndrome after stroke

Objective To observe the clinical effect of wrist acupuncture on shoulder hand syndrome after stroke. Methods Forty patients with shoulder hand syndrome after stroke, according to random number table method, were divided into wrist needle group and body acupuncture group. Patients in the two groups were received limb function training during the acupuncture therapy. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Fugl-Meyer motor function score were evaluated at the end of treatment and 1 month after the treatment respectively. Results At the end of the treatment, VAS in the wrist acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the body acupuncture group. Fugl-Meyer score in wrist needle group was significantly higher than that in body acupuncture group at 1 month later. The VAS and Fugl-Meyer score kept a distance with the level at 1 month after the end of the treatment. But the scores in body acupuncture were of a trend to the base line values. Conclusion The wrist ankle acupuncture is a safe and effective method for the treatment of patients with shoulder hand syndrome after stroke. Key words: Wrist needle; Stroke; Shoulder-hand syndrome