Objective

2

To compare the therapeutic effect of

Fu

's subcutaneous needling combined with scalp acupuncture and si

mple scalp acupuncture for shoulder-hand syndrome phase Ⅰ after cerebral infarction.

Methods

2

A total of 68 patients with shoulder-hand syndrome phase Ⅰ after cerebral infarction were randomized into a combination group (34 cases

1 case dropped out) and a scalp acupuncture group (34 cases). Internal medicine treatment and conventional rehabilitation training were adopted in both groups. In the scalp acupuncture group

acupuncture was applied at parietal area and anterior parietal area of

Yu

's scalp acupuncture

electroacupuncture was connected for 30 min

with disperse-dense wave

in frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and in electric current of 1 mA

and the needles were retained for 6 h

once a day for continuous 14 days. On the basis of the treatment in the scalp acupuncture group

Fu

's subcutaneous needling was applied at the affected muscles during needle retaining in the combination group

once a day in the first 3 days

once every other day in left days

2-day interval was taken after 4-time treatment

for 14 days totally. Before and after treatment

the scores of the short form of McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ)

edema degree

guides to evaluation of permanent impairment (GEPI)

and disabilities of the arm

shoulder and hand (DASH) were observed in the two groups

respectively

and the therapeutic effect was evaluated after treatment.

Results

2

After treatment

the scores of pain rating index (PRI)

visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI)

as well as the total scores of SF-MPQ were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (

P

<

0.05)

and the above indexes in the combination group were lower than those in the scalp acupuncture group (

P

<

0.05). After treatment

the scores of edema degree and DASH were decreased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

while the GEPI scores were increased compared with those before tr

eatment (

P

<

0.05) in the two groups; in the combination group

the scores of edema degree and DASH were lower (

P

<

0.05) while the GEPI score was higher (

P

<

0.05) than those in the scalp acupuncture group. The total effective rate was 97.0% (32/33) in the combination group

which was superior to 91.2% (31/34) in the scalp acupuncture group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Both

Fu

's subcutaneous needling combined with scalp acupuncture and simple scalp acupuncture can effectively relieve the shoulder joint pain and edema degree of hand

improve the upper limb function in patients with shoulder-hand syndrome phase Ⅰ after cerebral infarction

and the combination therapy has better therapeutic effect than simple scalp acupuncture.