Objective

2

To observe the effect of acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on upper limb motor dysfunction in patients after stroke.

Methods

2

A total of 62 patients with upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke were randomly assigned to an observation group (

n

=31

3 cases dropped out) and a control group (

n

=31

2 cases dropped out). Both gr

oups received routine medical treatment and rehabilitation training. The control group was treated with conventional acupuncture at the affected side's Jianyu (LI15)

Quchi (LI11)

Shousanli (LI10)

Huantiao (GB30)

Yanglingquan (GB34)

and Zusanli (ST36) etc. On this basis

the observation group received additional acupuncture at the affected side's Jiaji points from C

4

to T

5

. Treatment was administered once daily

five times a week

for four weeks. Motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi

Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE)

and Wolf motor function test (WMFT) scores were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.

Results

2

After treatment

both groups showed increased MEP amplitudes and decreased latencies of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi (

P

<

0.05)

as well as increased FMA-UE and WMFT scores (

P

<

0.05); the observation group had greater MEP amplitudes

shorter latencies

and higher FMA-UE and WMFT scores compared to the control group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points could enhance the excitability of upper limb motor neural pathways in upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke patients

thereby promoting motor function recovery of the upper limb.