Review Article

Acupuncture for Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Summary of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for spasticity after stroke.

Author
(year)
country
Sample
size
(analyzed)
Intervention groupControl group  Main outcomes
(regions evaluated for MAS)

(analyzed)
Duration
after stroke
TreatmentRegimen
(analyzed)
Duration after stroke (mo/d)Regimen

Moon et al.
(2003) [19]
Korea
35
(35)
15
(15)
3.7 ± 3.7 moEA8 sessions
(EA, plus ST)
(A) 10 (10)
(B) 10 (10)
(A) 2.7 ± 1.4
(B) 2.5 ± 1.8 mo
(A) ST (routine AT, exercises)
(B) moxibustion, plus standard therapy
MAS (elbow)

Fink et al.
(2004) [22]
Germany
25
(25)
13
(13)
66.5 ± 50.2 moAT8 sessions
(AT)
12
(12)
64.2 ± 48.3 moPlacebo ATMAS (ankle)
VAS, CGI, 2MWT, RMA, RMI, step length, cadence, mode of initial foot contact, goniometry, QOL measures

Lee et al.
(2007) [23]
Korea
20
(18)
10
(10)
NREA10 sessions
(EA, plus ST)
10
(8)
NRST (oral medication)MAS (wrist)
H/M ratio, FMA

Zhao et al.
(2009) [20]
China
131
(120)
67
(60)
16.34 ± 6.09 moAT30 sessions
(AT: surface projection zone of decussation of pyramid, standard therapy)
64
(60)
16.76 ± 6.89 moST (oral medication, routine AT)MAS (wrist, elbow, knee, ankle)
FMA, BI, EMG

Zong
(2012) [21]
China
80
(80)
40
(40)
24.5 ± 5.88 daysEA30 sessions
(EA, plus ST)
40
(40)
23.6 ± 7.08
days
ST (oral medication, rehabilitation)MAS (NR)
FMA, MBI

EA: electroacupuncture, ST: standard therapy, MAS: Modified Ashworth Scale, AT: acupuncture therapy, VAS: visual analog scale, CGI: clinical global impressions, 2MWT: 2-minute walk test, RMA: Rivermead motor assessment, RMI: Rivermead mobility index, QOL: quality of life, NR: not reported, FMA: Fugi-Meyer motor function, BI: Barthel index, EMG: electromyography, and MBI: modified Barthel index.