Evoking the Withdrawal Reflex via Successive Needle-Pricking on the Plantar and Dorsal Aspect of the Foot Increases the FMA of the Lower Limb for Poststroke Patients in Brunnstrom Stage III: A Preliminary Study
Table 3
Fugl–Meyer assessment of the lower extremity (FMA-LE and FMA-LE-ss).
Group
FMA (max score)
Result (score)
value (within group)
Baseline (D0)
After 3 days (D3)
After 6 days (D6)
Intervention group
Section A: reflex activity (4)
3.11 ± 1.02
3.33 ± 0.97
3.44 ± 0.92
0.078
0.093
0.057
Section B: flexor synergy (6)
2.11 ± 0.75
3.06 ± 0.93
3.67 ± 1.08
0.001
≤0.001
0.001
Section C: extensor synergy (8)
2.72 ± 1.17
4.28 ± 1.22
5.44 ± 1.46
≤0.001
≤0.001
≤0.001
Section D: voluntary movement with little or no synergy (4)
0.33 ± 0.48
1.17 ± 1.043
1.61 ± 1.19
≤0.001
≤0.001
0.002
Section E: out of synergy activity (4)
0.06 ± 0.23
0.44 ± 0.61
0.83 ± 0.92
0.008
≤0.001
0.001
Section F: normal reflex activity (2)
1.72 ± 0.66
1.83 ± 0.51
1.89 ± 0.32
0.166
0.083
0.399
Section G: coordination/speed (6)
0.94 ± 1.10
2.17 ± 1.68
2.94 ± 1.47
≤0.001
≤0.001
0.001
Sections A‒G: total score (32)
10.94 ± 2.87
16.33 ± 4.79
19.89 ± 5.16
≤0.001
≤0.001
≤0.001
Control group
Section A: reflex activity (4)
2.94 ± 1.24
2.94 ± 1.24
2.94 ± 1.24
1.000
1.000
1.000
Section B: flexor synergy (6)
2.18 ± 0.52
2.29 ± 0.77
2.65 ± 1.16
0.332
0.056
0.055
Section C: extensor synergy (8)
2.82 ± 1.33
3.41 ± 1.27
3.76 ± 1.71
0.013
0.021
0.208
Section D: voluntary movement with little or no synergy (4)
0.29 ± 0.47
0.47 ± 0.51
0.76 ± 0.83
0.083
0.041
0.096
Section E: out of synergy activity (4)
0.12 ± 0.33
0.18 ± 0.39
0.47 ± 0.51
0.336
0.009
0.020
Section F: normal reflex activity (2)
2.00 ± 0.00
2.00 ± 0.00
2.00 ± 0.00
1.000
1.000
1.000
Section G: coordination/speed (6)
0.59 ± 1.04
1.12 ± 1.57
1.24 ± 1.52
0.034
0.017
0.431
Sections A‒G: total score (32)
11.06 ± 2.90
12.41 ± 3.64
13.88 ± 4.72
0.016
0.004
0.003
: D0 compared with D3, : D0 compared with D6, : D3 compared with D6. ,: within-group comparisons ,: between-group comparisons.
