Acupuncture Restores Hand Function For Paralysis Patients

New research proves that acupuncture combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is effective for restoring hand function in hemiplegic patients. Researchers measured significant improvements in both wrist and finger functionality. Hemiplegia is paralysis of one side of the body caused by disease or injury to the brain’s motor centers. Hemiplegia may be caused by an illness, injury, stroke or may be congenital. This study, conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University (Sichuan), documents two specific acupuncture protocols that achieved significant positive patient outcomes in the restoration of hand motor activities including holding, grasping, moving and pinching.

Treatment group #1 received acupuncture combined with moxibustion. Treatment group #2 received the same acupuncture and moxibustion therapy plus the addition of NMES. Both groups demonstrated significant positive patient outcomes, however, group #2 demonstrated clinically superior outcomes.

The basic care given to both groups consisted of standard body style acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and moxibustion. Standard acupuncture was applied to patients with 1-1.5” filiform acupuncture needles applied to the hand and foot yangming channels on the hemiplegic side. Secondary acupuncture needling was applied to the taiyang and shaoyang channels...