Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in patients with upper limb spasticity after brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients with upper limb spasticity after brain injury.

METHODS

This study was a single-blind, prospective, two-group parallel randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. Participants in the control group received CR only, whereas those in the intervention group received CR supplemented with EA, administered five times weekly for 2 weeks. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), shear modulus of biceps brachii muscle (BBM), Fugl-Meyer motor scale (FMMS), Barthel index (BI) and safety were assessed at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 64 patients were randomized, with 58 included in the final (per protocol) analysis. The baseline data of the two groups were comparable. Following the 2-week treatment period, improvements were observed in both groups compared to baseline. However, no significant differences were noted between the two groups in MAS (Z = -1.692, p = 0.091), BBM shear modulus short axis of 0° elbow flexion (mean difference (MD) -1.079, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.786 to 0.628), long axis of 0° elbow flexion (MD -0.499, 95% CI -1.699 to 0.700), short axis of 90° elbow flexion (MD -0.005, 95% CI -0.933 to 0.923), long axis of 90° elbow flexion (MD -0.845, 95% CI -1.355 to 1.113), FMMS (MD -0.890, 95% CI -2.243 to 0.462) or BI (MD 0.024, 95% CI -2.955 to 3.002) scores. One participant reported an itchy sensation at the acupuncture site, with no other adverse events observed during or after the trial.

CONCLUSION

EA was not effective when added to CR as a 2-week intervention for upper limb spasticity after brain injury, but appears to be a safe intervention in this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200060819 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).