Clinical observation on acupoint pressure plus long-snake moxibustion for upper-limb spastic hemiplegia after cerebral infarction

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint pressure plus long-snake moxibustion for upper-limb spastic hemiplegia after cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 100 patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 50 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with the same conventional internal medicine and rehabilitation training. The control group was treated with additional acupoint pressure therapy, and the observation group was treated with long-snake moxibustion on the basis of the treatment given to the control group. The Ashworth grade, Fugl-Meyer assessment upper limb scale (FMA-UL) and Barthel index (BI) were evaluated, and the root mean square (RMS) values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis on the affected side were measured before and after treatment. The efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Ashworth grade of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The scores of FMA-UL and BI in both groups increased compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the scores of FMA-UL and BI in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The RMS values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the RMS values of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on conventional internal medicine and rehabilitation training, acupoint pressure plus long-snake moxibustion has great therapeutic efficacy for upper-limb spastic hemiplegia after cerebral infarction. It can improve the degree of spasticity of the affected upper limb, reduce the muscle tone of biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis on the affected side, and enhance the mobility of the affected limb and the activities of daily living.