Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation to Treat Muscle Spasticity following Brain Injury: A Double-Blinded,Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial |
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| Authors: | Wenli Zhao Chao Wang Zhongzheng Li Lei Chen Jianbo Li Weidong Cui Shasha Ding Qiang Xi Fan Wang Fei Jia Shuhua Xiao Yi Guo Ye Zhao |
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| Affiliation: | 1Department of Neurology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, 300100, China;2Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China;3Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin Ninghe Hospital, Tianjin, 301500, China;4Department of Clinical Research, Tianjin Nankai Hospital and Tianjin Academy of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin, 300100, China;Griffith University, AUSTRALIA |
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| Abstract: | ObjectiveThis study was aimed at evaluating the clinical efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) to treat muscle spasticity after brain injury (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-11001310).MethodsA total of 60 patients with muscle spasticity after brain injury were randomized to the following 3 groups: 100, 2, and 0 Hz (sham) TEAS. The acupoints Hegu (LI4)—Yuji (LU10) and Zusanli (ST36)—Chengshan (BL57) on the injured side were stimulated at 0, 2, or 100 Hz, 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The patients were followed up for 1 and 2 months after the treatments. The effects of the treatments on muscle spasticity at the wrist, thumb, the other 4 fingers, elbow, shoulder, knee, and ankle were evaluated by the Modified Ashworth Scale, and the effects on disability were assessed by the Disability Assessment Scale. The walking capability was evaluated by the Holden functional ambulation classification score. The overall performance was assessed by the Global Assessment Scale score and the improved Barthel Index. The safety of the treatments administered was also monitored.ResultsThe wrist spasticity was significantly reduced from baseline at weeks 2, 3, and 4 of treatment and at the 1- and 2-month follow-up visits in the 100 Hz group (P < 0.01). Compared with 2 Hz or sham TEAS, 100 Hz TEAS decreased wrist spasticity at weeks 2, 3, and 4 of treatment and 1 month after treatment (P < 0.001). The other endpoints were not affected by the treatments. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported during treatments and follow-up visits.ConclusionsTEAS appears to be a safe and effective therapy to relieve muscle spasticity after brain injury, although large-scale studies are required to further verify the findings.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-11001310 http://www.chictr.org |
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