Motor entry point acupuncture for shoulder abduction dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Introduction: Evidence has suggested that shoulder abduction dysfunction after stroke can be treated with acupuncture, but it remains unclear which acupuncture approach may be more effective. This trial compared two different acupuncture interventions (Motor Entry Point acupuncture (MEPA) and Standard acupuncture (SA) for patients experiencing post-stroke shoulder abduction dysfunction.
Methods: Hospital in-patients with post-stroke shoulder abduction dysfunction of two weeks duration and who agreed to participate in the trial were randomized into two groups. The SA group received acupuncture treatment at LI15, LI14, LI11, LI10 and LI4 (n=20); the MEPA group received acupuncture at the mid-third of deltoid (n=20). Each group received acupuncture for 40 minutes, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were the range of motion (ROM) and the manual muscle test (MMT).
Results: Forty in-patients (19 women, 21 men; age range: 35-75 years) were enrolled in this trial. There was significant improvement in shoulder abduction dysfunction in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment (P＜0.05). The MEPA group reported larger ROM and improved MMT compared to the SA group (P＜0.05) and the recovery of muscle strength in MEPA group was superior to the SA group (P＜0.05).
Conclusion: Compared to SA therapy, MEPA therapy may be more effective for treating physical functional disability in post-stroke patients.