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Randomized trial evaluates electroacupuncture's effect on upper limb spasticity in brain injury patients, suggesting limited benefit.
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. 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).
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Wu et al. (2026) studied this question.
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