Contralateral Scalp Acupuncture Combined with rTMS in the Intervention of Post-stroke Upper Limb Dysfunction

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the effects of contralateral scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS on upper limb dysfunction after stroke and explore its underlying mechanisms.
• 70 post-stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups (35 each).
• The control group received rTMS therapy, while the treatment group also received contralateral scalp acupuncture.
• Outcomes were measured using WMFT, FMA, UEFT scores, and changes in RMT, MEP amplitude, and latency before and after treatment.
• Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in WMFT, FMA, and UEFT scores post-treatment (P<0.05).
• The treatment group experienced greater improvements than the control group.
• Significant changes were observed in RMT decrease, increased MEP amplitude, and shortened latency in the treatment group compared to the control group (P<0.05).