EA combined with suspension exercise therapy could effectively promote the recovery of lower limb function in elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia, improve motor and balance functions, and enhance activities of daily living.
The combination of electroacupuncture and suspension exercise therapy (Group D) achieved a total effective rate of 93.3%, significantly higher than all other groups.
Group D had significantly lower Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores and higher Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Barthel index scores compared to the other three groups at both 2 and 4 weeks after treatment.
Factorial analysis showed that electroacupuncture had the strongest main effect on FMA score, suspension exercise therapy had the strongest main effect on BBS score, and the interaction effect was most significant for MAS score.
Surface electromyography RMS values of the erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscles on the affected side increased significantly in all groups after treatment, with Group D showing the highest values.
Balance function indicators including mean pressure symmetry index, contact area symmetry index, and ellipse area improved in all groups after treatment, with Group D showing the greatest improvements.
Anteroposterior (AP) displacement distance of the center of pressure improved differentially across groups, with suspension exercise therapy alone (Group B) showing no significant improvement at 2 weeks.
Mediolateral (ML) displacement distance improvement was only significant in groups receiving electroacupuncture (Groups C and D), while conventional treatment alone (Group A) and suspension exercise alone (Group B) showed limited or no improvement.
The electroacupuncture protocol used bilateral Jiaji (EX-B2) acupoints at spinal segments C2-C7, T2-T12, L1-L5, and S1, with continuous wave at 100 Hz, current intensity of 1.5-3.0 mA, needle retention of 30 minutes, administered daily for 4 weeks.
This research examined whether combining electroacupuncture (EA) with suspension exercise therapy could help elderly stroke survivors who have spastic hemiplegia — a condition where one side of the body is weak and muscles are abnormally stiff. The study enrolled 120 patients divided into four groups: conventional treatment only, conventional plus suspension exercise, conventional plus EA, and a combined group receiving all three interventions. Outcomes including muscle stiffness, limb movement ability, balance, and daily living activities were measured at 2 and 4 weeks. This research suggests that the combination of electroacupuncture and suspension exercise therapy produced the best outcomes across nearly all measures. The combined group achieved a 93.3% total effective rate compared to 53.3%, 56.7%, and 66.7% for the other groups. Statistical analysis revealed that EA was particularly effective at improving limb movement function (FMA scores), suspension exercise was particularly effective at improving balance (BBS scores), and the two therapies together produced a notably stronger synergistic effect on reducing muscle stiffness than either treatment alone. Muscle activity in the core muscles (erector spinae and rectus abdominis) also improved most in the combined group, and balance control — including how evenly weight was distributed and how much the center of pressure shifted — improved most with the combined treatment. This research suggests that integrating electroacupuncture at spinal and limb acupoints with suspension-based exercise rehabilitation may offer meaningful additional benefit over conventional stroke rehabilitation alone for elderly patients dealing with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Notably, EA appeared important for improving side-to-side (mediolateral) balance control, while the combination was needed for the most complete improvements across movement, balance, and independence in daily activities.
Wang F, Chen Z, Wan Q. (2026). [Effect of electroacupuncture combined with suspension exercise therapy on lower limb motor function in elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia].. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion. https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250715-k0001