The Impact of Electroacupuncture at Hegu, Shousanli, and Quchi Based on the Theory “Treating Flaccid Paralysis by Yangming Alone” on Stroke Patients’ EEG: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background. In China, electroacupuncture based on meridians theory “treating flaccid paralysis by Yangming alone” has been widely used for stroke rehabilitation in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the electroencephalography change of electroacupuncture intervention on strokes patients with flaccid paralysis. Methods. Twenty-three stroke patients with flaccid paralysis and six stroke patients with spasticity accepted electroacupuncture with the acupoints Hegu [LI4], Shousanli [LI10], and Quchi [LI11] for 20 minutes and their EEG data were recorded before, during, and after the electroacupuncture intervention. Results. Compared with the baseline EEG signals before electroacupuncture, the ipsilesional and contralesional beta-band average power of patients with flaccid paralysis and spasticity were significantly increased during the needles retention stage and decreased slightly after removing the needles. The significant decrease of the ipsilesional and contralesional delta band average power in patients with flaccid paralysis occurred during the electroacupuncture stimulation, and they increased after the removal of the needles. The ipsilesional delta band average power of patients with spasticity significantly decreased during the electroacupuncture stimulation. Conclusion. From this pilot electrophysiological study, we provided a possible electrophysiological mechanism of the curative effect of electroacupuncture for stroke rehabilitation.