A clinical study to assess the influence of acupuncturing “Wang’s Jiaji” acupoints on limb spasticity of patients in convalescent stage of ischemic stroke

INTERVENTION: A total of 100 participants will be randomly assigned to two different groups. All of the patients will be given basic treatment according to the guideline for prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Treatment group: “Wang’s Jiaji” acupoints including 16 acupoints 3 cun away from beneath the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, twelfth spinous process of thoracic vertebra and the second, fourth spinous process of lumbar vertebra. Operation: patients in lateral position, affected extremities up. Needles are inserted 25 mm in depth on these 16 acupoints until feeling tactile sensation then manually manipulated by rotation methods to produce a characteristic sensation known as "De Qi". Technique: mild reinforcing and attenuating,retaining the needle for 30 minutes. When all the needles inserted, needle handles need to be a line horizontally and vertically. The treatment will be given once a day and 5 times a week in weekdays, the course lasts two weeks. Control group: Participants will take baclofen 5mg per time and 3 times a day, the dose may increase to 10mg per time according to level of spasticity. The course lasts two weeks. CONDITION: Ischemic stroke ; Circulatory System PRIMARY OUTCOME: Upper and lower limb motor function of affected side, assessed using Simplified Fugl‐Meyer (FMA) at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after first acupuncture SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Muscular tension assessed using Modified Ashworth scale at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after first acupuncture; 2. The ability of daily living assessed using Modified Barthel scale at baseline,2 weeks,4 weeks and 12 weeks after first acupuncture; 3. The level of spasticity assessed using electromyography at baseline and 12 weeks after first acupuncture INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Meet the western medicine diagnostic criterion: American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, AHA/ASA in 2013 2. Patients with cerebral infarction and the session is between 1 month and 6 months 3. Patients between 40 and 75 years old. Patients over 75 can also be accepted in the trial if the doctor approves the significance of rehabilitation therapy after assessment, but all the patients should not be over 80 years old 4. 4 points = NIHSS =21 points 5. 2 grade = MAS =4 grade 6. GCS =7 points without any consciousness trouble 7. First attack of stroke or not for the first time without any serious disabilities, mRS =3 points 8. Confirmed by head CT or MRI 9. Patients who agreed to participant in this trial and assigned the informed consent