OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess the change in spasticity of the impaired wrist joint in chronic stroke patients after electro-acupuncture treatment. DESIGN: Crossover design. SETTING: University medical center research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Seven chronic stroke subjects (age 63.14 +/- 7.01y). INTERVENTION: Participants received two 6-week treatment regimens: combined electro-acupuncture and strengthening twice a week, and strengthening twice a week only. Muscle strength and spasticity of the wrist joint were quantified by using the Biodex multijoint System 3 Pro. Electro-acupuncture was given through a commercial electro-acupuncture device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Velocity sensitivity of averaged speed-dependent reflex torque (VASRT); segmented averaged speed-dependent reflex torque (SASRT); Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores; and integrated electromyographic activity of the affected wrist flexors during passive stretch of the affected wrist joint. RESULTS: VASRT was reduced significantly in the combined treatment group (p = 0.02) after the 6-week period, but not in the strengthening-only group (p = 0.23); however, no significant immediate effect of electro-acupuncture was observed (p > 0.05). MAS scores also showed a significant reduction (p < 0.01). SASRT did not differ significantly across different positions of the joint or across velocity; however, significant differences were present between the 2 treatment groups (p < 0.05) for each position and at all the velocities except at 20 degrees/s. Integrated electromyographic activity showed a trend for reduction after the combined treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of electro-acupuncture and muscle strengthening exercise for 6 weeks significantly reduced spasticity. The effect of spasticity reduction was consistent across different joint positions and different velocities of passive stretch.

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