BACKGROUND: Electrogymnastics can offer a range of proprioceptive, motor, and cutaneous sensation impulses to the central nerve system. The center receives perception of the paralyzed muscle through the aid of these impulses. During this process, functional reorganization of connecting network between segment and intersegment takes place. OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint electrogymnastics and traditional electroacupuncture on stroke hemiplegia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A multicenter, randomized, controlled, blinded, clinical study was performed at the College of Acu-moxibustion and Massage in Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2004 to September 2006. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 153 patients suffering from stroke hemiplegia, comprising 83 males and 70 females, aged 63 to 70 years, were admitted to outpatient and inpatient at LongHua Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese medicine, Putuo District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Changqiao Street Community Health Service Center of Shanghai. METHODS: The patients were randomly divided into treatment (n = 77) and control (n = 76) groups. They were treated with acupoint electrogymnastics and traditional electroacupuncture, respectively. In the treatment group, two pairs of positive and negative JD-2008 type electrodes from a hemiplegia treatment apparatus were directly pasted on the Shousanli (LI10) and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints of the upper limb, as well as the Zusanli (S36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) acupoints of the lower limb, respectively. In the control group, needles were consecutively inserted into the above acupoints. Using the method of lifting-inserting and twisting-rotating, the needle was manipulated with small amplitude of 5 to 7 mm and a fast frequency of 80 to 120 times/min when the needle was inserted to a suitable depth. When the sensation of needling was attained, the two pairs of positive and negative electrodes of type G6805-II electro-acupuncture apparatus were connected to the Shousanli (LI10) and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints of the upper limb, as well as the Zusanli (S36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) acupoints of the lower limb, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Fugl-Meyer evaluation method was used to assess upper limb movement, lower limb movement, sensory stimulation of all limbs, balance, and joint range of motion. RESULTS: Upper-lower limb motor function, limb sensory function, balance, and joint range of motion were significantly ameliorated following treatment, compared with pre-treatment (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in various indexes between the two groups after treatment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupoint electrogymnastics and traditional electroacupuncture exhibited similar curative effects in the treatment of stroke hemiplegia.

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