OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing spasticity in post-stroke patients. DESIGN: Literature review. DATA SOURCE: The literature search was performed using scientific databases from January 2000 to January 2013. SELECTION OF STUDIES: Out of the 110 studies that were found, nine random and controlled trials were included. Inclusion criteria were based on clinical trials in which participants were over 18 years old, who were suffering with post-stroke spasticity, and one of the experimental groups was treated with acupuncture. DATA EXTRACTION: The variables were the passive resistance to stretching of the affected limb, and the degree of personal dependence. The variables were assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale and Barthel Index. METHODS: The search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Dialnet, CSIC, CINAHL databases. Search terms included the combination of keywords "acupuncture"; "muscle spasticity"; "stroke". RESULTS: Passive resistance to stretching, the degree of personal dependence, and motor function of the affected limb showed statistically significant improvements in at least one study included; however, these improvements are not clinically relevant changes. Passive resistance improved in the elbow, ankle, knee, and wrist. An increased joint range was observed, except for the elbow, forearm, and thumb. Improved of the patient dependency was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although improvements relative to the reduction of spasticity are shown, the results have failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique for this ailment. It would take a greater number of studies to calculate the size of the reported effects with homogeneous procedures in the design as well as in the duration, frequency, and measurement tools.

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