Tuina along the meridians combined with Chinese medicine for motor functions and activities of daily living in patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity

Han Shu-kai (韓淑凱), Ma Zhi-wei (馬志偉), Zhang Na (張娜), Chen Cai-ping (陳彩平), Ren Zhan-chang (任占昌)

1 Wangdu County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hebei 072450, China

2 Wangdu County Hospital, Hebei 072450, China

Clinical Study

Tuina along the meridians combined with Chinese medicine for motor functions and activities of daily living in patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity

Han Shu-kai (韓淑凱)1, Ma Zhi-wei (馬志偉)1, Zhang Na (張娜)2, Chen Cai-ping (陳彩平)1, Ren Zhan-chang (任占昌)1

1 Wangdu County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hebei 072450, China

2 Wangdu County Hospital, Hebei 072450, China

Objective:To observe the effect of combining Chinese medicine and tuina along the meridians on motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) in patient with post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Tuina; Massage; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Spasm; Post-stroke Syndrome; Activities of Daily Living; Rehabilitation

Stroke has high incidence, mortality and relapse rates in China. Spasticity is commonly seen in post-stroke patients, often manifesting as increased muscle tone, restricted joint motion or even joint contracture and malformation. Spasticity affects patients’ physical activities, and physical inactivity worsens spasticity. As a result, it greatly affects patient’s quality of life, family care and social cost. More than 80% of daily activities are performed by upper limbs and normal quality of life depends on upper limb functions. It’s therefore of great significance to alleviate upper limb spasticity, control abnormal motion pattern and enhance isolated movement in stroke patients. We’ve treated this condition with tuina along the meridians and self-made Chinese medicine. The results are now summarized as follows.

1 Clinical Materials

1.1 Diagnostic criteria

This was based on theKey Diagnostic Points for Cerebrovascular Diseases[1]and diagnostic criteria for cerebral infarction and hemorrhage made at the 4th National Conference of Chinese Medical Association, coupled with CT scan or MRI examination.

The diagnosis for upper limb spasticity was based on the criteria inPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines[2]: increased resistance during passive movement of upper limbs, severe muscle spasticity manifests as joint rigidity at a certain angle of flexion or extension; local joint and muscle pain, long-time spasticity may cause muscle or tendon contracture; tendon hyperreflexia of the spastic upper limb; and impaired upper limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL).

1.2 Inclusion criteria

Those who met the diagnostic criteria; aged between 47 and 80 years, having stable vital signs and clear consciousness; muscle tone ≥1 but ≤4 according to the modified Ashworth scale (MAS); II, III and V stage by Brunnstrom approach; having a duration of less than 3 months; willing to participate in this trial and signed the informed consent.

1.3 Exclusion criteria

Those with critical or acute unstable conditions, coupled with unconsciousness or cognitive impairment; having severe complications of heart, lung, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes or bleeding tendency; and those who have recently taken sedatives or muscle relaxants.

1.4 Statistical method

Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 14.0 software. Measurement data were expressed withThet-test was used for inter-group and intra-group (paired data) differences before and after treatment. The Chi-square test was used for grouped data and rank sum test for ranked data. APvalue of less than 0.05 indicates a statistical significance.

1.5 General data

A total of 220 eligible cases (156 inpatients and 64 outpatients) treated in Acupuncture and Cerebrovascular Departments, Wangdu County Hospital of Chinese Medicine were recruited in this study. They were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=110) and a control group (n=110). Cases in the treatment group aged between 45 and 72 years and their disease duration lasted from 7 d to 2 months. Cases in the control group aged between 47 and 81 years old and their disease duration lasted from 6 d to 2.1 months. There were no significant between-group differences in baseline data (P＞0.05), indicating that the two groups were comparable (Table 1).

Table 1. Between-group comparison of baseline data

2 Treatment Methods

Patients in both groups received treatment after their conditions were stabilized.

2.1 Treatment group

2.1.1 Tuina along the meridians

According to the interior-exterior connection of meridians, the meridians on the upper limb were classified into three groups: the Lung Meridian and the Large Intestine Meridian; the Pericardium Meridian and the Triple Energizer Meridian; the Heart Meridian and the Small Intestine Meridian. First, the practitioner applied heavy fast Gun-rolling (Figure 1) and Na-grasping (Figure 2) manipulations to the three yin meridians of Hand from the shoulder joint towards the wrist; then applied gentle slow Rou-kneading (Figure 3) and Ca-rubbing (Figure 4) manipulations to the three yang meridians of hand from the wrist towards the shoulder joint. The practitioner was supposed to increase the force gradually until the patient felt soreness, numbness, distension and mild pain. Lasting, forceful and even force were especially focused on the Five Shu-Transmitting points and Luo-Connecting points. The treatment was done 15 min each time, twice a day.

Figure 1. Gun-rolling manipulation

Figure 2. Na-grasping manipulation

Figure 4. Ca-rubbing manipulation

2.1.2 Chinese medicine

Patients took spasticity-alleviating and meridianunblocking formula orally.

Ingredients: 10 g ofJiang Can(Bombyx Batryticatus),Quan Xie(Scorpion),Dang Gui(Radix Angelicae Sinensis) andBai Shao(Radix Paeoniae Alba) respectively,Shui Zhi(Hirudo) 3 g, and 15 g ofHuang Qi(Radix Astragali) andSheng DiHuang(Radix Rehmanniae) respectively.

Method: The above ingredients were ground into fine powder and stored in a bottle after filtration by a 100-mesh sieve. Patients took 15 g with warm water for each dose, 3 doses a day.

2.2 Control group

Patients in the control group received anti-spasticity rehabilitation training once a day. The training includes good limb position, maintaining of joint range of motion, alleviation of spasticity around body movement control points, static muscle stretching, and passive movement and passage.

The therapeutic efficacies in the two groups were observed after 3 weeks of treatment.

3 Treatment Results

3.1 Observation indices

3.1.1 Upper limb motor function assessment

Simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) for the upper extremity was used to assess the upper limb motor function[3]. A total of 60 points indicate grade-5 muscle strength and completely normal upper limb motor function, whereas a zero point indicates grade-0 muscle strength.

3.1.2 ADL assessment

The modified Barthel index (MBI) was used for assessment of patients’ ADL[4]. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater independence.

3.1.3 Muscle tone assessment

The modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess muscle hypertonia (shoulder intortor, elbow flexors and wrist flexors)[5].

MAS grading includes 0 (0 point), 1 (1 point), 1+(2 points), 2 (3 points), 3 (4 points) and 4 (5 points), with higher scores indicating increased hypertonia.

3.2 Results

3.2.1 Between-group comparison on FMA score

Before treatment, there was no significant betweengroup difference in FMA score (P＞0.05). After treatment, the FMA scores in both groups were increased (P＜0.05) and there was a significant between-group difference (P＜0.05). This indicates that the upper limb motor functions were improved in both groups but it was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (Table 2).

Table 2. Between-group comparison on FMA scores before and after treatment, point)

Table 2. Between-group comparison on FMA scores before and after treatment, point)

Note: Intra-group comparison before and after treatment, 1) P＜0.05; compared with the control group after treatment, 2) P＜0.05

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3.2.2 Between-group comparison of MBI score

Before treatment, there was no significant betweengroup difference in MBI score (P＞0.05). After treatment, the MBI scores in both groups were increased (P＜0.05) and there was a significant between-group difference (P＜0.05). This indicates that the ADL were improved in both groups but the improvement was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (Table 3).

3.2.3 Between-group comparison of MAS score

Before treatment, there were no between-group statistical significances in MAS scores (P＞0.05). After treatment, the MAS scores in both groups were increased (P＜0.05) and there was a between-group statistical significance (P＜0.05). This indicates that the MAS scores were decreased in both groups but the decrease was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (Table 4).

Table 3. Between-group comparison on MBI scores before and after treatment (point)

Table 3. Between-group comparison on MBI scores before and after treatment (point)

Note: Intra-group comparison before and after treatment, 1) P＜0.05; compared with the control group after treatment, 2) P＜0.01

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Table 4. Between-group comparison on MAS scores before and after treatment (, point)

Table 4. Between-group comparison on MAS scores before and after treatment (, point)

Note: Intra-group comparison before and after treatment, 1) P＜0.05; compared with the control group after treatment, 2) P＜0.05

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4 Discussion

Post-stroke hemiplegic spasticity occurs when the high-level neural center fails to control involuntary motor function and low-level center (spinal cord) takes over and thus abnormal motor pattern emerges. This often manifests as spasticity of the flexor muscles in the upper limb and flaccidity of the extensor muscles. Patients may present with abnormal elbow flexion, wrist flexion, forearm pronation and finger flexion, etc. hypermyotonia or persistent spasticity may affect remodeling of normal motor pattern. Consequently, it’s of great significance to alleviate spasticity, control abnormal motor pattern and promote isolated movement for the recovery of stroke patients.

In Chinese medicine, this condition falls under the category of ‘wind stroke’ and ‘spasticity syndrome’. Based upon its clinical manifestations, the pathogenesis of post-stroke upper limb spasticity can be described as qi deficiency with phlegm retention, blockage of meridians, malnourishment of muscles and tendons and yin-yang imbalance. The treatment strategies are therefore to reinforce qi, unblock meridians, circulate blood, resolve stasis, remove wind and resolve phlegm. Of major ingredients in the spasticity-alleviating and meridian-unblocking formula,Huang Qi(Radix Astragali) tonifies qi and lifts yang,Shui Zhi(Hirudo) circulates blood and resolves stasis, andJiang Can(Bombyx Batryticatus) unblocks meridians. Modern pharmacological studies have shown thatHuang Qi(Radix Astragali) can significantly dilate peripheral, coronary, cerebral, intestinal and renal vessels, improve microcirculation, increase capillary resistance, prevent capillary fragility and permeability induced by physical and chemical factors and alleviate inflammation[6].Shui Zhi(Hirudo) can break blood and resolve stasis.Jiang Can(Bombyx Batryticatus) is pungent in taste and enters the Liver and Lung Meridians. It can alleviate spasticity, remove wind, resolve phlegm-dampness, unblock meridians, and balance yin and yang.Dang Gui(Radix Angelicae Sinensis) can nourish and circulate blood, resolve stasis and unblock meridians.Bai Shao(Radix Paeoniae Alba) andSheng Di Huang(Radix Rehmanniae) can reinforce qi, nourish yin and prevent yin from being damaged by dryness. In summary, the formula can reinforce qi, resolve stasis, circulate blood, unblock meridians and harmonize yin and yang[7-8].

Applying to specific body points, tuina therapy can regulate physiological or pathological state, unblock meridians, harmonize qi and blood, reinforce healthy qi, remove pathogenic factors, and balance yin and yang.

Tuina along the meridians is based on the theories on Zang-fu organs and meridians. The twelve regular meridians are associated with internal Zang-fu organs. Yin meridians are associated with the Zang organs (interior), whereas yang meridians are associated with the Fu organs (exterior). Physiologically, the interior-exteriorly connected meridians are connected. Pathologically, they can be mutually affected. Patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity present with spasticity of the flexor muscles and flaccidity of the extensor muscles, i.e., yin-yang imbalance. The treatment strategies of tuina therapy are to reinforce healthy qi and remove pathogenic factors. Reducingtuina manipulation along the three hand yin meridians can relax muscles and tendons, regulate the functions of Zang-fu organs and meridians, coordinate different parts of the body and balance excitability and inhibition. At the same time, reinforcing tuina manipulation along the three hand yang meridians can activate upper limb nerve, improve neurotrophy, boost nerve tissue metabolism and thus increase nerve excitability and help recovery of the impaired nerve. On the other hand, it can circulate blood and increase muscle tone. To sum up, tuina along the meridians can alleviate spasticity by inhibiting nerve excitability through stimulating dominant muscle groups and increase muscle tone by activating nerve/muscle excitability through stimulating non-dominant muscle groups. This can further activate muscle proprioceptor to maintain and coordinate normal muscle tone and motor function and result in isolated movement[9-11].

This study has proven that tuina along the meridians combined with Chinese medicine can substantially reduce hypertonia of spastic upper limb, increase ADL and upper limb motor function. On one hand, this combined method can reinforce yang meridians, unblock meridians and harmonize qi and blood. On the other hand, it can reduce yin meridians, remove wind, resolve phlegm and alleviate spasticity. Combining external tuina therapy and internal regulation can regulate meridians and Zang-fu organs and restore homeostasis of the body.

Conflict of Interest

There was no conflict of interest in this article.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Scientific Research Fund Project of Hebei Provincial Administration Bureau of Traditional Chinese Medicine (河北省中醫(yī)藥管理局科研基金資助項(xiàng)目, No. 2013145).

Statement of Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in this study.

Received: 15 March 2015/Accepted: 23 April 2015

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[6] Shen YJ. Chinese Pharmacology. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1997: 165.

[7] Zuo YF, Han SK, Cao WJ, Ma HJ, Yang WH. Influence ofBuqi Huatan Tongluodecoction and acupuncture therapy of exterior-interior related meridian points on the quality of life in patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. Zhongxiyi Jiehe Xinnaoxueguanbing Zazhi, 2011, 9(7): 807-808.

[8] Sun WG, Han SK, Cao WJ, Sun ZY, Liu JH, Zuo YF, Wang Y. Influence ofBuqi Huatan Tongluodecoction and acupuncture therapy of exterior-interior related meridian points on the depression in patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. Zhongyiyao Daobao, 2012, 18(3): 16-18.

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Translator: Han Chou-ping (韓丑萍)

循經(jīng)推拿加中藥對(duì)腦卒中后上肢痙攣患者運(yùn)動(dòng)功能和日常生活活動(dòng)能力的影響

目的：觀察循經(jīng)推拿結(jié)合中藥對(duì)腦卒中后上肢痙攣患者運(yùn)動(dòng)功能和日常生活活動(dòng)能力(activities of daily living, ADL)的影響。方法：將220例腦卒中后上肢痙攣患者采用隨機(jī)數(shù)字表法隨機(jī)分為治療組和對(duì)照組, 每組110例, 治療組給予循經(jīng)推拿結(jié)合止痙通絡(luò)中藥口服治療, 對(duì)照組給予常規(guī)康復(fù)治療, 共治療3星期。于治療前后分別采用簡(jiǎn)式Fugl-Meyer量表(Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, FMA)、改良Barthel指數(shù)(modified Barthel index, MBI)和改良Ashworth痙攣量表(modified Ashworth scale, MAS)評(píng)定患者的運(yùn)動(dòng)功能、ADL和肌張力。結(jié)果：治療組患者FMA評(píng)分、MBI評(píng)分、肩內(nèi)旋肌、屈肘肌及腕屈肌肌張力評(píng)分及對(duì)照組均較治療前明顯改善(P＜0.05), 并且上述指標(biāo)均以治療組患者的改善程度較顯著, 與對(duì)照組間差異均具有統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)意義(P＜0.05)。結(jié)論：循經(jīng)推拿法結(jié)合止痙通絡(luò)方能明顯緩解患側(cè)屈肌肌張力, 從而顯著提高患者的運(yùn)動(dòng)功能和日常生活活動(dòng)能力。

推拿; 按摩; 中草藥; 痙攣; 中風(fēng)后遺癥; 日常生活活動(dòng); 康復(fù)

R244.1 【

】A

Author: Han Shu-kai, vice chief physician.

E-mail: hanshukai1975@163.com

Methods:A total of 220 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=110) and a control group (n=110). Patients in the treatment group received tuina along the meridians combined with spasticity-alleviating and collateral-unblocking Chinese medicine, whereas patients in the control group received routine rehabilitation therapy. Patients in both groups were treated for 3 weeks. Then the patients’ motor function, ADL and muscle tone were evaluated before and after treatment using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA), modified Barthel index (MBI) and modified Ashworth scale (MAS).

Results:After treatment, the FMA scores, MBI scores, and muscle (shoulder intortor, elbow flexors and wrist flexors) tones were significantly improved (P＜0.05), but the improvement was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group (P＜0.05).

Conclusion:Tuina along the meridians combined with spasticity-alleviating and collateral-unblocking Chinese medicine can substantially alleviate muscle tone on the affected side and remarkably improve the patients’ motor function and ADL.