OBJECTIVE  To observe the efficacy of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with modified Shaoyao decoction in the treatment of post-stroke limb spasm.

  METHODS  70 patients with post-stroke limb spasticity who met the inclusion criteria were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group with 35 cases each using the random number table method. The control group received routine rehabilitation training and modified Shaoyao decoction, while the observation group was treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on the basis of the treatment of the control group. The course of treatment was 8 weeks for both groups. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, clinical efficacy, clinical spasm index (CSI), simple Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), modified Barthel index (MBI) in the two groups of patients before and after treatment were observed.

  RESULTS  After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores of both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the observation group was better than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the curative effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the FMA and MBI scores of both groups increased significantly (P < 0.01), and the CSI score decreased significantly (P < 0.05), the observation group was better than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No obvious adverse reactions occurred in either group during the treatment period.

  CONCLUSION  Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with Jiawei Shaoyao decoction can improve the patients' limb spasticity, limb activity function and clinical symptoms, and improve the patients' daily living ability.