The effect of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture on Leg spasticity of stroke patients (A Pilot study, Double blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial)

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture(HPP) on lower limb spasticity control in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty stroke patients with Leg spasticity were randomly divided into two groups, a Distilled water Pharmacopuncture(group I) and a HPP(group II). The number of Pharmacopuncture was 5 times a week and acupuncture treatment was 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), H-reflex/M-response ratio(H/M ratio), Berg Balance Scale(BBS) and Time Up & Go(TUG) were used for evaluation of spasticity control before experiment, after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks. Results : Group I showed significant improvement(p<.05) in BBS but no significant improvement in MAS, H/M ratio, and TUG. Group II showed significant improvement(p<.05) in MAS, BBS, and TUG, but no significant improvement in H/M ratio. The results showed significant difference in TUG, but no significant difference in MAS, H/M ratio and BBS between 2 groups. Conclusion : These results showed that HPP might decrease lower limb spasticity and increase leg motor function in stroke patients. Further studies will be required to examine more cases in the long period for the effect on lower limb in spasticity by HPP.

Pharmacopuncture in Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Among them, there were 5 studies each for low back pain [ 25 – 27 , 31 , 33 ] and cervicalgia [ 22 – 24 , 28 , 29 ]; two studies were for knee osteoarthritis [ 30 , 34 ] and shoulder pain [ 21 , 35 ] each; and one was for ankle sprain [ 32 ]. In the category nervous system disease/disorder [ 12 – 17 ] (VI, n = 6), three studies of Bell's palsy [ 13 , 14 , 17 ], two of headache [ 12 , 15 ], and one for carpal tunnel syndrome [ 16 ] and leg spasticity of stroke patients [ 18 ] were found. The other studies could be classified into the endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases [ 9 – 11 ] (IV, n = 3), diseases of the digestive system [ 19 , 20 ] (XI, n = 2), diseases of the circulatory system [ 18 ] (IX, n = 1), diseases of the genitourinary system [ 36 ] (XIV, n = 1), and pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium [ 37 ] (XV, n = 1).…”

“…Participants received fixed (i.e., all participants received the same treatment), partially individualized (using a fixed set of points to be given with a set of points to be used flexibly), or individualized pharmacopuncture treatment (each participant received a tailored treatment). Out of the 29 studies, 18 used fixed [ 9 – 18 , 20 , 21 , 25 , 29 , 32 , 35 – 37 ], 7 studies used partially individualized [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 34 ], and the other 4 trials used individualized acupuncture treatments [ 24 , 27 , 31 , 33 ].…”

“…The gauge, which indicates the thickness of the needle, was varied. 18 studies stated the gauge: four studies [ 15 , 18 , 21 , 28 ] applied a 30-gauge syringe; seven studies [ 17 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 30 – 32 ] were done with a 29-gauge syringe; two studies [ 12 , 20 ] were performed with a 27-gauge syringe; four studies [ 13 , 27 , 29 , 37 ] were done using a 26-gauge syringe; and one study [ 36 ] used a 26-gauge syringe (CV4) and a 30-gauge syringe (ST36, SP6, and SP9) according to the pharmacopuncture points. Five studies [ 9 , 11 , 14 , 26 , 33 ] did not mention the gauge.…”

“…Seven studies [ 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 36 ] reported the depth of injection. The depth of injection ranged from 5 to 30 mm according to the pharmacopuncture points.…”

“…The angle of injection was reported in only three studies: two studies [ 18 , 27 ] used perpendicular angles, and one study [ 16 ] used oblique angle (45 degrees) when injecting into the wrist area.…”