| Objective: To observe the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in combination with electroacupuncture in treating ischemic stroke (IS) with limb spasms. Methods: All 102 IS patients with limb spasms admitted to our hospital were grouped via random number table. The control group (51 cases) received high-frequency rTMS (1 time/day, 20 min/time, 5 d/week, 8 weeks), while test group (51 cases) received high-frequency rTMS (1 time/day, 20 min/time, 5 d/week, 8 weeks) combined with electroacupuncture (1 time/day, retain needles for 20 min each time, 5 times/week, for 8 weeks). Efficacy, modified Ashworth grading, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), motor function, modified Barthel Index (MBI), and hemorheology were compared. Results: Both groups had better modified Ashworth scale grading than before treatment, and the test group was better than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scales of the simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) - upper extremities (UE), FMA - lower extremities (LE), and MBI were higher in both groups with the test group scoring significantly higher than the control group (all P<0.01). After treatment, the NIHSS scale, plasma viscosity (PV), and erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI) were decreased in both groups, and these values were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group (all P<0.01). The test group had a higher overall effective rate than control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of high-frequency rTMS and electroacupuncture is effective in treating IS with limb spasms, and can improve the modified Ashworth grading, NIHSS score, motor function, daily living activity ability, and hemorheology. |
