The objective of this pilot study was to objectively assess
electroacupuncture for motor function recovery in patients with
acute ischemic stroke using the triple-stimulation technique (TST). The patients received either
electroacupuncture plus western conventional medication (WCM) (n = 32) or single WCM (n = 31) for 14 days. The total clinical effective rate was statistically significantly superior in
electroacupuncture group to that in WCM group (P < 0.01). Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) score, National Institutes of Health
Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and TSTratio were statistically more significant in
electroacupuncture group than those in WCM group (P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between TSTratio and NIHS score both before and
after treatment (P < 0.01) and negative correlation between TSTratio and FAM score both before treatment and
after treatment (P < 0.01). Comparing between the two groups or between pretreatment and posttreatment, adverse events, electrocardiogram, liver function, and kidney function showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). In conclusion,
electroacupuncture was beneficial for the motor function recovery of patients with
acute ischemic stroke and was generally safe. TST can be used for quantitative evaluation of
electroacupuncture for motor function recovery in patients with
acute ischemic stroke because it can objectively analyze the injury and recovery of corticospinal tract impairments.