Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching and conventional acupuncture for post-stroke foot drop

so as to provide a reference foundation for optimizing clinical treatment regimen.Methods A total of60 patients with post-stroke foot drop were equally randomized into a treatment group and a control group.In the treatment group

fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching was applied to acupoint pairs Jiexi(ST41)-Taichong(LR3)

Xiajuxu(ST39)-ST41

Fenglong(ST40)-ST39

shangjuxu(ST37)-ST40

Zusanli(ST36)-ST37

Dubi(ST35)-ST36

Xuanzhong(GB39)-Qiuxu(GB40)on the affected side

and Chengshan(BL57)and Ashi points were swiftly pricked with red-hot filiform needle without needle retaining.In the conventional acupuncture group

the same acupoints were needled with filiform needles

and the treatment for both groups was given once a day

6 times a week

for consecutive 4 weeks.The spasm severity of posterior triceps of the lower leg was evaluated using modified Ashworth scale

the tibial anterior muscle strength was measured using Lovett'and Martin's methods

the activities of daily living were assessed using modified Barthel's index

the walking ability was evaluated using Holden walking rating scale and the lower limb motor function assessed using Fugl-Meyer assessment scale

and the severity of foot drop was assessed in reference to Garceau criteria.Results After the treatment

the score of the modified Ashworth scale was significantly reduced(P<0.01)

and those of Lovett muscle strength scale

Barthel index

Holden walking rating scale and FuglMeyer lower limb motor function scale were considerably increased in both groups versus their own pre-treatment(P<0.01).The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in reducing Ashworth scale score and in increasing the scores of Lovett muscle strength test

Barthel index

Holden walking function scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale(P<0.01).Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups

10(33.33%)and 14(46.67%)experienced a remarkable improvement

10(33.33%)and 12(40.00%)were improved

7(23.33%)and 3(10.00%)had a mild progress

3(10.00%)and 1(3.33%)failed

with the excellent plus good effective rates being 66.67% and 86.67%

respectively

but without significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Both fire-needling plus stuck-needlestretching and conventional acupuncture are effective in the treatment of post-stroke foot drop

but the former is relatively better.