Objective To observe the clinical effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding and surface electromyogram biofeedback therapy(sEMGBF)in the treatment of stroke patients complicated with shoulder-hand syndrome(SHS).MethodsA total of 90 stroke patients with SHS were randomly divided into acupoint catgut embedment(ACE)

sEMGBF and ACE+sEMGBF(combined treatment)groups(n=30 cases/group).The catgut embedment was performed at Jianliao(LI 14)

Jianyu(LI 15)

Quchi(LI 11)

Waiguan(TE 5)on the affected side

once every 3 weeks

twice altogether.The electromyographic biofeedback therapy(30-50 Hz

pulse duration 200 !s

6 s-on and 10 s-off

appropriate strength)was applied to the skin area covering the deltoid muscle

flexor muscle of wrist and wrist extensor for 20 min

once per day

5 times/week

for 6 weeks.The total effective rate was assessed by using Liao's and Zhu's methods(1996)

the pain severity assessed using visual analogue scale(VAS)

and Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA

66-points)scale and the patients' activities of daily living function(ADL

100-points)were also scored.Results Before treatment

the VAS

FMA and ADL points of the three groups were not significantly different(P>0.05).After the treatment

the total effective rate(93.33%)

FMA and ADL scores of the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups(P<0.05)

while the VAS score of the combined treatment group was significantly lower than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups(P<0.05).The total effective rates

FMA and ADL scores of the ACE and sEMGBF groups were comparable(P>0.05).The VAS score of the ACE group was markedly lower than that of the sEMGBF group(P<0.05).Conclusion The combined administration of ACE and sEMGBF has a better therapeutic effect for stroke patients complicated with SHS relevant to simple ACE and simple sEMGBF therapy in improving the upper limb function

relieving pain

and enhancing the daily life quality.