AUTHOR=Liu Jingyue , Meng Xiang , He Yana , Jiang Hailun , Zhang Jieying , Shi Jinyuan , Zhang Jingshu , Zhang Menglong , Cai Fei , Deng Shizhe , Shi Jiangwei , Meng Zhihong 

TITLE=Clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture antagonistic muscles combined with rehabilitation training in the treatment of spastic hemiplegia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1634845

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2025.1634845

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveAntagonistic muscles rehabilitation training has been extensively utilized in the rehabilitation of patients with spastic hemiplegia. With the increasing acceptance and application of acupuncture, numerous scholars have discovered that incorporating electroacupuncture combined with antagonistic muscles rehabilitation training can enhance the treatment for spastic hemiplegia after stroke. The objective of this study is quantify the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating spastic hemiplegia after stroke on the basis of antagonistic muscles rehabilitation training, provide insights for future clinical treatments and scientific investigations related to spastic hemiplegia.MethodsWe searched eight Chinese and English databases to identify clinical randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of electroacupuncture antagonistic muscles combined with rehabilitation training for the treatment of spastic hemiplegia after stroke. The search period extended from the inception of each database up to April 4, 2025. Two researchers independently reviewed the literatures, extracted relevant data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.ResultsA total of 8 literatures were selected from an initial pool of 1,680 for the purpose of meta-analysis. The findings indicated that the combination of electroacupuncture antagonistic muscles with rehabilitation training significantly alleviates muscle spasms in hemiplegic limbs [MD = –0.52,95%CI (−0.91, −0.13), p = 0.36, I2 = 0%, Z = 2.6, p < 0.05], enhances daily living capabilities [MD = 6.31,95%CI (3.91,8.71), p = 0.02, I2 = 59%, Z = 5.15, p < 0.05], improve motor function [MD = 9.9,95%CI (8.25,11.55), p = 0.2, I2 = 33%, Z = 11.75, p < 0.05]. Furthermore, we discovered that when the wave type and frequency of electroacupuncture are low frequency intermittent waves, electroacupuncture antagonistic muscles combined with rehabilitation training can effectively improve the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic patients. [MD = 10.52,95%CI (8.66,12.37), p = 0.89, I2 = 0%, Z = 11.11, p < 0.05], and electroacupuncture combined with Bobath technique is better than combined with conventional rehabilitation training.ConclusionThe integration of electroacupuncture treatment with antagonist muscle rehabilitation training can effectively alleviate muscle spasms, reduce muscle tension, and enhance lower limb motor function as well as daily living abilities.