Clinical research on the effects of Chinese herb fumigation and washing combined with electromyographic biofeedback on stroke patients with muscle cramp on limbs

Abstract

Objective We tried to observe the effects of Chinese herb fumigation and washing combined with electromyographic biofeedback on stroke patients with muscle cramp on limbs. Methods 84 patients who had muscle cramp on limbs were selected and divided into two groups randomly, namely the intervention group and the control group and both groups had 42 stroke patients. The intervention group was treated with routine treatment, Chinese herbal fumigation and washing and electromyographic biofeedback treatment. The control group received only routine treatment and electromyographic biofeedback treatment. We had compared and analyzed the Ashworth Spasticity Scale and the Daily Life Ability Score (Barthel index) of the two groups at the time of the pre therapy, two weeks after the treatment and at the end of the treatment(after four weeks), respectively. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in Barthel index, however, there were significant differences in Ashworth Spasticity Scale scores between the two groups four weeks after treatment, t=-3.84, P<0.05. Conclusions The effect of Chinese herb fumigation and washing combining with the electromyo-graphic biofeedback treatment is better than usage of the electromyographic biofeedback treatment alone on stroke patients with muscle cramp on limbs. Key words: Chinese herb fumigation and washing; Electromyographic biofeedback treatment; Stroke; Muscle cramp