Effect of abdominal penetrating moxibustion on function of core muscle group in stroke patients based on surface electromyography

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of abdominal penetrating moxibustion on strength and endurance of core muscle group in patients with stroke. METHODS Sixty-two patients with stroke were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with routine basic treatment, acupuncture treatment and rehabilitation training; based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with abdominal penetrating moxibustion, approximately 50 min each time, once a day. The treatments in the two groups were given 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of bilateral transverse abdominis and multifidus of performing sitting-standing and making steps were measured by surface electromyography before and after treatment. The postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), Berg balance scale (BBS) and lower-limb Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scores were observed before treatment, 2 weeks into treatment and 4 weeks into treatment. RESULTS Compared before treatment, when performing different postures, the RMS and MF of bilateral transversus abdominis and multifidus in the two groups were increased after treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The RMS of affected-side transversus abdominis and multifidus and the MF value of bilateral transverse abdominis and multifidus in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the PASS, BBS and FMA scores were increased 4 weeks into treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The abdominal penetrating moxibustion could effectively improve the strength and endurance of core muscle group, improve the posture control, balance ability and lower-limb motor function in patients with stroke.