Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of silver needle with systematical on shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) after stroke. Methods 80 stroke patients with SHS were randomly divided into silver needle group (obsevation group) and body acupuncture group (control group) with 40 cases each group. Both groups received same rountine treatment and rehabilitation exercises after acupuncture. The color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) was used to measure the velocity of blood flow of the upper limbs, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment was used to assess motor function of the upper limbs after 3 weeks. Results There was no significant difference between 2 groups before and 1 months after treatment (P>0.05), but there was significant difference 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.01). The velocity of blood flow of ulnar artery,radial artery, ulnar veins, radial veins and middle finger digital artery were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion The silver needle combined with systematical rehabilitation can improve the velocity of blood flow of artery and veins of upper limb, and improve the motor function of upper limb.

Key words: shoulder-hand syndrome, stroke, silver needle therapy, rehabilitation