Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods 146 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into trial group (n=73) and control group (n=73). The trial group accepted Three-in-one Acupuncture, while the control group accepted rehabilitation, for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment. They were followed up for a year. Results The NDS decreased since 7 days after treatment in the trial group (P<0.05), while it decreased since 21 days in the control group (P<0.05). The NDS was less in the trial group than in the control group 7 and 14 days after treatment (P<0.05). The FCA score increased since 21 days after treatment in both groups, and the BI score increased since 14 days after treatment in both groups (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of improvement was 87.9% in the trial group, similar with 84.1% in the control group (P>0.05). The recurrence rate was 11.54% in the trial group, less than 25.49% in the control group in a year (P<0.05). Conclusion Three-in-one Acupuncture is as effective as rehabilitation on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, more quickly and with less recurrence.

Key words: stroke, ischemia, hemiplegia, Three-in-one Acupuncture, neural function, activities of daily living, rehabilitation