Electroacupuncture for Post-Stroke Foot Drop and Pain: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report evaluates the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for the treatment of right leg hemiparesis and chronic pain in a patient with a 30-year history of post-stroke sequelae. During 94 treatments, the patient demonstrated significant improvements, including a reduction in pain, as measured by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score from 0 to 10 (with 10 being worst), and a restoration of sensation in areas previously affected by numbness. These clinical improvements suggest potential nerve function repair, as evidenced by the patient's increased sensitivity to electrical needle stimulation. This sensory restoration is consistent with recent findings in biomedicine that low-level electro-stimulation can promote peripheral nerve growth. Furthermore, the patient's emotional and psychological state improved, moving from irritability and depression to greater engagement with hobbies and social plans, highlighting the profound impact of chronic pain on mood and personality. The electroacupuncture protocol targeted points along the Foot Channel of Yang Brightness and Lesser Yang, considering traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles regarding the flow of qi and its relationship to physical and emotional health. While the case's strengths include the reproducibility of treatment across different clinicians and consistent point selection, limitations include the volume of treatments, variations in treatment settings, and the absence of consistent biomedical monitoring. Despite these challenges, the case supports the potential of electroacupuncture as a promising intervention for chronic post-stroke pain and functional recovery, even many years following a cerebrovascular accident.