Fire acupuncture may reduce post-stroke muscle spasticity more effectively than conventional acupuncture, particularly through commonly used points on the body’s yang meridians.
The study systematically searched eight international and Chinese medical databases for randomized controlled trials comparing fire acupuncture with conventional acupuncture for muscle spasticity after stroke. Eligible studies were assessed for methodological bias, and their outcomes were combined using meta-analysis methods. The review also catalogued the acupuncture points, needle depth, treated limb, and time since stroke reported across studies.
Across the included trials, fire acupuncture generally showed better clinical improvement, muscle-tone reduction, motor recovery, daily functioning, and neurological outcomes than conventional acupuncture, without reported serious adverse effects. Benefits varied by treatment circumstances: superiority was less apparent for lower-limb spasticity, deeper needle insertion, and longer time since stroke. Frequently selected points included Quchi, Hegu, and Zusanli, suggesting a recurring treatment pattern centered on yang-meridian points.
