OBJECTIVES: Spasticity is the common complaint among patients with stroke. Acupuncture has increasingly been used for spasticity management after stroke. The aim of the present study was to summarize and evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating the spasticity after stroke.

METHODS: Five databases were searched from inception through October 2017 without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if acupuncture was compared to placebo or other conventional therapy for treatment of spasticity after stroke. Assessments were performed primarily with Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).

RESULTS: A total of 186 studies were identified; 5 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture is effective in reducing the spasticity after stroke, as assessed by MAS (weighted mean difference, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29–1.14; P<0.001). A subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture significantly decreased wrist, knee, and elbow spasticity in post-stroke patients. Heterogeneity could be explained by the differences in control, acupoints, and the duration after stroke occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that acupuncture could be effective for treating spasticity after stroke. However, further studies are needed to confirm the role of acupuncture in the treatment of this disorder.