A retrospective analysis of the effect of scraping therapy with Astragalus membranaceus ointment combined with Tuina on upper limb spastic hemiplegia after hemorrhagic stroke

Abstract

Objective: Exploring the clinical efficacy of scraping therapy with Astragalus membranaceus (AMS, Huang Qi) ointment combined with tuina (Chinese Therapeutic Massage) in patients with upper limb spastic hemiplegia after hemorrhagic stroke.

Methodology: Clinical data of 106 patients with upper limb spastic hemiplegia after hemorrhagic stroke who received treatment at Suzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from January 2023 to June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, patients were divided into a tuina group (n = 53, tuina massage treatment) and a scraping + tuina group (n = 53, scraping therapy with AMS ointment combined with tuina). The modified Ashworth Spasm Assessment Scale (MAS) was used to evaluate the degree of spasticity in the affected limb. The Simplified Fugl Meyer Upper Limb Function Assessment Scale (FMA-UE) was used to assess the motor function of the affected limb and the Modified Barthel Index Assessment Scale (MBI) was used to evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADL).

Results: After treatment, the improvement in the MAS score in the scraping + tuina group was better than that in the tuina group (P<0.05). The post-treatment FMA-UE score and MBI score of both groups of patients significantly improved and were markedly higher in the scraping + tuina group compared to the tuina group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Scraping therapy with AMS ointment combined with tuina massage treatment can effectively alleviate upper limb spasticity. The combined regimen is associated with improved motor function and ADL in patients with upper limb spastic hemiplegia after hemorrhagic stroke.