Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41135694/

Introduction

Muscle spasticity after stroke remains one of the most challenging hurdles for rehabilitation. While modern therapy and neurology have advanced, many stroke survivors continue to struggle with tight, uncontrolled muscles that interfere with walking, balance, daily tasks and quality of life. A new systematic review and meta-analysis offers encouraging evidence that a combined approach — known as motion-style scalp acupuncture (MSSA) — may help address this problem.

Scalp acupuncture is a technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which fine needles are inserted into specific areas of the scalp that correspond to functional zones of the brain. Traditionally it has been used in neurological and rehabilitative contexts. The “motion-style” variant adds a key component: during the acupuncture session the patient actively moves the affected limbs while the needles are in place. This means the brain and nervous system are receiving the acupuncture stimulus and simultaneously being engaged in motion—integrating TCM theory with rehabilitation-style movement training.

The Study

In a paper titled, “Novel efficacy evidence and mechanistic explorations of motion-style scalp acupuncture in post-stroke muscle spasticity management: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials“, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of MSSA in post-stroke muscle spasticity. The review included 19 trials involving over 1,600 participants. The goal was to compare MSSA (scalp acupuncture with concurrent movement) against standard scalp acupuncture alone, rehabilitation alone, or acupuncture plus rehab in sequence.

What they found was that MSSA significantly improved outcomes: reductions in muscle spasticity (measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale), enhanced motor function, better balance, and improvements in activities of daily living. The data suggest that when scalp acupuncture and movement training are applied simultaneously (rather than sequentially), the combined effect is stronger.

Notably, the authors saw that sessions around 30 minutes in duration, conducted over a longer span (for example around 24 weeks) tended to show better results. Also, none of the trials reported serious adverse events, indicating MSSA appears to have a favorable safety profile.

Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture

Personally, I would not be surprised if some of these studies being reviewed included ones that used Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture techniques. I had trained in this method and it does emphasize either actively or passively moving the affected limbs while manual stimulation of the scalp needles is taking place.

Conclusion

The integration of TCM techniques like scalp acupuncture with active rehabilitation represents a meaningful bridge between traditional healing and modern therapeutic science. Motion-style scalp acupuncture may well become a valuable tool in the stroke-rehabilitation toolbox—offering hope for improved recovery, better function and a smoother journey back to everyday life.

Source: Zhong et al. (2025). “Novel efficacy evidence and mechanistic explorations of motion-style scalp acupuncture in post-stroke muscle spasticity management: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” [PubMed PMID: 41135694]