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Issue: No. 98 (2026): CHÀO MỪNG NGÀY KHOA HỌC, CÔNG NGHỆ VÀ ĐỔI MỚI SÁNG TẠO VIỆT NAM NĂM 2026
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i98.4596
Date Published: 25/05/2026
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Tran, T. Q., Duong, Q. H., & Tran, Q. M. (2026). EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF PAIN RELIEF AND RANGE OF MOTION IMPROVEMENT USING ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AND ULTRASOUND THERAPY COMBINED WITH ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE IN PATIENTS WITH POST-STROKE SHOULDER PAIN. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 98, 30-36. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i98.4596

EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF PAIN RELIEF AND RANGE OF MOTION IMPROVEMENT USING ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AND ULTRASOUND THERAPY COMBINED WITH ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE IN PATIENTS WITH POST-STROKE SHOULDER PAIN

Tu Quyen Tran1, , Quang Hien Duong1, Quoc Minh Tran2
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
2 Can Tho Traditional Medicine Hospital

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke shoulder pain is one of the four most common medical complications following a stroke, significantly hindering upper limb motor recovery and reducing patients' quality of life. Currently, therapeutic approaches have been applied to manage post-stroke sequelae, such as medication, electro-acupuncture, hydro-acupuncture, acupoint embedding, acupressure massage, and ultrasound therapy, all of which have shown promising results in improving symptoms. Objectives: 1. To describe selected clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with post-stroke shoulder pain. 2. To evaluate the efficacy of pain relief and range of motion improvement using electro-acupuncture and ultrasound therapy combined with acupressure massage in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain. Materials and methods: A non-controlled clinical intervention study was conducted to evaluate pre- and post-treatment outcomes on 30 patients with post-stroke shoulder pain in the flaccid paralysis stage, who were examined and treated as inpatients at Can Tho Hospital of Traditional Medicine from August 2024 to January 2026. Results: After 20 days of treatment, most patients reported either no pain (46.7%) or mild pain (36.7%). The mean VAS score significantly decreased from 5.53 ± 0.86 to 1.43 ± 1.22 (p < 0.001). Active shoulder range of motion and Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores across all components showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Electro-acupuncture and ultrasound therapy combined with acupressure massage are an effective method for pain relief and motor function recovery in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain. 

Keywords

Post-stroke shoulder pain, electro-acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, acupressure massage, rehabilitation

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