Fire Needling Therapy versus Manual Acupuncture in Post-Stroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Upper Limb: Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Figures & data

Figure 1 Flow diagram.

Abbreviations: FMA, Fugl–Meyer Assessment; BI, Barthel Scale/Index; PPT, Pressure Pain Threshold; SWE, Shear-Wave Elastography.

Figure 2 Schedule for data collection of this trial.

Abbreviations: FMA, Fugl–Meyer Assessment; BI, Barthel Scale/Index; PPT, Pressure Pain Threshold; SWE, Shear-Wave Elastography.

Table 1 Locations of Acupuncture Points Used in Treatment Group and Control Group

Acupoints	Location	Classical Acupoint Name and Location
Jianyuci	Anterior to the acromion, on the upper portion of muscle deltoideus at the outer end of clavicle.	Jianyu (LI 15): Antero-inferior to the acromion, on the upper portion of muscle deltoideus. When the arm is in full abduction, the point is in the depression appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.
Jianliaoci	On posterior portion of muscle deltoideus at the end of spina scapulae.	Jianliao (SJ 14): Posterior and inferior to the acromion, in the depression about 1 cun posterior to Jianyu (LI 15) when the arm is adducted.
Bingfengci	On the centre of suprascapular fossa.	Bingfeng (SI 12): In the center of the suprascapular fossa, directly above Tianzong (SI 11). When the arm is lifted, the point is at the site of the depression.
Tianzongci	On the centre of infrascapular fossa.	Tianzong (SI 11): In the infrascapular fossa, at the junction of the upper and middle third of the distance between the lower border of the scapular spine and the inferior angle of the scapula.
Jianzhenci	Posterior to the armpit, on the intersection of the teres major and minor with long head of triceps brachii muscle.	Jianzhen (SI 9): Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint. When the arm is adducted, the point is 1 cun above the posterior end of the axillary fold.
Taijianci	Anterior to the shoulder, on the upper edge of glenoid.	N/A
Jujianci	Anterior to the axilla, on the belly of coracobrachialis muscle.	N/A
Yangxici	On the radial side of the wrist.	Yangxi (LI 5) On the radial side of the wrist. When the thumb is tilted upward, it is in the depression between the tendons of muscle extensor pollicis longus and brevis.
Yangchici	On the midpoint of transverse crease of the dorsum of wrist.	Yangchi (SJ 4): On the transverse crease of the dorsum of wrist, in the depression lateral to the tendon of muscle extensor digitorum communis.
Yangguci	On the ulnar side of the wrist, on the styloid process of the ulna.	Yanggu (SI 5): At the ulnar end of the transverse crease on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, in the depression between the styloid process of the ulna and the triquetral bone.

Figure 3 Locations of acupuncture points.