In stroke patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, joint mobilization + acupuncture effectively enhances pain relief, physical function, and reduces depression.

A randomized controlled trial examined how the combination of joint mobilization (JM) and acupuncture (AC) impacts pain, physical function, and depression in individuals recovering from a stroke.

A total of 69 post-stroke subjects were randomized into 3 groups: JM+AC, JM, and the control group. Each group involved 23 volunteers. Patients in the JM+AC and JM groups were given 30-minute JM sessions two times per week for 12 weeks, while the JM+AC group also had a 30-minute AC session once weekly. The control group did not undergo JM or AC.

The assessment of depression (via center for epidemiologic studies depression scale and Beck depression inventory), physical function (including instrumental activities of daily living scale, activities of daily living scale, manual function test, functional gait assessment, 10-meter walking speed test, range of motion), and pain (using Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index [WOMAC], shoulder pain and disability index, visual analog scale [VAS]) was done for each individual pre and post 12-week treatment period.

In the JM+AC group, there were remarkable improvements in pain and physical function when compared to both the JM and control groups. Furthermore, both the JM+AC and JM groups demonstrated significant enhancements in physical function and depression in comparison with the control group.

JM combined with AC might offer valuable assistance to post-stroke patients grappling with depression and reduced physical function stemming from chronic neuropathic pain.