The Effect of Acupuncture Therapy with a Combination of Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang Formula Modifications on the Recovery of Muscle Strength in Stroke Patients with Qi Deficiency Syndrome in Jakarta

Rahadian (Universitas Medika Suherman)
Muslihatin Khuril Rosyida (Universitas Medika Suherman)
Aryaprana Nando (Universitas Medika Suherman)

Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains
Vol. 7 No. 9 (2026): Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains

Stroke causes muscle weakness and dependence in daily activities, creating a need for complementary rehabilitation approaches. This study aimed to compare the effects of acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with a modified herbal formulation of Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang on muscle strength and functional independence among stroke patients with Qi deficiency syndrome in Jakarta. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was applied to 30 ischemic stroke patients selected through accidental sampling and allocated into two groups of 15 participants. Group A received electroacupuncture, whereas Group B received electroacupuncture combined with modified Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang capsules for seven sessions. Muscle strength and functional independence were assessed during the first, fourth, and seventh sessions using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) and the Barthel Index, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Friedman and Mann–Whitney tests. Both interventions significantly improved muscle strength and functional independence over time. However, Group B demonstrated greater improvements than Group A in muscle strength (mean rank = 19.67 vs. 11.33; p = 0.006) and functional independence (mean rank = 19.40 vs. 11.60; p = 0.014). These findings indicate that combining acupuncture with modified Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang was more effective than acupuncture alone in improving post-stroke muscle strength and functional independence.