Abstract:Objective To explore the impact of surface electromyography (sEMG) guided acupuncture on the integrated electromyography values and lower limb motor function in patients with foot drop during the recovery phase of stroke.Methods One hundred patients with foot drop during the stroke recovery phase were selected from Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between March 2022 and March 2024. They were randomly divided into a conventional group (n =50) and an sEMG group (n =50) using an envelope drawing method. The conventional group received standard medical treatment and rehabilitation training, while the sEMG group received sEMG-guided acupuncture in addition to the conventional treatment. The therapeutic effects, integrated electromyography values, mobility, psychological status, and quality of life were compared between the groups before and after treatment.Results Comparison of the effectiveness between the sEMG group and the conventional treatment group showed statistically significant differences by chi-square test (P <0.05), with higher treatment effectiveness in the sEMG group than the conventional group (P <0.05). Differences in the changes of integrated electromyographic values of tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and gastrocnemius muscles before and after treatment between the sEMG group and the conventional group were statistically significant (P <0.05). The sEMG group exhibited higher differences in electromyographic values compared to the conventional group (P <0.05). Differences in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) scores before and after treatment between the two groups were statistically significant (P <0.05), with higher scores in the sEMG group (P <0.05). Analysis of repeated measures variance for MSSNS and HADS scores at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks showed significant differences (P <0.05). Comparison between groups also showed significant differences in MSSNS and HADS scores (P <0.05), with lower scores in the sEMG group. Trends in MSSNS and HADS score changes differed significantly between the two groups (P <0.05). Differences in Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score changes before and after treatment between the sEMG group and the conventional group were statistically significant (P <0.05), with higher SF-36 scores in the sEMG group (P <0.05).Conclusion sEMG-guided acupuncture significantly affects integrated electromyography values and lower limb motor function in patients with foot drop during the stroke recovery phase.