AIM: To observe the effect of scalp acupuncture treatment on the changes of cerebral blood flow and the recovery of limb motor function in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and compare with the patients with acute ischemic stroke without scalp acupuncture treatment. METHODS: Sixty inpatients with acute ischemic stroke from Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation of Guangzhou Sixth People's Hospital were selected from January 1994 to January 2002, and divided randomly into treatment group with 30 cases and control group with 30 cases. The patients in treatment group were treated with scalp acupuncture treatment at the onset of illness in 3 days. Paihui (Du20) was gained on the injured side. Ch'upin (GB7) was penetrated and on temple with three needles and scalp with double acupuncture etc. Using number 28, 5.00 to 6.67cm (1.5 to 2.0 inch) stainless steel filiform needle, 15 to 30 degrees along skin of scalp punctured under the cap-like aponeurosis, and then made needle and scalp parallel to continue twist the needle. At about 30 mm the needle moved again, at a speed of 150 to 250 times per minute. After deqi, needling sensation, the needle was stayed for one or two hours, needle transmission once per 10 minutes, twice per day and 10 days as a course. Other routine treatment was the same between the two groups. Extremity motor function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer motor function integral method in the two groups 24 hours before treatment and 10 days after treatment (upper limb: 33 terms, lower limb:17 terms; the highest mark of each term was 2 points, and full mark was 100 points). The change of average flow velocity in middle cerebral artery in the injured side was detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD). RESULTS: Totally 60 patients were involved in the result analysis. (1) Fugl-Meyer motor function integral: After treatment, scores on limb motor function were both increased in the two groups. It was higher in treatment group on Fugl-Meyer upper and lower limb evaluation than that in control group (44.57 +/- 3.28, 21.51 +/- 3.61; 26.23 +/- 7.25, 15.86 +/- 6.27, t = 6.87, 6.02, p < 0.01). (2) The average flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery: After treatment, it was higher in treatment group than that in control group (88.46 +/- 9.68, 65.22 +/- 11.20 cm/s, t = 6.25, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In earlier period scalp acupuncture treatment can speed up the cerebral flow velocity in patients with acute ischemic stroke and ameliorate the local blood circulation so as to improve the recovery of motor function and increase the integral of motor function.

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