AIM: To observe on the elcetroacupuncture at shu-points of the urinary bladder five zang-organs for treatment of acute Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), to confirm the theory of 'governs flaccidity alone to take shu-points of the urinary bladder five zang-organs'. METHODS: (1) Totally 49 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome were selected from Neurological Department of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the First Hospital Affiliated to Jilin University from September 2000 to May 2004. All the patients who knew and agreed with the plan of treatment were randomly divided into the acupuncture group (n = 25) and the medicine group (n = 24). (2) Patients in two groups were given the general conventional treatment according to the condition. Acupuncture group: in the foundation of the basically and conventional treatment, Xinshu, Gansshu, Pishu, Feishu and Shenshu were taken to for the acupuncture treatment. After the acupuncture, an electronic acupunctoscope was performed with dilatational wave, voltage of 2 V, 8 frequencies of 2 to 30 Hz, 1 time/day, 15 minute/time and altogether 14 day. Medicine group: the immunoglobulin was given with intravenous guttae, 0.4 g/(kgd) and 1 time/day for 5 successive days. (3) Within 6 mouths' course, scores the law to each object of observation according to the Hughes motor function defect to carry on the dynamic record (Normal was 0 point with the slight symptom and the symptom for 1 point could work alone 5 meters above for 2 points, and needed other people to support or to draw support from the walking stick to walk for 5 meters for 3 points, was ill abed for 4 points, needed the artificial assistance to breathe for 5 points, died for 6 points). (4) Treatment result of patients in two groups: effect: the movement function damage scored <= 2 points; invalid: after the treatment the condition did not have any change for the better either although changes for the better but hereafter aggravated to the before degree or was more serious, the movement function damage scored >= 3 points. (5) t-test was used to compare mean values in the two samples, and Chi2 test was used to compare the later period curative effect and two samples rate. RESULTS: Totally 49 patients entered the final analysis. (1) The total effective rate was no difference in the two groups (p > 0.05). (2) Within 6 mouths' course, scores of clinical process in acupuncture group and medicine group, including climax time, the peak motor functions detect scores, the time of improving 1 point, the ratio of achieving <= 2 points, the time of achieving 2 points, the ratio of having not been able to achieve 2 points by using the respirator, and average hospitalized days, were recorded, but the difference was no significant (p > 0.05). However, lasting time at peak in acupuncture group was obviously lower than that in medicine group (p < 0.05). (3) When patients in two groups received a medical examination, the peak, the 2-week course of illness, the 3 and 6-month course of illness motor function defect scores were not different (p > 0.05). After patients entered the recovery period, scores of motor function defect in medicine group within 1 month was obviously lower than those in the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). (4) The rate of sequela in 1-year course of disease was not significant difference in the two groups (p > 0.05), and side effect was not observed. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at shu-points of the five zang-organs has a definite therapeutic effect on GBS with lasting time of the climax significantly shortened and improving the motor function.

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