AIM: To explore the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Xuanzhong (GB39) on the cerebrovascular function of ischemic stroke, and analyze the possible mechanism, so as to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect. METHODS: Totally 160 patients with ischemic stroke were selected from Gucheng Hospital affiliated to Hubei High Training School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Hospital of Jingzhou City, and Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Hospital of Jingzhou City between November 2004 and May 2006. They were randomly divided into control group and acupuncture group with 80 patients in each group. The control group was treated with modern routine intervention: lying in bed to keep smooth of the respiratory tract; to prevent infection, control the intracranial pressure, blood pressure, and maintain water-electrolyte balance. The acupuncture group was given the acupuncture at Zusanli and Xuanzhong besides the previous treatment. Slowly inserting technique acupuncture was adopted and remained for 20 to 30 minutes, once every other 5 minutes and once daily. Both groups were treated for 30 days. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to observe the changes of cerebral vasomotorial response, auto-regulation, and collateral circulation before and after treatment; meanwhile, the clinical effect was evaluated by the ameliorations of nervous function impairment. RESULTS: All 160 patients were involved in the result analysis. (1) Compared with that before treatment, the cerebral vasomotorial response of the acupuncture group were improved apparently with significant differences (t = 2.97, p < 0.05), and superior to the control group (t = 2.45, p < 0.05). (2) Compared with that before treatment, the auto-regulation of the acupuncture group were improved very apparently with obvious differences (t = 8.01, p < 0.01), and superior to the control group (t = 7.67, p < 0.05). (3) Compared with that before treatment, the establishment of collateral circulation of the acupuncture group were improved remarkably with significant differences (t = 3.15, p < 0.05), and superior to the control group (t = 5.16, p < 0.05). (4) Compared with that before treatment, the nervous function of the acupuncture group were improved apparently with significant differences (t = 4.83, p < 0.01), and superior to the control group (t = 5.43, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Zusanli and Xuanzhong can ameliorate the function of cerebral blood flow automatic regulation and collateral circulation compensation of cerebral hemisphere, improve the ability of cerebral vessels vasomotor, and promote the recovery of nervous function.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PDF locator
• publisher