AIM: To observe the effect of the scalp ultrasonic electric acupuncture therapy on the acute cerebral infarction, and the changes of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and blood biochemical indexes before and after treatment. METHODS: (1) A total of 261 inpatients (160 males and 101 females) with acute cerebral infarction in the Department of Neurology, Shenyang Brain Hospital from January 2003 to June 2005 were selected. All the patients, who suffered from the cerebral infarction for the first time, agreed the therapic schedule. They were randomly assigned into two groups: electric acupuncture group (n = 131) and control group (n = 130). (2) Electric acupuncture group: The patients were conducted scalp electric cluster acupuncture on top area (motion area) with the ultrasonic electric acupuncture therapy system, followed 100 to 200 Hz wave electric acupuncture for 6 to 8 hours, once daily, 30 times as one course. Control group: All patients were given routine medication treatment for cerebrovascular diseases. Both of the two groups were interfered 30 days. The curative effect standard: it meant nearly recovered if the scores of the nervous function defect decreased 91% to 100%, significantly improved with 46% to 90% decrease, improved with 18% to 45% decrease. (3) The level of plasma a-granular membrane protein (GMP) was detected with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) with the radio immunoassay; the D-dimer with the Double Antibody Sandwich-ELISA method; the lipoprotein(a) (Lpa) with the immuno Turbidmetric method and the SEP with the nerve eletrophysiological tester. (4) The Chi2 test and t test were used in the comparison of the difference of the count data and measurement data. RESULTS: All the 261 patients entered the result analysis. (1) The electric acupuncture group: 31 cases were nearly recovered, 80 cases significantly improved and 15 cases improved, the effect rate was 96% (126/131); the control group: 14 cases nearly recovered, 68 cases significantly improved and 12 cases improved, the effect rate was 72% (96/130); the whole effective rate of the electric acupuncture group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.01). (2) GMP, TXA2, D-Dimer and Lpa of the electric acupuncture group decreased than before treatment (p < 0.01). (3) The wave incubation period and conductive time was obviously shorter than before treatment (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic electric acupuncture therapy appears to be effective in treatment of the acute cerebral infarction, which obviously improves the SEP and blood biochemical indexes in patients with cerebral infarction.

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

• PDF locator
• publisher