Changes of blood biochemical indexes in stroke patients after scalp acupuncture:A randomized controlled observation

R74; BACKGROUND:Hemorrheologic indexes and the disturbances of lipid metabolism are closely correlated with stroke.Whether scalp acupuncture can correct the abnormality of hemorrheologic indexes,and improve the hyperviscosity of stroke patients,and then ameliorate their brain function? OBJECTIVE:To observe the curative effect of internationally standardized scheme of scalp acupuncture on stroke,and analyze the influence of scalp acupuncture on the hemorrheologic indexes,levels of blood lipids and plasma endothelin in stroke patients.DESIGN:A randomized controlled observation.SETTING:Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.PARTICIPANTS:Totally 128 stroke inpatients were selected from the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from May 2000 to June 2005,including 72 males and 56 females,with an average age of(64±37)years.All the subjects were accorded with the diagnostic standards of stroke in the criteria for the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) diagnosis and efficacy evaluation(in trial)and the diagnostic key points for cerebrovascular diseases revised by Chinese Association of Neurology,and they were all confirmed by cranial CT scanning.Of the 128 patients,there 73 cases of cerebral infarction,48 of cerebral hemorrhage,and 7 of mixed type.For TCM diagnosis,there were 79 cases of stroke involving channels and 49 cases of stroke involving zangfu organs.The stroke patients with randomly divided into scalp acupuncture group(n=66)and body acupuncture group(n=62).Meanwhile, 15 healthy physical examinees were taken as the normal control group. All the subjects were informed and agreed with the treatment scheme.METHODS:①Scalp acupuncture group:Anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal[from Qianshencong to Xuanli (GB 6)]and posterior oblique line of vertex-temporal[from Baihui (DU 20)to Qubin(GB 7)]were selected as the acupoints to perform acupuncture successively with 3 needles.At approximately 30.angle,the needle was quickly inserted beneath the scalp.When the needlepoint reached the lower layer of galea aponeurotica and less resistance was felt by fingers,the needle was inserted horizontally as scalp for another 1.0-1.5 cun,then twirled rapidly and continuously at the speed of about 220 times per minute. Afterwards the needle was retained for thirty minutes and twirled once every five minutes, and every twirling lasted