Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of dysphagia in apoplexy patients.Methods A total of 104 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into a control(conventional swallowing rehabilitation training)group and an acupuncture group(n=52 cases in each one).In the control group

the conventional swallowing rehabilitation training was conducted

twice daily

6 times a week for 4 weeks.In the acupuncture group

deep needling of main acupoints Lianquan(CV23)and Yifeng(TE17)

and conventional acupuncture of adjuvant acupoints as Fengchi(GB20)and Fengfu(GV16)

Wangu(GB12)

Lieque(LU7)

Jinjin(EX-HN12)

Yuye(EX-HN13)

etc.as well as electroacupuncture stimulation(15-20 Hz

5 mA

and duration of 30 min)of ipsilateral CV23-GV16

TE17-GB20

and bilateral Neidaying acupoints were conducted.The acupuncture treatment was given once daily

6 times a week for consecutive 4 weeks.In addition

patients of the two groups also received routine symptomatic treatment with drugs for anti-platelet aggregation

nourishing cranial nerve

lowering blood pressure

controlling blood glucose

improving cerebral circulation

etc.Before and after the treatment

the standard swallowing assessment(SSA

18-46 points)and Kubota water swallowing test(WST

1-5 grades)were conducted to evaluate the patient's swallowing function.The comprehensive therapeutic effect was assessed in accordance with the SSA and Kubota WST

and adverse reactions were recorded.Results After the treatment

the SSA score was considerably reduced in the two groups relevant to their own pre-treatment(both P<0.05)

and was significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group(P<0.05).The Kubota WST grade was evidently increased in the number of patients with gradeⅠ(P<0.05)and reduced in the numbers of patients with gradeⅢ-Ⅴin both groups relevant to their own pre-treatment

and was more patients with gradeⅠin the acupuncture group than in the control group(P<0.05).Outcomes of the comprehensive therapeutic effect indicated that of the two 52 cases in the control and acupuncture groups

8(15.38%)and 19(36.53%)were cured

7(13.46%)and 15(28.45%)had marked improvement

17(32.69%)and 12(23.08%)were effective

and 20(38.46%)and6(11.54%)failed in the treatment

with the effective rate being 61.54% and 88.46%

respectively.The total effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The adverse reactions such as regional hematoma(in 3 cases)and pain(in 2 cases)in the acupuncture group

and choking-coughing in the control group were seen

being 9.62% and 11.54%in the incidence rate

respectively.Conclusion Deep needling of main acupoints Lianquan(CV23)and Yifeng(TE 17)in combination with conventional acupuncture of other acupoints is effective in improving local glossopharyngeal function in apoplexy patients with dysphagia

which is obviously superior to conventional swallowing rehabilitation training in the therapeutic effect and is applicable in clinical practice.