Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of scalp-acupuncture

body-acupuncture and body-acupuncture combined with scalp-acupuncture for stroke. Methods: Two hundred and thirty stroke patients were divided into scalp-acupuncture group (112 cases)

body-acupuncture group (51 cases)

and body- plus scalp-acupuncture group (joint treatment group

67 cases) according to a random number table. Scalp points used were Motor Area (MS 6)

Sensory Area (MS 7)

Foot-motor Sensory Area (MS 8)

etc for hemiplegia and facial palsy; Motor Area (MS 6)

Speech Area (MS 9)

etc for aphasia; and body acupoints used were Jianyu (LI 15)

Hegu (LI 4)

Geshu (BL 17)

Huantiao (GB 30)

Zusanli (ST 36)

Fengchi (GB 20)

etc. In treating stroke patients at the early stage

acupoints on the healthy side were punctured first and stimulated with reducing method

followed by puncturing acupoints on the affected side and using mild stimulation maneuver. The treatment was given once daily in the 1

st therapeutic course and once every other day in the 2 st therapeutic course and once every other day in the 2

nd course

continuously for 15 days (one therapeutic course) and the interval between two courses was 7 days. After two courses of treatment

the therapeutic effect was analyzed. Results: After treatment

of the 112

51 and 67 cases in scalp-acupuncture

body-acupuncture and joint treatment groups

40

12 and 34 were cured basically; 48

22 and 28 experienced marked improvement; 22

15 and 4 were effective; 2

2 and 1 failed

with the effective rates being 98.2%

96.0% and 98.5% respectively. Rank test showed that the curative effect of joint treatment group was significantly superior to that of scalp-acupuncture group and body-acupuncture group (P

<

0.01)

and CT-scanning-shown absorption rates (marked absorption + absorption rates) of the hemorrhagic and infarct loci in joint treatment group were markedly higher than those in scalp-acupuncture and body-acupuncture groups (P

<

0.01). Conclusion: The curative effect of scalp plus body acupuncture is significantly superior to that of simple scalp- and simple body-acupuncture groups in the treatment of stroke patients.