Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of combined acupuncture therapy on dysphagia due to pseudobulbar palsy in stroke patients.Methods: A total of 95 stroke patients were randomly divided into combined acupuncture therapy group(n=54) and medication group(n=41).Patients of the combined acupuncture therapy group were treated with scalp-acupuncture

body acupuncture

acupoint-injection(Cobamanlide

(0.5 mg/mL)) and medicines as Red Sage Root Injection((800 mg)

i.v.

once daily)

Aspirin((300 mg) for the first 15 days

and(100 mg) thereafter

PO

once daily)

Nimotop((30 mg)

PO

3 times per day)

etc.Scalp-points used were bilateral Motor Area(MS 1)

body acupoints were Baihui(GV 20)

Lianquan(CV 23)

Tongli(HT 5)

Fenglong(ST 40)

Taichong(LR 3) and Zusanli(ST 36).Electroacupuncture(EA

3-(5 mA)

10-(50 Hz)) was applied to MS 1

HT 5 and(ST 40) for 30 min.Cobamanlide((0.5 mL)/point) was injected into Zusanli(ST 36).The treatment was given once daily with 15 times being a therapeutic course and 2 courses altogether.Patients of medication group were treated with simple medicines.The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to Professor SHI's criteria. Results: After one month of treatment

of the 54 cases and 41 cases in treatment and medication groups

24(44.4%) and 11(26.8%) were cured

21(38.9%) and 13(31.7%) had marked improvement

4(7.4%) and 5(12.2%) had improvement

5(9.3%) and 12(29.3%) failed respectively.The effective rate

total scores

and scores of swallowing-drinking function

masticatory function in combined acupuncture therapy group were significantly higher than those in medication group((P<0.05)

90.7%

16.35±3.96

2.67±1.10

(2.61±)(1.19 vs) 70.7%

13.83±5.58

2.12±1.25 and 2.07±1.21). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of combined acupuncture treatment is significantly superior to that of simple medication in improving symptoms and signs as dysphagia due to pseudobulbar palsy

etc.in patients with stroke.