Objective To observe the influence of Xiao's "xingnaofusu" needling(the technique for resuscitation) on regaining consciousness in the patients with persistent vegetative state(PVS). Methods A total of 50 patients of PVS were randomized into an observation group and a control group

25 cases in each. The patients in the control group were treated by the routine western medicine

and those in the observation group treated by Xiao's "xingnaofusu" needling and routine western medicine. Baihui(GV20)

Dingshen(Extra) to Shangen(Extra)(penetrating technique)

Fengchi(GB20) to GB20(penetrating technique)

Neiguan(PC6) to Waiguan(TE5)(penetrating technique)

Hegu(LI4) to Laogong(HT8)(penetrating technique) and Taichong(LR3) to Yongquan(KI1)(penetrating technique) were selected. The treatment was given once a day

10 days as one treatment course

3 courses in total. The coma recovery scale-revised(CRS-R) score

the modified Ashworth scale(MAS) score and the Glasgow coma scale(GCS) were separately compared before and after the treatment. Additionally

CT scanning was adopted to measure the width of the third ventricle before and after treatment so as to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect. Results After the treatment

the CRS-R and GCS scores in the two groups increased remarkably

and MAS score reduced obviously as compared with that before the treatment(P<0.05); and the CRS-R and GCS scores were higher

and MAS score lower in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05). Compared with the control group

the width of the third ventricle reduced obviously in the observation group after the treatment(P<0.05). At the end of the treatment courses

the effective rate was 79.2%(19/24)in the observation group and was 47.8%(11/23) in the control group. The effective rate of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion Xiao's "xingnaofusu" needling can remarkably improve the central nerve function

promote the recovery of brain function and the motor function of limbs

reduce the width of the third ventricle and improve the clinical therapeutic effect of regaining consciousness in the patients with PVS.