To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the blood rheology in senile vertigo patients. Methods: 62 vertigo patients aged from 60 to 73 years were subjected into this study. Acupoint groups selected were 1) Neiguan (PC 6)

Zusanli (ST 36)

Yanglingquan (GB 34)

Sanyinjiao (SP 6)

Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3); 2) Fenchi (GB 20)

Geshu (BL 17) and Ganshu (BL 18). Treatment was given once daily

with 6 sessions being a therapeutic course. 12 items of indexes of blood rheology as whole blood vesicosity

hematocrit

hemagglutination index

red blood distortion index

etc were determined. Results: After 5 courses of acupuncture treatment

patients' clinical symptoms of vertigo

sleep

appetite

oppressed feeling in chest and palpitation disappeared or improved

and whole blood vesicosity

hematocrit and hemagglutination index lowered significantly in comparison with pre treatment. It suggests that acupuncture induced improvement of blood rheology may contribute to the disappearance of symptoms in senile vertigo patients.