Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on patients with stroke-related headache during convalescent and analyze its related factors. Methods A total of 116 stroke-related headache patients admitted to the Acupuncture Department of Gongli Hospital of Pudong New Area

Shanghai

from October 2018 to December 2019 were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to a random number table

with 58 cases in each group. Patients in both groups were given conventional treatments for control of blood pressure

blood sugar

blood lipids and anticoagulation. At the same time

patients in the treatment group were treated with "nape seven needles"(acupuncture at Fengfu[GV16]

bilateral Fengchi[GB20]

bilateral Tianzhu[BL10] and bilateral Wangu[GB12])combined with penetration needling for 30 min; patients in the control group were treated with Flunarizine hydrochloride capsules(5 mg). Both interventions were conducted once daily for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale(VAS) score and integrative sores of headache

and plasma serotonin(5-HT)

dopamine(DA)

substance P(SP)

α-endorphin(α-EP)

and β-endorphin(β-EP) levels before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The total therapeutic effective rate of the two groups was calculated. Results There was no significant difference in VAS score

headache score

plasma 5-HT

DA

SP

α-EP

β-EP levels between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05). After treatment

both groups have significant decrease in the VAS score

integrative sores of headache

the plasma 5-HT

DA

SP levels(P<0.05)

and significant increase in the plasma α-EP and β-EP levels(P<0.05). At the same time

the VAS score

integrative sores of headache

the plasma 5-HT

DA

SP levels of the treatment group were lower(P<0.05)

and the plasma α-EP and β-EP levels were higher(P<0.05) than those in the control group. The total effective rate of the treatment group(51/58

87.9%) was higher than that of the control group(42/58

72.4%

P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture therapy can increase the release of endogenous opioid peptide

reduce the secretion of 5-HT

DA

SP

and have a significant effect in treating stroke related headache.