Objective To explore the clinical effect of Pinggan Jiangya decoction combined with penetrating needling at Baihui(GV20) in a period of day from 7 am to 9 am in the treatment of grade 1 and 2 essential hypertension(EH). Methods A total of 150 cases of grade 1 and 2 EH patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group

75 cases in each group. In the control group

Pinggan Jiangya decoction was prescribed for oral administration one dose a day

while in the observation group

on the basis of the treatment as the control group

penetrating needling was exerted at GV20 once daily. The treatment duration was 8 weeks. Before and after treatment

the TCM syndrome score

24 h average systolic blood pressure(24 h ASBP)

24 h average diastolic blood pressure(24 h ADBP)

24 h average pulse pressure difference(24 h PP)

morning blood pressure surge(MBPS)

24 h SBP variability(24 h SBPV)

24 h DBP variability(24 h DBPV)

serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and melatonin(MT) were compared in the patients of the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was observed in the two groups. Results After the treatment

in the self-comparison of each group

the scores of headache

vertigo

backache

soft knees

tinnitus

24 h ASBP

24 h ADBP

24 h PP

MBPS

24 h SBPV and 24 h DBPV in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P<0.01)

and the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01). The level of serum 5-HT after the treatment was lower than that of before the treatment(P<0.01)

while the level of MT was higher than that of before the treatment(P<0.01) in both two groups

and the level of 5-HT in the observation group was lower than that of the control group

while the level of MT was higher than that of the control group(P<0.01). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3%(70/75)

better than 76.0%(57/75) of the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion Pinggan Jiangya decoction combined with penetrating needling at GV20 in a period of day from 7 am to 9 am can regulate the levels of serum MT and 5-HT

effectively reduce blood pressure

improve blood pressure variability

control morning peak blood pressure

and has a remarkable effect in the treatment of grade 1 and 2 EH.