[Clinical study on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of plaque of carotid atherosclerosis].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on carotid plaque in the patient of carotid atherosclerosis due to ischemic cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: Sixty cases were randomly divided into an acup-mox group and a drug group, 30 cases in each group. Plaque of carotid atherosclerosis and quality of the plaque were investigated by color B-ultrasonography and the thickness and area of the plaque were calculated. RESULTS: The resolution rate of the plaque was 53.9% in the acup-mox group and 10.0% in the drug group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and with better effects on flat plaque and soft plaque. And the thickness and area of the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the plaque of corotid atherosclerosis, so as to alleviate and prevent from occurrence and development of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.