ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the nine acupoints on nape in treating vertebrobasilar ischemia (VBI). Methods Totally 100 VBI patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Tianzhu (BL 10), and Jiaji (EX-B 2, C3);while the control group was by oral administration of Nimodipine tablets. The parameters in Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Dizziness Assessment Rating Scale (ADRS) were observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The TCD parameters were significantly changed in the treatment group after intervention (P<0.05). The TCD parameters [Vs (RVA), Vd (BA, LVA), Vm (BA, RVA), PI (BA)] were significantly changed in the control group after intervention (P<0.05). After intervention, there were significant differences in comparing the TCD parameters [Vs (BA, LVA, RVA), Vd (BA, RVA), Vm (BA, LVA), PI (BA)] between the two groups (P<0.05). The DARS average scores were significantly changed in both groups after 7-day treatment (P<0.01). The DARS average scores after the whole intervention were significantly different from that after 7-day treatment in both groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in comparing the DARS average scores between the two groups after 7-day intervention and after the whole intervention (P<0.01). The recovery-markedly effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 76.0%and 98.0%in the treatment group versus 44.0%and 96.0%in the control group, and there was a significant difference in comparing the recovery-markedly effective rate (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture at the nine nape acupoints is an effective method in treating VBI.