ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effect of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on cerebrovascular function in the patient of ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three central, single blind, randomized controlled trial method was adopted, and 160 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group, 80 cases in each group. The two groups were treated by routine treatment for ischemic stroke with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) added in the acupuncture group. Changes of TCD cerebrovascular blood flow indexes before and after treatment were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, TCD indexes significantly improved in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) with a significant difference as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) can significantly improve cerebral vasomotoricity, cerebral blood flow auto-regulative function, cerebral hemisphere collateral circulation comprehental function in the patient of ischemic stroke.</p>