Clinical Observation of Acupuncture at Eight Nape Points for Vertigo Due to Vertebrobasilar Arterial Insufficiency / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at the eight nape points in treating vertigo due to vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency. Method Totally 150 patients with vertigo caused by vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency were randomized into acupuncture group 1, acupuncture group 2, and a medication group, 50 each. Acupuncture group 1 was intervened by acupuncture at the eight nape points, acupuncture group 2 was by acupuncture at Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL 10), etc, and the medication group was by oral administration of Flunarizine. The symptoms and Transcranial Doppler (TCD) results were observed before and after intervention in the 3 groups. Result After treatment, the excellent rate was 82.0%in acupuncture group 1, versus 62.0%in acupuncture group 2 and 52.0%in the medication group, and the excellent rate of acupuncture group 1 was significantly different from that of the other two groups (P＜0.01). TCD showed that the systolic velocity, mean velocity, and pulsatility index of the bilateral vertebral arteries were markedly improved in acupuncture group 1, significantly better than that of the other two groups. Conclusion Acupuncture at the eight nape points can significant improve the vertebrobasilar arterial blood supply.