Effect of Acupuncture plus Electrical Stimulation on Deglutition Function and Cerebral Blood Flow in Pseudobulbar Palsy / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at nape points plus nerve electrical stimulation on deglutition function and cerebral blood flow in pseudobulbar palsy after cerebral stroke. Method The eligible subjects were randomized into a control group of 35 cases and a treatment group of 33 cases. The control group was intervened by conventional Western medication, while the treatment group was by acupuncture at nape points plus nerve electrical stimulation in addition to the Western medication, once a day, 4 weeks as a treatment course. Result The total effective rates were respectively 93.9%and 80.0%in the two groups, and the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group; after the intervention, the high whole blood viscosity, low whole blood viscosity, hematocrit, and plasma viscosity all dropped markedly in the treatment group, and were significantly different from that in the control group (P0.05). After the intervention, there were significant differences in comparing the Vm, Vs, and PI of the left vertebral artery, right vertebral artery, and basilar artery between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at nape points plus nerve electrical stimulation is effective in improving the deglutition function in pseudobulbar palsy after cerebral stroke, and its action mechanism is plausibly through improving the cerebral blood flow and promoting the recovery of brain function.