OBJECTIVETo explore mechanisms of acupuncture in treatment of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

METHODSForty cases of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) were divided into an acupuncture group and a routine treatment group, 20 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated by routine treatment plus acupuncture. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment were determined to investigate the effects of acupuncture on blood flow velocity and brain electrophysiology in the patient of VBI.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the blood velocity of vertebral artery and vertebrobasilar artery at bilateral sides in the patient of VBI decreased as compared with the control group, and the abnormal rate of TCD was 75.0% (30/40) and the abnormal rate of BAEP was 70.0% (28/40), characterized with brainstem abnormality type; after treatment, the blood velocity in the two groups was improved and the abnormal rate of TCD was 47.5% (19/40), and the abnormal rate of BEAP was 45.0% (18/40). The nerve conduction of the two groups was improved, the peak latency of V wave and interpeak latency of III-V and I -V in the acupuncture group were improved significantly as compared with the routine treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve the blood velocity of vertebrobasilar artery and the nerve conduction function of brainstem in the patient of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.