OBJECTIVETo assess the impacts of acupuncture and moxibustion on carotid arterial vascular structure and blood flow parameters for the patients with carotid arteriosclerosis.

METHODSSixty-eight cases were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group (35 cases) and a medication group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, Renying (ST 9), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. were selected, moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36). In the medication group, Enteric-coated aspirin was taken orally. The high-frequency ultrasonography was applied to detect common carotid artery (CCA), intima-media thickness (IMT), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) before and after treatment for the comparative analysis.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in comparison between acupuncture-moxibustion group and medication group, CCA got bigger [(8.16 +/- 0.80) mm vs (7.69 +/- 0.61) mm, P < 0.01], IMT became thinner [(1.05 +/- 0.09) mm vs (1.10 +/- 0.09) mm, P < 0.05], PSV and EDV were accelerated (all P < 0.01), and PI and RI were down-regulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion provides a good efficacy on the improvement in carotid arteriosclerosis and blood flow in carotid artery, which contributes to the alleviation of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and prevention from the occurrence and development of them.