OBJECTIVETo explore the better therapeutic method for the treatment of hemiplegia in cerebral infarction.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty cases were randomized into a meridian-harmonization group (group A), a zang-organ regulation group (group B) and a meridian-harmonization and zang-organ regulation group (group C), 50 cases in each one. On the basis of conventional treatment, in group A, the acupoints were selected along meridians, such as Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Jianyu (LI 15), Waiguan (TE 5), Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34)ect. In group B, the acupoints were selected in light of abdominal acupuncture such as Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shangqu (KI 17, healthy side) and Daheng (SP 15)etc. In group C, the acupoints in group A and group B were selected in combination. Before and after treatment, all the patients received the test of Barthel Index (BI) to assess the disability level and the simple Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale (FMMS) for the evaluation of motor function.

RESULTSAfter treatment, all the three groups presented the significant improvement of BI, the down-regulation of disability rate and up-regulation of FMMS score, indicating significant differences in statistics as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In group C, the results of BI improvement, the down-regulation of disability rate and the improvement of limb motor function were all superior to those in either group A or group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture in light of meridian-harmonization and zang-organ regulation is the better approach for the early-stage rehabilitation of hemiplegia in cerebral infarction and its efficacy is superior to that of either simple meridian harmonization therapy or zang-organ regulation therapy.