OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) treatment of ischemic apoplexy, and to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect.

METHODSWith the design of sequential trial, the patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group were treated by addition with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on the basis of basic expectant treatment, once each day, for 20 consecutive days; and the control group with basic expectant treatment for 20 days. Changes of cerebrovascular functions before and after treatment were investigated by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in the matched-pair's patients of ischemic apoplexy; the clinical therapeutic effect was assessed by nervous function defect before and after treatment.

RESULTSAll the test lines of the research targets reached to the effective margin the sequential trial figure, with a significant difference as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) has good regulative action on cerebral vasomotorial response, auto-regulation of cerebral blood flow, and establishment of collateral circulation, and improves recovery nervous functions.