UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To verify the correlation between the points of eye acupuncture and zang-fu function so as to provide the theoretical evidence for the principle of point selection in eye acupuncture therapy.

METHODSSixty cases of cerebral infarction were treated with different points according to syndrome differentiation of Chinese medicine.

MAIN POINTSupper energizer area and lower energizer area. Supplementary points: liver area, kidney area and spleen area for hyperactivity of wind, phlegm and fire; liver area and spleen area for blockage of wind, phlegm and stasis; stomach area and large intestine area for excess fu syndrome due to phlegm heat; heart area and spleen area for qi deficiency and blood stasis; liver area and kidney area for yin deficiency and wind stirring. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was adopted to observe the changes in blood flow in local foci before and after treatment with eye acupuncture.

RESULTSAfter the treatment with eye acupuncture therapy, the intake ratio of region of interest (ROI) between the lesion area and corresponding area on the opposite side was 0.74 +/- 0.12 before eye acupuncture and was 0.91 +/- 0.08 after treatment, indicating significant statistical difference in comparison (P < 0.05). After eye acupuncture, cerebral blood flow increased apparently.

CONCLUSIONThe point selection according to syndrome differentiation in eye acupuncture therapy may increase local brain blood flow in the patients with cerebral infarction and improve the state of brain ischemia so that the correlation can be proved between the points of eye acupuncture and zang-fu function.