OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of blood-letting therapy on apoplectic hemiplegia numbness syndrome and search for clinically effective therapy.

METHODSNinety and five cases of apoplectic hemiplegia were randomly divided into a treatment group of 55 cases and a control group of 40 cases in order of visiting. The treatment group were treated with tapping Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B2) on the back by plum-blossom needle combined with blood-letting on twelve Well-points or Shixuan (EX-UE 11), once every day, 6 times constituting one course; the control group were treated with routine acupuncture at points of the four limbs, once daily, 12 times constituting one course. After they were treated for 4 courses, their therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 94.5% in the treatment group and 77.5% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBlood-letting therapy is an effective therapy for post-apoplectic hemiplegia numbness syndrome.