OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of He's Santong needling method on neurological functional deficit in the patient of ischemic apoplexy, and search for an effective method for treatment of ischemic apoplexy.

METHODSAccording to the randomized and multi-central trial principle, 319 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to an observation group of 161 cases and a control group of 158 cases. The observation group were treated with He's Santong needling method, i. e. blood letting, puncturing with a red-hot needle and filiform needle therapy by stages, and the control group were treated with acupuncture at 12 points of the hand and foot routinely selected in the department, once daily. After treatment of 30 days, changes of neurological functional deficit score were investigated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 91.93% in the observation group and 70. 25% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in changes of the neurological functional deficit score between the patients at the acute stage and the convalescence (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of He's Santong needling method on ischemic apoplexy at acute stage or convalescence is better than that of the routine point selection.