OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of different acupuncture intensities on diabetic gastroparesis and to search for the best acupuncture intensity for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly divided into 4 groups, strong, moderate, weak acupuncture intensity groups and an oral hypoglycemic drug group, 20 cases in each group. Two weeks of treatment constituted one course.

RESULTSThe total effective rates were 85.0%, 95.0%, 85.0% in the acupuncture groups, respectivelly, with significant difference as compared with 65.0% of the control group (P<0.05). The moderate intensity acupuncture group had the best clinical therapeutic effect. The principal frequency and amplitude of the stomach electrogastrogram in the gastric antrum and the stomach body significantly improved in the acupuncture groups, which was better than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has significant therapeutic effect on diabetic gastroparesis, and there is a dose-effect relation between different intensities of acupuncture and curative effects,which are correlated with the regulation of the gastric electric parameters.