【Objective】 To observe the therapeutic effect of focus-locating scalp circum-needling for ischemic stroke (IS) at acute stage. 【Methods】 Sixty-one cases of IS were randomized to two groups: group A (n=31) was treated with acupuncture on homolateral scalp region projected by CT-located focus; group B (n = 30) was treated with acupuncture on conventional scalp regions which were in charge of motor and sensory function. The cases were treated with acupuncture once a day for 30 days. The changes of symptoms and signs and the plasma contents of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were observed before and after treatment. 【Results】 Twenty cases were cured, 10 markedly effective, 1 effective and 0 ineffective in group A; 11 cases were cured, 15 markedly effective, 4 effective and 0 ineffective in group B. The therapeutic effect in group A was better than that in group B (P