OBJECTIVETo explore the auricular point specificity of the electric determination in stroke so as to provide the evidence for the objective study on the auricular point diagnosis in stroke.

METHODSThirty patients of stroke were selected in an observation group; 30 patients of non-stroke internal medicine disorder were in a control group A; 30 persons of healthy examination were in a control group B. In the observation group.and the control group A, beside the conventional treatment, acupuncture was applied to all the cases. In the observation group, Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanili (LI 10), Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected on the affected side. In the control group A, Yin-tang (GV 29), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengfu (GV 16), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Jiaji (EX-B 2) C4-C7 were selected. Acupuncture was given once a day in the two groups. The; treatment of one week made one session, and continuously 2 sessions were required. In the control group B, the convention physical examination was provided without any medication and acupuncture involved. The CLRH-A auricular point detector was used to detect the entire auricular point area in the subjects and the positive reaction sites of auricular points in the subjects of each group before and after treatment separately. The auricular point positive detecting score and positive point frequency were observed in the subjects.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the auricular points detecting score in the observation group was obviously higher than that in the control group A and control group B (both P<0. 05). The difference in the score between the control groups was not significant in' comparison (P>0. 05). In two weeks of treatment, the auricular points detecting score in the observation group was reduced apparently (P<0. 05). The difference was not significant before and after treatment in either the control grolip A or the control group B (both P>0.05). In the observation group, the first 15 points with high frequencies of positive reaction were naogan (AT3,4i), pizhixia (AT4), e (AT1), xin (CO15), gan (CO12), nie (AT2), zhen (AT3), shen (CO10), jiaogan (AH6a), pi (CO13) shenmen (TF4), wei (CO4), neifenmi (CO18), shenshangxian (TG2p) and erjian (HX6,7i). The differences were significant in the frequencies of positive reaction at 9 auricular points as compared with the control group A and the control group B respectively, named naogan (AT3,4i), pizhixia (AT4), e (AT1), xin (CO15), gan (CO12), nie (AT2), zhen (AT3), shen (CO10) and jiaogan (AH6a) (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe pathological degree of positive reaction about auricular points in stroke patients is higher than those in the patients of non-stroke internal medicine disease and the healthy people. It is verified that the auricular diagnostic method is specific in stroke. naogan (AT3,4i), pizhixia (AT4), e (AT1), xin (C15), gan (GO12), nie (AT2), zhen (AT3), shen (CO10) and jiaogan (AH6a) are correlative with stroke.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To discuss the short-term curative effect and the safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty using high viscosity bone cement for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures. Methods The clinical data of 100 patients with severe osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures (compression degree>70%), who received percutaneous vertebroplasty by using high viscosity bone cement during the period from December 2010 to May 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were followed up for at least one month. Both preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life (QOL) scores, as well as the incidence of bone cement leakage, were recorded and the results were used to evaluate the curative effect and the safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty for severe osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures. Results One week after the treatment, significant pain relief was obtained in 92 patients (92%), VAS scores decreased from preoperative (7.0 ±1.2) to postoperative (2.0±1.5), and QOL scores increased from preoperative (30±5.0) to postoperative (80±18.0);the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). One month after the treatment, significant pain relief was seen in 91 patients (91%), VAS scores decreased from preoperative (7.0 ±1.2) to postoperative (1.5 ±1.0) and QOL scores increased from preoperative (30±5.0) to postoperative (80±15.0); the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). No statistically significant differences in VAS scores and QOL scores existed between the data determined at one week after the treatment and the data determined at one month after the treatment (P>0.05). Leakage of bone cement was observed in 40 patients (40%), resulting no severe neurological symptoms; among the 40 patients, intervertebral disc leakage at above and below the vertebral body was detected in 28 patients (70%), vertebral anterior edge leakage was observed in 11 patients (27.5%) and vertebral posterior edge leakage was seen in one patient (2.5%). Conclusion For the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures, percutaneous vertebroplasty by using high viscosity bone cement is safe and effective.