Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of mind- and qi-regulating acupuncture in treating postoperative gastroplegia.Methods Thirty-six patients with postoperative gastroplegia were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 18 cases each. The control group received conventional acupuncture and the treatment group, acupuncture at points for regulating mind and qi (Baihui, Sishencong and Yindang) in addition. Pre- and post-treatment Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores and gastric drainage volumes, and the number of treatments and the recovery rate were recorded in the patients. Comparisons of them were made between the two groups.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the HAMD score in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the HAMD score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in gastric drainage volume in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the number of treatments and the recovery and marked efficacy rate between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Mind- and qi-regulating acupuncture helps recovery and can also reduce the number of treatments in gastroplegia patients.