OBJECTIVETo observe effects of acupuncture under guidance of qi street theory on endocrine function in the patient of epilepsy.

METHODSSixty cases of epilepsy were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medicine group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The medication group were treated with Valpromide, and the acupuncture-medicine group were treated with Valpromide and acupuncture at main points Renying (ST 9), Fengfu (GV 16), Tianzhu (BL 10). Epilepsy scores and plasma total cortisol (CORT), estradiol (E2), pregnendione (P), and prolactin (PRL) levels before and after treatment were observed. Results The total effective rates were 96.7% in the two groups with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05); the epilepsy score before treatment was (13.58+/-4.01) points and after treatment was (8.30+/-4.52) points in the acupuncture-medicine group, and (12.97+/-3.91) points and (7.86+/-4.90) points in the medication group, respectively, with significant improvement after treatment in the score in the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, plasma CORT, E2, P and PRL levels in the acupuncture-medicine group and plasma CORT, E2, P levels in the medication group had significant changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was a significant difference between the two groups in CORT level after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture under guidance of qi street theory is an effective method for improving endocrine function in the patient of epilepsy.