OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effect of "Tongdu Yisui" (unblocking the governor vessel and benefiting marrow) acupuncture and moxibustion on Meige syndrome.

METHODS:Fifteen patients with Meige syndrome were treated with "Tongdu Yisui" acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), Shenzhu (GV12), Zhiyang (GV9), Jinsuo (GV8), bilateral Taixi (KI3), Zhaohai (KI6) and etc. Moxibustion was delivered at Jinsuo (GV8). After acupuncture and moxibustion at these body points, Jiao's scalp acupuncture was operated at bilateral chorea-tremor control area, and the patients were asked to walk for 20 min during needle retaining. Acupuncture and moxibustion were administered 20 min each time, once every two days, 3 times weekly and for 8 consecutive weeks. Assessments were conducted before treatment, after treatment, and follow-up at three months after treatment completion using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFMDRS-M), abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS), and blepharospasm disability index (BSDI); and the clinical effect was evaluated after treatment.

RESULTS:Compared before treatment, the scores of the sub-items of BFMDRS-M for eyes, mouth, speech and swallowing, and neck, as well as the total score of the scale, AIMS score and BSDI score decreased after treatment and during follow-up (P<0.05); the scores of the above indexes were not different statistically in comparison between the follow-up and after treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, 13 cases were effective, 2 cases were failed and the total effective rate was 86.7% (13/15).

CONCLUSION:"Tongdu Yisui" acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate motor symptoms and dysfunction of Meige syndrome and presents the sustained therapeutic effect.