Clinical observation on different needling depth for dyspepsia after ischemic stroke

Abstract

To observe the efficacy difference between conventional needling depth and deep needling for dyspepsia after ischemic stroke. A total of 120 patients with dyspepsia after ischemic stroke were randomized into an observation group (60 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off). Basic treatment was given in the both groups. In the observation group, deep needling was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) and Liangmen (ST 21) for 60-70 mm, after even reinforcing-reducing manipulation of lifting-thrusting technique, the needles were withdrew to 35-50 mm. In the control group, the same acupoints as the observation group were selected and punctured for 25 mm. The needles were retained for 30 min, once a day, 6 times a week for 2 weeks in the both groups. The dyspepsia TCM symptom score was observed before treatment, 1 day and 1, 2 weeks into treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated 2 weeks into treatment in the both groups. The effective rate was 92.9% (52/56) in the observation group, which was superior to 78.9% (45/57) in the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the total scores and sub-item scores of dyspepsia TCM symptom of 1, 2 weeks into treatment were decreased in the both groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total scores and abdominal fullness scores of dyspepsia TCM symptom of each time point into treatment and hiccup score of 2 weeks into treatment in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total scores of dyspepsia TCM symptom 1, 2 weeks into treatment in the mild patients and each time point into treatment in the moderate patients of the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conventional needling depth and deep needling can both improve the clinical symptoms in patients with dyspepsia after ischemic stroke, and deep needling has faster and better efficacy.