Literature Review on the Research Progress of common used

acupuncture therapy in treating Wind-Stroke

by Schelbert Urs

Acupuncture therapy is common used for stroke rehabilitation in China and has also been
investigated in the West. Acupuncture is effective for a wide range of conditions, such as
pain, musculoskeletal disorders and several neurologic diseases. [1]
There are many different treatment methods and techniques, such as traditional body
acupuncture with or without moxibustion, different schools of scalp acupuncture, electro
acupuncture and Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture.

1. Body Acupuncture

The traditional body acupuncture is more focused on the Yang meridians rather then the
Yin meridians. Frequently used acupoints are Quchi (LI 11), Jianyu (LI 15), Zusanli (ST
36), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (GV 20), Kunlun (UB 60), Fengshi (GB 31), Yanglingquan (GB
34), Juegu (GB 39), Huantiao (GB 30), Jianjing (GB 21), Shousanli (LI 10), Yangfu (GB
38), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Fengchi (GB 20), Yangxi (LI 5), Weizhong (UB 40), Zhigou (TE
6), Qubin (GB 7), Xiajuxu (ST 39) Taichong (LR 3), Xingjian (LR 2), Shenque (CV 8),
Guanyuan (CV 4), Fenglong (ST 40), Geshu (UB 17), Tongli (HT 5), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)
and Danzhong (CV 17). [2] [3] [4] “Chen et al. [5] reported that the most frequently prescribed
master meridian in acupuncture therapy for vascular dementia is the Du meridian
(Governor Meridian), followed by the gallbladder meridian, pericardium meridian, and
extra-point meridians. However, the most commonly prescribed master meridians are
Baihui (DU-20), followed by Fengchi (GB-20), Shenmen (HT-7), Renzhong (DU-26), and
Dazhui (DU-14). The most frequently prescribed master meridians in body acupuncture
therapy are the bladder meridian, followed by the stomach meridian, liver meridian, and
gallbladder meridian. However, the most commonly prescribed master meridian was the
bladder meridian, followed by the gallbladder meridian, stomach meridian, Fenglong (ST-
40), Taichong (LR-3), Hegu (LI-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Acupuncture therapy targeted
toward these meridian points for senile dementia was also shown to be effective, but there
have been few systematic and objective reports on the curative effects of acupuncture on
cognitive impairment in stroke patients. Therefore, this report presents the most common

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forms of clinical acupuncture therapy for cognitive impairment associated with stroke
along with a discussion of related clinical research.” [6]

2. International Scalp Acupuncture

For the international scalp acupuncture often used lines are the Anterior Oblique Line of
the Vertex-Temporal (MS6), Lateral Line of Vertex (MS8) and Lateral Line 2 of Vertex
(MS9). Needle technique: insert the needles 1.5 to 2 cun horizontally under the scalp and
manipulate the needles with a fast rotation for 2 to 3 minutes, retain the needles for 30
minutes. During the retention of the needles, repeat the fast-rotating manipulation 2 to 3
times. The patients should be advised to move the affected limbs during the needling and
retaining (Yun Dong Fa). For the early stage of hemiplegia, the duration of needle
retention can be prolonged for up to a few hours. [2] “Liu and Liao [7] treated 15 cases on
acupoints such as Middle Line of the Vertex on the uninjured side and Anterior and
Posterior Oblique Lines of Vertex- Temporal and reported a total effective rate of 80 %.”[6]
“Xu et al. [8] employed both scalp and body acupuncture for treatment of 22 patients with
hemiplegic cognitive impairment in combination with physical therapy (PT), occupational
therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST), and cognitive training (CT) for 4 weeks, while the
control group received only PT, OT, ST, and CT, respectively. The results showed greater
increases in scores on the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE) and the
Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment Battery (LOTCA) in the
combination therapy group than in the controls.” [6]

3. Electro Acupuncture

Electro acupuncture is also common used. Choose two points on the upper, lower limbs or
on both sides of the face. When the needles are inserted into the points and the needling
sensation is obtained, connect the electro-stimulator to the needles. Select an intermittent
wave or sparse wave and an appropriate strength to induce a slight muscular vibration, 20
tο 30 minutes per session. [2] “Jin et al. [9] suggested that electroacupuncture therapy for VD
would enhance cerebral cortex excitability, reduce blood viscosity, and improve
microcirculation to enhance cerebral blood circulation and facilitate energy metabolism of
degenerated neurons.” [2]

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4. Xing Nao Kai Qiao (XNKQ)

Xing Nao Kai Qiao (XNKQ) is a relative new acupuncture technique. It was invented by
Dr. Shi Xue Ming of Tianjing TCM College in 1972. The meaning of XNKQ is awakening
or activating brain and opening orifices. The XNKQ method is based on activating,
restoring and calming the spirit, regulating Yin Yang and Qi Blood, dredging the channels
and supplementing the Essence. [3] [10] “The principles of traditional acupuncture treatment
in stroke patients include "calming liver-yang and smoothing liver wind" in the acute
period. "Smoothing meridians" is the main principle in stable cases and the sequela period.
The points chosen were based on the theories of "using three yang meridians to treat wind"
and "using Yang-Ming meridians to treat apoplexy." A comparison of clinical effects and
research shows that the traditional acupuncture treatment for stroke patients has a definite
effect in stabilizing the disease and improving physical function. However, to improve
cerebral circulation and protect the brain cells, the changes in brain function are not
obvious. Dr. Shi’s XNKQ mainly uses Yin meridians and the Du meridian to activate the
brain and open the orifices and nourish the liver and kidney; smoothing the meridians is
supplementary.” [10] The XNKQ use the basic acupoints Renzhong (DU 26), Neiguan (P 6),
Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Chize (LU 5), Jiquan (HT 1), Weizhong (UB 40) and Hegu (LI 4). The
needling technique plays an important roll in XNKQ. For Renzhong (DU 26) use sparrow
pecking technique until tears come to the eyes. Renzhong (DU 26) open the orifices,
arouses the original spirit, and regulates the bowels and viscera. For Neiguan (PC 6) use a
reducing method for one minute. Neiguan (PC 6) is the luo-connecting point of the
pericardium channel, it quiet the Heart, regulate the Blood, calm the spirit, and it improves
the cardiac output of stroke patients and improves the supply of oxygen to the brain.
Needling Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the affected side with a strong manipulation until the leg
twitches 3 times. Sanyinjiao (SP 6) supplements the three Yin channels of the leg,
regulating Qi and Blood and calming the spirit. Weizhong (UB 40) is punctured on the
affected side with lifting and thrusting method, until the leg twitches 3 times. Jiquan (HT
1) is punctured on the affected side, until the arm twitches 3 times. Chize (LU 5) is
punctured with a flexed arm, stimulated until the arm twitches 3 times. Chize (LU 5),
Jiquan (HT 1) and Weizhong (UB 40) smooth the channels and network vessels while
moving Qi and Blood to improve movement of the limbs. Hegu (LI 4) is punctured with
the tip of the needle in direction to the metacarpophalangeal head to make clenched fingers
relax.[3] [10] “Shi examined the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao (inducing resuscitation) therapy

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in a total of 9,005 stroke patients and reported that after 3–5 courses of treatment, 5,337
patients showed full recovery (59.27 %), 2,085 showed a beneficial effect (23.15 %), 1,453
showed improvement (16.14 %), 40 had no response (0.44 %), and 90 died (1.0 %). The
total effective rate of acupuncture treatment was 98.56 %. Clinical laboratory tests for
relevant indices indicated remarkable differences after compared with before
therapy.”[6][11]

5. Research Progress on Acupuncture therapy for Wind-Stroke

Acupuncture is not generally accepted in Western countries due to lack of convincing and
prove of efficacy, but it also more frequently applied in stroke patients. [12-14] “Positive
results have been reported in studies with different designs and treatments from 24 hours to
8 years after stroke onset.” [14-19] “Experimental studies have demonstrated that
acupuncture has effects in common with physical exercise on the release of transmitters
and peptides in brain and spinal cord.” [14] [20-22] “Studies have indicated that acupuncture
therapy can increase the blood flow in ischemic areas and that it shows protective effects
upon post-cerebral ischemia neuronal damage.” [6] [13] Acupuncture therapy can also help to
increase the microcirculatory blood flow of infarction patients, enhance blood flow,
increase tissue perfusion, ameliorate the supply of blood and oxygen for cells around foci
of infection (these cells are in a partial ischemic state during the early pathological period),
and activate their remaining functions to compensate for functions of ischemia-induced
necrotic cerebral cells, such as language competence, memory, orientation force, and
ability to perform complex tasks.” [6] [24]

6. Summary

Many studies have shown that acupuncture has the potential to treat the symptoms follow a
Wind Stroke and “acupuncturists who treat patients on a daily basis regularly see obvious
benefits resulting from the treatments they provide. Their conviction that acupuncture
‘works’ is based on careful observation and experience.” [25] “Available data indicate that
acupuncture might have a positive effect on the stroke prevention and rehabilitation, but
the evidence is not strong enough. Although large numbers of clinical trials were

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conducted, most of them were small-sampled, single-centered” [26] and the methodological
quality many of those studies remain poor. Most of those studies missing very important
information. For example the style of acupuncture, depth of insertion, needle stimulation,
needle retention time, needle type etc. A good tool to improve the studies would be the
STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA).
“These set out reporting guidelines for the acupuncture rationale, the details of needling,
the treatment regimen, other components of treatment, the practitioner background and the
control or comparator interventions. In addition, and as part of this revision process, the
explanations for each item have been elaborated, and examples of good reporting for each
item are provided. In addition, the word ‘controlled’ in STRICTA is replaced by ‘clinical’,
to indicate that STRICTA is applicable to a broad range of clinical evaluation designs,
including uncontrolled outcome studies and case reports. It is intended that the revised
STRICTA checklist, in conjunction with both the main CONSORT statement and
extension for non-pharmacological treatment, will raise the quality of reporting of clinical
trials of acupuncture.”[27] “The STRICTA recommendations have been adopted by several
participating journals that regularly publish in the field of acupuncture research. They have
all agreed to recommend the STRICTA guidelines in their Instructions for Authors.” [28]

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STRICTA Checklist

MacPherson, H., White, A., Cummings, M., Jobst, K., Rose, K., Niemtzow, R. (2001). Standards for reporting interventions in
controlled trials of acupuncture: the STRICTA rcommendations. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 9, 246-249 doi:10.1054/ctim.
2001.0488

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doi:10.1054/ctim. 2001.0488