[Overview of relation between retaining time of acupuncture and effect for apoplexy]

The characteristics and advantages of acupuncture therapy for apoplexy have been widely approved in China. However, the factors affecting the curative effect are various. More and more researchers think highly of the acupuncture needle-retaining duration. The present article makes a discussion on the significance of needle-retaining duration for improving stroke patients' symptoms and signs; and reviews the recent progresses, the extant problems and the academic significance about the studies of the abovementioned topic by combining the authors' previous work. Generally, a systemic study on this topic is rather deficient up to now, and is definitely necessary for further improving clinical therapeutic effect in the light of the requirements of evidence-based medicine.