[Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on promoting wake-up of vegetative state after brain injury]

To observe the clinical effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on promoting wake-up of vegetative state after brain injury on the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation training.

A total of 100 patients with vegetative state after brain injury were randomly divided into an observation group (50 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (50 cases). Both groups were treated with routine clinical treatment. The patients in the control group were treated with rehabilitation and hyperbaric oxygen; on the basis of the control group treatment, the patients in the observation group were treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Chize (LU 5), Weizhong (BL 40), Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3). The acupuncture was given once a day, 5 days per week, for continuous 30 days. The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R) scores were observed before treatment and 10, 20 and 30 days into treatment. The wake-up rate of the two groups was compared after treatment.

On 10, 20 and 30 days into treatment, the GCS and CRS-R scores in the two groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the wake-up rate was 16.7% (8/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 12.0% (6/50) in the control group (P<0.01).

On the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation and wake-up promotion therapy, the Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture could promote the recovery of consciousness level in patients with vegetative state after brain injury.