[Observation on the clinical efficacy on dyspepsia after ischemic stroke treated with elongated needle]

To observe the effect of elongated needle, filiform needle and medication for attenuating belching, nausea and vomiting in patients with dyspepsia after ischemic stroke.

A total of 102 patients with dyspepsia after ischemic stroke were randomly divided into an elongated needle group (34 cases, 1 case dropped out), a filiform needle group (34 cases), and a medication group (34 cases, 2 cases dropped out). In the elongated needle group, the elongated needle with the length of 125 mm was inserted perpendicularly at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Liangmen (ST21, bilateral) and Tianshu (ST25, bilateral). After inserted with the depth of 70 mm to 90 mm, the needle was lifted beneath the skin, with the depth of 45 mm to 75 mm. In the filiform needle group, the filiform needle, with the length of 40 mm was used and inserted perpendicularly at CV12, CV6, ST21 (bilateral) and ST25 (bilateral), with the depth of 20 mm to 30 mm. Acupuncture therapy was delivered once daily, 6 times a week for 2 weeks in these two groups. In the medication group, domperidone was prescribed orally, 10 mg each time, 3 times a day, for 2 weeks. The scores of Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ), Nepean dyspepsia life quality index (NDLQI) and the dyspepsia symptom of TCM were evaluated before and after treatments. The clinical efficacy was compared among the 3 groups and the safety was evaluated.

After treatment, the scores of LDQ and TCM dyspepsia symptom decreased markedly compared with the baseline (P<0.05), and NDLQI score increased (P<0.05) in the 3 groups. After treatment, when compared with the filiform needle group and the medication group, the scores of LDQ and TCM dyspepsia symptom were decreased in the elongated needle group (P<0.05) and the NDLQI score was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.94% (31/33), 76.47% (26/34) and 71.88% (23/32) in the elongated needle group, the filiform needle group and the medication group, respectively. The total effective rate in the elongated needle group was superior to either the filiform needle group or the medication group (P<0.05). The serious adverse reaction was not found and the safety was high in the 3 groups.

Elongated needling therapy with deep insertion can significantly relieve the symptoms of dyspepsia after ischemic stroke and promote the recovery in the patients. The effect of this therapy is superior to the treatment with either filiform needle or medication.