[Acupuncture for nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea: a case report]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Integrative Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Background:

• Nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea (NHH) is a rare neurological complication of diabetes.
• NHH presents with involuntary choreiform movements, often affecting one side of the body.
• Standard medical care focuses on glycemic control, but adjunctive therapies are explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a clinical case of NHH treated with a multimodal TCM approach.
• To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in managing NHH symptoms.
• To demonstrate the benefits of integrating TCM with conventional medical care.

Main Methods:

• A patient with NHH received standard medical care alongside TCM treatments.
• TCM interventions included governor vessel thirteen needles, scalp acupuncture, specific acupoint combinations (back-shu and front-mu), and moxibustion.
• Treatment focused on TCM principles of tonifying kidney, warming yang, and unblocking orifices.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in choreiform movements and improved speech and gait were observed within one week.
• Complete resolution of all symptoms occurred after two weeks (four sessions) of treatment.
• No recurrence was noted during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• A combined approach of acupuncture, moxibustion, and strict blood glucose control offers an effective treatment for NHH.
• This case provides clinical evidence supporting the integration of TCM therapies for NHH.
• The TCM diagnosis and treatment principles were effective in managing the complex symptoms of NHH.