title: [Randomized controlled study on dysphagia after stroke treated with deep insertion of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the therapeutic effect of dysphagia after stroke treated with different depth of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundreds and eighty-three cases of dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group (99 cases), Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (94 cases) and traditional acupuncture group (90 cases) based on multi-central randomized control and blinding methods. Besides routine therapy, Chonggu (EX-HN 27) and Lianquan (CV 23) were selected in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group; the needles were inserted for 60-75 mm and 30 mm respectively and the electroacupuncture was applied in both groups; in traditional acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12) and Lianquan (CV 23), etc. were selected. The needles were retained for 30 min, twice a day and 30 treatments totally in 3 groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated by Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate was 97.0% (96/99) in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group, superior to that of 64.9% (61/94) in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and 70.0% (63/90) in traditional acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). Compared with the scores before and after treatment, significant differences were presented statistically in score reduction of TCM Scale in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (P < 0.01); the scores of Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke were obviously reduced in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and traditional acupuncture group (all P < 0.01); compared with the scores between groups after treatment, the reduction of scores in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group was superior to those in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and traditional acupuncture group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Puncture at Chonggu (EX-HN 27) can improve the dysfunction of swallowing after stroke; it is safe and effective, and the needle should be inserted deeply.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin Academy of TCM, Tianjin 300120, China. zhangzhilongtj@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Zhi-Long
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shu-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Guo-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xue-Qun
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Yuan-Qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification*