title: [Efficacy observation of Thoroughfare Vessel theory in acupuncture for post-stroke dysphasia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the difference in the efficacy on post-stoke dysphagia between the point selection according to Thoroughfare Vessel theory and conventional point selection in treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-eight patients were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 42) and a control group (n = 36). In observation group, acupuncture was applied to the acupoints selected according to Thoroughfare Vessel theory such as Dazhu (BL 11), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Neiguan (PC 6) and Gongsun (SP 4) Mainly. In control group, acupuncture was applied to the conventional acupoints such as Fengchi (GB 20), Lianquan (CV 23), Tiantu (CV 22), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Acupuncture was given once per day in either group, 12 treatments made one session and 4 sessions of treatment were required. The water swallow test was adopted to assess the swallowing function in two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effective rate was 100.0% (42/42) in observation group and was 77.8% (28/36) in control group. The efficacy in observation group was superior to control group (P < 0.05). The curative time was (28.65 +/- 10.42) days in observation group and was (38.74 +/- 21.30) days in control group. The time was shorter apparently in observation group as compared with control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Thoroughfare Vessel theory in acupuncture treatment for post-stroke dysphasia achieves a superior efficacy as compared with the conventional acupoint selection, and this theory may quickly determine the point prescription in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The First Rehabilitation Hospital for the Disabled, Jinan 250022, Shandong Province, China. jnzhengh@126.com
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Shi-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Fu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xian-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fang-Fang
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Deng-Bu
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome