title: [Efficacy judgment for treating ischemic stroke by acupuncturing at Neiguan (PC6) and the screening for optimal parameters].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To select optimal parameters and judge the comprehensive effect of acupuncture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was duplicated. Nine acupuncture parameters groups were set up by the frequency of acupuncture (slow, medium, and fast: 60, 120, and 180 times/min) and the acupuncture duration (short, medium, and long: 5, 60, and 180 s). Twisting technique was used in needling at Neiguan (PC6). By taking neurological impairment scoring, leptomeningeal cerebral blood flow, microcirculation (input branch diameter, output branch diameter, input/output), and cerebral infarction rate as effect indicators, the comprehensive effects of different acupuncture parameters at Neiguan (PC6) on MCAO were determined by factor analysis, thus screening the optimal parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By factor analysis, the highest score for comprehensive effect could be achieved with the acupuncture parameters of 180 times/min and 60 s. That is to say, fast frequency and middle time duration could achieve the optimal acupuncture effects, suggesting that appropriate acupuncture time duration should be used under the condition of guaranteeing fast frequency when treating ischemic stroke by needling at Neiguan (PC6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 180 times/min and 60 s were the optimal parameter group when needling at Neiguan (PC6) by twisting technique for treating ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou University of Science and Technology, Neimenggu 014010, China.
authors.forename: Jun-qing
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Xiao-nong
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*