Observation on efficacy of treating vascular dementia gait disorder with electro-acupuncture (EA) on Jiāj ( EX-B2) along lumbar vertebra combined with scalp acupuncture

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of treating vascular dementia gait disorder with electroacupuncture (EA) on Jiāj ( EX-B2) along the lumbar vertebra combined with scalp acupuncture, in order to explore a more effective therapeutic method.MethodsForty-two patients were divided into an acupuncture group and a drug group according to the method of random number table, with 21 cases in each group. EA on EX-B2 from L2 to L5 (bilateral) and scalp acupuncture on Băihuì ( CV 20) and Sìshéncōng ( EX-HN 1) were applied in the acupuncture group, once a day the course of treatment was 30 days; Duxil was taken orally by the drug group, one pill twice a day for 30 days as a course of treatment. After treatment was completed, the efficacy was evaluated and activities of daily living (ADL) were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe total effectiveness rate for the acupuncture group was 90.5%, which was significantly better than that of the drug group (61.9%), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); ADL was compared before and after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (the acupuncture group: 24.52±9.34 vs 32.85±13.56; the drug group: 25.47±10.04 vs 29.99±13.87, both P<0.01); after treatment, ADL, including gait disorders, in the acupuncture group was more significantly improved than that of the drug group, and the differences were statistically significant (32.85±13.56 vs 29.99± 13.87, P<0.01).ConclusionThe efficacy of treating vascular dementia gait disorder with electro-acupuncture (EA) on EX-B2 along lumbar vertebra combined with scalp acupuncture was superior to orally administered Duxil.