• Tiao Li, Xiao-Xiang Zeng, Li-Juan Lin, Wei-Nan Lin, Jun Mao, Qi Wang, Ting-Ting Xian, Tian-Hua Zhu, and Shan-Shan Huang.
• Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China.
• Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2019 Oct 12; 39 (10): 1027-33.

ObjectiveTo screen the optimal acupuncture regimen for cricopharyngeal achalasia (CPA) after brain stem infarction and compare the therapeutic effect between the combined therapy of catheter balloon dilation and acupuncture and the simple application of catheter balloon dilation.MethodsThe patients suffering from neuropathic dysphagia in CPA after brain stem infarction were selected as the subjects. After confirmed in the diagnosis with video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), they were randomized into 6 groups, 15 cases in each one, named group A (routine treatment), group B (catheter balloon dilation), group C1 (treated with acupuncture in local area), group C2 (treated with acupuncture based on zangfu differentiation), group C3 (treated with acupuncture at the local area and the acupoints based on zangfu differentiation) and group D (catheter balloon dilation combined with the optimal acupuncture). Two phases were included in the study. In the first phase of study, the therapeutic effect was compared among the three acupuncture groups, named C1, C2 and C3 group, so as to screen the optimal acupuncture regimen. In the group C1, the main acupoints included Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Yifeng (TE 17) and three-tongue points (Extra). In the group C2, the main acupoints were Neiguan (PC 6), Tongli (HT 5), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) as well as the supplementary acupoints in accordance with the syndrome differentiation. In the group C1 and group C2, after deqi, the electroacupuncture was used, with continuous dense wave, 5 to 8 Hz in frequency. The needles were retained for 30 min. Acupuncture was given once a day, 5 treatments a week. Before treatment, in 6 weeks of treatment or after removal of gastric tube, the rehabilitation was evaluated. In the group C3, the acupoints, manipulation and treating course were same as the group C1 and group C2. In the 2nd phase of study, theresults of rehabilitation treatment were compared among the group A, group B and group D. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. Before treatment, after gastric tube removal or in 6 weeks of treatment, the evaluation was conducted. The feeding-swallowing function grade and VFSS were adopted in the evaluation among the above 6 groups.Results① In the VFSS comparison at 1st phase of study after treatment, the food transporting ability at oral dysphagia, the results in the group C3 and group C1 were better obviously than the group C2 (both P<0.05). For the improvement in aspiration, the result in the group C3 was better obviously than the group C2 (P<0.05). In comparison of the three acupuncture groups with the group A, the difference was not significant statisticallys in the extubation rate among the four groups (P>0.05). The severity of dysphagia in the group C3 was milder than the group C2 and group A (both P<0.05). ② In the VFSS comparison at the 2nd phase of study, for the food transporting ability, the results in the group D and the group B were obviously better than the group A (both P<0.05). Regarding the function at the pharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration, the results in the group D were better than the group B and group A, those in the group B were better than the group A (all P<0.05). The difference in the extubation rate among the group A, group B and group D after treatment was significant statistically (P<0.01), of which, the extubation rate in the group D was the highest and the rate in the group A was the lowest. The dysphagia degree in the group D was milder than the group B and group A and that in the group B was milder than the group A (all P<0.05).ConclusionIn the study of the different acupuncture methods, the acupuncture at the local acupoints and the acupoints selected based on zangfu differentiation is the optimal acupuncture regimen for cricopharyngeal achalasia after brain stem infarction. The catheter balloon dilation combined with acupuncture present the synergistc effect on cricopharyngeal achalasia after brain stem infarction, obviously relieve dysphagia and reduce aspiration.

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